Page 39

CHAPTER 39

SIENNA

My heart is racing as we drive toward Russell’s house. I can’t believe he spoke to me that way this morning. His venom was frightening, and I’m kind of glad I’ll have these two big football players to protect me. But I’m also worried.

They’re students.

Russell’s faculty.

I don’t want them getting into trouble for me.

Which is why after I direct Wily to the closest parking spot, I say, “You guys can wait here if you want. I’ll be as fast as I can.”

They both snicker like I just said something funny and then open their respective doors.

I frown, worry taking huge chunks out of my stomach as I shuffle to the front door on stiff legs.

Walking up the two front steps, I knock on the door, then let myself in.

“Russell?” I call, creeping slowly into the house. “It’s me. ”

“Thank God,” I hear muttered from the hallway, and then he appears, pushing up his shirt sleeves with a smile, until he notices the two big guys behind me. “Where’s Zoey?”

I swallow, fidgeting with my fingers as I reply in barely a whisper. “She’s with Zander.”

“What!” His bark is fierce, and I flinch in spite of the fact that I’m trying to be brave. I don’t want to get into another argument with him.

I hate feeling this fragile, but this morning has totally thrown me.

“Sienna, how could you leave our girl with that jackass?”

Closing my eyes, I hold fast to the anger spiking through me. “He’s her father, and he’s really good with her. I trust him.”

He scoffs like I’m insane, then flicks his hand at the muscle standing behind me. “And who the fuck are these guys? I didn’t invite you into my house. Get the hell out of here!”

“Russell.” I raise my hands to try and calm him. “They’re just here to help me carry some stuff, okay?”

“Carry stuff?” His incredulous expression would be funny if I didn’t know there was a volcanic eruption brewing.

God, help me!

Licking my lips, I shuffle back until I can feel Wily’s hand lightly steady my lower back.

“She’s staying the night at our place,” a low voice rumbles behind me.

I glance over my shoulder and look up at Tyrell. His steely expression leaves no room for argument, and I practically shudder with relief until Russell starts barking.

“The fuck she is! Zoey is not spending the night at some football frat house. Sienna, are you out of your fucking mind?” He starts tapping the side of his head and thunders toward me. “You can’t do this. She belongs here. With me. Are you seriously saying you’re going to make her spend the night with a bunch of idiot football players?”

“She’s safe. And they’re not idiots.”

“You don’t even know them!”

“I feel like I don’t know you right now!” I bite back and go to move around him, but he cinches my arm and tugs me toward him.

“Just listen to me. I?—”

“Don’t touch her.” Tyrell’s soft growl is about as chilling as the death glare on Wily’s face right now.

I didn’t even know the friendly blond was capable of such an expression, but my eyes round as he moves toward us like lightning and quickly wrenches Russell off me.

“Hey,” Russell snaps. “Watch it. I’ll report you to campus police if you’re not careful. Or better yet, I’ll call the fucking cops. You two are trespassing right now. I didn’t invite you into my home, so get the fuck out.”

“We’re not leaving her alone with you, and if the cops show up, I can tell them exactly how you’re manhandling this woman and scaring her,” Wily argues.

Russell lifts his chin, his nostrils flaring as he points between the two of them. “This is none of your business.”

He looks so short next to them it almost makes me laugh. Almost .

Inching farther away, I cross my arms and watch his eyes flash bright with anger.

“You don’t even know what’s going on here, so stay the fuck out of it! This is between me and Sienna.”

Tyrell crosses his arms and moves in, his deep voice rumbling. “We’re not going to stop you from talking to her, but you don’t touch her, and you sure as shit don’t insult her.”

“Or us,” Wily adds with a growl before glancing at me, his expression softening, his voice a sweet lilt. “Why don’t you grab your stuff? We’ll help you carry it to the truck.”

“This is insane,” Russell mutters, his sharp gaze landing back on me. “You’re moving out?”

“I’m staying the night with my boyfriend.” I give him a pointed look. “And so is Zoey.”

“Why?” He trails me to my bedroom. “Seriously, Sen, I don’t understand what’s going on here. Zander Donohue is no more than a sperm donor. He’s not worthy of you.”

I roll my eyes, snatching a pair of baggy sweats off my bedroom floor and pulling them on. “I’ve already told you, we worked things out.”

“He’s gonna hurt you again,” he snaps. “And Zoey will get caught in the crossfire. I’m more worried about her than anything.”

Gritting my teeth, I snatch an empty bag out of my closet and start loading it up.

“Come on.” Russell’s voice takes on a whiny edge while Wily walks into my room and stands guard like a watchdog .

Tyrell hovers in my doorway, ready to pounce into action.

Their presence riles my housemate, but I don’t want to ask them to move. I kind of like having them close by. It makes me feel safe. Which is weird, because mere weeks ago, I would have said Russell was my safety net. But he can’t hold a candle to these big football players.

