Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 81401 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 326(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81401 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 326(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
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.”
I hiccup and manage to smile. “I love you too, Levi.”
“Answer me this, before you go. Are you pregnant?”
I shake my head and see a bit of life dull in his eyes. He wants another baby or at least one with me. “Just a rumor.” Levi pulls me into his arms again and holds me until my tears have dried.
levi
Thirty-Two
It’s been hours since I dropped Zara off at the airport and the ache I feel in my heart isn’t even close to subsiding. When I returned home, the laughter that I had grown accustomed to had all but dissipated. The girls were moping, they had the television on, but the sound was muted. Stormy wasn’t on her phone like usual, and Willow was just staring out the window, almost as if she expected Zara to show up.
I’m not faring much better, sitting between my girls with each one resting their head on one of my legs. If I couldn’t hear them breathing or feel the slow inhale and exhale I’m emitting, I would probably think we’re dead or living in some alternate vortex because nothing seems right at the moment.
I’m trying not to be a selfish person here. I know she has friends and family in California, but dammit if I’m not pissed off that something has busted the happy bubble we’ve been living in. Deep down, I knew it was bound to happen. We both have work that we’ve been neglecting, but I was hoping that she’d find a way to stay here, to record her music in my studio and not have to run back to Los Angeles.