Jane's Surrender (Hard World Tour #2) (21 page)

My nails were done, so I had no problem moving closer to her to put my hand above her elbow as I tried to look her in the eyes, but she avoided my gaze for some reason. “Is everything all right?”

Sam and Bella put aside their devices as well and our full focus was on our girl. To think about it, she had been acting strange lately. She was less talkative; despite her claims about being a slut, the last guy she slept with was four weeks ago, and she kept on buying damn books on her Kindle, when she wasn't usually one to be an avid reader. She also ate a lot, and lately, I noticed she was watching meat with hungry eyes, and she had been a vegetarian since she was nine.

“
I…it sounds stupid, I know, but no, it’s not.” She sighed heavily and bit her lip.

We all shared a look, and Sam cleared her throat and asked carefully, “Is it about the guys? Do you feel left out or something?”

It was never our intention, and somehow the idea made me feel like shit. What kind of friends were we if she felt too uncomfortable to even talk about it right now? She could be loud and shit, but when something bothered her, you needed to press hard to know the truth.

“
No, you know I mess around with you guys. I’m happy for you.” She looked to the side, and then took a deep breath and focused her attention back on us. “I’m pregnant.”

We blinked and then sat there silently.

That was the last thing I expected to hear, and I had no idea how to process her information.

“
I know, shocking,” she continued and laughed, but it lacked humor. “The condom broke with one of the guys. I went to a doctor, who tested me and checked me out, and I was fine. Thank God for that. I didn't think pregnancy was possible; I was on the pill. The doctor said miracles sometimes happen, although it seemed like she wanted to convince me of that. She herself didn't look at me in exactly the best way, but whatever. The fact is I’m pregnant and I’m having this baby,” she finished, and then covered her face with her hands and started crying. I’ve only seen her cry once in all our years of friendship, and it was when she lost her baby with Diego five years ago.

Bella sat down and hugged her fiercely, ignoring the fact that it probably messed up her nails, but she wasn’t worried. “Mermaids don’t cry. We are all here for you, for whatever you need.” Sam occupied another seat beside her, so I kneeled in front of Ariel and we all stayed connected.

She finally looked up and gave us a teary smile. “Thanks, guys.” She took the tissues I passed her and cleaned her face. “Although no one can know about it,” she warned us.

“
Jeremy—” Sam started, but was immediately interrupted.

“
He can’t know. Look, I know he would never kick me out of the band or tell me to get rid of it. He is family, and we are all good. But this tour is hard on him already. He would be worried about me, and I don't need that. The tour ends in two months, so I won’t be showing. Plus, the doctor said I could still perform. So there is no problem with that.”

“
But all the guys and parties.” That was me as usual, the responsible one.

“
I didn't want to sleep with anyone anymore anyways.”

“
Yeah, I think you better not,” Bella commented, and then snorted, “Ariel, the celibate one.” We all started to laugh and it broke some of the tension around us. Then Jeremy appeared in the doorway. Since we were on the tour, we had two big buses for our needs, and we ordered all the specialists today. We were in New Jersey, and our concert was tomorrow night.

“
Hey, ladies,” he said in this thick voice, but for some reason, it did nothing to me. He was a handsome man; he had amber eyes surrounded by thick black lashes. His cheekbones defined his mom’s heritage (Native American), and he had shoulder length brown hair. Combine that with tall, broad shoulders, and his muscular body made him one sexy package. Drake was like a warrior from a historical novel, but wearing black jeans and a shirt that emphasized his defined body. I heard a low gasp, which belonged to Sam, but her eyes stayed neutral. I had no idea what the hell was going on with them, but one of them needed to get it together soon, because it was becoming uncomfortable for all of us.

It was odd, really. I used to feel euphoric when he was around and just wanted to be near him. But the truth was I’ve never felt those emotions since meeting Drake. I still thought I was in love with him, because he had everything a girl could want, or at least what I wanted, but it wasn't an intense feeling. Rather an annoying thorn at my side that didn't want to come out.

“
Hey, Jer,” I said softly and noticed the look girls gave me, which spoke volumes. They all knew about my so-called crush on him, and we even had a fight about it back on the ranch.

We were a complicated group of people.

The thing was those feelings were no longer there. Maybe because I understood Sam needed this, and I didn't want to ruin it for her.

He smiled at me, although there was this uneasiness in his eyes that made me wonder what the hell that was about. He was always the most laid back with me; we were almost close friends. It was how I first knew he loved Sam.

A slight pain pinged in my heart, but not as sharp as it used to be before. It was more of a melancholy feeling over my first crush.

“
I think we need to talk,” he finally said.

“
What now? Seriously, I didn't do anything,” Ariel joked, but there was a slight panic in her voice. We understood she was freaking nervous over her pregnancy and was terrified for Jer to know about it, and we had to tag along with the song, so to speak.

“
I never said it was you, Ariel. Congratulations, by the way.” We froze, and she gave him a disbelieving look as he chuckled, a slight twinkle in his eyes. “You really thought I hadn’t noticed the change in your demeanor? I’m not stupid, and it’s my job to know what the hell is going on with you girls. Lesson learned from last time.” He was probably referring to when he lost his shit on the ranch when all my secrets came out. Not to mentioned how guilty he felt over Bella. Now Jer was like a hawk watching us all the time. Nothing escaped his notice, apparently.

“
I’m having the baby, Jer. I won’t…I won’t abort my baby,” she finished on a whisper and put her hand protectively over her stomach. Didn’t she say she wasn't afraid of him asking her that? It was as if she had several opinions at once.

