Jane's Surrender (Hard World Tour #2) (13 page)

Shit!

I dialed Ariel’s phone and she picked it up on the second ring. Figures. She would be going crazy over where I was and probably had her phone in her hand the whole time.

“
Jane! What the hell?”

“
Hey.” My voice was hushed; the last thing I needed was Drake waking up. I thought it was better to leave quietly and let my lawyer handle it. We could get an annulment.

“
Why are you whispering? And where the fuck are you?” She sounded pissed big time, and I could imagine her stomping her foot in distress.

“
I was out, and then crashed at another hotel. I was confused about which one was ours and decided to spend the night wherever. I just woke up.” As far as lies went, that one was believable enough. Hotels and bookings always confused me, because I saw no difference between buildings, and it drove my band mates crazy.

“
Well, okay then, we’re leaving soon. I packed your stuff. What’s the name of the hotel? We’ll pick you up.” We used our bus to come to Vegas, but her words sent panic through my body.

“
How about I just come to you? That way it’s faster, and by the time I’m there, we can leave.” She was silent for a few beats, and then her voice became slightly suspicious.

“
Are you sure
nothing
happened last night?” It was hard not to miss the emphasis she made on the word.

“
Yes, I’m sure.” No way would I spill the beans to anyone. I really hoped no one would ever know about this. I was humiliated as it was, and so typical, getting drunk and hitched in Las Vegas.

“
Okay, I’ll send you the address and we’ll wait for you. Do you need anything?” She didn't believe a word I said, but she didn't push it.

Thank God for best friends, seriously.

“
I need some aspirin for a headache and some water.”

She chuckled. “Done, everyone needs it here. See ya, girl.” She hung up, and I took a deep breath and stopped to steal one last look at Drake.

He was so handsome, and all those memories made me blush.

I never expected to see him again, but I didn't regret doing it. I went closer and gently moved the hair from his forehead. Drake stirred a little and I froze, but he just rolled over. For just a moment, his smile broke my heart a little. I picked up the pen by the phone on the nightstand and wrote my parting words.

With one last glance, I left him and our night behind me.

Drake

Without opening my eyes, I knew she was gone. The heat from her body was no longer beside me, and the hotel room was exceptionally quiet.

I was angry she decided to leave or run or whatever it was, but maybe it was understandable.

She probably didn't expect to get married in Las Vegas to a guy she knew for a few hours.

I sat up on the bed, ignoring the pain in my head, and noticed the paper beside me. I almost dreaded reading it, because I knew it would kill any hope I had.

Drake,

Thanks for the amazing night. I will never forget it. I noticed the wedding band, have no idea how it happened, but I think it’s fixable. My lawyer will take care of things, and hopefully, it won’t get much publicity.

Once again, thank you, Drake, and I’m sorry for sneaking out on you.

But I think it’s better this way.

Jane

Better that way.

Jane had no idea what the hell happened last night. And I wasn't about to tell her.

She wanted a divorce? Too fucking bad, because I wasn't in the mood to give her one. I ripped the paper in my hands, tossed it on the floor, and got dressed. I had no desire to stay in the place that still smelled like her, like us, and brought back all those memories.

I was a fucking fool who believed in some kind of family tradition of love at first sight.

No more.

2 weeks after Las Vegas

Jane

“
Drake, please.”

“
No.”

“
I want a divorce. Why are you being difficult?”

I heard hollow laughter at the other end of the line that lacked any kind of humor. “Really? That’s all you have to tell me, after how you left things back in Vegas?” His tone was cold and harsh. And was that pain, too? “I’m sorry if you thought it would be quick and done with. I won't agree to an annulment.”

“
That’s insane.” I found it hard not to scream at him when he said those things, and his words helped to numb the guilt I experienced. My running away from him was a dick move, and he was right. But what would have been the point of staying? We had agreed to just one night.

“
Like I said to your lawyer, we consummated the marriage right after, so we can’t get an annulment.”

“
I was too drunk to know what I was doing, yet you married me and slept with me? Way to go, Drake. That shows great morals.” The minute the words left my mouth, I regretted them. Maybe I didn't know him very long, but he wasn't like that. He was silent for few moments, and then his voice became low and dangerous.

“
Be careful what you’re accusing me of, sweetheart. You weren't that drunk, and you were the one who actually made a move on me, so think again.” And just like that, my anger was gone, and I tried to calm myself by taking a deep breath.

“
Drake, what happened that night? I just remember the bar and nothing else.”

