Page 44

Paige

I wake to a chaos that I’m not at all used to. Easton’s running around packing his bag, Isaac’s chasing after him, asking questions at a rate of a million miles per hour. “What day are you getting back? Does Paige like toast with jelly? Will I see Nana? Are you going on a plane or a bus?”

To Easton’s credit, he’s doing a damn good job at answering every question with a smile on his face, because even I’m overwhelmed.

“Can I help?” I interrupt and they both freeze. “I’m sorry I slept in. You should have woken me.”

“Paige.” Isaac rushes over and wraps his arms around my leg. “Daddy told me to let you leep.”

“You didn’t have to do that.” I smile as Easton walks over, pressing a kiss to my forehead.

“You needed it. I know you were with Isaac for at least an hour last night and you can’t have slept.”

“I lept,” Isaac announces, making me laugh.

“I dozed off here and there. It’s not a problem. It was actually nice. He doesn’t snore as much as you do.” The joke’s out of my mouth before I’ve thought about it and I gasp, mouthing a sorry as Isaac darts away to grab something.

“Why are you sorry? For teasing me?”

“No, because I shouldn’t really be talking about you and me in bed.”

“Isn’t that where Isaac found you?”

“Yes but…shouldn’t we be hiding it from him?”

“Nope.”

“Nope?”

“I had a good talk with him the other day. I told him that you might start sleeping over and that you wouldn’t be replacing his mom but that you were important to me.”

“The other day? As in before you asked me to stay over?”

“Yes.” Easton chuckles. “It was inevitable, so I wanted to make sure Isaac was okay with it.”

“And was he?”

“No, Paige. He told me he didn’t want you here but I invited you anyway.” He stares at me deadpan and I laugh.

“Okay. Geez. What did he really say?”

“He said that you’re important to him too.”

Jesus . My eyes well with tears, forcing me to frantically wipe them away. “God, sorry. I don’t know where that came from.”

Easton reaches forward and pulls my hands from my face, pressing a kiss to my fingers. “You care. That’s what that is.”

“I do. I care so much.”

Isaac chooses that moment to run back in and then metaphorically attaches himself to me for the rest of the morning, happily waving goodbye when his dad departs.

We spend the next two days together, playing at the park, swimming, and watching Easton’s game on Monday night, which is conveniently late afternoon for us. Isaac keeps me so busy that by the time he goes to bed on day two, I’m exhausted, but also feeling more alive than ever before.

I thought I’d be nervous having to take care of another human for a few days, but he makes it easy. It feels natural.

After switching on the monitor, I text Easton to let him know Isaac’s asleep and grab my sketchbook from my bag, stretching out on the couch. I’ve just started working on the outline of a new drawing when my dad calls.

“You didn’t tell me that Christian was at the event Saturday night,” he says as soon as I answer.

“Hello to you too, Dad.”

Dad ignores my teasing and launches straight into his questioning. “Did he do anything? Say anything?”

“He was his usual annoying self, but nothing I can’t handle.”

“Okay, good.” He sighs in relief. “Sorry, I panicked. The Mikklesons have our money. The first part of the plan worked. Now we have to wait. I’m a little on edge because of it.”

“You and me both. But I’m fine.” I don’t tell him that Easton came to my rescue. It’s better to leave that part out. “How did you find out anyway?”

“There’s a photo of the two of you doing the rounds on social media. I’m surprised you haven’t seen it.”

My heart spikes thinking it’s the photo he sent his friend, but I quickly realize he’s talking about the event. “Ah. I’ve been trying to cut back on social media. I haven’t had a lot of time for it lately.”

“About that. I haven’t seen you around much. Where have you been hiding?”

“I’ve been here, in the building. Guess we’ve just been on different schedules.”

“Possibly. So, what you’re saying is that you don’t have any news for me.” He’s fishing, meaning he knows something, but I’m not giving in that easily.

“Nope. Not really.”

“Okay. Well, if you’re all good and you’ve got nothing to say, I’ll let you go.”

