Hearts Attached by Scarlet Wolfe Page B

to have a family of their own, but I don’t know if I can do it, either. The thought of giving away a part of you hurts my heart, Kenzie.”
    I lift my head, and when my face brushes against his, I feel a tear on his cheek. Luke’s heart can hurt deeply due to the capacity it loves. Pressing my lips to his, I kiss him softly as I push against him.
    “I can’t believe you’ll still let me touch you, Kenzie.”
    “Why wouldn’t I? You said yourself it was an accident. We were in love when it happened. I still love you, and I’m still going to want to have sex with you.” I throw my hand over my mouth. “Ugh, I’m going to get fat.” Luke moves it from my face.
    “You’re not going to get fat, and you’ll always be beautiful.”
    “You’ve had stress your whole life because of me,” I say. “First, it was my dad all those years and now this.”
    “Stop it. We’re in this together, so don’t start feeling sorry for me or guilty.” Luke interlaces our hands. “Over the years, you’ve been there for me more times than I could count. I’ll never forget that time in my car when you were soaked from the rain.
    “I loved you then, Kenzie, and I should’ve told you. Now, stop being stubborn and let me hold you tonight, so I know you and our baby are OK.”
    ***
    A ge 16:
    I’m running over to Liv’s to see if she wants to hang out. When I reach the door, I almost collide with Luke. He looks furious.
    “Luke, hi.”
    “Hi, I need through, Kenzie,” he says angrily.
    I step aside. “What’s wrong?”
    “Nothing you need to worry about.”
    “If it has you upset, then yeah, I am going to worry.” I run behind him, in the pouring rain, to his car.
    “Kenz, you’re getting soaked. Go inside.” Luke slings the door open.
    “No, and where are you going?”
    “I don’t know, and I don’t care. Hell, I don’t care if I see another fucking day.” He slams the door shut, so I run around to the passenger side and yank on the handle.
    “Unlock this door, Luke!” I bang hard on the window with my palm. He starts it up, and I see his hand clenching the steering wheel.
    “I mean it, Luke. You don’t get to say shit like that, and you shouldn’t be out driving in the rain when you’re pissed off!”
    He finally looks over and unlocks it, so I jump in. It’s springtime, and I’m in denim shorts and a thin t-shirt. My clothes are soaked and stuck to me. The windows are fogged up, and now that I’m in the car, I don’t know what to say.
    Luke reaches over and moves hair out of my face.
    “You’re stubborn, Kenzie. I want to be alone.”
    “Bullshit, and fat chance of that happenin’.”
    Shaking his head, he backs out of the driveway. He seems to calm some as he drives, and it’s what I was hoping for. We’re silent until he pulls up at the park.
    It’s quiet for a few more minutes before I reach over and peel his fingers off the steering wheel. I lace ours together and set them between us.
    “What could be so awful that you’d consider not seeing me another day?” I ask, smiling at him. I’m worried but trying to lighten his mood. He shifts his body to face me.
    “I’m sorry, Kenzie. I didn’t mean that. I just–I can’t take all the pressure from my dad. He’s on my ass about studying for finals and college prep exams, getting enough rest for track, and performing perfectly at the meets.
    “He never shuts up, and I can’t take it anymore.”
    “I’m sorry, Luke.”
    “Sometimes I think he’s not much different than your dad was. He makes me feel like I’m never good enough and always falling short, disappointing him daily.”
    “I do think he puts too much pressure on you, but I know he loves you.” I shiver as I wipe away water that has dripped onto my face. Luke starts the car and turns on the heat. “Maybe you need to tell him how you feel when the both of you are calm.”
    “I guess so.” Leaning his head back against the seat, I watch his Adam’s apple move as he