Indestructible

by Angela Graham

  “I can handle myself just fine,” she retorted, holding back a smile. “And I wouldn’t be late if I didn’t have to wait forever for Logan to leave. He’ll be lucky if Oliver makes it on time.”

  “You waited for him to leave?”

  “Yeah, I sat in your driveway next door. Didn’t want him standing over us, trying to convince me to leave.”

  Where did that come from? “He wouldn’t. He knows I’m feeling better—and don’t try to change the subject. How are you feeling? You’re already such a baby when you’re sick, and now you’re having one.” I laughed wholeheartedly, basking in the comfort I felt from teasing her. “It’s a good thing I got plenty of rest. It’s going to be a long nine months.”

  “Funny.” Hilary turned her attention to the foyer, surveying the area before walking toward the living room. “Your man has some good taste.” She stared up at the massive painting of Oliver as a toddler playing with wooden blocks, which hung in the center of the room. “And a seriously cute kid.” She turned back to me. “You make the perfect addition.”

  Addition? “Meaning?”

  She slouched down in the leather chair. “I’m just saying—you fit in here.”

  “Hardly,” I scoffed. “This house is not me.”

  “Maybe not yet, but I know you, and I was the one getting an earful the other day from a man crazy in love—a man that wasn’t going to let anything happen to you. It’s inevitable—before you know it, your painting will hang on one of these walls.” An abrupt giggle caught in her throat. “I’m guessing the first will be hanging in the bedroom: a scandalous nude.”

  I rolled my eyes and sat across from her. Was this my future? My relationship with Logan was technically new, but with everything we’d been through, it felt like I’d known him forever. I couldn’t recall a time when he wasn’t in my life, and I didn’t want to. And Oliver…I didn’t want to confuse him.

  My thoughts were interrupted.

  “So has he…you know…” Her brows rose suggestively.

  “No, I don’t know.” What is she getting at now?

  She released a disappointed breath. “Has he painted you? Caleb said models hire him. I mean, I think....I don't know.” Her brows pinched together, her features sympathetic and her words rushed as she tried to back pedal the subject. "Forget I said anything."

  “No, he hasn’t painted me,” I said, ignoring the burn of jealousy. A grin covered my lips as I added, “Yet.”

  She relaxed. “I don’t know why I even brought it up.” Crossing her leg over her knee, she tried to grab my attention again, which was fighting the pull to drown in thoughts of Logan surrounded by beautiful supermodels. He’d better not have kept those paintings.

  Logan loves me, supermodel or not, I reminded myself, brushing off my silliness.

  “So how long are you staying here?”

  I sat up in my seat. “Going home tomorrow. Do you want something to drink?”

  “No, you’re right, I better get to school. I just needed to know you were okay.” She stood and fastened the top button of her coat—one she’d hidden in the back of her closet when her mother bought it a few years earlier, claiming it was too bulky. It was too early for her to have a bump, so why was she trying to cover up?

  “Have you told Caleb yet?”

  She shook her head. “I’ve only known a week. I need more time.” She pulled her gloves out of her pocket and focused on them instead of my inquisitive stare. “Call me when you get settled back home and I’ll come over. We can do a girls’ night.”

  Oh no, she isn’t going to avoid this. “You need time to what?”

  She sighed, dropping her head. “I don’t know…to think. Let’s not worry about it right now. After everything you’ve been through, we shouldn’t even be talking about my issues.”

  “No, I want to talk about it. Tell me, what is there to thin—”

  My words fell away at the sudden, somber drop of her expression.

  “I better go.” She tightened her scarf back around her neck and headed toward the door.

  “Wait! Hilary, I’m serious, we need to talk about this. I know you’re nervous, but making a rash decision isn’t—”

  “I can’t be a mom, all right!? Not yet, anyway. That’s what you always wanted.” Her shoulders fell as she blew out a breath of air. “Damn it, Cass, let’s not do this right now.”

