Her Choice by Toni Aleo

Author:Toni Aleo [Aleo, Toni]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-03-15T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Three

Benson

“You seem super distracted tonight, Benny. Everything okay?”

I don’t look at Elli as she drives me back on campus. I didn’t study at all when I got home, nor did Cameron. We went back to my room at the hockey house and just lay in bed. We didn’t talk about the pregnancy or even what we were feeling. We just lay there. Silent.

I’m unsure how I feel about the whole thing. A part of me is sad, but then another part of me is relieved. I’m also battling the guilt. I looked into changing my flights, but I don’t have the money to do so. Also, I’d have to explain to my parents why I’m coming later, and then I’d have to tell my coach and Elli since I’m supposed to start training Tuesday.

I just don’t know what to do, and all the emotions are riding me hard. I guess I should have talked more about it with Cameron since we are both going through the same thing. But I didn’t get the feeling she wanted to talk about it. I sure don’t know what to say to make her feel better, and I think she’s dealing with a lot of guilt right now. Her parents aren’t happy, and I get that. I know my parents wouldn’t be. They’d want me to talk her out of it, but I can’t. It’s not my body. Not my choice. Even if it were, I think I would make the same choice.

Cameron is right; we’re young, and we have a lot of things going on that we’ve worked hard for. I can almost hear my mom, “If you lie down with someone for a few minutes of pleasure, then be ready for the lifetime of responsibilities a child will bring.” She’s right and I was ready, but what can I do when the person who is actually carrying the child doesn’t want to? I can’t force her to keep it, nor would I.

Man, this is all just so much.

I realized I haven’t answered Elli when she says, “Benny? Did you hear me?”

“Yes. Sorry, Mrs. Elli,” I apologize. “I’ve got a lot on my mind.”

“Are you okay?”

I shrug. “Physically, I’m sore from practice, but mentally, I’m a bit screwed.”

She pulls into the Bullies’ hockey team house, and as she puts the car in park, she looks over at me. “Do you need to talk about it?”

I do. But I can’t betray Cameron. “Can I ask you a favor?”

Her caring green gaze doesn’t leave mine. “Of course.”

“Can you change my flight to either Monday night or Tuesday?”

She draws her brows in. “I’m sure I can. Is everything okay?”

I don’t want to lie to her, but I also can’t tell her the truth. “I need to do something Monday that I didn’t know about before you booked the flight.”

Her eyes search mine. “Okay,” she drags out. “Are you in trouble?”

“No,” I lie, and I know I’m not, but I wasn’t playing when I said I would support Cameron.

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