Austin & Beth Read Online Free PDF Page A

love you. I love you ."
    I closed my eyes, listened.
    Austin's shouts faded. He exhaled a shaky sigh, pulled out and flopped next to me. Disappointment shadowed his features. He draped an arm over his eyes.
    "I wish it'd lasted longer," he said.
    "It'd never be long enough. Not even if you lasted three hours."
    He snorted. "Shit. I wish I could last three hours."
    You and me both.
    But alas, our sex session was over. Done. Now we had to face whatever came next. I had to face Joe with the horrid truth, then brace myself for the consequences. Potential consequences of which Austin and I hadn't discussed.
    I rolled to the side, tucked an arm beneath my head and gazed at Austin.
    "Austin?"
    "Hm?"
    "What's going to happen to us? I mean—what if Joe stops paying your tuition or something? I'd hate for that to happen."
    "Whatever it takes. He can do whatever he wants because as long as I'm with you, nothing else matters. I can easily get a job and pay for my own education. You know? What's the point in worrying about it? I just want to be with you, Beth. I want to take care of our baby. Screw everything else." He lowered his arm, shrugged and turned his head to meet my gaze.
    "What if we're not making the right decision?" If we weren't, however, I didn't want to know about it. Ignorance truly was bliss.
    "I know what's in my heart," he said. "You know what's in yours. We'll go from there. What else can we do? Like I said—I want us to be together. I've wanted it since I was sixteen years old and I'll be damned if I wait any longer."
    Sixteen? Wow.
    "You're right. Nothing else matters except you and me."
    "You, me, and the baby," he corrected. "Can't forget about our Emily."
    "Like I could forget. She reminds me every time she dances on my bladder, or shoves a foot under my rib."
    "I can only imagine." A smile played at Austin's lips. He slipped an arm past my shoulder, and nudged until my head rested on his bare chest.
    A momentary, unnerving silence pervaded. Further worrisome thoughts filled my head.
    "I dread telling Joe about us."
    "I know but it has to be done. He'd find out sooner or later about Emily. You know this as well as I do. Not to be a selfish prick, but I've loved you for three years and if I can deal with that, I'm sure Dad will be alright. Anyhow he doesn't love you like I do."
    "Yeah."
    "He doesn't , Beth. He never has and he never will."
    "Okay, Austin. Enough with the brutal honesty."
    "Sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you. Sometimes I get carried away."
    "It's okay. I get it." And I did. I understood how emotions tend to take control and make someone speak without forethought.
    Regardless... que sera sera . Whatever will be, will certainly be.
    We can't stop fate, any more than I can stop myself from falling in love with Austin.
    I stole his hand and placed it on my tummy. We watched Emily's activity while I basked in the afterglow of awesome sex, our serious talk and the knowledge that Austin and I would stay together.
    Hopefully forever.
    Que sera sera .

5. Dad's Home
    I woke to strange music. Sounded like a call or text signal from Austin's mobile phone. The jingle cut short, and I cracked an eyelid to scan this teensy room bathed in shadows.
    Weird. Nothing seemed familiar. Nothing . And why was it so damn cold? Vapor emitted with each exhaled breath.
    Sitting upright, I rubbed my eyes and blinked. Again I observed the rustic, musty, firewood-stench ambience; and that's when it hit me.
    Joe's cabin .
    I sat there with my gaze fixed to the bedroom door. Uh I seriously, seriously think it's time to go.
    Afraid to move. Scared to utter a sound.
    And, of all times I had to use the goddamn bathroom.
    Oh my fuck. Shit. Shit! How long have we been here? A hasty look out the window confirmed my fear. Darkened snow frosted the pane and a full moon distantly hovered.
    Fuck me.
    Yes I wanted Joe to know about my relationship with his son. No I didn't want him to find out this way. Anything but this way.
    I threw on my