Page 36

Paige

A fter spending the morning playing at the park, Isaac falls asleep on the couch while I’m making his lunch, leaving me alone with my thoughts. Other than a short “is Isaac okay” text, I haven’t heard from Easton in hours and I’m worried for him. For his mom. For Keeley. I can’t imagine what they’re going through, being told your mom’s in the hospital and having no idea what’s going on.

I wander aimlessly around the apartment, smiling at the little things that no one would believe were Easton’s—the fluffy toys, the photo of Isaac and him dressed as superheroes, even the mess. Sure people know that he’s a dad, but no one ever sees the real him. Hell, I’ve only seen pieces of it and I’m hooked. Imagine what would happen if I ever saw it all. I’ve just picked up a photo of Isaac and a young woman that I’m assuming is his mom when a phone rings near my ear, making me jump until I realize it’s the intercom. I have the exact same one in my apartment but it’s never rung before.

“Hello?” I answer hesitantly just in case Easton forgot his keys.

“Hello, I have Macy here for Mr. Wilder.”

Macy? My eyes widen as I stare at the photo of Isaac and the woman beside him. Is it her? Or someone else. Another sister? A girlfriend? No. I smile to myself. He wouldn’t have time for that. It doesn’t matter who it is. Mr. Wilder is not here. “Thank you, Rex,” I say, recognizing his voice. “I’m sorry, but Mr. Wilder isn’t here at the moment, so please tell her to come back tomorrow.”

“Of course.”

He hangs up, but the phone rings again seconds later.

“Hello?”

“I’m sorry, miss, but she would like to speak to you.”

“Me? Ah. Okay. Sure.”

“Who is this?” Macy barks into the phone, not even bothering with pleasantries.

“It doesn’t matter who I am. Easton’s not here. He should be home late tonight or tomorrow. Please come back then.”

“I don’t want Easton. I’m here to see my son.” Shit . The attitude. Guess I was right not to like her. “I’m visiting from Florida,” she continues, like I care. “I’m not leaving until I see him.”

“I’m sorry. As I said, Easton is not here. And we’ve never met. You’ll have to come back tomorrow.”

“Tell me the apartment number. I’m coming up so we can talk in person.”

“No.”

“No?”

“I’m not giving you any of their information; it’s not my place to say.”

“Then bring him down.”

“I can’t do that.” Thank God, he’s asleep.

“I’m his mother. I have the right to see him.”

“That may be so, but Easton asked me to look after him, and he never mentioned that you’d be coming by. I’m not letting you see Isaac unless Easton tells me otherwise.” God, I hope I’m doing the right thing. What if Easton just forgot and this messes things up for him?

“Call him.”

“I can’t. I’m sorry.” I stare at her picture and my dislike grows.

“Put Isaac on the phone. Now.”

“I can’t do that either. He’s napping.”

“He’s napping? Why?”

“Well, since you’re his mother , I’m sure you remember that he still naps a couple of times a week.”

“Who do you think you are?”

“I’m nobody.” I almost raise my voice but hold back. I need to keep my cool.

“Damn straight you’re nobody. You—”

“I’m nobody but I’m here to protect Isaac, and that means I’m not letting a stranger in. Come back tomorrow. Goodbye.”

I release a rushed sigh and move to hang up but she calls out.

“Wait. You’re Paige, aren’t you?”

Dammit . “I am.”

“So what? You’re trying to take my ex and my son.”

“I’m not trying to take anything.” Did Easton tell her about me? Or Isaac? “I care about them both and I’m doing what I feel is right. Goodbye.”

I hang up quickly this time and take a deep breath as my mind whirs. God, I hope I didn’t fuck things up for Easton. Why don’t we ever talk? I should know more about his life. Shouldn’t I?

Isaac wakes up twenty minutes after Macy called and when he finds me, still in the hallway next to the photo with his mom, he smiles.

“That’s my mom,” he says, resting his head against my leg. “She lives at Disney.”

“At Disney? Wow. She’s pretty lucky. Do you get to see her much?”

“No. But she got me my red shoes, remember?”

“Yeah.” My heart breaks for him, but I smile and ruffle his messy brown hair. “I remember. They make you super fast.”

“Yeah.” He smiles back at me but there’s a sadness in his expression. I’m about to change the subject when he keeps talking. “Daddy has to stay here for Christmas with Nana, so I’m staying too. I can go to Disney another day.”

“That’s nice of you. Your dad and Nana will love that.” A tightness pulls at my chest, but I ignore it. No matter what happens today, I know Easton will make sure he has a good Christmas and if not, I will.

“What’s your favorite thing about Christmas?”

He shrugs his shoulders and I let out a little laugh. What a stupid question to ask. I don’t think I could narrow it down to one thing either.

“What about an easier question? Should we make cookies today?”

Isaac’s face brightens and he bounces on the spot. “Yes. Can we?”

“Of course. We just have to go down to my apartment to get the ingredients. Are you up for that?”

“Yes. Can we go now?”

“Let’s do it.”

W e spend the afternoon baking, and while we’re eating our creations, I get another text from Easton, asking if it’s an okay time to speak to Isaac. As though it’s up to me. I respond with a yes and he calls right away.

“Hey you,” I answer the same way I did this morning, somewhat wishing we could rewind and have the day play out differently… and for his mom to be okay. “Any news?”

“She’s okay. Sort of. If that makes sense.”

“I think so. What about you?”

“Me?”

“Yeah.” I walk around the corner out of earshot but keep my eyes on Isaac. “Are you okay?”

