“Yeah, I see you’re getting it now,” he says. “You have a decision to make. Is she just the mother of your child, or is she something more? Either way, there’s paperwork involved. Lawyers. Settlements. Child support. Visitation. You two can’t just wander around thinking you’re average people who can figure this out as you go. That’s not your reality.”
I take a moment and think about what he’s saying. He has a point. “What you’re saying is fair,” I admit. “But I’m not going to ask her for a paternity test. That’s where I draw the line.”
“Fine. But I sure as hell hope that baby looks like you when it pops out. A test doesn’t mean you think Romy slept with someone else—it just prevents problems down the road. It protects the kid. But whatever, we still need paperwork. You’ve got to start arranging things with her now because once the video is wrapped, it needs to be in place before you leave.”
He has no idea what I’ve been thinking, and when he sees my facial expression, his imploring stare turns annoyed.
“Well, that’s the thing…”
Beau blows out a long breath. “I already knew. I guessed it. I even told DeSoto. Shit, let’s call him—he owes me a hundred bucks.”
My forehead wrinkles. “What did you guys bet on?”
“That you’d stay here after the video.”
“Well, where am I going to go?” I throw my hands up at my sides.
“I don’t know. How about recording your next album? Do you want to do it here? Because if so, I’ve got to build you a damn studio.”
“I thought this would be a great place for inspiration, but the pregnancy—it changes everything.”
“Yeah, it does. But what are you going to do? You can’t just hang around rubbing her feet for months on end. You need to work before the baby’s born, so you can spend time with it after. Where are you going to live, Zander? You need to figure this shit out.”
I run a hand through my hair and pull on the back of my neck as the chair beside me slides out. Darla sits down, coffee cup in one hand, phone in the other.
“Good morning, boys. Enjoying your breakfast?” She smiles at each of us, and we answer in the affirmative. “So how are the beds in The Getaway Lodge? I changed them last year. Aren’t they so comfortable? Plush, right? I made Brad get us one of our own.”
Beau smiles politely, but my head is spinning. He can always hide it well, but I know he’s still thinking about everything we just said. All I can think is how my career keeps getting in the way of everything good.
Then Darla looks me straight in the eye. “So… this whole secret-keeping thing? It’s not going well. Supposedly people are starting not to like you, Zander.”
“What? Who doesn’t like me?”
She leans in closer. “Apparently you pulled Romy off a step stool at The Perfect Petal. Poppy thinks you’re controlling and that you aren’t about girl power. And the other day, you brought Romy a burger when she was meeting with Ben and Gillian and told her that she needs to eat red meat.”
“Because he brought her a burger, they don’t like him?” Beau asks, always my ally.
“No, but they wanted to know why she needs to eat red meat.” Darla tips her head, and Beau gives me a look like I’m a moron.
“And Jensen said the other day that you told her to watch how many pistachio cookies she was eating?” Darla cringes.
“What the fuck, Zan?” Beau asks, looking at me as if I told him I wanted to quit music and become a circus clown.
“Too much sugar. I don’t want her to get gestational diabetes.”
Beau’s eyebrows are furrowed.
Darla laughs. “Someone’s been doing some reading.”
I shrug and pick up my coffee mug to block my face.
She pats my hand on the table. “Thank you for watching out for her.” She winks, and warmth spreads across my chest at her approval. Then she turns her attention to Beau. “People are wondering. Some already think they’re a couple. We need to nip this in the bud.”
Beau sighs.
“I understand your reason for wanting to keep this to yourselves. You think you can’t trust our family. If I’m honest, I think that’s sad. You obviously didn’t grow up with people you can count on.” Darla’s expression sharpens, and she continues before Beau can argue. “No, you don’t understand, Zander, because you didn’t have family love, people who have your back no matter what. That’s what family is, and that’s what our family is. So, I’m telling you—we’re going to tell the rest of the family. You’re family now, Zander, and we’re going to protect you.”
She holds my hand. Beau scoffs until she takes his too.
