I can’t fucking lose her.

Vista is the only real thing I’ve ever had in my life. She’s the only person who’s ever taken the time to really get to know me and accepted me for who I am, warts and all, something my own parents couldn’t manage to do.

With her, I have a family, and I refuse to let it go without a fight.

“Three minute warning.”

I glance up at the stagehand or whatever he is and nod. I’m doing another fucking interview. This one is for Jimmy Kimmel. It used to be that I would blow a gasket, I was so excited to do shit like this. This time, nothing. It’s like I’m on autopilot. None of this registers. I’m just going through the motions, blindly following instructions as they’re dished out.

It’s Kimmel for crissake! I should be a nervous wreck, and instead, I’m thinking about ditching out and jumping on the first plane back to Ohio. Vista is taking up every thought in my head. I just need her to pick up the phone so I can explain. I need her to know that I choose her. I need her to know that I love her and I haven’t given up on us.

“Mr. Black,” the stagehand hisses as if this isn’t the first time he’s called my name, “you’re on.”

Standing, I straighten my suit jacket and follow up to the edge of the curtains. He waves me forward and I walk out onto the stage following the general intro music and screaming fans. Kimmel stands and shakes my hand, and then I sit in the chair closest to his desk.

“How are you?” he asks as the audience winds down.

As soon as I tell him I’m good, the audience roars louder than before. He chuckles. I chuckle. Then we get on with the interview.

“I think the ladies here tonight are a little excited to see you, Levi.”

They roar again and I grin at them, playing up the part of the sexy bad boy they crave so much.

“Does this ever get old for you?’

“Nah, how could it? Isn’t it every man’s fantasy to have so many beautiful women love him?” They scream again, catcalling me. We go back and forth a few more times, riling up the audience, before Kimmel digs in.

“You’ve been making headlines lately,” he informs me as he leads the conversation into deeper waters. “Is it true you’re going to be a father?”

I nod hesitantly but no less proud. “Yeah, yeah. A little less than two months to go.”

“That’s wonderful. Congratulations.” I thank him accordingly, already sensing where the line of questioning is headed—the same place it always does. “Now we all know the tabloids have a propensity for stretching the truth. So why don’t we clear something up tonight.” I nod for him to go ahead. I’m ready. Leaning into one arm, he tilts his head and says, “Some people are claiming you’re dating your sister. In fact, they’re claiming your sister is actually the mother of your child. Is there any truth to that?”

I am so fucking glad that David and Lara’s divorce was finalized yesterday. Now I can speak with total truth and without having to dance around definitions. “No, that’s not true.” And then I toss in for good measure, “Vista and I were never related.”

“But isn’t it true that your parents are married, making her your stepsister?”

“For a time, yes, but that’s no longer the case. And being stepsiblings doesn’t actually make us related. We were never connected by blood, and we weren’t raised together, so we never looked at each other like that.”

“So what do you look at each other like?”

“Just a man and a woman.”

“Are you in love?”

For this, I look directly into the camera, hoping that she’s watching this, and say, “One hundred percent, yes.”

“I’m sure that comes as a disappointment for all the women out there to know you’re off the market,” Kimmel grins widely.

“I’m sure,” I reply with a tight smile of my own. Frankly, I don’t give a shit about other women. There’s only one that I care about.

“You said you’re expecting in a couple months?” I nod. “I’m sure you keep a tight schedule now that you’re in the off-season. What does Vista think of all this traveling? Is she enjoying the sights?”

I shift in my seat. “She’s at home, actually. Running a business takes a lot of time and commitment, so we thought it best for her to stay back.”

Kimmel’s brows shoot up. “Sounds interesting. What kind of business?”

“Physical therapy.”

A knowing smile spreads across his face. “You just came back from some time off following an injury that sidelined you for a couple months. Does her profession have anything to do with how you two got together?”

“I’m going to have to plead the fifth, Jimmy.” I laugh, sparking everyone else’s laughter. It’s better to keep them on their toes, smiling along, so they don’t turn this into some kind of witch hunt. As long as they feel connected in some way, everything will run smoothly.

“We have to take a break, but before we go, is there anything you’d like to say to Vista in case she’s watching tonight?”

I suck in a large breath, gathering my thoughts quickly. Finding the right camera, I stare into it as if she’s right there, looking back at me. I picture her tear-stained face the last time I saw her and tell her, “You were right, princess. It’s you and me. So don’t lock that door just yet. Make sure you leave a light on.”

As messages go, mine is pretty cryptic, but with a little thought, I hope if she’s watching she gets it.

After a few more minutes of shooting the shit, I leave Kimmel’s stage and climb into the back of the limo, giving my assistant instructions to take me straight back to the hotel and to book me on the first flight out. I’m not staying in L.A. another second. It’s time to go get my girl.

***

I step off the plane and stretch my limbs before I head off to baggage claim. It’s past midnight. I’m not sure how many hours I’ve been in the air, but it’s enough that I’m tired, sore, and grouchy. It feels so damn good to be back on solid ground. It feels even better knowing that Vista is less than an hour’s drive away.

Urgency grabs hold of me as I meander through the terminal and locate a cab. I was so focused on getting back, I didn’t bother setting up any travel plans. It’s probably better this way anyway. I don’t have to answer to anyone.

The streets are fairly clear of traffic at this time of night, and I don’t have to tell the driver to hurry. He has a natural lead foot and nothing is in his way, so I sit back and pull out my phone. I’m sure she’s asleep by now, and I don’t want to disturb her, but there’s a little part of me that’s too impatient to hear Vista’s voice to wait.

“I’m sorry. The person you are calling isn’t answering their phone. Please leave a message and they will get back to you as soon as possible.”

Sick of hearing that generic, robotic message, I jamb my finger on the “end” icon and tuck the phone back in my pocket. Staring out the window, I watch the city lights zip past, counting down the minutes until we arrive.

When we finally do, I toss a chunk of cash at the driver, throw my bag over my shoulder, and leap out. When I burst through the lobby door, Manny, the security officer I hired to watch over Vista, pops up from his reclined position.

Startled, he shouts after me. “Hey! You have to check in first!” I jerk my head to the side so he can see my face, but I don’t stop for a second.

“It’s okay, Manny. It’s me, Levi!”

“Oh, hey, Mr. Black!” he greets as I rip open the door to the stairwell. If he says anything else after that, I don’t hear it.

I take the stairs two at a time. The elevator probably would have been faster, but right now stopping for anything feels like a death sentence. I have to keep moving. Standing still for any length of time is an impossibility.

When I reach her floor, I barrel through the door and pound down the lengthy corridor until I reach hers. She’s probably asleep by now, but I’m prepared to wake up the whole damn building if I have to.