Page 59 of Sangria

“I told you that Daddy and Zara aren’t getting married, Willow. You can’t believe everything you read on the web.”

Willow is far too young to be reading anything about her father on the web, and honestly, Stormy shouldn’t be either. As much as I want to say something about their reading habits, I don’t. I know for a fact that Levi has talked to them in the past about how the media will misrepresent things so they can make money.

“Well she’s having a baby, and that means they’re getting married,” Willow says with her hands on her hips.

My mouth drops at her statement, and I slowly look around to see if anyone could hear her. Sure enough, there’s a group of women, some young, typing away on their phones. As soon as I stand, Big Joe is right behind me.

“Girls, I think it’s time to go.” I usher them back into the dressing room and ask them to change quickly. I turn to find Big Joe blocking the doorway so no one can get in right now.

“I really wanted to buy some clothes,” Stormy says from behind her door.

“I know. We’ll come back. Right now I just really want to get out of here, okay?”

“Okay,” Stormy says. I hate feeling like I’m disappointing her and Willow, but right now I’m just not comfortable being out in the open.

As soon as they’re changed, Big Joe clears the doorway so we can leave. He follows closely behind and isn’t afraid to push people who are trying to get our picture out of the way. The girls walk with their heads down, clearly used to being in the limelight. I feel bad for them, sorry even. They didn’t ask to be born into this life, but it’s the one they lead with their father, and now me. Maybe bringing them to the mall wasn’t such a great idea.

We pile into the SUV that Levi has rented, with Big Joe behind the wheel. Thankfully the windows are tinted, but the damage is done. Our photos are up on every social media platform with the headline: Zara Phillips confirms pregnancy. Part of me wishes it were true, while the other part is completely disgusted that this conversation even took place among the girls.

I’m tempted to remind Willow that personal family business needs to stay between the walls of our home and because of her loud mouth, people think it’s true that I’m pregnant. I’m not. Nor do I intend to be, at least while my divorce is still proceeding. That would be a complication that I don’t need.

Halfway to Levi’s, Laura’s face lights up my phone. I haven’t fully fired her yet and know that if I don’t answer her call, she’ll keep calling until I do.

“Laura,” I say, spitefully.

“You need to come home, Zara.”

I close my eyes and count to ten. Her idea of home and mine are two completely different things. The last thing I need is to go home.

“This isn’t anything I can’t handle,” I tell her, knowing that Barbara will issue a joint statement regarding the situation.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Zara. Freddie and Hayden were in an accident, and things don’t look good.”

My heart drops. I haven’t spoken to them since the video shoot. Mostly because they sided with Van and I felt like they were looking down on me for filing for divorce.

“Um. . .”

“I took the liberty of booking you on the next flight, which leaves at three. I’ll have a car waiting for you when you arrive at the airport.”

“Okay.” My words are barely above a whisper, not knowing what to say. I have known Hayden and Freddie since we were kids, and they were the first guys that Darian and I thought about when we started our band. We had all been band geeks together.

The rest of the ride is fairly quiet, aside from the radio. I cringe when I hear that I’m knocked up with Austin’s kid as if these people at the station know him so well to be crass about the situation.

I try to call Darian, but my call goes to voicemail. I try again, with the same result. His phone is off, which means he’s probably holding vigil by his best friend’s bedsides.

By the time we pull into Levi’s driveway tears are streaming down my face. I can’t control them anymore. Levi greets us at the door, and his face falls as soon as he sees mine.

“What’s wrong?” he asks, holding onto my shoulders with his strong hands. I shake my head, and he pulls me into his arms before leading me down the hall and into his bedroom. “What’s going on?”

“Hayden and Freddie. . . they were in an accident. I need to go home.”

Levi nods and goes to his closet, returning with my suitcase. “Do you know what you want to take? I can help you pack.”

I cry harder, knowing that my heart is breaking for my two friends and because I’m leaving this man behind. I’d give anything to have him come back with me, but it’d be unfair for him to be holed up, waiting for me to come home.

“You’re so good to me,” I say as I collapse into his arms. He rubs his hands up and down my arms and slightly pushes me away so I can look at him.

“I love you, Zara. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you.”

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