Page 139 of The Forever Play

I laugh and Zoey looks confused for a moment, then giggles just because we’re grinning at her.

Kissing her cheek, I wave goodbye and nervously jump back into the car. I have no idea where Zander is, which is why I park near the main admin building, then wander through campus asking for directions.

I’m now loitering near Athletes Hall and wondering how I’m supposed to get in.

When I asked at the admin building if they could please check Zander Donohue’s schedule so I could find out where he might be, they looked at me like I was crazy.

As I was leaving, kind of dejected, some girl with bright red curls said, “A lot of the athletes have lunch inAthletes Hall at this time of day.” Pulling out her phone, she showed me a map of campus, and I could have kissed her.

“Thank you so much.”

“You’re welcome. Hope you find him.” She trotted down the stairs next to me, then wandered off, shouting, “Lani!” and waving as she ran off toward a gorgeous woman with long black hair and a stunning smile.

Threading her arm through hers, I watched as the two of them walked along, laughing with each other.

For a second, it made me think of Olivia and how I just ditched that friendship like it meant nothing to me.

I cringe.

How many times in my life have I just run away when things got too hard?

Ever since I was a baby, I’ve been on the move and shifting. It’s like my first instinct is to pack up and run when things get uncomfortable.

But I can’t run from this.

Wringing my hands together, I glance at various people passing by, hoping one of them will turn for Athletes Hall and let me in. I can see I need a key card, but I don’t want to stand right next to the door.

So, I’m waiting in a patch of sunshine, and the first person to come in or out of that place, I’m chasing down and?—

“Sienna?” I whip around at the sound of my name, and my insides deflate as I watch Russell walking toward me with a big smile. “What are you doing here? Where’s Zoey?”

“Uh, she’s with Mrs. Ward.” I tuck a lock of hair behind my ear and look to the pavement.

“You came to see me?” He glides his hand along my lower back and tries to pull me in, but I quickly jump to the side and shake my head. And that’s when his smile disappears, his expression hardening. “Then why are you here?”

“Because I need to speak with Zander, and I?—”

“What?” His tone gets sharp and snappy.

I internally cringe but stand my ground. “Do you know if he’s in there? Could you please check for me?” I point to the building behind Russell and swallow when I catch a glimpse of his thunderous expression.

“Are you getting back together with him?” His voice is low and strained, and part of me wants to just lie.

But I can’t keep trying to soften this truth for him. I just have to say it straight and clear.

Keeping my eyes off his face, I nod. “I hope so. We just need to work out a few things and?—”

He snatches my arm. “Why are you doing this?”

“Because I love him and need to make things right between us.”

I try to shake him off, but his hold on me tightens. “You are insane, you know that? He’s a complete asshole. You can’t keep going back to him like this. It’s not fair to Zoey. I won’t let you break up our family this way.”

My eyes flash as I find the courage to look right at him. “Russell, we’renota family. You’re not Zoey’s father. Zander is. And I want to be with him, and I want her to have the privilege of being raised by him.”

I may as well have kicked him in the balls. His face is practically ashen as he lets me go and whispers, “How could you do this to me? Have I not taken good enough care of you guys?”

“It’s not that. You’re great.” I close my eyes, rubbing my forehead and mumbling, “I just don’t love you in a romantic way. We can’t be a family like that, Russell. Even if Zander wasn’t in the picture, I’d be saying this to you.”

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