Goddammit. Now I feel guilty. He definitely knows something, and I’ll put all my life savings on that something being Easton. “Spit it out, Dad.”

“What?”

“Why did you really call?”

“I called to ask if you were okay after spending time with Christian.”

“Okay.” I breathe a sigh of relief.

“And to ask how long you’ve been seeing one of my players.” Fuck . This would have been so much easier if I’d told him myself rather than letting him find out by some other means.

“Social media?”

“Nope. A friend who was at the event.”

Shit . My nose scrunches and I cringe, picturing his reaction. “Are you mad?”

“No. But I’m a little hurt that you felt you couldn’t tell me.”

“It’s complicated.”

“Aren’t all relationships?”

“Yes, but—”

“He’s about to be locked in a custody battle with his ex and you’re caught up in a scandal with yours. I get it.”

The sadness in his voice makes me hurt for us both. I should have told him. Neither Easton nor I were worried about his reaction, but we haven’t told anybody. Although, after the other night, I guess people know. Thank God Easton told Isaac.

“I’m sorry I didn’t talk to you about it.”

“Look, he gets bonus points because he was there for you, and from what I’ve been told, he’s not a social guy. But is he good to you?”

“He is. Almost too good.”

“Paige, you—”

“I know, Dad. I deserve the world. The thing is, I’m pretty sure that if I asked for it, Easton would give it to me.”

“Good. I’ll allow it then.”

I laugh, while my chest tightens. Because while I’m generally confident when it comes to relationships, with Easton, there’s so much more at risk. And for the first time, that includes my heart.

W hen Easton gets home from his away game after another win, we settle into a very un-Paige-like routine. I spend my days with Isaac, out and about or playing in their apartment, and then the two of us prepare some kind of random dinner before Easton comes home. I guess some people would call that normal. But for me, it’s the polar opposite of how I spent my days, and I think I prefer this life.

On the eve of his next game, Easton’s mom calls and it’s obvious from her tone that she’s happier today.

“I’m ready to look after Isaac,” she announces as soon as Easton says hi. “I’m feeling much better and I’ve been given a clean bill of health. Sort of. You know what I mean.”

“Are you sure?” Easton asks, hesitantly. “We have help and—”

“Help? Is that what you’re calling your girlfriend now?”

Easton’s jaw drops while I laugh. I knew his mom was something special when I first saw her with Isaac, but now I’m even more fond of her.

“She’s not—”

“The next words out of your mouth better not be that she’s not your girlfriend, especially if she’s there. Hi, Paige.”

Easton glances my way as he shakes his head.

“Hi, Rochelle. I—”

“I wasn’t going to say that,” Easton cuts in. “I was going to say that she’s not the help.”

“So she is your girlfriend?”

“What are you doing, Mom?”

“Embarrassing you. So you’ll say yes to me looking after Isaac just to get me off the phone.”

“Oh, you’re good,” I say, smiling at Easton. “I’m going to need some lessons.”

“I’m here any time.”

“She doesn’t need lessons.” Easton rolls his eyes as he frowns, and I bite back my grin. “She’s already just like you in that sense.”

“Good. Don’t ever change, Paige. Easton needs to be challenged.”

Just like Rochelle expected, Easton gives in and agrees to drop Isaac at her house the next day to get her off the phone, but it’s obvious he’s worried.

“Do you think she’s lying?” I ask when he hangs up, watching closely for his reaction.

“Lying? No. But there’s a possibility she believes she’s more capable than she is. Having said that, it will be good to have her help around Thanksgiving.”

When I’m away.

An aching pit forms low in my stomach as I think about leaving Easton and Isaac. On one hand, Easton won’t be happy if I stay—he already thinks I’m doing too much for them—but on the other, he needs me, and I can always go home for Christmas.

I lie awake for most of the night, trying not to toss and turn to avoid waking Easton, and come morning, my mind’s made up. I’m staying. It’s settled.

Now if only I could work out how to keep everyone happy.