“
Since you want a divorce, I think it’s for the best you don’t remember.” Before I could say anything, he continued, “I will give you a divorce. Believe it or not, I have no desire to be wed to an unwilling wife. But I’ll give it to you only when you come see me. No meeting, no divorce.” With those final words, he hung up on me.

He was so difficult I wanted to scream in frustration.

The band was on break for a few months before rehearsing for a few concerts and creating a new album. It was a good time for me to fix this problem and forget it ever happened.

Not that it was easy. Far from it, actually.

My body that had gone twenty-one years without sex suddenly wanted it and needed it all the freaking time. When I remembered our time together, I found it hard not to indulge in self-pleasure as I imagined him in my fantasies. However, my imagination and vibrator didn’t even come close to Drake and his body.

I was pathetic really, because my body wanted Drake. I could still hear his voice, remember his body, how it felt against mine. The sensations he stirred in me, the heated desire that ran through my veins.

And the memories always made me hot, and I was powerless to stop it.

“
You okay?” Suddenly, Jeremy appeared in front of me out of nowhere, and I almost felt guilty for my thoughts. But why, I had no idea. He looked as good as ever, but it was different. I didn't react to him as much. I didn't feel like listening to his every word or watching him from a distance.

He didn't occupy my thoughts at all, and I wasn’t hurt watching him with Sam, not really.

Which freaked me out, to be honest.

I forced a smile on my face and nodded.

“
Yes, everything’s good.” He sat next to me on the bench. We were at the barbecue Nick and Megan were hosting at her parents’ summerhouse. I had taken some time to sit alone to call Drake.

“
Ever since Vegas, you’ve been acting weird. Did something happen that I should know?” Although he treated us like his little sisters, as our manager, he needed to know this information as well. He wanted to be ready for any kind of scandal, and boy, it would be one.

But I couldn’t tell him, and I knew Drake wouldn't make it public. He didn’t need the publicity either.

Drake Jackson, of the owners of the New York hotel chain Jacksons. His family was wealthy beyond measure, and his half-brother Ryan was best friends with Nick and Jeremy, and Bella’s first experience in sex.

Small world, really.

Genius child, excellent psychologist, bike racer.

All those things I had to find out on the internet and some snooping here and there, so no one would think anything about it.

I knew Drake’s family wasn’t friends with Ryan, due to the family scandal a few years ago. Their dad had been engaged to Drake’s mom when he fell in love with Ryan’s mom. Their dad had wanted to break the engagement, but his fiancée was pregnant with Drake, so he chose to marry her. Drake’s dad had no idea he fathered another child at the same time until fifteen years later, when he found Ryan and accepted him.

Yeah, it was understandable how there could be animosity between them.

The last thing I expected was this, and Drake probably was surprised himself when my identity became known.

Not that he made a comment about it. Not once.

“
Okay then. But you know that no matter what, you can always come to me, right?” Jeremy took my chin into his hand, looked me straight in the eyes, and gave me a soft look.

Two weeks ago, that would have been the highlight of my day or week, having him close and touching me like that.

Now?

I was uncomfortable. I felt guilty as Drake’s face came to mind, and I shook my head to remove the vision.

“
I know, Jer.” He smiled, and with one last pinch on my nose, he stood up and left. I caught sight of Sam, who had been watching us carefully while sipping her drink, but I couldn’t figure out her expression.

She wasn't happy…that was for sure.

I needed to tell her she was free from the stupid promise I asked of her when I was drunk. It had been a bitch move, and I had been desperate and thought she didn't want him.

She did; it was clear as day.

I glanced back at my phone and tried to think of a way to deal with Drake.

Drake

Hanging up on her was childish move, but after her words, it had been hard to resist. I couldn't believe she was putting the blame on me. She wanted to know the truth, but I wouldn't give it to her.

It didn't matter anymore. She wanted an out, but as I said, she wouldn't get it without coming to see me first.

I was sure she didn’t want any scandal. The last thing she needed was that kind publicity.

The comment on the note she left finally made sense. It took me two days to figure out why.

Jane Armstrong, drummer for Hard World, one of the best rock bands of our generation, according to critics. They had already won several Grammies and reached platinum album status. Their level of success was unusual, considering their age and that they hadn’t been in the industry very long.

I had taken a lot of time to study various magazines, websites, and their concerts. She was magnificent when she played. No wonder she was so enchanted with the piano player in the bar.

I found the band members shared a great bond among themselves, but Jane always tried to stay in the background. The magazine spreads, which referred to her as ‘the plain Jane of the group’ didn't fit and made me see red. I wanted to hit all those fucking fools. She was the fucking diamond among them, and anyone who couldn't see it was a blind fool.