  “Sit down,” I ordered curtly. “If you want to know what you can do to help me, you can talk to me, because right now you’re all I’m concerned about.”

  Slowly, she moved back to the sofa and sat. “There’s the Cassandra I’ve been missing,” she mumbled with a small smile.

  “Talk,” I prompted, sitting beside her.

  “You know I love Caleb and I always dreamed one day I’d make him mine, but beyond that…I never gave it any thought. Dumb, I know, but I just want to have some fun with him before we settle down with kids and responsibility.”

  “You’re going to make a wonderful mother.” I placed my hands on hers and squeezed gently. “Look at me. I’ll be here—anything you need, I’ll be here to help, so please don’t do what you’re thinking of doing.”

  “I would never. I thought about it, but I can’t.” Her gaze fell to her stomach, where she placed her hand. “It’s a little Caleb in there.” A smile touched her lips as she looked up, but it was brief. Her next words flew out in one rapid breath. “Adoption is the only way. I have to wait till I’m beginning to show, then leave. I have family up north I can visit till the birth, then—”

  “Whoa whoa whoa! Hold up!” I shot out. Was she serious? “You can’t just disappear for six months and expect no one to ask questions—for Caleb not to ask. This isn’t 1950! Are you insane? This is the real world. You have a job, and…” I shook my head, flabbergasted we were having such an outlandish conversation. She couldn’t leave. She couldn’t just give up the baby without telling Caleb. That wasn’t even legal.

  I stood, needing space to comprehend.

  “You’re my friend, Cassandra—my best friend. I need you to keep this secret.”

  “What?” I breathed out. She was serious. Holy crap! How do I talk her out of this?

  “I talked to my aunt in Toronto. She said she knows the landlord of a small loft apartment on her block, and the rent is cheap. I’ll get a job there, and before you know it I’ll be back. Everything will be normal again.”

  My head was spinning, tears burning my eyes. “Hilary.” I had so many words to say, but no way to get them out. I was shocked silent. All I could muster was a lifeless, “Don’t.”

  “I have to.”

  “No, you have to talk to Caleb. Let him be there for you.”

  “Right, like you let Logan be there for you?”

  That hit low and hard.

  “That was different.”

  “Really? ’Cause I remember seeing you hurt and scared, a guy who loved you and wanted nothing but to work his ass off for your forgiveness, and you treating him like shit!”

  My mouth fell open. “What? That was…he hurt me.”

  “And he apologized again and again! Do you know how many nights he showed up at Caleb’s drunk out of his mind, with worry and regret over what he did to you? He would just sit there on Caleb’s couch staring at nothing in the dark until he passed out.”

  Logan. I wanted to hold him and comfort him more than ever, even though we’d already moved on from the past together.

  “Why didn’t you tell me?” I whispered, sadness overwhelming me.

  “I couldn’t. You were so angry, and I understood that. You had a right to be. But Logan…he took everything you threw at him, and I stood by you each and every time. All I want is for you to do the same.”

  “But Caleb hasn’t done a thing wrong.”

  “I know, but I’m terrified of losing him, and of being a shit mother. I don’t want this. Not now. So please, either stand beside me and help, or stay out of it and keep your mouth shut. You owe me at least that
much.”

  The door was slamming behind her before I was able to speak. What the hell just happened?

  “I believe you just got put in your place.”

  I turned and glared at Jax, who was wearing a smug grin.

  “Didn’t think you were still here,” I said, irritated at too many things.

  “Well, I am, and your friend…is she always that bitchy, or is it a pregnant thing?”

  “She’s not… wait, you heard? Jax, you can’t tell anyone. Do you understand? Not even Logan.”

  His eyes gleamed. “So you’re saying this is a secret?”

  “Obviously.”

  “A secret you’re keeping from my dear big brother.” He clicked his tongue in mock disapproval. “I’m not sure he’d appreciate me lying to him. I mean, he’s given me a place to stay, money in my pocket…” He let his words hang.

  “What do you want?” I sighed, gathering my hair and twisting it in the back out of my way.

