Fighting For You by Megan Noelle Read Free Book Online

back.  It’s time to let him be the one.”  I nodded my head furiously as a few stray tears slid down.
    “Thank you for screwing up the plan tonight,” I said, sincerely.  In a twisted way, I was glad that I was forced to see Corey.  I needed it just as much as I dreaded it.  But Gabby was right—it was time to let go of doubts and fears and win him back.
    Gabby gave a careless shrug. “It’s what I do best.” I laughed.
    “Night, Gabby.”
    “Night, Dani.”
    I finally escaped to my room and slid under the covers, holding close to my chest Corey’s hat, which was so much more than just a piece of clothing.  This was the sign to me that he was still mine…and I was still his.

Chapter Five
     
    The incessant buzzing of my cell phone woke me with a start the following morning.  I batted my arm out to the side, inevitably smacking the phone on my side table.  After a few more moments of fumbling around I put the phone to my ear.
    “’Ello,” my tired voice answered.
    “Danielle Hamilton! Did you move back and not tell me?” I kicked myself for not paying attention to my caller ID.
    “Gram, I told you I was coming home.”
    “But you did not tell me you were returning home yesterday!”
    “I know and I’m sorry about that but it’s really not that big of a deal.  We made it safely and Gramps knew about the journey.”
    “Don’t even remind me!  Your Grandfather still has to deal with me later, but for now I’m on my way.”
    That got my attention. “Wait—you’re what?!”
    “On my way, Danielle.  Please pay attention when I am talking to you.”
    “Sorry,” I mumbled before she hung up the phone. 
    The second I hung up the phone I drug myself from the bed.  My feet hit the floor and I bolted towards the guest bedroom where Gabby was probably still sleeping off the inevitable hangover.  I tried to reign in my manic reaction but, unfortunately for her, it was without success. 
    “Gabriella! Get up right now!”  Her response was to merely groan and shove a pillow over her head.
    No way was I giving up this easily.  “No! Gabby, this is serious!”
    Once more a deep moan came out half-heartedly along with a grunt that sounded like, “Eh…tequila.”  This time I ripped the blanket from her, making her immediately recoil. 
    “Danielle!  If you think I’m getting up right now—you are seriously delusional!”
    “You need to get up and get in the shower.  My Gram is on her way and right now you smell like a bar.”
    She shot up, a little too fast from the looks of things, and she shot me her best angry glare. “I wouldn’t smell that way if you weren’t goddamn nuts!”
    We had basically no time to talk about anything and, as much as I wanted to argue that, it would have to wait until later.  “You’re right. Now come on!” 
    Slowly but surely she got out of bed and reached into her bag, pulled out a pair of yoga pants and a tank top.  Just as slowly, she padded off towards the bathroom. I, meanwhile, was hopping around like a maniac behind her.  When we finally made it into the bathroom, I hurried to turn on the water and grab a spare towel.  In the meantime, Gabby plopped herself onto the edge of the tub, her head supported by her hand.  I couldn’t help but wonder if she was still sleeping.
    “Dani, chill the fuck out! You’re making me dizzy.”
    “So sorry, but my Gram is just—harsh.  Be thankful you’re going to be showering.”
    “I’d be more thankful if I was sleeping,” she mumbled.
    I chose to ignore it and just as I was about to leave the bathroom, I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the mirror.  That’s when it hit me—my bump.  It looked very small, quite insignificant at the moment, honestly. But I had a sick feeling she would notice.  I pulled my shirt up over my stomach and let my hands mold over the little bean that had become a permanent staple in my heart. 
    “Gabby—do I look,” I paused to find the words, “more