Page 35 of The Forever Play

But now I’m a single mother with no friends. Except for Russell and his sisters. But do they even count? They’re more like cousins.

Crap. If I’m not careful, my daughter will grow up the same way I did—with a total inability to make long-term connections because she’s never sure when she’ll be leaving, moving on to the next country and big adventure.

That was why my parents wanted to stay in Everett until I graduated. But we hadn’t counted on me falling in love, then getting pregnant and having my heart shattered into a thousand tiny pieces.

In that sense, life on the road is a million times safer.

But do I really want that for Zoey?

I had a long chat with my parents last night while I secretly watched the Nolan U Cougars win their home game. I knew it was a bad idea to watch the game, but I couldn’t help myself. Seeing Zander in action was a thing of beauty and only amplified my angst and heartache. But do you think I could switch the TV off?

Russell had been out at some hockey coaches’ dinner thing. Zoey was asleep, and… I couldn’t help myself.

Thankfully, my parents called halfway through the game, and so my concentration was split, which seemed to help.

The game ended before I wrapped up the call, and I managed to keep Zander’s existence at Nolan U a secret—which is a miracle, because I usually tell my parents everything.… but I just can’t tell them about this.

They went from loving that boy to hating him. And I doubt they’d be too happy about the fact that I let Zander play with Zoey the other day. When I explained why I didn’t think Zander should be a part of Zoey’s life, they wholeheartedly agreed with me.

But seeing him with Zoey, watching them playtogether… I’ve been plagued by doubts. Maybe Zander isn’t the guy he was at Kelsey U. Maybe he’s changed. Maybe the boy I fell in love with is still in there somewhere.

And if that’s the case… doesn’t Zoey deserve to get to know him? Because that boy was?—

A knock at the door has me pausing my search.

I glance across the table at Russell, who’s been hunched over his computer ever since Zoey went down for a nap. He tired her out on the jungle gym, and she fell asleep on his shoulder as we walked home. It was kinda cute. He’s still got stains on his shirt from her messy face.

Glancing over his shoulder, he stares at the front door, obviously confused by who would be intruding on our quiet Sunday afternoon. I look toward the hallway, listening out for Zoey, but the knock hasn’t woken her. Thank goodness. She needs the sleep.

“I’ll get it,” Russell murmurs, rising from his chair and walking to the door while I click on the top search link and try not to eavesdrop.

But it’s impossible when Russell’s voice rises with a sharp “You were supposed to call first. I only agreed with Coach Jones because he said you were going to be mature about this.”

“I have tried calling,” a man snaps back, and I tense, my spine pinging straight as I recognize Zander’s voice. “It’s pretty hard to make an appointment to come here when you won’t answer your damn phone.”

Russell huffs. “How did you find out where I live?”

“I asked around.”

“You shouldn’t be here.”

“I need to see her.”

“She’s not yours to see!”

“You know she is! Now stop getting in my way, because I am not giving up, you understand me? This is my daughter, and I won’t just walk away because you’ve told me to.”

“I’m the closest thing she’s got to a father, and I’m just trying to protect her,” Russell thunders back, and I lurch out of my seat, rushing around the table to intercept this disaster. “I don’t want you waltzing into her life and fucking it up!”

“And why would I do that?”

“You can’t help yourself. I heard all about how you treated Sienna, and I won’t?—”

“Okay!” I spring up behind Russell, catching Zander’s eye and feeling my insides melt and sizzle.

Shit, why does he have to have such beautiful eyes? And that face. He’s still so hot and handsome, and my body is igniting just the way it used to in high school. A luscious shiver runs through me as I watch him grip the back of his neck, his bicep curling beneath his T-shirt sleeve.

I attempt to pull myself together and bring a little calm into the situation. “Hi, Zander.”

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