His Price(43)

But he looked so worried, so unsure of what was going to happen. And I was getting pulled in, driven by my need to help others. It's my biggest flaw, one I have been well aware of.

Yet, it was so hard for me to grasp and hold onto my inner voice; the one screaming for me to run away, to get the fuck out before I'm in too deep.

I could hear it loud and clear. Don't Noella! He probably made this mess himself, it's not your job to clean it up! Go home! Go home and help the ones who really need you.

“Hegan, don't worry about him. But in order for me to go any further, I need some answers. I need to know what's going on, and you have to be honest.” Catching his gaze, he peered into my eyes.

I watched his iris' change, reflecting back light from the small lamp next to the chair. A gold-orange color encased his pupils; a momentary flash that hardened the edges.

Shivers ran down my spine, tearing through my legs. I felt them weaken, shaking to hold me straight. Gripping his shoulder tighter, it was as if he knew I needed him to hold me up. Hegan wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me into his chest. “Are you saying you're willing to do this?” The hot air from his lips swept over my ear.

I couldn't speak, I didn't really want to say it out loud. Maybe it was fear that if I vocalized the words then everything would be truly real. My voice, the words, all meshed together, my brain wouldn't aid my tongue in speaking.

Shaking my head up and down, I had sealed my fate.

A baby.

It was a choice I had to think about, a decision that wasn't made lightly. I didn't do it just for him and how sorry I felt for Hegan in that moment. This was going to help my family too.

I hadn't forgotten about them, and this could mean a world of difference to my mom. She needed treatment, she deserved it. And with the insurance deciding what they would or wouldn't cover... It had left my parents practically bankrupt.

They're a stone's throw away from losing their home, being out on the streets. I didn't want that for them.

I didn't want that for Hegan.

Money wasn't supposed to be what ruled lives, or ruined lives.

This was going to save us all.

I hoped.





Chapter Fifteen


Hegan

Did that really happen? Did she actually agree to do it? She did. Noella didn't say it directly, but her head affirmed it.

And I was happy as a pig in shit.

I never expected she would just give in. I thought for sure she would've resisted till the very end. Yes, I told her she didn't have a choice, but that didn't mean shit. She could've left, the door was open.

My bribery, the allegations of yanking the help from her mom; that was all bullshit. I might be desperate, but I'm not a complete fucking asshole. Good thing she didn't know that.

I wasn't sure if that was what saved my ass or not, either way I didn't care. Noella was giving me all I needed.

She had just removed a bolder off my shoulders, and my body felt light as air. Walking to my mirror, I peeled my shirt up over my head. Dropping it to the floor, I stared into my reflection.

Noella was melting like hot wax over my brain. I was more than excited she'd agreed, but a piece of me was twinging with something different. Shaking my head, I wanted to shove it out, push it away and forget it was ever there.

Gripping the sink, I squeezed the porcelain rim. My fingers burned as all the blood was forced out and away. Dropping my head into my chest, I knew she had grown on me; more than expected, and more than I wanted.

She's agreeing to have your child, that's probably what this is. It had to be.

It's not real, I won't let it be real.

I couldn't let myself get close to her, she was just a pawn; my bullet in the barrel. That was it.

Splashing my face with cold water, a chilled exhale escaped my lungs. I needed her out, out of my thoughts so I could stay focused. If I let myself fall in too deep, I had no idea what would happen.

Get your shit together, don't do this. You can't do this. Watching a single drop of water balance on the edge of my nose, I stood motionless, waiting to see how long it would take to tear itself free.

Waiting and watching, it sat steady as if it was looking back at me. That lone drop of water, opaque and shining under the lights, only trembled at the edge. And all I could think of was her.

Noella. She had a smile that saturated the air I tried to breathe; strengthening my purpose. There was something more driving me, not just the demand of my father...

I wanted to make her mine, in every way.

That little stunt with the sledding was the first time I could think of being really happy. She was confident in herself, confident in who she was. Noella didn't walk in a straight line, that would've been too boring.

She followed her own path, chasing her own set of rules. But always thought of those around her, and their happiness. I could see it, she bared her body just to give her mother a fighting chance.