Page 110 of The Forever Play

“I’m sorry.” His voice cracks. “I’m just going a little crazy here, because I’ve only ever heard you talk shit about Zander.”

“That’s not true.”

“After he hurt you, you made him seem like the devil incarnate.”

Guilt pinches me for a second, but I justify it with the truth. “I always loved him. Even through all my pain. Even when Iwantedto hate him, I couldn’t stop loving him. And now we’ve worked it out, and we’re back together. Why can’t you just be happy for me?”

“Because I don’t trust him.” His eyes wash with concern and… is he fighting tears right now? “Please, please, don’t take Zoey away from me.”

“I’m not doing that. We’re spending a night or two with Zander. You’re still going to see her, okay? But if you won’t let Zander come here, then I’m going to go to him.”

Russell’s expression hardens, giving me a serious case of whiplash.

I have never seen him like this before, and I don’t like it.

I mean, sure, he used to lose his shit on the ice in college, and Celeste told me he’d have mega meltdowns at home sometimes, but I always thought she was exaggerating. Maybe she wasn’t. All I know for sure is that his anger has never been directed at me before, and it freaks me out.

With a sad sigh, I zip up Zoey’s suitcase and start for the door.

He tries to block my path, but a gentle nudge back from Tyrell gets me through unscathed.

Russell stays in Zoey’s room while I collect some ofher toys from the living area and find her diaper bag under the coffee table. My phone, wallet, and keys are tucked into it, and I nearly ask Russell if I can please take his car. But I value my life, so it looks like Zoey and I will be walking everywhere for the next few days.

I pass Tyrell the last of Zoey’s things to put in the truck, then turn back to call out, “See ya, Rusty. Give me a call when you’ve calmed down and I’ll bring Zoey over for a playdate.”

He appears in the doorway, his eyes glistening as he gives me a silent nod.

Then I walk out the door on quaking limbs.

I don’t know what to feel as I slip into Wily’s truck.

Russell’s always been an older brother to me, but he obviously saw me differently, and now I’m tearing holes in his world. I don’t know whether to feel guilty or relieved that I’ve left.

Ugh. This is all just sitting so bleak and ugly in my chest.

Why couldn’t he just be happy for me?

Why did he have to treat Zander like some kind of supervillain?

Shit, how badly did I really talk about him as I was processing what I saw in that dorm at Kelsey U?

He’s not going to do that to me again, though, right?

He’s changed. He regrets what happened. He wants me back.

Curling my fingers into two tight fists on my lap, I keep my gaze focused out the window and am grateful Wily and Tyrell aren’t saying a thing to try and make me feel better.

I need this silence so I can stew… and convince myself that I’m right and Russell is 100 percent wrong.

CHAPTER 40

ZANDER

Zoey’s stench permeated the entire upper floor. It didn’t help that it took me forever to change her diaper. It was the foulest thing I’ve ever done, and I ended up breaking the first diaper by ripping the tabs too hard. Then she got all wriggly on me, and I had to chase her naked little butt around my room before I could snag her and get her giggling ass into a fresh diaper.

I was exhausted by the end of it all, and Carson was livid.

He left the house in a huge huff, complaining about the smell. I managed to cut his rant short with a few gruff words. I didn’t want him scaring Zoey or making her feel bad.

---