Page 62 of Sangria

I also wouldn’t mind finding out that the pregnancy rumors are true, even though I know they’re not. I’m not opposed to expanding my family, especially if that includes her.

“Hey, Stormy. Glad to have you back home.” He gives her a hug, but I can tell she’s not really into it.

She pulls away and looks at me. “I found some dogs. There are a few older ones and puppies down at the shelter in Franklin. Willow and I thought maybe we could get an older one too, give him a home since he was abandoned by his family.”

“Y’all gettin’ a dog?” Buck asks.

I shrug. “Looks like we’re fixin’ to pick up two.” I smile at Stormy, who clasps her hands together. Seeing the excitement on her face is worth it, although I’m not excited about having two dogs running around. “Go get your sister ready, and we’ll scoot on down there.”

“Thank you, Daddy.” She hugs me, which sends my heart racing toward the moon.

“You’re never home,” Buck points out. “How are you gonna care for two dogs?”

“See, Buck,” I say as I scoop up my tools and take them back over to the rack. “If y’all would quit meddlin’ and start talking to me like a friend, you’d find out that I won’t be touring like a madman with the girls home, and when I do go on a tour, my ma will be here.”

“Or Zara?” he asks.

I know the smile that spreads across my face is pissing him off, but I don’t give a shit. I love that woman. “Nah,” I say. “The more I think about it, the more I’m certain. When I go back on tour, my family is coming with me. Two dogs included. It’ll be one hell of a cramped bus, but man it’ll be worth it.”

I slap him on the shoulder and leave him in my barn, trying not to get royally pissed off at the audacity he has by coming here and second-guessing my life. The last time I checked, I’m an adult and capable of making my own decisions. He should respect that.

Now if he had come to me with concerns that Zara was cheating or not being honest, I may have listened, but he didn’t because he and his wife are too busy making a molehill into a mountain over the fact that Zara is a rocker. Believe me there are worse things in the world.

zara

Thirty-Three

Cameras are everywherethe moment I step into the general population area of the terminal. My name is being called, screamed in order to get my attention. I’m told to look left, right, anywhere but at the ground that I’m currently looking at. Someone tipped the press off that I was arriving because the horde of paparazzi taking my picture is triple what I’m used to. There isn’t a doubt in my mind that Laura did this, and she did it on purpose.

Levi’s name is said, questions about our relationship are asked. They want to know how Van feels, especially since I’m pregnant. I’m half tempted to take a pregnancy test and post the results online, but that is just feeding into their delusions. I never did anything like that when Van and I were together, and I don’t plan to start now.

Thankfully airport security sees my plight and comes to my rescue. This is another thing that Laura should’ve done, have security meet me at the gate, but apparently, my safety has slipped her mind.

With two guards, one in front and the other flanking me, I pull out my phone and text Levi to let him know that I made it. The entire flight, I stared out the window so that no one would see my plight. Tears clouded my vision while my heart tore into pieces. I did not want to leave Levi and the girls but knew I had to be with Hayden and Freddie. They’re my family, just as Levi, Stormy, and Willow are becoming one as well.

This feels like a test, some evil reality that is proving that I can’t combine the life I’m starting to build and the one that I’ve lived for so long. It’s like everything is playing out the way the critics have been saying, the way Levi’s friends have alluded to—Levi and I can’t exist in the real world together.

I refuse to believe that Levi and I can’t co-exist together outside of his home because deep in my heart, I was meant to meet the Austins and be a part of their lives. Falling in love with them was the icing on the cake.

The guard taps me on my shoulder, and I look up. “Miss, I believe he’s waiting for you,” he says, pointing toward a man in a dark suit, holding a sign that says ZARA PHILLIPS. Behind my dark shades, I roll my eyes at the complete bullshit. Everyone in the industry has a pseudonym, but no, my publicist alerts everyone at LAX that I’m arriving today.

“Sure enough,” I mutter under my breath but manage to smile at the guard, so he knows to lead me in that direction.

The driver reaches for my bags, and I hand them over easily. He says something to the guard as we fall in line behind him, and head toward the car. I sigh when I see the ostentatious limo parked in the no parking zone, along with the police officer barking out that he’s going to have it towed. Of course, he’s using much more colorful language and seems rather put off by the fact that it’s parked where it is.

As luck would have it, a group of girls run up to me and ask for my autograph. As much as I want to tell them no, I can’t. I sign each one and pose for a photo before telling them that I really must go. A few of them mention Van, but it’s the one who mentions Levi that brings a smile to my face.

I’m sure to wave to her before I climb into the car. It’s my way of letting her know that I appreciate her support. I thank the guard who is holding the car door and climbing in, closing my eyes, and resting my head on the back of the seat.

“Hello, Zara.”

My head jerks up, and my eyes slowly focus on the person across from me. I reach for the door handle and pull, only to find it locked and the car moving.

“What are you doing in my car, Van?” My heart thunders loudly, the pounding rings in my ears. I’m not scared of him, but the situation. He shouldn’t be here, and if Laura knew. . . no, of course, she knew. I pull out my phone, only to find the battery dead with my charger in the trunk with my bags. “Fuck,” I mutter.

“I’m doing the same thing you’re doing.”

I shake my head. “I don’t remember agreeing to share a car with you.”

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