Page 33

CHAPTER 33

SIENNA

Zoey never goes back to sleep, and the morning stretches out in front of me. Russell doesn’t get back until really late tonight, and I’m kind of glad about that. I need to talk to him about Zander, and I’m pretty sure it’ll go down like a bucket of cold vomit.

I probably shouldn’t invite Zander back here tonight. I can only imagine the carnage if he strolls out of my room tomorrow morning and bumps into Russell in the kitchen or something.

No, I have to talk to my roommate first, and I’ll do that as soon as I see him in the morning. It’s all about the way I sell it. I’ll be upbeat and let him know that I’ve forgiven Zander and I’m deliriously happy. Surely he’ll come around, right?

Surely he wants me to be happy.

And how cool is it that I’ve reunited with Zoey’s father?

I mean, it’s meant to be, isn’t it ?

My little girl is finally getting the family she was supposed to have all along.

Memories of last night continue to flitter through me as I go about the day, doing the housework and making sure the place is spotless for Russell’s return. Anything to aid my cause, right?

Zoey toddles around after me, chatting away, singing, playing, getting under my feet. But her “help” is also adorable, and I’m in too good a mood to let her antics—even the annoying ones—bother me today.

Zander loves me.

I’ve forgiven him.

We’re back together!

Ahhhh! This is crazy and so freaking right.

Humming to myself, I pull Zoey’s sheets out of the dryer and put the next load in. All I have left to do is unload the dishwasher.

Glancing at my watch, my smile falters.

Oh boy. I feel like it should be 3:00 p.m. already, but it’s only ten. That’s what happens when my daughter wakes at stupid o’clock and our day starts way too early.

Although, watching Zander trying to leave this morning was a thing of beauty. A smile stretches across my face as I relive his failed attempts to go. My chest starts tingling, and I let out a giddy laugh before twirling down the hallway to Zoey’s room.

She spots me and starts giggling, following my lead and spinning until she topples over with a little thump.

I laugh. “You okay, lil’ bug?”

“Yup.” She jumps back to her feet and chases after me .

While I make her bed, she sings me songs and then asks, “Foobawl?”

Turning to gaze down at her, I smile. “You want to see Zander again?”

She nods. “Foobawl.”

“You like him, don’t you?” I crouch down in front of her, lightly holding her hand.

“Foobawl, Wywee fun.”

“They are, aren’t they?”

“Go see?” she asks, her eyes rounding hopefully.

My nose wrinkles. “We can’t. They’re playing a game today. They’re gonna be really busy.”

She lets out an excited gasp. “Go see! Go see!”

“You wanna watch them play?”

“Go see!” She starts jumping up and down.

“The game will be on the TV later, and we can watch?—”

She shakes her head. “Go see! Go see!”

“You want to go to the actual game?”

“Yes!” More jumping ensues, and I stand up, wondering if that’s even a possibility. I don’t even know if I can get in.

But why not try?

With an excited grin, I jump in on my daughter’s enthusiasm, and we start getting ready.

It takes me an hour to gather all our stuff thanks to the earmuffs not being where I thought they were. But we’re soon loaded up, and I drive to the stadium.

I’m still not sure I can even get in, but I’m gonna go down there and try my luck anyway.

We arrive with plenty of time to spare, and I find a parking spot on the very edge of the lot. The tailgaters are out in full force, and I lead Zoey through the crowds, buying her a churro before heading for the stadium doors and wondering how I’m ever going to get a ticket.

But then I get lucky.

“Teah?” I spot her strawberry blonde waves and take a risk.

She spins at the sound of her name, her face lighting up when she spots me. “Hey!”

Running over with her arms stretched wide, she pulls me into a hug, then crouches down to greet Zoey.

“Hey, cutie.”

Zoey gives her a shy smile, then wraps her arms around my leg.

“I didn’t know you guys came to home games.”

“Well, we usually don’t,” I admit. “In fact, I don’t even have tickets, so I’m not sure we can get in.”

“Oh, well, hang with me. Wily’s family always buys a block of tickets every season, and there’s usually a spare seat or two for these types of games, so I take advantage.”

“These types of games?” I question.

“Oh, you know, not playoffs or the big ones. Just your standard middle-of-the-season games.” She grins, then bops Zoey on the nose. “You want to come watch some football?”

