“Sierra, are you pregnant with Dax’s child?Will you confirm or deny reports you’re secretly married?”
Following instructions—and damn, that was a lot harder than expected—she refused to acknowledge the questions and waited for Jackson to open the back door of one of the two large black SUVs parked out front.She slid inside, and as soon as the door closed behind her, she pushed out a breath and slumped against the seat, relieved the vehicle’s dark-tinted glass shielded her from view.
Moments later, Navarre slid behind the wheel, while Jackson claimed the front passenger seat.They exchanged a brief glance—sharp, assessing—and then Navarre started the vehicle, the engine’s deep growl breaking the silence.
His gaze caught hers in the rearview mirror as he reached for his seat belt.When he spoke, his voice was all business.“How are you doing back there?”
“I’m fine.Why?”
“Some of those questions were rude.”
She shrugged, though the motion felt stiff.“They’re easy to ignore when you know they’re not meant for you.”
That wasn’t entirely true, but he didn’t need to know that.The weight one ticked her off.Shedid nothave a baby bump.Still, she’d rather eat a jar of Miracle Whip than admit it got under her skin.
As if reading her thoughts, Navarre said, “For the record, you don’t look pregnant.That asshole was trying to get a rise out of you.”
“Good job not taking the bait,” Jackson added.
“I’ve been called worse things than fat.”A few of the nastier ones sprang to mind, vivid and raw and hurtful as hell, and she ruthlessly brushed them aside.Now wasn’t a good time to revisit insecurities from what felt like a lifetime ago.Honestly, there never was a good time for that.She had better things to do than dwell on the taunts of schoolyard bullies.
At the end of the driveway, the gate rolled open, and they slowly drove past the photographers and onto the street.The second SUV, with Garrett and Rosario inside, trailed a few car lengths behind, while a few of the photographers scrambled to their cars so they could follow.Navarre turned up the volume on the radio, and the sound of Freddie Mercury’s voice drowned out a second barrage of questions from the remaining paparazzi.
“Last I checked, there weren’t any traffic concerns, so we should arrive at the airport in thirty minutes,” Jackson said.“You might as well make yourself comfortable.”
Once again, Navarre’s gaze flicked to the rearview mirror.“Do you have a music preference?”
“Not really.This is fine.”She’d grown up listening to a wide range of music, so she was familiar with everything from the Bee Gees to Billie Eilish.Queen had been part of her playlist at an early age.
Apparently, Jackson wasn’t a fan.He made a low sound in the back of his throat to convey his displeasure.“I was hoping you’d say you were a fan of R&B.Now we’re stuck listening to old people music.”
“Dude, you’re older than me,” Navarre said.
“Yeah, but I’m young at heart.I don’t listen to the kind of music you hear at the grocery store.”
A hint of humor teased Navarre’s lips.“I heard ‘Talking to the Moon’ at Publix the other day.”
Judging by the scowl on Jackson’s face, the comment struck a nerve.“You’re just making that up.”
The light ahead went from yellow to red, and Navarre slowed to a stop behind a silver minivan.“I think I might have also heard some Usher.”
“Okay, now I know you’re messing with me.”
“I don’t know,” Sloane said, unable to resist.“I’ve heard ‘Roar’ by Katy Perry at Publix, and that song came out years after Usher’s early albums.”
Jackson glanced over his shoulder at her.“You’re not helping.”
She laughed.Being part of the lighthearted banter took her mind off the photographers following them, and the fact she’d have to get back into character as soon as they reached the airport.
Construction added ten minutes to their drive, but they still arrived at their destination with plenty of time to spare.Navarre rolled down the window, spoke with the guard at the entrance, and waited for the security gate to open.Leaving the paparazzi behind, they drove straight onto the tarmac, where Sierra’s private jet was already fueled and ready to go.The flight crew stood at the base of the steps leading into the aircraft.
After the SUV came to a stop, Jackson got out and opened the door for her, while Navarre moved to the back of the vehicle and opened the trunk so the crew could load their luggage.Garrett and Rosario parked beside them and got out.
“The plane’s a lot bigger than I thought it would be,” she said.“I don’t even want to know how much it costs.”
“Imagine having enough money to buy one of these things,” Garrett replied.
“From what I heard, Sierra doesn’t own it,” Navarre said.“She charters the jet when she travels.It’s cheaper that way.”
