Kyle, Jack and Ryan - LeAnn Ashers Page 0,7

I don’t look at him. I just pretend that I don’t notice it at all. I just want to touch him. I don’t care if it’s just this. He has been so kind to me today. He pulls his pinky from mine, and I look down just as he intertwines our fingers. I smile happily. This is much better.

The movie ends way too soon. “I guess I’d better get some sleep.” He nods and helps me off of the couch. I rub my belly, feeling her or him kick.

“Is it the baby?” He nods toward my stomach.

“You want to feel?” I ask him. He smiles, and I reach forward and take his hand, placing it on my belly where the baby is kicking. His eyes widen in wonder, and looks at my stomach like the baby is going to jump out and snatch him.

“That’s amazing.”

It is amazing. It’s hard to believe that I’m carrying a baby in my body. The miracle of life is so amazing.

“I’ll help you down the stairs, don’t want you to fall.” He takes my hand again, intertwining our fingers, and walks me down the stairs. I feel special. I know it’s stupid and he’s just being nice. That’s all this can be. I’m pregnant, very pregnant. Me being attractive flew out the window a few months ago. I push open my door and step inside, looking back at Kyle.

“Goodnight,” I say softly, smiling.

“Goodnight darlin’.”

I pull the door shut, my eyes closed. I let out a deep breath and walk to my bedroom, ready to sleep for days.

Chapter Four

Chrystal

One Week Later

“Darlin’, your appointment is at four, right?” Kyle asks, sticking his head in the door.

“Yes, it’s right around the corner.”

This past week has been heaven on earth compared to living in the backseat of my car. I’m now getting adjusted to staying with Kyle, and we have become best friends, honestly. Ones that flirt relentlessly with each other. He winks and leaves me alone once again, and my stomach twists. God, why does he have to be so attractive?

I go back to my work, ordering parts for the guys. Today is the first appointment I could get to see the doctor. I’m excited to find out if I’m having a girl or a boy, but I feel kind of bad that I haven’t seen a doctor in such a long time. That’s kind of hard to do when you don’t have insurance.

Kyle has decided he must drive me everywhere, which I don’t mind at all because I’m so sick and tired of my car.

The back door bursts open and I spin around, confused, because no one ever uses this door. Some man I’ve never seen before steps inside the office, clawing his skin until it bleeds.

“Are you okay, sir?” I ask. His eyes snap to mine. His eyes are blood red, and I know instantly that he’s on something. I also know that I’m in danger because he doesn’t look like he’s in his right mind.

I clear my throat and try to make myself as friendly as possible. I’m beating myself up because I should have locked the door. I’m not even sure how he got past the guys in the first place. I push myself away from my desk so I can run if I need to. “Why don’t you sit down there, sir, and I’ll help you in a second.” I motion to the seat beside me. He just continues to stare at me.

I reach under the desk and hit the alert button the guys installed a few days ago in case of an emergency. He doesn’t move, he doesn’t even blink, and saliva is dripping from the side of his mouth. One second he is stoical, the next he’s running straight for me. I scream and push my chair at him as hard as I can, throwing him off balance. I run out the door into the main garage with him close behind me. Fear is lodged deep in my throat, not allowing me to scream.

I look around for someone to help me, and Kyle runs into the building. His eyes narrow, and I turn around just as the crazy guy reaches for my hair. Kyle is there in a second, and his hand closes around my assailant’s hand. Kyle all but picks me up to put me behind him, and I stare in shock as I see Kyle in a whole different light. He picks up the guy and slams him facedown