  “Your help.”

  “With?”

  “Natasha.”

  “Why? You hate her.”

  “I do, but for the moment I need to appease her.”

  “So let me see if I understand correctly: She has something on you, so you’re attempting to blackmail me?” I wanted to laugh at the ridiculousness.

  “That about sums it up. I knew there was more than one reason Logan fell for you.”

  With a disgusted grunt, I crossed my arms. “I’m not helping you with anything.” I brushed past him to exit the room, making my way toward the stairs.

  “Just ask Logan to be nicer to her. That’s all I’m asking.”

  “No. Why don’t you be nice to her?”

  “I am!”

  I reared back, gaping at him. “That was you being nice yesterday?”

  “Sure was.” He flashed a cocky grin that spurred my irritation and had me moving again—faster.

  “I’m not helping you with anything that is ordered and not asked for politely. Find some manners, already.” Yeah, bitchy Cassandra was in the house.

  “Then I’ll just make a quick call to Caleb to let him know his girlfriend is planning to give away his child. Caleb has a temper—especially where family’s concerned. You ever see it?”

  I exhaled a long-winded breath and halted my steps. “Tell me why you’re helping Natasha to begin with. What does she have on you?”

  His smugness disappeared, and was replaced with irritation. “She just wants a chance to prove herself, that’s all. What she has on me means shit compared to my nephew having a chance with his mother. We need to give her a chance to try. Ask Logan to at least acknowledge her, and I won’t speak a word about Miss Preggo.”

  Holding his stare, I felt a smile creep onto my expression. “No. If I want to help Natasha, it will be on my own terms, and because I believe she deserves it—not because of you or anyone else. If you want to call Caleb, I can’t stop you. But if you do, you and me?” I pointed back and forth between us. “You can kiss any chance of us ever being friendly again goodbye.”

  I’d begun climbing the stairs when he called out, “All right, damn, can’t blame me for trying. Honestly, I’m impressed. Thought you’d do anything to protect her secret.”

  “Like I said, it’s not my secret. And I’ll never lie to Logan.”

  That seemed to please him. “Well, it’s safe with me. I won’t tell a soul.”

  Smiling to myself, I continued walking. “Thank you.”

  “You should know, though, Logan hates secrets. Just a little fact to remember.”

  I nodded as he appeared beside me. “Good to know, but I told you, I won’t lie to Logan…ever.”

  We walked up in silence a few steps before I asked, “So, where were you?”

  “When?”

  “When the doorbell rang. I waited for you to answer it. Wait, let me guess—chilling in your room for some guy time?’

  He chuckled. “Nope. Shower.”

  “Ah.” We reached the top. “I’m about to go running. Want to join?”

  Suddenly, he was laughing. “I attempted to blackmail you minutes ago, and now you’re asking me to go jogging with you?”

  “I am. No reason we can’t be friends.”

  “I’m intrigued. Most chicks would’ve either folded and accepted defeat or threatened to tell Logan.”

  “Well, I’m not doing either. So what do you say? Are you a runner?”

  “Sounds fun, but I have plans.”

  The doorbell rang a moment later, and his brows rose. “Now that is someone I’ll be spending time with in my room—and I’ll be greatly enjoying myself.”

  Jax headed down the stairs and opened the door to reveal a beautiful brunette with a short pixie cut and not even a trace of makeup on. She looked sweet, friendly, and so not Jax’s type, but what did I know about what he looked for in a girl?

  He held out his hand, telling her to enter, and led her up the stairs past me. “Cassandra, this is my tutor. We have some studying to do.”

  “Studying?” He wasn’t in school.

  She said a quick hello as Jax threw a sly wink my way behind her. “Lots of studying,” he mouthed, grinning.

  Shaking my head, I laughed. Yep, it was in the genes. Poor Oliver.

  Chapter Eight

  Surprises

  The instant I stepped outside, frigid air filled my lungs and my feet sprinted forward, searching for warmth. Logan’s driveway was recently plowed, but the road was covered in drifted snow. I jogged steadily until I reached my usual turnaround, then began my trek back.