A fter an easier than expected conversation with my mom, she accepted my decision to help Easton and even got excited when I called him my boyfriend.

“You know you never once called Christian your boyfriend out loud,” she tells me, her voice lifting. “You mentioned it on social media, but never voiced it. I’m guessing this is bigger than that.”

“It is,” I admit. “So much bigger. And I’m freaking out.”

“Because he has a son?”

“No, Isaac’s amazing. I’m scared I’ll mess up.”

“Not possible. I don’t think you’ve ever messed up in your life.”

I almost laugh thinking about how wrong she is, but since I never told her about Christian’s family, I hold back.

“I hope you’re right.”

“I usually am.”

With Mom somehow on board with my decision, I just had to convince Easton, which was proving as difficult as I thought it would be.

“I can’t let you stay. You’re already doing so much for me and Isaac.”

“I want to stay. Have you thought about that?”

“What about your mom?”

“She’s fine with it. She understands. This is where I need to be right now—with you and Isaac. And honestly, I don’t care what you say. I’m staying.”

“You don’t care what I say?”

“Nope. I already canceled my flights.”

“I’m sure I could convince your dad to give you his private jet.”

“Oh, you’re going to talk to my dad?” I bite back a smile. “Please do. I’d love to witness that conversation.”

Despite my dad being good with our relationship, he and Easton have yet to talk about it. And it’s hard to say who’s avoiding whom. I’d love to put them in a room together and watch it play out. Dad can be all “don’t mess with my daughter” while Easton gets his back up with “why would I do that? Maybe you should make sure you don’t mess with your daughter.”

Since Easton and I started talking more, rather than just focusing on the sex, I’ve filled him in on my relationship with my dad. And he told me about his. Which, in hindsight, wasn’t a great idea since it stressed him out about being away from Isaac.

But their circumstances are different. Easton’s there for Isaac any chance he gets. Dad, on the other hand, liked to fill his spare time with more work. We barely saw him when we were younger, but he’s making up for it now.

“I’m not afraid of your dad, Paige. We’ve just been busy.”

“Of course.” I bite back a smile.

“If it will get you on that plane, I’ll talk to him.”

“I’m staying. So you’ll be wasting your time.”

Easton groans and I can’t help but laugh. “Are you going to be this stubborn for the rest of our lives?”

“Probably.” I shrug. “You may as well accept it.”

“Fine. You can stay.” Easton huffs out a laugh as he pulls me into a hug, pressing his lips to my temple. “But you’re coming to Thanksgiving dinner then.”

I try to hide my beaming smile, but it shines through, making Easton laugh again. “I’d love to,” I say, bouncing on my toes. “Thank you for asking.” I wink and he rolls his eyes.

For the next few days, Easton’s mom looks after Isaac while I’m on standby, and I find myself twiddling my fingers with nothing to do. I’d become so used to spending my days with a three-year-old that I’m now bored with my own company. And I’ve always loved my own time.

Realizing I need to talk to Keeley before showing up at her mom’s for Thanksgiving, I pick up my phone to call her and find a message I hadn’t noticed from earlier.

The A-hole: I swear this wasn’t me. I would never go this far. Please tell me what’s going on

My heart stops and my stomach churns as I click on the link to a popular gossip columnist.

We’ve got the exclusive pictures of Paige D’Angelo’s new beau and we have to ask… Does Daddy D’Angelo know she’s fooling around with his star wide receiver? In public

The article goes on to mention Easton by name, along with the controversy surrounding his split from Macy, and it’s accompanied by grainy photos of the two of us in the parking lot after my charity event. One photo taken seconds before he wrapped his hand around my neck, and the other of his hand up my dress. Both relatively PG unless the photographer has more images ready for release.

With my heart lodged in my throat, I keep reading and my world completely shatters.

With the recent reports of Paige’s history with Christian Mikkleson coming to light, Easton should be considering if she’s really the best role model for his young son.

Stay tuned, as sources say there’s more to come.

I stare down at my phone, my eyes welling with tears as my heart breaks. What have I done?