Page 61 of The Forever Play

Hemight not mind, but I sure as hell do!

Whipping around the corner, I paste on a smile and brush my hands through Zoey’s curls.

“Mommy!” She grins up at me, a Cheerio perched between her little fingers.

“Hey, cowgirl.” I wink at her, and she giggles.

Russell gives me a quizzical frown and I ignore it, wanting to clarify something first.

“It’s Uncle Rusty, by the way. Or Uncle Russell. It’s not Dada.”

He shrugs, a red hue splashing over his cheeks as he lets out a soft laugh. “Uncle Russell is a mouthful.”

“Then she can just call you Rusty or Russell.”

“Dada’s easier to say,” he mutters into his coffee cup.

“But you’re not her dad.”

His gaze snaps to mine, his smile disappearing as he walks toward me and leans in so close, I can feel his hot coffee breath against my cheek. “I’m the closest thing she’s got.”

I lean away with a forced smile. “I don’t want to confuse her.”

He growls in his throat and frowns down at me. “She better not be calling that asshole Daddy.”

“Russell.” I quickly cover Zoey’s ears. “Language.”

“If I’m not her dad, then he sure as shit isn’t.” He spits out the words before turning back to the toaster.

My hands shake at his vehemence, my stomach vibrating. I am so not up for this shit today. What the hell?

I know he’s annoyed with Zander over the way he treated me, but still. His reaction seems a little extra.

Smiling down at Zoey, who seems to be picking up the awkward vibe and starting to fuss, I get busy wiping her hands and face. She resists me at every turn and issoon squawking. I pull her out of her highchair and pop her on the ground.

She toddles away from me, over to her set of blocks and the zoo animals she was playing with earlier.

Thumping down onto her padded butt, she gets lost in a world of pretend while I prepare myself some toast and try to avoid Russell’s gaze. He keeps checking on me, but I don’t really feel like talking to him right now.

After a few awkward moments, he lets out a soft sigh and comes up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and resting his chin on my shoulder.

His whiskers scratch my neck, and I tense.

He doesn’t seem to notice, his voice dropping to a soft lilt. “I’m sorry. I don’t want to fight or anything. I’m just trying to protect you from getting hurt. I really care about you and Zoey.”

“I know.” I rest my hands on the edge of the counter, leaning forward and trying to subtly pull out of his octopus grasp.

“I can’t see you go through that heartache again. And I won’t see Zoey dragged into it. She’s too important. Too precious. She deserves a stable, trouble-free home.”

“I know.” I nod and step sideways, wriggling free of his tentacles. I don’t like it when he acts and talks like we’re a couple.

He’s family, sure. But I’m not in love with him, and he will never be Zoey’s father.

Moving to the fridge, I take my time making my morning coffee and wait until Russell has basically finished eating before sitting down.

“I was thinking I’d take Zoey to the playground today. Give you a little alone time,” he tells me.

Again, I tense. I’m not sure why. He’s done it plenty of times before, and I’m usually grateful for it. But him wanting Zoey to call him Dada has really rattled me, and I don’t want her alone with him right now.

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