My hands start to shake as I snap my underwear drawer open and snatch out handfuls of socks and panties. I’m definitely packing for more than one night. I know I shouldn’t, but I can’t help it. The thought of coming back here and having to listen to more of Russell’s shit is abhorrent.

“I can’t believe you’re not willing to see reason on this. That guy nearly destroyed you. He stomped all over your heart. I would never do something like that. I’ve been there since day one. I was there when Zoey was born!”

“No, you weren’t.” I spin to face him. “My parents were, and you popped by a few days later to meet her. You’re not her father, Russell!”

“I’m the closest thing she has to one!” His arms flick up, then slap back against his thighs as he huffs and obviously wants to pace but can’t. My room isn’t big enough with two burly football players as well. “You can’t just take her away from me.”

“I’m not.” My voice pitches as exasperation gets the better of me. “I’m spending the night with Zander, okay? And I’m doing that because you are being completely unreasonable about this entire thing. I’m not a child, and you can’t boss me around like one. I really appreciate that you let me move in with you while my parents are away, but that doesn’t make you an authority over me or Zoey! ”

Pushing past him, I hand my bag to Tyrell and head down the hall to Zoey’s room.

Russell huffs after me, snatching her suitcase out of my hands when I go to place it on the bed.

“Hey!” Wily barks, grabbing it off him and carefully laying down the pink unicorn case like it’s a rare, ancient artifact.

Russell growls in his throat, his look lethal as he glares at Wily, then turns back to me.

I ignore his stare and quickly pack Zoey’s things. She needs so much freaking stuff, it’s going to take longer than my room, but like hell I’m forgetting anything.

Grabbing her favorite books and stuffed animals, I throw those on top of her clothes, then bend down to wrestle the portable crib out of the closest.

“Here, let me help.” Wily takes over, and I brush the hair off my face with a grateful smile.

Russell scoffs and shakes his head. “You’re making a mistake.”

“I’ve stopped listening to you. This is happening whether you want it to or not.”

My words seem to finally hit home, because his shoulders deflate and his vibrant anger is replaced with a sorrowful desperation. “Look, I’m sorry, okay? I’m just worried about you and Zoey. I want you to be happy and safe.”

“I will be both of those things where I’m going,” I assure him, catching his eye and hoping he can see how much I mean it.

“Please, please don’t leave.” He blocks my way when I try to get back to Zoey’s closet.

“Russell. ”

“I’m sorry.” His voice cracks. “I’m just going a little crazy here, because I’ve only ever heard you talk shit about Zander.”

“That’s not true.”

“After he hurt you, you made him seem like the devil incarnate.”

Guilt pinches me for a second, but I justify it with the truth. “I always loved him. Even through all my pain. Even when I wanted to hate him, I couldn’t stop loving him. And now we’ve worked it out, and we’re back together. Why can’t you just be happy for me?”

“Because I don’t trust him.” His eyes wash with concern and… is he fighting tears right now? “Please, please, don’t take Zoey away from me.”

“I’m not doing that. We’re spending a night or two with Zander. You’re still going to see her, okay? But if you won’t let Zander come here, then I’m going to go to him.”

Russell’s expression hardens, giving me a serious case of whiplash.

I have never seen him like this before, and I don’t like it.

I mean, sure, he used to lose his shit on the ice in college, and Celeste told me he’d have mega meltdowns at home sometimes, but I always thought she was exaggerating. Maybe she wasn’t. All I know for sure is that his anger has never been directed at me before, and it freaks me out.

With a sad sigh, I zip up Zoey’s suitcase and start for the door.

He tries to block my path, but a gentle nudge back from Tyrell gets me through unscathed.

Russell stays in Zoey’s room while I collect some of her toys from the living area and find her diaper bag under the coffee table. My phone, wallet, and keys are tucked into it, and I nearly ask Russell if I can please take his car. But I value my life, so it looks like Zoey and I will be walking everywhere for the next few days.

I pass Tyrell the last of Zoey’s things to put in the truck, then turn back to call out, “See ya, Rusty. Give me a call when you’ve calmed down and I’ll bring Zoey over for a playdate.”

He appears in the doorway, his eyes glistening as he gives me a silent nod.

Then I walk out the door on quaking limbs.

I don’t know what to feel as I slip into Wily’s truck.

Russell’s always been an older brother to me, but he obviously saw me differently, and now I’m tearing holes in his world. I don’t know whether to feel guilty or relieved that I’ve left.

Ugh. This is all just sitting so bleak and ugly in my chest.

Why couldn’t he just be happy for me?

Why did he have to treat Zander like some kind of supervillain?

Shit, how badly did I really talk about him as I was processing what I saw in that dorm at Kelsey U?

He’s not going to do that to me again, though, right?

He’s changed. He regrets what happened. He wants me back.

Curling my fingers into two tight fists on my lap, I keep my gaze focused out the window and am grateful Wily and Tyrell aren’t saying a thing to try and make me feel better .

I need this silence so I can stew… and convince myself that I’m right and Russell is 100 percent wrong.