Read Online Fight for Love by Jennah Scott - Free Book Online Page A

me.
    “You.”
    Stacey kept walking ahead of me. I imagined a smile on her face. “Luke, I’m serious.”
    My shoulders dropped, I knew I couldn’t deflect her much longer. “I learned something, maybe, and I want to talk to Dr. Greenberg about it.”
    “That’s fantastic. I hope…” The glow in her eyes, the excitement at the chance to make things better for me brought on emotions I wasn’t going to admit having. Another picture of Stacey flashed through my memory. Her wide eyes and shaky hands yesterday when I nearly lost control. Never again would I be the cause of her fear.  
    I pulled Stacey to a stop. “I’m sorry about yesterday. I wouldn’t have hurt you on purpose. You know that, right?” I needed to apologize to her again and make sure she knew I’d never hurt her. I wasn’t Dave and I had to prove it to her, somehow. Or maybe I needed to prove it to myself. Which one it was, I didn’t know.
    “I know. Don’t worry about it.”
    I did worry, and would continue to worry. Stacey wasn’t okay and I had a feeling that was as much the reason she distanced herself from me today as me asking her out yesterday.  
    “So what did you hear?”
    “Umm, no offense, but I’d like to talk to Dr. Greenberg first.”
    “Of course, I’m sorry I pried.” Stacey dropped her head to her chest.  
    I tucked my fingers under her chin and lifted it until our eyes met. “That’s not what I meant. I don’t want to get your—or my—hopes up. I’d rather get Dr. Greenberg’s opinion first. You weren’t prying, and I appreciate your concern.”
    “Thank you.” We’d stopped in front of Dr. Greenberg’s office.  
    I felt my lip twitch and a smile form. I wasn’t sure she knew how relaxed she looked as we walked down the short hallway. I liked the relaxed Stacey far more than the uptight professional one. Her crystal blue eyes glittered in the sun that flickered off the windows and I fell deeper. I was screwed, totally and completely screwed. God I was such a girl sometimes. Thank goodness Dr. Greenberg opened the door and gave me a chance to save face.  
    “So, what brings you in today? You’re weekly appointment isn’t until tomorrow.”
    I stood there staring at the empty hallway, imagining what life would be like if I weren’t worried about turning into an asshole. If no one had to be afraid that I’d hit them when they were around me. If Stacey could love me the way I loved her. No, not love. I didn’t love Stacey. We barely knew each other. Love was not an option.  
    “Luke. I do have other appointments today.” Dr. Greenberg tapped her foot.  
    I jumped at the sharpness in her voice. She was the only person that could snap at me and not bring out my worst personality traits.  
    “Oh…hi…um…yeah. I have some questions,” I stammered.
    “Okay, come on in.” She held the door open and stepped back for me to enter. I didn’t miss the sharp look she tossed Stacey before closing the door.  
    I settled on the couch, whatever tension Stacey eased came back full force. If she and I were going to ever have a friendship or relationship it’d have to be without Dr. Greenberg knowing, otherwise I’d put Stacey and her job at risk. I refused to do that to her.  
    “What questions can I answer?” She walked to her chair.
    “Is there a name for what happens to me? An explanation for why I’m always fighting this urge to hit someone or something?”
    Dr. Greenberg scooted forward in her chair and rested her chin on her steepled hands. “Yes, I think there is.
    “So I can stop it?”
    “Maybe.”
    I slumped back onto the cushions of the couch. “But you aren’t going to tell me?”
    “It’s not that. I want to help you, but before we take that next step I need to do a little more research, learn a little more. You need to learn more, too. If it’s what I think it is, then you’re going to have to come to terms with some areas of your life you prefer to avoid.” I started to say