Page 121 of The Forever Play

And my gut sinks.

He has a really fair point.

This isn’t a daycare center, and I’ve just muscled my way in here.

Glancing back over my shoulder, I watch my little girl happily eating her dinner and wonder if I just have to lump it and move back in with Russell. It’s not fair to stay here. It’s not?—

The door pops open, and Zander appears.

“Hey.” He smiles at me, looking completely unfazed by the argument downstairs. Brushing his hand through the air, he wanders over to me, wrapping his arms around my waist and resting his chin on my shoulder. “Don’t let him get to you. He’s a grumpy asshole, and there’s always a problem.” He sighs. “He’s the most challenging roommate.”

“Have you ever thought of voting him out of the house?”

Zander’s hand brushes my hip before he stands tall and turns to check on Zoey. “We can’t.” Dropping to the floor, he awkwardly crosses his legs and holds up a carrot stick, encouraging Zoey to eat her veggies. “This will make you strong, and carrots help you see better in the dark.”

Zoey perks up, snatching the carrot stick and munching on it while I sink to the floor beside them.

“What is it with Carson? Why can’t you ask him toleave? I mean, is this really a big party house? I don’t want to squash anybody’s style.”

Zander tips his head with a soft laugh. “We have parties sometimes, but not during football season. We’re too busy. He’s just pissed off because he doesn’t know how to act around little kids or girlfriends. He’s awkward as shit when Teah comes over.”

“Why doesn’t he like us?”

“It’s not that. He just…” Zander sighs and gives me a sad smile. “He’s had it rough, you know? And he doesn’t have a lot of support. He’s never had a girlfriend. He screws around a lot, but he can’t handle relationships. It’s like he’s wired to push people away or fuck it up before they can get too close.”

“But he’s let you guys in?”

“Sort of. I guess we kind of tolerate each other. He can be a real pain in the ass, but he doesn’t have anyone looking out for him, and none of us have the heart to kick him out. He obviously can’t leave either, which tells me he secretly likes being here.” Zander shrugs. “So, we put up with his bullshit and figure at least if he’s here, we can keep an eye on him. Stop him from self-destructing.”

Running my hand up his arm, I give his shoulder a squeeze and whisper, “You’re a really good man, you know that?”

He lets out a soft laugh and shakes his head, focusing back on Zoey and getting her to finish her dinner.

I don’t know why he won’t agree with me.

Heisa good man.

And that’s why I don’t want to leave this place. I want to keep living with him and being a family the way we were always supposed to be.

But it’s not going to be as easy as I thought it would.

Carson seems determined to put a stop to this, and he was here first. I just wish I could think of an easy solution.

My daughter is currently living with a bunch of college football players. That’s not normal.

But I don’t want to be anywhere else.

Glancing at her crib in the corner of the room, I worry my lip as practical logic and emotion go to war in my chest.

CHAPTER 44

ZANDER

So, much to Carson’s annoyance, Zoey and Sienna have been living at Football Frat for three weeks now. It’s pissing him off big-time… and there’s nothing I want to do about it, because I fucking love having my girls here.

Living with Sienna is the easiest thing in the world.

And sure, having a toddler has its moments. Zoey is small, but she can be loud and demanding when she wants to be. But she’s also a total charmer and has turned every heart in this house to putty.

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