Zoey nods, still clinging to me as the crowds around us intensify.

I lift her into my arms and trail Teah through the gate.

We find our seats, and Teah introduces me to Wily’s parents. They come to every game apparently, making the hour-and-a-half drive from Denver to support their son.

“I’ve never missed a game,” Mr. Wilson tells me proudly. “I even fly to all his away games too. ”

“Wow.” I nod. “That’s commitment.”

“Gotta support my boy.” The man winks at me. “He’s gonna be an NFL starter soon enough. He’s got what it takes.”

“That’s right,” Mrs. Wilson agrees with her husband. “Our Wily’s going to be the best guard in the NFL.”

The couple laugh together, and I share a quick look with Teah, who bulges her eyes at me, then leans forward and whispers, “No pressure, Wily.”

I snicker, hiding my laughter in Zoey’s hair.

She’s sitting on my knee and looking around the crowd. The Nolan U colors are in full force—a sea of blue and red covering the stands. A cougar mascot is down with the cheerleaders, putting on a show while we wait for the players.

A raucous cheer goes up when the mascot flips and spins, giving Zoey a fright. She gapes up at me, and I smile down at her. “Isn’t he funny?”

“Loud,” Zoey complains, and I hunt out the earmuffs, nestling them on her head.

This seems to calm her a little, and she ends up bobbing on my knee, laughing and pointing when the mascot continues his silly antics.

The dancers are amazing and keep us all entertained. I talk to Teah, enjoying her company. She really is cool.

I find out she’s a Sig Be Sister and in her senior year of college. Her friend Bella has become the sorority president, and she’s really into the life. But she’s also into Grady, so she splits her time between the two.

“The girls aren’t really into football, so I only come to a few games a season. Nothing else was on the agenda for today, so I figured why not? ”

I nod, understanding completely… although I’ve grown to love football.

“Do you enjoy the game?” I ask her.

Her nose wrinkles. “Not really. But I enjoy Grady.” She winks at me and laughs.

I nudge her with my elbow. “I bet you do.”

“Mm-mm. That boy is fiiiine.” She sings the word, making me laugh with her eyebrow wiggle and flaring blush. “And so is Zander.”

I choke on my laughter, coughing into my hand as I fail to hide my blush and end up just agreeing with her. “He’s so hot I can hardly stand it. I can’t believe he’s mine.”

Teah gasps, her voice pitching with excitement. “You guys are back together?”

“Uh-huh.” I grin, nodding uncontrollably while she squeals and wraps her arm around my shoulders.

“That is the best news! Grady’s been keeping me updated on the saga. I hope you don’t mind, but he told me how you were high school sweethearts, then broke up, and how Zander went back for you and you were gone…” She starts talking in rapid-fire sentences, rehashing the drama that has been Zander and me. “And now you’re together again, and you can be a family! That makes me so happy!”

“Me too.” I jump in on her excitement and we start dancing to the music, watching the marching band with Zoey giggling on my knee.

And then the crowd begins to roar.

We all jump to our feet and I hold Zoey close, making sure her earmuffs are secure as we cheer the Cougars onto the field .

Zander busts through the lineup first, flags waving and pom-poms jostling on either side of him as he lifts his hand and waves at the crowd. Raising his helmet in the air, he grins and does a spin while Zoey starts pointing and shouting.

“Foobawl! Foobawl! Hi, Foobawl!” She waves, but he hasn’t seen her. I’m not sure he will, but Zoey keeps waving anyway.

When Wily runs out, she starts to squeal and shout, “Wywee! Wywee!”

Teah laughs and then gives me a “she’s so adorable” look. I have to agree with her.

Especially when Wily looks up in the stands, obviously waving for his parents, then spots us beside them. He heads over to Zander and gives him a quick shoulder tap.

My boyfriend spins, his face quickly scanning the stands and then landing on me. The second he spots me, his face lights up, and I start grinning.

My smile’s so huge it actually hurts, but I can’t stop it.

The look on his face right now.

I blow him a kiss. He blows one right back at me… and our daughter starts yelling as loud as she can.

“Hi, Foobawl! Hi, Foobawl!” Her waves are frantic, and when Zander waves back and blows her a kiss too… I swear I’ve never felt this level of joy before in my life.

This could work.

Me, Zander, Zoey… football.

This could actually work.