Page 36 of The Forever Play

“Hey.” His expression softens the second I speak, and it’s hard to keep my guard up when he looks at me like that. “I’m sorry to just show up unannounced, but I’m getting kind of desperate here. We need to talk. You know we need to talk.”

My head’s bobbing before I can stop it. “Yeah, I know.”

“What?” Russell barks. “No, you don’t.” Lightly holding my arm, he stops me from grabbing my shoes. “Sienna, you don’t owe this guy anything.”

With a soft sigh, I look up at Russell. “I want to talk to him. It’s only fair.”

“Fair? You want to talk about fair?”

Closing my eyes, I shake free of his hold and softly murmur, “Please. Just… I’m going to take a walk with him. Once around the block. That’s it, okay? We’ll talk, and then I’ll be back. It’s going to be fine.”

Russell snorts like a bull before muttering, “You chose not to tell him for a reason. Don’t forget that.”

Wincing, I snatch my Converse off the shoe rack and quickly pull them on.

Russell glares at Zander the entire time, and it’s so freaking awkward. My fingers are trembling as I try to tie my shoes, making me slower than normal. I glance up and catch Zander watching me. He gives me a soft smile, and it helps me take a breath.

“Call me when Zoey wakes up?” I glance at Russell, who gives me a stiff nod, then sends another dark glare at Zander, who takes the look with a stoic calm that’s all kinds of sexy.

Dammit.

Why does he have to be so gorgeous all the time?

Trying to rustle up my anger is so much harder when he’s standing there like that in his baseball cap, fitted jeans, and Nolan U Cougars T-shirt. Even though the cotton is loose around his torso, I can still make out his impressive shape, and my insides are quivering at the idea of just how taut and hot those muscles I can’t see are.

God, help me!

Grabbing my shades, I shove them on, grateful that it’s sunny. I need the protection as I amble along beside him.

Talk. We’re going to talk.

I don’t know what the hell we’re going to say, but I’m guessing he’s still looking for an explanation as to why I shut him out. Can I honestly explain it to him? I don’t even want to think about that awful day. Ugly memories taunt me, making my stomach surge as I glance up at Zander’s face.

His jaw is clenched, his hands shoved into his jeans pockets as we walk next to each other. I think he’s gotten taller. He’s definitely gotten musclier. There’s a power to him—maybe a confidence?—that he didn’t have before, and I can’t help being attracted to it.

No wonder the girls all love him.

A bitter spike drives through my chest and I cross my arms, wondering if this walk is the worst idea ever. But I couldn’t have Russell and Zander yelling at each other and waking up Zoey.

I huff and glance at him. “So, are we going to talk or not?”

He looks down at me and sighs. “I don’t know how to start. I have so many questions, and I don’t even know where to begin.”

“Just ask, and I’ll tell you what I can.” My voice is clipped, and I’m sure he can feel the waves of animosity I can’t help firing his way.

Argh, these feelings are like whiplash. From attraction to guilt to hate-fire. I wish I could just pick one and hold on to it, but I’m all over the place.

“Okay… um…” He pulls the bill of his ball cap a little lower. “How was your pregnancy?”

I blink, surprised by the question. I thought he was about to start badgering me about why I kept Zoey a secret.

I’m actually kind of relieved that it’s an easy enough question to answer. “Uh…” I let out a soft laugh. “It was horrible. I threw up constantly for about twenty weeks.”

“No way.” He hisses and looks kind of concerned.

I glance away so I can finish the next part. “I felt nauseous for basically the whole pregnancy. Zoey grew well, though. She was healthy.”

“But were you okay?” The tender lilt to his voice makes my chest spasm.

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