Drake Sisters 06 - Turbulent Sea

friends how she's doing, that's all.'
    'Well, ask her then. She can only say no,' Joley said to encourage him. 'She knows the ropes, the way we work together. She's always fit in.'
    'You really think she's going to want to take care of someone else's baby?'
    'Your baby,' Joley pointed out. 'If Tish thinks a baby - and you - need help, she's going to come, even if it means risking her heart.' She pinned him with her dark, straight gaze. 'If she comes, because she's generous like that, see that you don't abuse her trust. I mean it, Logan. Don't ask her, flirt around with her and then throw some groupie in her face.' Her gaze strayed to Denny.
    Denny ducked his head, looking miserable. With a small sigh, Joley went to stand in front of him. He offered a hesitant smile. 'I know you're angry with me.'

    'Disappointed,' she corrected, 'but it's your life, Denny. You aren't married to Lisa. I just know how upset you get when you break up with someone you profess to love, and you're always the one sabotaging the relationship.'
    'I get high and the women are all over me and I can't seem to say no. She was trying to kiss on Nikitin and she looked so hot. He kind of pushed her away and she crawled under the table, right in front of everyone, like she was an animal in heat, couldn't get enough, you know. One minute I was drinking with Nikitin and laughing, the next, I was so burning hot for her I couldn't think straight.' He rubbed his hand over his face as if he could wipe out the incident. I wish I could tell you that I'll never forget it and she was awesome, but I can't remember most of it. I threw Lisa away for something I can't even remember.' He shook his head.
    He was miserable. Joley could feel desolation rolling off him in waves. His distress was genuine, not feigned to get back in her good graces. Denny had a weakness for women, but he'd made a commitment to Lisa and told the band members that he wanted to be faithful to her, because she mattered to him. Joley had believed him and now, feeling his unhappiness, she still did.
    'Denny, had you been doing drugs?'
    He shrugged. 'Nothing much. Less than I normally do at a party. I have no idea what happened, but I told her. I called her last night when I got back to the room.' For a moment tears swam in his eyes, and he blinked and looked away from her. 'I wanted her to hear it from me, not read it in the tabloids, and I know they got my picture, the bastards. I spend my life hurting people I care about.'
    Joley frowned, not liking Denny's explanation of what happened. He might be a hound dog, but he always took responsibility. If he said he was sick and dizzy and the memory was foggy, she was suspicious that someone had slipped him a drug without his knowledge. But why? 'You might have had a little help this time,' Joley said before she could stop herself. Again she glanced at Brian, whose gaze slid away from hers. Was Nikitin up to something or was she simply overreacting because she didn't trust the man?
    'Whatever happened, I think I've lost Lisa, and I can't blame her.' The drummer's eyes swam with tears.
    Joley's heart jumped. She'd never seen him cry over a woman. They were about to go out and perform for thousands of people and Denny was falling apart right before her eyes.
    'It isn't over until it's over, Denny. You have a chance with Lisa. She's worth fighting for. We'll all help you. Is she here tonight? Did she come?'
    Lisa had promised to be in Chicago for their concert, and Denny had been looking forward to seeing her. The band had been in Europe for weeks and Lisa hadn't been able to make New York, so Chicago was to have been their reunion.
    'She flew in last night. I called her at the hotel, which only made it worse. I have no idea if she decided to come to the concert. If she did, she didn't pick up her backstage pass and she didn't check in with Jerry. I asked him to watch for her.' Denny sounded more miserable than ever.
    'I'll do what I can to help you, Denny,' Joley promised rashly. 'Jerry can find out if she picked up her ticket or not. If she's here, I'll do what I can to persuade her to give you another chance, but if you mean what you say about her, stay away from the parties. Leave when I do. Come back with me and we'll play Scrabble or something, anything at all to keep you out of trouble.'
    The other band members nodded. 'We can play that Monopoly game, the one that never ends,' Rick said. 'We'll party with Joley.'
    Denny snorted his derision,