Page 30 of The Forever Play

I mean, I know I broke up with her, but she eventually said it was the right thing to do. And then we had that final, beautiful night together, and I thought we were okay.

I came back for her.

And she’d taken off with our baby, never wanting to even look at me again.

My watch starts beeping and I check my screen, knowing I can’t be late for football practice twice in one week.

With an irritated huff, I jog out of the playground, away from Sienna and Zoey. Away from a problem I know I can’t ignore.

I’ll be back again.

I’ll be waiting on this playground for them, because I have to find out why Sienna hates me so much. And I have to play with Zoey again. Because that little girl is my daughter, and like hell I’m not going to be a part of her life.

CHAPTER 11

SIENNA

I’m fighting major sobs by the time we get home, but I can’t let any of it show. Zoey’s turned into a total fusspot, no doubt vibing off my torrid emotions, and by the time I fold the stroller away, she’s transitioned into a full-blown meltdown. I need to feed her and get her down for a nap, but that’s not going to happen when she’s in this state, so I do the only thing I can.

I break routine and draw her a bath.

I might pay for it later. Routine seems to be everything to my toddler, but as soon as the bubbles start rising in the tub, Zoey’s tears dry up and she gets excited for bathtime.

Helping her in, I kneel beside her, running my hands through the water while she drives her toy boat through the bathtub ocean and I play duck and cover with my memories.

Zander’s face as I glared up at him, hating him for what he did to us. Hating him for breaking my heart. Hating him for that day he destroyed everything.

Before I can stop myself, my mind rockets back to Kelsey U and the only time I ever went there…

It had been two weeks since I found out I was pregnant. I’d managed to stop crying but was still throwing up on the regular. Even though I felt like death, I couldn’t let that stop me from delivering the news to Zander. And I couldn’t do it over the phone.

So, loaded up with travel sick bags, Dad and I hit the road and slowly made our way to Kelsey U. It took six hours, thanks to multiple stops, but I arrived in one piece. It was after eight by the time I got there, and Dad was already on his phone searching for motels we could spend the night in while I sat in his truck, summoning my courage.

I hadn’t spoken to Zander since our final night together. We both thought a clean break would be better, and I wanted him to be able to focus on his football and studies. This was his chance to really shine. I wouldn’t get in the way of that.

So, I kept my distance.

But I couldn’t not tell him he was going to be a father.

I wouldn’t expect anything from him. Mom, Dad, and I had discussed it at length. They were going to support me, and Zander could be as involved or uninvolved as he wanted to be. I wouldn’t make him feel guilty or anything.

I was keeping the baby, and he had a right to access, but I wasn’t going to be demanding money or any of that. Thanks to my mom’s inheritance, my parents were reallywell off, and we didn’t need the financial support. I just wanted him to know.

Part of me knew that he’d be there for me. Zander was the kind of guy who stepped up, and I wasn’t sure how I was supposed to feel about that. I couldn’t deny a small fluttering of joy. Would this baby bring us back together?

Oh man, I wanted that.

But only if he did too.

I had to prepare myself for the fact that he might want minimal involvement.

Nausea bubbled inside me, and I was seconds away from reaching for another sick bag.

“Do you want me to come in with you?” Dad softly asked.

I shook my head. “No. It’s okay. He probably doesn’t want an audience while he processes this bombshell.”

Dad’s smile was soft with understanding as he tucked the hair behind my ear. “I know this is terrifying, but you’re gonna get through this. Mom and I will be there every step of the way.” He cradled my cheek. “No matter what’s happened in my life, I want you to know that you will forever be my greatest achievement.”

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