Page 31 of The Forever Play

Tears lined my lashes before I could stop them.

“And that’s how you’ll feel when you meet your baby. Being a parent is the best thing in the world. And you’re gonna do great, whether Zander’s part of it or not.”

“Thanks, Dad.” My expression buckled and I leaned toward him, resting my head on his shoulder. He kissed my hair and told me everything was going to be fine… and after another minute or so of reassurance, I found the courage to open the passenger door.

Walking away from Dad’s truck was hard work, but I made it.

I made it all the way to Zander’s dorm, actually. I had to ask a few people if they knew him, and it was a little disconcerting to find that most of the people who did were girls. They blushed and giggled when I mentioned his name or gave me knowing little smirks that were unsettling as hell. But one of them let me into his building, so I was grateful for that.

By the time I reached the third floor, my stomach was in chaos. Zander was obviously very popular, and I should be happy for him that he’d fit in so easily, but I couldn’t shake this sense of foreboding.

And I was right.

That foreboding was trying to warn me of something… and I should have listened.

Forcing my brain back to the present, I refuse to relive what I saw.

But I can’t seem to skip past myself tumbling down the stairs, stumbling outside, and throwing up in the closest bush before running to Dad’s truck.

I wrenched the door open and jumped in, scaring the crap out of Dad, who had decided to take a quick nap while he waited for me.

“How’d it go?” His voice had been groggy as he blinked and came to.

“Get me out of here,” I sobbed.

“Sienna, what happened?”

My stomach convulsed and jerked, making it nearlyimpossible to talk. “Just d-drive, Dad. Please! Get me out of here!”

The wails I let out after that echo through my mind, and I blink, desperately trying to clear them. Desperately trying to focus on Zoey, who is now making engine sounds with her lips, stealing my heart like she always does with her chubby little cheeks and big blue eyes.

“I love you.” I brush the back of my finger down her cherub face and block out the rest.

I block out the ugly feelings bubbling away in my chest and focus on the one shining light in my life.

This little girl, who I will do anything for.

This little girl I have to protect and cherish.

Zander may have torn my heart to shreds, but I guess I should be grateful to him for giving me her.

CHAPTER 12

ZANDER

Football practice sucks.

I try to concentrate, but my mind is a scrambled mess, making it impossible to even participate in the game review discussions. And as for my throwing and drills… I’m total shit.

My coaches aren’t blind. They sub me out for the final practice game, and I sit on the sidelines watching Owen send near-perfect spirals down the field while my knee bobs like a jackhammer.

Grady and Carson are on form, catching balls and running plays that prove how good they are. Bobby Fleischer and Mike Braxton run pretty good defense, but my Football Frat brothers are slippery fish today. I’d usually laugh and feel triumphant, but I’ll leave the smirking up to Carson, because I can’t do anything but sit here like a tortured man.

Fleischer misses yet another tackle, Grady pivoting left to avoid him. He hits the dirt and thumps the grass with a growl.

“They don’t call him Flash for nothing, slow ass.” Carson jumps away when Bobby tries to swipe his ankle.

Tyrell eyes the exchange like a hawk, ready to run over and intercept. It’s no secret that Bobby and Carson are constantly on the edge of an all-out brawl. It’s lucky they’re never on the field together during game time.

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