Love Hurts Read Online Free PDF Page B

to say hi and, as Jilly thought of it, to stake his claim ever since a new, good-looking male teacher had been hired.
     
    Jilly understood Gregg’s fears even if she found herself constantly irritated at him of late. He loved her devotedly, she knew it, even though she couldn’t return his feelings. There were times when Jilly felt love for him. The words had even hovered on her lips during intimate moments, but to speak them would almost be like throwing herself into prison. She didn’t understand why she felt that way. It was just the way things were.
     
    Jilly glanced at the road again then dug in her oversize purse for the bag of saltines she’d stashed there. Her stomach rumbled and she felt her gorge rise. Hurry bus!
     
    She stuffed a couple of crackers into her mouth and chased them with a trickle of water from the bottle she carried. The lump of soggy cracker settled into the bottom of her stomach. As uncomfortable as it felt, she hoped it would stay there.
     
    The road stayed empty of anything but cars and trucks. No bus yet. It was now ten minutes late. Other passengers gathered around her, and she stepped back to give them room, but also to stay separate. Too many people in town knew her. While she didn’t know anyone around her, there was a good chance someone would recognize her and try to engage her in conversation. Jilly bit her lip and kept her gaze on the ground.
     
    A pair of dark brown, large loafers stepped into her view. She knew them. Oh shit.
     
    “Jilly?”
     
    She looked into Gregg’s face and cringed. She could see the hurt in his face. He knows. How the fuck does he know?
     
    “What are you doing?” He glanced at the empty ground beside her and then at her huge purse. “You’re not leaving for good, right?”
     
    “No.” Her voice came out small, timid. It pissed her off. She had the right to do what she wanted. He couldn’t tell her not to. She lifted her chin, stared back at him, defiant now. “No, I’m not leaving for good. I’m coming back.”
     
    “Why? Why are you doing this?”
     
    “Doing what?”
     
    Gregg shook his head, ran both hands through his hair. He kept his gaze on the road for a few moments before turning back to her. “I know what you’re doing. I found the pregnancy test.”
     
    “What the fuck were you doing in my garbage?” Jilly hissed, trying to keep her voice low. Despite her efforts, some of the people glanced their way, not even trying to disguise their curiosity. When is the fucking bus going to get here?
     
    Gregg took her arm and eased her back a few steps from the others. Jilly yanked her arm away.
     
    “I dropped my razor when I was shaving and saw it.”
     
    The disappointment in his face threatened to shame her. “I don’t want a baby. I’m not ready to be a mother, dammit.” Her voice rose and Gregg turned his back to their audience, shielding them from view.
     
    “Jilly, baby, it’s our child. Don’t I have a say?”
     
    She stared up at him, guilt rising. She’d never believed in abortion until it became personal. Fear had chased her all the way to the bus station. She’d never once thought of Gregg’s rights as a father. She didn’t want to think of it. She’d hoped to be on the bus and well on her way to Vancouver by now.
     
    A loud rumble came from the highway. The bus pulled up as the passengers gathered their belongings and began to line up. Jilly pushed past Gregg and took her place. She wouldn’t let him deter her from the path she’d decided on the second she saw the double pink line. There was no way she would have a baby.
     
    Gregg stood off to the side. He watched her, but kept silent. He’d already learned that arguing with her was futile. It only ever set her more resolutely on the path she’d chosen. As the line moved forward, Jilly began to feel the tug-of-war between Gregg and her path. She took a step and felt the counter pull of Gregg’s desire to keep their baby. She took another