Unexpected Romance Read Online Free PDF

working with kids for the rest of my
life. I took an aptitude test back in high school. I think it gave me
like bank clerk or secretary or something. I'm afraid of choosing
something wrong. And I don’t want to waste your money on
something it turns out I hate and quitting."
    Corey
started to say something, but Nicole squeezed his hand. Nicole nodded
at Tony, encouraging her to go on.
    Tony
took a breath. "I really am most afraid of disappointing you. No
one's ever been there for me. I mean Mom was there, but most of her
energy was devoted to physical survival. So I don't know what to do."
    Corey
looked at Nicole. "Tony, we love you. We love having you here. I
spent the first year in constant worry for you, that our house was
too busy, that you'd never feel comfortable with us."
    "It
was a hard first year," Tony admitted. "I love you guys
too, but someday you would probably like your house back to just your
family."
    "Pish,
like Corey will stop bringing home homeless hockey players. Don't
worry about us. We'll have some small life-form here for what seems
like forever." She patted her belly.
    "What?"
Tony said, looking from him to her and back.
    Corey
grinned. "We thought we'd do it once more."
    Tony
grinned. "That's great! Congratulations! How far are you? When
are you due?"
    "Only
about twelve weeks, so I'm due in the middle of January."
    "I
get to be auntie again. Do the kids know?"
    "Not
yet. We're doing a big reveal thing in a few days. Keep it hush
hush," Nicole said.
    He
coughed. "So school."
    Tony
nodded.
    "I
hope I haven't been pressuring you into going to school. If you don't
want to, that's fine. I wanted you to have the option."
    "No
pressure. well maybe a little pressure. But it's come from Mom too."
    "Second,
if you want to take classes part time, you can do that. You might
have to quit with Kip and Mandy and I know they'll hate to see you
go." He shook his head. “You could start with one thing
then next year change your area of study, I'm okay with that. But you
don't have to decide your forever job at twenty."
    "You
can probably talk with a career counselor at school," Nicole added. "One who will give you more than
a generic aptitude test that spits out generic responses. Someone who
will look at you and see what you like. What were you good at as a
kid?"
    "Besides
kicking people's asses to save the vulnerable? I don't know."
    "Social
work," Corey said. "Something with social work." He
smiled and stood. "Look, Tonya, no matter what you decide, we
love you. And I'll support you. Sometime in the next ten years, I
will kick you out."
    "Love
you too," she said. "Thanks."
    "Goodnight.
The front door is locked," he said. "Don't forgot to turn
off the lights."
    "I
always remember. Chris leaves them on."
    "You
sound like you're four, blaming your little brother," Corey
teased. "He's been good though otherwise? Since our chat?"
    "He's
fine, big brother. I swear I can take care of myself. Goodnight."
    She
followed them out of the kitchen, flipping the switches along the way
that plunged everyone into darkness. Down the stairs, she felt a bit
keyed up, so she paced the hallway. She stopped in front of Chris's
door and lifted her hand to knock. But she chickened out and dropped
her hand. She went back to her room.
    Then
realizing she needed to wash her face and brush her teeth, she left
for the bathroom she shared with Chris to do so. After she washed her
face, she stared in the sink. Thankfully, Chris was a considerate man
and he wiped the sink after he used it, he didn't leave his towels or
clothes on the floor. Some of the guys Corey let stay down here were
utter slobs who assumed they still lived with their mothers, she
guessed.
    Once
she had finished washing, she found herself knocking on Chris's door.
"Uh, just a second," he said. A moment later, he opened the
door wearing T-shirt and boxers. His smile transformed to a look of
surprise. "Tonya," he said.
    "Hi,
sorry, you were probably asleep or something. I'll