Page 109 of The Forever Play

“You don’t even know what’s going on here, so stay the fuck out of it! This is between me and Sienna.”

Tyrell crosses his arms and moves in, his deep voice rumbling. “We’re not going to stop you from talking to her, but you don’t touch her, and you sure as shit don’t insult her.”

“Or us,” Wily adds with a growl before glancing at me, his expression softening, his voice a sweet lilt. “Why don’t you grab your stuff? We’ll help you carry it to the truck.”

“This is insane,” Russell mutters, his sharp gaze landing back on me. “You’re moving out?”

“I’m staying the night with my boyfriend.” I give him a pointed look. “And so is Zoey.”

“Why?” He trails me to my bedroom. “Seriously, Sen, I don’t understand what’s going on here. Zander Donohue is no more than a sperm donor. He’s not worthy of you.”

I roll my eyes, snatching a pair of baggy sweats off my bedroom floor and pulling them on. “I’ve already told you, we worked things out.”

“He’s gonna hurt you again,” he snaps. “And Zoey will get caught in the crossfire. I’m more worried about her than anything.”

Gritting my teeth, I snatch an empty bag out of my closet and start loading it up.

“Come on.” Russell’s voice takes on a whiny edge while Wily walks into my room and stands guard like a watchdog.

Tyrell hovers in my doorway, ready to pounce into action.

Their presence riles my housemate, but I don’t want to ask them to move. I kind of like having them close by. It makes me feel safe. Which is weird, because mere weeks ago, I would have said Russell was my safety net. But he can’t hold a candle to these big football players.

My hands start to shake as I snap my underwear drawer open and snatch out handfuls of socks and panties. I’m definitely packing for more than one night. I know I shouldn’t, but I can’t help it. The thought of coming back here and having to listen to more of Russell’s shit is abhorrent.

“I can’t believe you’re not willing to see reason on this. That guy nearly destroyed you. He stomped all over your heart. I would never do something like that. I’ve been there since day one. I was there when Zoey was born!”

“No, you weren’t.” I spin to face him. “My parents were, and you popped by a few days later to meet her. You’re not her father, Russell!”

“I’m the closest thing she has to one!” His arms flick up, then slap back against his thighs as he huffs and obviously wants to pace but can’t. My room isn’t big enough with two burly football players as well. “You can’t just take her away from me.”

“I’m not.” My voice pitches as exasperation gets the better of me. “I’m spending the night with Zander, okay? And I’m doing that because you are being completely unreasonable about this entire thing. I’m not a child, and you can’t boss me around like one. I really appreciate that you let me move in with you while my parents are away, but that doesn’t make you an authority over me or Zoey!”

Pushing past him, I hand my bag to Tyrell and head down the hall to Zoey’s room.

Russell huffs after me, snatching her suitcase out of my hands when I go to place it on the bed.

“Hey!” Wily barks, grabbing it off him and carefully laying down the pink unicorn case like it’s a rare, ancient artifact.

Russell growls in his throat, his look lethal as he glares at Wily, then turns back to me.

I ignore his stare and quickly pack Zoey’s things. She needs so much freaking stuff, it’s going to take longer than my room, but like hell I’m forgetting anything.

Grabbing her favorite books and stuffed animals, I throw those on top of her clothes, then bend down to wrestle the portable crib out of the closest.

“Here, let me help.” Wily takes over, and I brush the hair off my face with a grateful smile.

Russell scoffs and shakes his head. “You’re making a mistake.”

“I’ve stopped listening to you. This is happening whether you want it to or not.”

My words seem to finally hit home, because his shoulders deflate and his vibrant anger is replaced with a sorrowful desperation. “Look, I’m sorry, okay? I’m just worried about you and Zoey. I want you to be happy and safe.”

“I will be both of those things where I’m going,” I assure him, catching his eye and hoping he can see how much I mean it.

“Please, please don’t leave.” He blocks my way when I try to get back to Zoey’s closet.

“Russell.”

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