TROUBLE, A New Adult Romance Novel (The Rebel Series) by Elle Casey Read Free Book Online Page B

can’t happen.   We’re from different worlds, raised in different worlds, and living in different worlds.   I might be in his world right now, but it’s only temporary.   After this baby is born, I’m gone.   I have no idea where I’ll go, but it won’t be here and it won’t be with him.
    “That’s not true,” he says, but not very convincingly.   “I don’t avoid you.”
    I start walking again.   “See?   Even you don’t believe yourself.”
    He jogs to catch up.   “Okay, fine.   That might have been true for the past few weeks, but it’s not true anymore.”
    “Why?   What’s the big change for?   Is it your birthday?   Did you confess your sins at church and now you have to repent?”
    “No.   None of that.   I don’t know.”
    “Lie.   I can tell you’re lying.”
    “I don’t lie.”
    I won’t even dignify that with a response.   Instead, I snort.   Dammit. I’m potbelly pigging again.
    “I might be fibbing, but it’s for a good reason.   My mom used to say white lies aren’t real lies.”
    “A lie is a lie is a lie,” I say.   “Liars must die .”   I’m burning with anger right now.   I’ve known one particular liar in my life who’d I’d happily throw in front of a train if I had the strength.   The thought of it clouds everything else out.   All I can see is him .   His face.   His hands.   His body.   All I can feel is him . His weight, pushing down on me.   His strong arms wrapped around me.   His hands, pressing into my body.   Lying, butthole, jerkface, hurting, sneaking, …   I don’t say the last word that almost comes to mind.   I can’t even think it clearly, and I could never say it out loud.
    I’m crying now and as close to running as I can get while eight months pregnant.   My belly swings uncomfortably from side to side as I huff and puff to breathe.
    “Hey, slow down, little penguin!   You’re going to bust something,” Colin says, jogging next to me.   He’s barely having to move his feet to keep up.
    “Shut up!   Leave me alone!” I sound pitiful, but I can’t help it.   He’s confirmed my fears about looking like a graceless, flightless bird and it’s possible a sun-stroke is in my near future. I just need to get away.   Back to the couch.   Back to my books.   Back to ignoring the rest of the world around me.
    “Hey, hey, hey,” he says, taking me by the elbow and slowing me down, “why are you crying?   Is it because I called you little penguin?   I’m sorry.   I’ll never do it again.”
    “Just go, Colin, okay?   Just go.”   I yank my arm back and continue walking super fast.   I’m almost to the Rebel Wheels parking lot when I realize I’m alone.   He finally listened to me and did what I asked.
    Perfect.   Go.   I don’t need you as a friend or a lunch date or anything else.   Just leave. Me. Be.   And stop haunting my daydreams and night dreams too while you’re at it.

CHAPTER SIX

    WHEN I GET BACK TO the apartment, I pray for some alone time, but God isn’t listening.   As usual, he has my requests on mute.   Teagan is there with a plate of hot muffins in her hands and Quin is on the couch with headphones on.
    I have to choose: either sit next to Quin or camp out in the bathroom.   I start at the bathroom but quickly decide that the hard seat is worse than anything Quin could come up with.
    I go back out into the main living room, choosing the more comfortable option and hoping Quin will take the hint when I turn on my e-reader and put it in front of me.
    I want to let out a string of terrible cuss words when I realize my battery is dead, but of course I don’t.   My lips are sealed.   Maybe nobody will notice my book isn’t on the screen.   I hold the tablet up in front of me and pretend to read.
    “Did you just go jogging?” Teagan asks, kind of laughing.   “You’re seriously out of breath and your face looks like a tomato.   Here, have a muffin.” She holds out