Shadow: Cerberus MC Book 3 by Marie James Page B

you have to deal with.” I swallow roughly and turn my face away from him. “It wasn’t just that night. Every night we spent together, you left. It didn’t matter if we only had sex once or half a dozen times, you got up and left. I had no expectations of you when I found out. You didn’t want anything to do with me after you came. Why would I think for a minute you’d be interested in knowing I was pregnant?”
    “You still lied,” he says still unable to look at me.
    “I did,” I concede. “I knew I only had you for a little bit. I knew how the night was going to go before we even went up to the room.”
    I take a deep breath trying to calm my nerves, knowing my next admission has no place inside of a friends-with-benefits type of relationship. Emotions and hope for a future have no place in a casual fuck arrangement.
    “I knew we’d have sex. I longed for it, even though I had no doubt you’d get up and leave again. I craved your touch, even if it was temporary. I was stupid, impulsive. I didn’t think it would happen. I honestly didn’t give it a second thought. I just knew I wanted every second with you that I could get. I knew you wouldn’t stick around. Why would I think you’d be interested if I called you and told you I was pregnant?” I repeat.
    “I was drunk. I never should’ve…”
    “Don’t you fucking dare!” I yell turning my eyes to him. “You don’t get to say shit like that. You don’t get to wish him away. Regardless of what’s happened, I wouldn’t change him being here for anything in the world. If you don’t want us here, that’s fucking fine with me. If you don’t want to be involved in his life, I don’t have a problem with that either but keep your damn regret to yourself.”
    I place all of my focus back on Griffin. My hands shake uncontrollably as I switch him from one breast to the other.
    “That’s not what I meant,” he says in a calmer voice than I’d expect at a time like this.
    “Save it, Shadow.”
    From the corner of my eye, I see him shake his head and run his hands through his hair.
    “You went to a fucking abortion clinic, Misty. How’s the view up there from your high horse?” He just can’t leave well enough alone.
    “My heart broke every second I was at that clinic. I wasn’t there because I just wanted to make this situation go away. I was there because my parents forced it. It was either that or give up everything in my life. Have you ever been faced with a situation like that?” I look over at him, but he refuses to meet my eyes. I stare at the side of his face, daring him to meet my eyes. “Walking out of that clinic, not knowing where I was going to sleep that night, giving up my entire life was the easiest decision I’ve ever made.”
    He turns his head to me, finally looking me in the eye, reading for the first time the determination, the sacrifice I’ve already made for this child.
    He sighs loudly. “I thought your parents were super religious. I wouldn’t think people who consider themselves so close to God would try to force you into an abortion.”
    “Nothing worse than an unmarried pregnant woman according to them.” I can’t think of my parents right now; their betrayal is still raw.
    “Where did you go? A friend’s? A family member?”
    I shake my head. “I don’t have anyone in my life like that. I was afraid other members of the church would look at me with the same disgust my parents did when they found out.”
    Griffin is back asleep, so I pull him off and cover myself back up.
    “While I was at the clinic the counselor told me about other services in the community. I went to a place called Maternity House. They provided room and board. Helped me find another job. I was able to finish school.”
    I leave out the part about almost putting him up for adoption. I don’t have the energy to have another screaming match with him. He already thinks I’m a horrible person for showing up at the clinic. From the way