Chapter 33

Back in the Ely ranch, Jake, Quinn, and Seth went back into the house where the rest of the Ely brothers were sitting.

"Shut up." Jake said to no one in particular and sat down.

"Sam's not a little girl anymore. I'll say that much." Kit, the eldest Ely brother said staring at Jake."

"No." Jake said with no emotion. "This is your entire fault you know that Quinn." Jake said giving Quinn a death glare so intense that the rest of the brothers moved and positioned themselves in between him and Quinn.

"Relax. He's not going to do anything to me; he's not enough of a man to do anything. He'll just go hide like he did with Sam." Quinn said bitterly returning the same stare to him and Jake stood up but Bryan and Nate sat him back down.

"Let me go he deserves to get his ass kicked for having a big mouth." Jake shouted in anger.

"She already knew Dana was here smart ass." Quinn yelled back.

"How?" Jake said taken aback.

"I don't know she didn't say but she knew she was here and who she was too." Quinn said staring straightly at Jake.

"You know I know this isn't my place and it's not like I enjoy getting into your life little bro but I think you honestly messed things up. What did you think that everything was just going to go away if you ignored Samantha?" Bryan spoke with maturity.

"You're right it's not you place." Jake said bitterly looking to the ground.

"He's right you know. Samantha was one to never sit still and look it now she's off with your baby's mama…" Adam chimed in.

"Potential baby's mama." Bryan added looking at the way Jake's body tensed.'

"Whatever. Point is you knew Samantha was going to get sick and tired of just waiting around. She's not a little girl anymore I'm pretty sure she could have taken it. And you just hiding out wasn't solving anything. We all knew it and personally I'm sick and tired of lying to her and saying you're not here. What were you just going to let the months pass by without talking to her, without even a damn explanation? A man faces his problems head on not hides away…" Adam said feeling embarrassed at his little brother. The rest of the Ely brother's were nodding their heads and Jake looked like he was going to kill someone.

"Enough." A strong, deep voice said from the hallway.

"Dad." Seven voices said in unison.

"I would like to talk with Jake in private." Luke Ely said with a serious tone and all the Ely brothers except Jake filed out of the room and went outside.

"Dad…" Jake started but Luke raised his arm.

"I want you to listen." Luke started. "Now you know I don't like to get into your personal lives, you're a man now and usually act like one. I especially never want to get into your romantic lives." Luke said looking uncomfortable. "But I feel like this time I have to because this situation doesn't just affect you. Now I always knew you and Sam, well there was something there, and she's a good girl. I don't know much about you and this girl Dana but it is obvious you don't like her. But if she is pregnant with your child, as much disappointment that would bring me I'm sure you'll be a man and take responsibility for the child. But remember the child is your responsibility, not the women. Now if she is the mother of your baby you must show her respect but that does not mean marriage, or love, or anything. It means you are there to support her in what she needs and help her with the baby. Don't ruin your happiness because of this false sense of responsibility for that woman. And as far as you hiding from Samantha, well Adam was right. You're a man now and as far as Samantha is concerned you've been acting like a boy because you keep thinking Samantha is still a little girl. Well I have news for you. As Wyatt reminds everyone that will listen, she's grown up to be a tough, independent woman, and though she's young she is obviously mature enough to be able and have a conversation with her boyfriend's pregnant ex-girlfriend." Luke finished his wisdom setting inside Jake's head. Luke got up and left Jake there to think about everything that had happened in the past days.

Jake felt the weight of his mistakes overcome him and two lonely tears ran down his face. He needed Samantha in his life, he just wasn't complete without her.