Jer frowned a little, and all the humor left his eyes, replaced by anger and coldness. “I would never ask it of you, and the fact you even said that makes me question if you know me at all.” Hurt was in his voice, and Ariel looked guilty. “I know how much that means to you, and it’s not like we had some contracts drawn up where I forbade you from marriages or babies,” he snapped.

“
Jer—”

He raised his hand. “You should have known better than say that to me, Ariel. I’m happy for you, and I know you can finish the tour.”

She smiled at him and, without hesitation, ran into his arms and hugged him tight.

Crisis averted.

Well, besides Sam and me.

“
Was that what you wanted to talk about?” Sam asked angrily, which was a constant since his icy treatment of her. He looked at her, and something flashed through his eyes, but it was quickly replaced with indifference.

To be honest, even I was surprised at how much he actually ignored her.

“
No. We have a problem.”

“
Seems like a relentless thing lately,” Bella joked, but she looked concerned, and asked, “Is it because of me?” She still felt guilt over the whole drug thing, and the press had no idea about it. We didn't want them to know, but we had to be ready for any outcome. Sam grabbed her hand and squeezed, and she smiled at her. I was glad to know those two were okay.

“
No, but close,” he sighed then sat down on the chair in front of us. “We have a Logan problem.”

“
Logan?” we asked in unison.

“
You mean addict Logan who made it possible for Bella to have access to drugs? That Logan?” Sam spat out, and probably would have said more if it wasn't for Bella interrupting her.

“
He only did what I asked him to. Don’t judge,” she said quietly, and Sam had to shut up.

Her judging already got us in a lot of shit. “What about him, Jer?”

“
After that incident in your house with him, or rather how he was hosting all those fucked up parties, we took him to rehab.” Yeah, since Ariel begged them to do it. Bella was probably the only one who wasn't aware of that.

“
Yes, Ryan told me.”

Figures, those two didn't have a secret from each other anymore.

“
His band wanted nothing to do with him, and he hasn’t been on stage for the last three years. He has no money, no possessions, and no family. Nothing.”

“
Jer, we know that. But what does it have to do with us?” I asked, because as much as I felt bad for Logan, he wasn't our close friend either.

“
He has a daughter.” That made us gasp in shock.

“
What?” Sam was the first one to snap out of it.

“
Yes, turns out he used to be in a relationship with a woman. I think he was about to marry her, but then she dumped his ass when he wasn't willing to let go of the drugs and alcohol for her.” He looked down and frowned. “The point is that he has a two-year-old daughter, and the child’s mother has died in a car accident with her boyfriend. The little girl has no family but Logan. Her mom was from foster care.”

That was sad and made something inside me hurt for the little girl. Her story sounded so similar to mine, and I knew she would end up in the system too.

That brought my parents to mind, and how I hadn’t spoken to them at all, or seen them, since that Christmas. Part of me was still angry for all the lies, and I couldn't wrap my head around the fact my mom, who was caring, loving, and was always there for me since I was fifteen, could have left me behind all those years ago.

The only person I kept in touch with was Ben. He was close to his sweet sixteen and still dreamed about racing. We saw each other several times in New York and, thankfully, he never brought up the subject.

I just wasn't ready.

But it was exhausting to run from this, from Drake, from myself.

“
Anyway, Logan has been in rehab all this time and he’s clean now. His addiction was more about alcohol anyway, rather than drugs. He’s in no condition to take care of the girl. Not now, at least.” He took a deep breath then looked me straight in the eyes. “That’s why we wanted to ask you and Drake to watch over her.”

Wait…what?

“
Jeremy, I don’t understand.” How were we supposed to watch her?

“
He has no friends but us. Ryan and I have no idea how to help him. We know he screwed up, but I know Logan. He wouldn't want his child to grow up like him. He just wouldn’t. But no one will give us his kid, and we can’t allow her to go into the system.”

“
Trust me, I know,” I said, but he wasn’t done.

“
Logan’s ex put him on the Birth Certificate as the father, so he has rights, but he is currently unable to take care of her. Our legal team is working on the case, having all papers drawn up. You and Drake are a married couple. You can ask for temporary guardianship of her until Logan can get back on his feet. It’s possible, and I’ll pull some strings to make it happen. Even Bella and Ryan are just a couple, which means nothing to the judge.” All his words made little sense to me, and frankly, I was freaking shocked.

“
But that would mean being responsible for her for a long time, Jer. I don’t want the little girl to suffer, and we’re on tour. They would hardly feel it acceptable for her to be with us.” I worried my lip, my heart already hurting and reaching out for her.

But Drake and me and the kid? This seemed like an impossible situation, and what about the divorce?

“
Drake has connections too, and the court would allow you to have her once you move into the house. The procedure takes time, so all the paperwork should be finished by the time the tour is over. She would stay with you until Logan got back on his feet.”

“
I have no idea how to care for a baby, and you are asking me to make my marriage real for an unknown amount of time, Jeremy.” I stood up, too agitated to sit.

“
I understand—”

“
I don’t really think you do. What if Logan needs years for this? She’s only two years old; she’ll think we’re her parents. I know better than anyone how kids get themselves attached to people, only to be shattered later on.” I didn't bother to hide the pain in my voice, and it wasn't as if any of them were in the dark about my past.

“
It won’t take him years,” said a deep, husky voice from behind me that sent shivers down my spine.

Drake.

He was standing in the doorway, as handsome as ever, and his blue eyes were assessing me. That was the thing about him. Whenever he saw me, it was as though he tried to make sure everything was in place and I was okay.