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)
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 everywhere the 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.