Page 132 of Pink and Country

“Okay, talk.” I sat on a kitchen stool, one forearm sprawled on the counter and the other clutching the phone to my ear.

“Carter, it’s everywhere out there. Magazines, newspapers, morning shows. We have over a hundred requests for interviews all over the globe. I believe it’s better if I deliver the news myself. It’s a big shitshow—”

My hair stood on end on my arms, and cold sweat beaded on my nape.

“What is it about? Tell me.” I cut June short. My back tensed. My shoulders too. I sprang to my feet and paced the kitchen, my fingers running through my hair.

“April, Carter. She’s portrayed as a gold digger who’s after you and your money.”

My shoulders dropped forward, and I relaxed my stance. A loud chuckle exited my mouth. “That’s ridiculous, June. The media should get a life. I’m tired of their nonsense. They’d better keep their mouths shut, or I’ll sue them.” I let out a sigh of relief.

“Did you know about Travis Benson?”

“Yeah. The Bensons’ son she dated in college.”

“They didn’t just date. They got hitched. Did you know he was wealthy and they never signed a prenup? He died under mysterious circumstances a week after their secret nuptials?”

I rubbed my temples and exhaled my annoyance through my nose.

“Okay, June, you know I love you. A lot. But this is a pile of bullshit. Travis Benson didn’t die mysteriously. He was already dying when he ended his life.” I clenched my jaw for a second. And let go. “It’s nobody’s business why they got married. For God’s sake. Since when are you listening to those gossips? Anyway, I already knew all about it.”

“Carter,” June softened her voice, “I love April. I do. But maybe she has some secrets you don’t know about. We don’t want them to impact your career. And both your lives. You’ve been through enough already with Savannah.” A weird guttural groan tumbled out of her mouth. “There are websites, lots and lots of them, dedicated to hating her. People want her gone from your life, Carter. It’s pretty serious. People are threatening her. She’s not safe. From experience, you know how crazy fans can get.”

“Who tipped the press? Nobody had leaked her name up to this point. Why now? What changed?”

“We don’t know. We’re trying to sort this out.”

I punched the wall. Riled up, I hung up and threw my phone across the room. Still pacing, I tugged the roots of my hair.

A lump formed in the back of my throat, and it messed with my breathing. I’d had my share of fake stories over the years, but none of them had ever made direct threats to someone I loved. Even Dahlia didn’t get death threats when people fabricated stories about her while she was pregnant with Jack.

* * *

Six years ago

“Carter, I’m scared. They’re following me everywhere. It’s worse than when it was to get pictures of us in our everyday lives. Now they want pictures to prove Jeff isn’t my baby’s daddy.”

“Is he?” I hated myself as soon as the words left my mouth. “Sorry, Dah.”

“They chase me, ask me all kinds of personal questions. One reporter even asked me to lift my shirt to prove I’m pregnant for real.”

“We can get you more security, Dah. Don’t be afraid. We’ll deal with this.” I grabbed at the roots of my hair. I’d never forgive myself if anything happened to them. They were my family and mine to protect.

“No. I’m tired. I want to be left alone, Carter. Soon I’ll be a single mom, and it’s not how things are supposed to be.” The words quivered out of her mouth. She made no attempt to hide the emotions in her voice.

“You don’t have to be, Dah. I’m here. I’ll always be here. And I can raise the baby with you.”

“I know, but I can’t do this—I’m sorry, Carter. It’s so messed up. The baby is Jeff’s. Stop implying he’s not.”

“Dah, don’t say that.” Tears pooled in the corners of my eyes, but I blinked them away. “I want to be there for you two.”

“And I want to do this on my own, Carter. I’m moving. Don’t try to make me change my mind. If you love me, you’ll let me go. By myself.”

“But Dah—” This was a nightmare. A fucking joke.

“Carter, listen to me. You’ll always be in our lives. Forever. But right now, I have to leave and put a stop to those nasty rumors. I don’t want my baby to grow up in a world where tabloids spread rumors about his parents. I’ll call you after I’m settled down so you can visit.” She paused. “Prove to them you’re better than everything they say about you. Prove to yourself how successful you can be. Keep shining, Carter. You were born for this. And don’t worry about me, I’ll be just fine. I promise. Goodbye, Carter.”

She hung up, and my heart slipped from my chest and crashed on the pavement.