Page 91 of Four More The Merrier

"No." Tears blur my vision. "You don't understand. "I'm pregnant."

The silence that follows my announcement is deafening. Four pairs of eyes widen in perfect synchronization, like some twisted boy band choreography. Jarron's mouth opens and closes without sound. Austen runs his hands through his hair so many times I worry he'll go bald. Beau's shoulders slump as he leans against the doorframe. Only Lyle seems capable of speech.

"Pregnant?" His voice cracks on the word. "Like... with a baby?"

"No, with a guitar," I snap, wrapping my arms around my middle. "Yes, with a baby."

"And you don't know..." Austen trails off, gesturing between the four of them.

"Which one of you is responsible? No." My laugh comes out hollow. "Hence why I left. I couldn't exactly waltz up and say 'hey guys, remember how I was with all of you?" I glance at Abby, who's watching this trainwreck with fascination. "Well, now there's a little souvenir."

"Jesus Christ." Jarron slides down the wall until he's sitting on my welcome mat. "This is..."

"Yeah." I blink back tears. "So now you see why-"

"We're keeping it, right?" Beau's quiet question cuts through my explanation. His eyes are locked on my stomach, something soft and wandering in his expression.

"We?" I echo.

"All of us," Lyle says firmly. "Like we just said - together. That includes a little guitar junior in there."

"The media will crucify you," I whisper.

"Let them try." Austen's jaw sets stubbornly. "We protect our own. Not to mention we pay PR a hell of a lot of money…"

"Quinn, we don't care about-" Jarron starts.

"Well, I do!" My voice cracks. "I've already messed everything up. The tour, the band dynamics... I won't let this destroy everything you've built."

Lyle tries to step forward. "That's not your decision to-"

"Yes, it is." I wrap my arms around myself. "I got myself into this mess, and I'll figure it out alone."

"Quinn, please." Austen's blue eyes shine with unshed tears. "Can we just talk about this-"

"I'm sorry." The words come out as a whisper. "I'm so sorry."

Before any of them can respond, I slam the door shut and slide the chain back in place. Their protests blend together on the other side as I sink to the floor, my back against the door, and let the sobs take over.

Abby kneels beside me, wrapping her arms around my shoulders as I cry.

41

BEAU

Islide behind the wheel of my truck, my hands trembling slightly as I grip the leather. The silence is deafening as the others pile in - Jarron and Austen in the back, Lyle riding shotgun. The quiet lasts about thirty seconds before Jarron explodes.

"God… Pregnant?" He runs his hands through his hair so violently I'm surprised he doesn't pull it out. "This is... this is..."

"Unexpected," Austen finishes, his voice cracking. He's pale as a sheet. "Our careers are over. Good thing I have enough saved for the baby's college fund seeing as we will be out of a job..."

I keep my eyes on the road, oddly calm despite the chaos erupting in my truck. Maybe it's shock, or maybe it's because I've always wanted a family. Even if this isn't exactly how I pictured it happening.

"Will you both shut the fuck up?" Lyle turns around to face them. "Quinn's terrified and alone in there, and you're worried about yourself?"

"I'm not worried about myself," Jarron snaps. "One of us is that baby's father, and if we end up getting canned, how do youexpect us to support it? This could be the end of Just South of Mason."

"Or," I speak up for the first time, my voice steady, "it could be the best thing that's ever happened to us."

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