Page 6 of The Forever Play

“The one of me playing on the beach in that frilly abomination Mom insisted on dressing me in?”

I laugh. “That’s the one. Well, this little girl right here isn’t in frills, but man… she looks just like you. It’s freaking me out.”

Monica snorts. “Well, her mother must be very beautiful, then.”

“And look just like you.” I start to search the playground for her, but there are so many parents around. A group of moms is standing by the sandpit, watching their kids and talking together. My eyes skim across them, but I don’t see any Monica replicas. And the rest of the playground seems clear too. Darting my gaze back to the girl, I shake my head again. “It’s seriously incredible.”

“You’re still staring at her, aren’t you?”

“I can’t help it.”

“Yeah, well, you might want to stop in case her big bad daddy is there and wants to pound on some freaky-ass guy who’s staring at his kid.”

“Yeah, good point.” I turn my back to the playground. “Not the pounding shit, because I can hold my own.” I can practically hear her eyes rolling. “But I don’t want to be putting creeper vibes out there.”

“Good boy.”

I grin. “Glad you didn’t get knocked up without me knowing.”

“I do my best. Love you, bro.”

“Love you.” I hang up and look over my shoulder again… in time to miss the pass coming right at me. It fires straight past my head and rolls toward the playground again.

“Seriously, Zan! Come on, man.” Carson scowls at me. “Get your head in the game.”

I snicker at his complaint and turn back toward the playground. It gives me an excuse to take one last look at the little girl who I swear could pass as my niece any day of the week.

CHAPTER 3

SIENNA

I check on Zoey, smiling as I watch her create mountains of sand in the sandpit. She loves doing that. I should be over there playing with her, but my phone keeps buzzing with texts from Russell, and I don’t like to be on my screen the whole time I’m with her. I want her to see me present, not distracted on my phone and think that’s normal.

She seems content in her own imagination right now, so I glance back down at my screen and read Russell’s latest text. I want to wrap up this conversation so I can get back to my daughter, but I can’t just go ignoring him because the last time I did that, he got all worried and came to find us, wondering why I wasn’t replying to his messages.

Apparently, turning off my phone while I’m out and about is not okay.

Rusty: David Attenborough is legendary. If I wasn’t a hockey coach, I’d totally become a wildlife photographer.

I raise my eyebrows. Two very different jobs, but whatever.

Russell’s been playing hockey for as long as I’ve known him. He’s wanted to be a coach since he was fourteen years old. Getting this job at Nolan U was the biggest win for him. It’s his first year being an assistant coach of a college team. He spent his first two years out of college coaching a high school team in Nebraska and teaching PE. When this job came up, he couldn’t apply fast enough. He’s moved his whole life here, even bought a house. I think he’s hoping it’ll lead to a more senior coaching position.

He’s capable, although sometimes I think he acts like he’s the senior coach already, and I’m sure the players don’t love that. But it’s not like I can say anything. What the hell do I know about hockey? I’m more of a football girl, which Russell hassles me about constantly. But I’m not giving up on it.

I fell in love with football my junior year of high school, and I’ve followed it ever since.

The Broncos are my pro team, but I actually enjoy watching college ball more.

My insides twist as I try not to think about the reasons why. How every time I sit down to watch a college game, I’m not eyeing every player, wondering if it could be Zander.

He plays for Kelsey U, and I’m smart enough never towatch any games in that division, so why the hell do I think he’ll be on some other team?

Yes, I really am insane.

I glance up and spot Zoey, still happily playing, while I try to decide how to tactfully end this text conversation. I don’t want to be rude. The guy is letting me live with him, which is saving me bucketloads of money. My parents gifted me my college account when Zoey was born. They could sense how much I wanted to stay home and raise my little girl. I haven’t had to use to much of it yet, as they’ve been generous beyond reason, but they’re away right now, and I’m having to dip into that account on the regular. Living rent-free is a huge help, and I have to be nice to my provider, right?

Russell obviously thinks I’m lonely hanging out at the park with my daughter and is trying to keep me entertained.

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