  My mind was jumbled with thoughts of Hilary, her unborn child, and the opportunity she was robbing Caleb of. It was surreal to think of how much her life was changing, and I knew it was her body and her decision. But I also knew Hilary better than anyone. She was obviously scared, and I needed to figure out a way to break through that fear and convince her that she had the support surrounding her to raise a child. Regardless of whether Caleb was one of those people, she’d be taken care of. That baby would be loved—I’d make sure of it.

  My eyes closed briefly as I attempted to clear my head of everything, including the image that fought to break through as I passed the place where I’d parked my car innocently behind Kurt’s a few short days ago: the spot where I’d started my race through the forest.

  I shook the thoughts from my head, increased my speed, and cranked up the music on the iPod I’d found on Logan’s dresser. His preference in music was different from my own, which created a sense of safety around me. I felt as though he was there looking out for me.

  When I reached Logan’s driveway, I gazed over to my house, where two white trucks with construction logos on the side doors sat. Strangers were in my home. I knew they were there to repair the damage, but it still left me unsettled.

  I switched off the blast of Pearl Jam and entered Logan’s house, ready to shower and begin my mission to find Scout. Whatever ‘studying’ Jax was up to in his room didn’t involve looking for my pup, and I couldn’t sit around and wait any longer.

  Dressed in a pair of jeans and white snug-fitting sweater after my shower, I made my way to Jax’s room. It wasn’t hard to find, considering the sounds leaking out. So much for asking him to print flyers. I made my way farther down the hall to Logan’s office and opened the door. A massive flat computer screen sat on top of his desk, with a printer off to the side atop a hutch.

  My internal debate to use it ended quickly. It felt wrong without Logan’s permission—not to mention, knowing him, it was probably password protected. Going to my house wasn’t an option, which left only one alternative.

  I waited patiently, playing solitaire on my fully charged phone until Jax’s door cracked open and the surprisingly gracefully composed tutor slipped out. The second she saw me, she flushed.

  Relax, I wasn’t listening.

  “Jax is a great guy,” she said, as if words were necessary, slipping into her coat. With one sleeve on, she winced, lowering he
r head.

  “You okay?” I moved toward her.

  “Yeah, thanks. I’m a bit of a wuss. It was my first time.”

  What! First time? And a wuss? What the hell? I was seething. This poor girl.

  “Hey, don’t say that about yourself. I’m sorry…I know it’s not my place, but…” I couldn’t hold back. “…Jax doesn’t seem like the type of guy to get serious with a girl. You should be careful.”

  Her brows knit together. “I have no interest in dating Jax. I mean, he’s hot…” She smiled. “But he’s screwed both of my roommates.”

  “Oh.”

  “In the last week,” she added.

  “Ew, okay then.” I was officially confused and grossed out.

  “See you around,” she said, looking a bit too satisfied for my taste. How was it that the West men brought even the strong women of Harmony to their knees? I was not impressed.

  Holding back my frown, I waited until she turned out of the hall. The second she was out of sight, my fists began pounding.

  “No need to knock.”

  I opened the door slowly and warily, especially at his next words.

  “Forget something, or did you change your mind about wanting more?”

  Yuck. I made a face with my head downcast, not wanting to see anything I wouldn’t be able to block out. “Nope, just need a favor.”

  “Shit!”

  Jax’s legs were all I saw leaping across the room. I peeked up, catching sight of a white sheet floating down from his hands, covering something in front of the wall. Cautiously, I raised my head, relieved to find him standing there fully dressed and looking surprisingly nervous.

  “What do you want?” his voice grated.

  “What’s that?” I nudged my head toward the sheet.

  “Nothing. You said you needed a favor?”

  He was definitely hiding something, but considering he wanted me gone, now was the perfect time to ask. “I need to borrow your car.”

  He blew out a rapid snicker. “No, seriously, what’s up?”