“Sort of.”

He laughs and I smile as my eyes threaten to water. “We had a great day,” I say, changing the subject. “Isaac’s amazing, Easton. You should be very proud.”

“I’m pretty lucky.”

“Nah, I don’t believe that. He’s got an amazing dad. I think he gets it from him.”

“Thanks, Paige.”

“Want me to put him on?”

“I do, but first, is it okay if I stay here a little longer? I can come home if you need me to, but—”

“No, I’m fine here. Isaac already asked if I could read to him at bedtime, and I saw you had some chicken and veggies in the fridge. Can I cook that?”

Easton audibly sighs. “Paige, you could give him ice cream for dinner and I’d be grateful.”

“I’ll cook the chicken.” I huff out a laugh.

He sighs again and I wish I was there until I realize being here would mean more to him.

“Thank you, Paige. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” Once again, it’s one of those throwaway lines, but the thing is, I’m not sure what I’d do without him either. Not that I tell him that. Now is not the time.

“Don’t thank me yet, because in all honesty, I don’t know what I’m doing and I’m freaking out.”

Easton laughs and I can picture him shaking his head. “Welcome to my world, every day.”

“Panic aside, it’s not such a bad world. I kind of like it.” Easton falls silent and I curse myself for speaking so openly. “Anyway, I’ll get Isaac. One sec. Isaac,” I call out. “It’s your dad.”

He runs in from the kitchen, abandoning his cookie, and grabs the phone from my outstretched hand. “Hi, Dad. Did you have a good day?”

I walk away, giving them some space, but my heart stays in the room with them. I may not know much about kids, but I’ve been one, and I have younger cousins. I don’t remember any of them being this sweet.

When they’ve been talking for a couple of minutes, I walk past to see if they’re wrapping things up and hear Isaac say three little words that completely shatter me.

“I lub Paige, Dad.” He hangs up and I barely get a chance to process it when he comes running toward me with my phone. “Here.” He hands it over. “Can we play now?”

“Of course.” I smile while my heart pounds in my chest. “What do you want to do next?”

“ O ne more book. Please.” Isaac smiles up at me and I laugh.

“I’m worried that if you keep saying ‘one more,’ it’s going to be morning and you won’t have gone to sleep yet. I can’t say no to you.”

His eyes widen before he sucks his lips into his mouth and shakes. “Can I stay up all night?” he asks excitedly. “Dad never lets me do that.”

“No, you definitely can’t do that. Your dad will never let me look after you again. And I like getting to play with you.”

“Me too. I like that too.”

“Good, so you agree. One more book and then sleep.”

“One more.” He nods before curling into me, and a short burst of pain hits deep in my chest. I can’t say for sure, but I’m almost certain it was my heart breaking so I could give a piece of it to Isaac, while another piece already belongs to his dad.

God, what am I doing?

I can’t fall for Easton. He doesn’t want that and my life is already so complicated. And likely to get worse.

Isaac jumps off the bed while I’m lost in my head and searches his bookshelf for another book, throwing the rejects onto the floor until he’s found one he wants.

It’s on the longer side, but I don’t mind. I like his company, and if I’m being honest, the second he’s asleep I’m going to have to face my feelings, and I’m not ready to do that.

“One day, in the magic forest of Esterold, a little boy…”

As I read, Isaac starts off staring at the pages, but it’s not long before he rests his head on my shoulder, and then when I’m only halfway through, his breathing slows as his head lolls to the side. I smile as I readjust him on the bed, making him comfortable before tucking him in.

Today may have been completely out of my comfort zone, but I enjoyed every second of it, and I don’t want to leave him alone. But I do.

Tiptoeing out of the room, I gently close the door and switch on the monitor before cleaning up. When I’m done, I curl up on the couch and close my eyes, needing a moment to rest.

The door rattles sometime later, snapping me awake as I jump up. I hadn’t even realized I’d fallen asleep, but judging by the crick in my neck, I’ve been out for a while.

I check the time on my phone and find a text from Keeley, my heart breaking.

“You’re home?” I say as I greet Easton in the entry. “I was waiting for you to call and—”

Without a word, he strides forward and throws his arms around me, pulling me into his hold as he buries his face in my neck. His body shakes as I curl my arms around his waist, emotion clogging my throat while I comfort him. “I’m here, Easton. I’m here.”

He shakes his head before pulling away. “My life is falling apart, Paige. I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing anymore.”

“Tell me what you need. I’m here to help. Put me in, Coach.”

The smallest of smiles tugs at his lips before he grabs my face in his hands and kisses the life out of me. Or maybe he’s hoping to kiss away the pain. He walks me backward until I hit the wall and then sinks a hand under the waistband of my leggings, immediately running a finger through my heat.

My body melts for him, just like it always does, but I fight to keep a clear head. Despite what he may think, this isn’t what he needs right now, and he’d never usually risk Isaac walking in on us.

“East.”

“I just need to forget.”

“Easton, you—” I gasp as one of his fingers slips inside me, and my traitorous body bucks against him.

“Fuck, Paige. You’re always so ready for me.”

“Stop,” I rush out, ignoring the heat taking over me. “You’re not thinking clearly. Isaac’s home and you’ve got a lot going on. Let me help in another way. Please .”

I prepare myself to push him off me, but I don’t have to, because the second I say please, he stops and takes a step back.

He stares at me for a moment, unmoving, until emotion wells in his eyes and he breaks down, falling into me once more.

“She’s sick, Paige. Really sick. And I’m so fucking scared.”