Page 45

Easton

I smile as I jump into my truck after practice, excited for some alone time with Paige. Since Mom got sick, we’ve been spending a lot of time together, but our focus has been on Isaac, and we’ve barely had time to talk. While I’m still hesitant to let Mom watch Isaac every day, like she wants to, she’s been very persuasive in keeping him for as long as possible when she does have him, and tonight, he’s staying at her house for the first time, ahead of Thanksgiving tomorrow, giving Paige and me some time to ourselves.

Switching on the ignition, I’ve just changed gears when Macy finally calls me back after ignoring me since my mom was in the hospital. My body tenses when I answer, ready for her wrath, but it doesn’t come. At least not at first.

“I’m calling to talk to Isaac. I trust it’s okay for me to speak to him since it’s almost Thanksgiving.”

Her tone is light, friendly even, despite the underlying sarcasm, and it softens my anger. Which is probably a good thing considering the conversation I’m about to have. “You can talk to him anytime, Macy, but today he’s with my mom.”

“Of course he is. Will you be together tomorrow?”

“We will—”

“Okay, tell him I’ll call then.”

“Wait. I wanted to talk to you.”

“I have plans soon and—”

“It’s important. I’ve been calling you for a couple of weeks.”

“I’ve been busy. What do you need?” There’s some bite to her tone now, and I want to snap back, but my conversation with Paige runs through my mind. Macy and I need to talk. Properly. The constant arguments are getting us nowhere.

“I want to talk about Isaac and more specifically, a permanent custody arrangement. By now you should have received—”

“They won’t take him away from me. You know that, right?”

I bite back a frustrated sigh and rub my hands down my face. “Did I say I was trying to do that?”

“No, and I haven’t read what you sent, but you are, right?”

“I’d rather come to an agreement. Something that works for all of us, but something that’s best for Isaac.”

“What if I like the way it’s working now?”

“Come on, Macy. We can’t keep doing this. You never wanted a kid. And you may not realize it, but you’re stringing him along.”

“Kind of like what you did to me?”

“What?” My stomach sinks and I pause.

“You heard me and you know exactly what I’m referring to.”

Is she fucking kidding me? She’s hurting Isaac because I hurt her. I was right? Anger swirls in my stomach, but I fight hard to quell the rage. I have to tread lightly.

“Please tell me you’re not messing with him as payback to me.” It’s what I always feared, but it’s the first time I’ve actually said this to her.

“I was never your priority, Easton. Never . I gave you years of my life and yet you were always just out of reach. When it was the two of us, you never hid the fact that football was your first love. You always put me second. No matter what. And when Isaac was born, I dropped lower on your scale. He came first, then football, then me. How did you think I was going to react to that? Did you think I was going to lie down and accept it?!”

Jesus Christ. “Football aside, Isaac’s your son. You should have been prioritizing him too.”

“But I didn’t want him!” Her voice raises and I flinch like she slapped me. But instead of getting defensive, for the first time, I really put myself in her shoes and sigh.

“I’m sorry.”

“What?”

“I’m sorry. I should have let you go when Isaac was born. I should have listened to what you were saying and let you walk away.”

“That’s the problem though—you never listened.”

“You didn’t exactly fight me.”

“I loved you.”

“Macy. I—” A message comes through while Macy’s on speaker, and I pause when I see it’s from Keeley.

Keeley: SOS. Please call me back. It’s Mom

My hair stands on end as I stare down at the screen, Macy’s words merely background noise. Mom’s got Isaac.

“Macy, I have to go. It’s my mom. She’s sick and—”

“Go, it’s fine.”

“It’s not fine . We should have had this conversation a long time ago. Can you do me a favor?”

“Maybe.”

“Can you think seriously about whether or not you want Isaac in your life? And read the documents. I want us to put together a formal custody arrangement, and I want him with me.”

Macy’s quiet for a beat while my heart stills, waiting. “I’ll think about it.”

“Thank you.” I sigh in relief. That’s got to be better than nothing. “I’ll speak to you tomorrow.”

I hang up and immediately dial Keeley’s number as I reverse out of my parking space, but when she doesn’t answer, I try Paige next, cursing when her phone goes to voicemail too.

Fuck. What is happening?

My chest burns as I drive, heading in the direction of my mom’s place, praying they’re okay.

Keeley finally calls me back when I’m five minutes away, and I’m tense when I answer. “What’s going on, Keels?”

“Mom had another fall. Isaac’s okay but a little shaken at not being able to help her. She didn’t tell me, but she got one of those alert necklaces and set it up to contact Phil. Thankfully, he was home and raced over.”

Jesus. What was I thinking? I’ve pushed her again.

“Are they on the way to the hospital? I’m almost at Mom’s.”

“No, they’re still at home. She’s refusing to go.”

“God, she’s impossible sometimes.”

“Yep. But aren’t we all?”

She’s not wrong, but I wish Mom would put herself first for once. Though I guess it’s my fault for giving in too easily.

“Where are you?” I ask, getting out of my head.

“I just pulled up behind you. I was already heading home when Phil called. I texted you while I was on the phone with him.”

“Thank you. I appreciate that. But what are we going to do?”

“I wish I knew.”

We hang up as we both pull into the driveway, and I’m running toward the house the second I exit the car.

Isaac’s on the couch when I make it inside, his arms wrapped around his legs while my Mom tries to comfort him.

“I’m okay, Isaac. I promise.”

“Isaac?” I call out, and his gaze flashes to mine before his eyes fill with water.

“Dad.” He runs over and I bite my cheek to stave off my tears as his little voice trembles. “Nana got hurt.”

I drop to my knees and engulf him in my arms, gently rocking him back and forth. “She’s okay, Buddy. Are you okay?”

“I didn’t fall.” His face scrunches and I almost laugh.

“You’re right. You didn’t.”

Lifting him as I stand, I walk over to Mom and sit down beside her. I’m about to ask her how she is when Keeley walks in, and Isaac jumps out of my arms to meet her.

Her puzzled expression meets mine and I nod toward the kitchen.

“Hey Isaac, want to come and get something to eat with me?” Keeley asks, taking my hint.

“Yes.” He runs ahead and the second they’re gone, I turn to Mom.

“How—”

“I’m so sorry, Easton. I thought I was okay. I—”

“What? No, Mom. This isn’t your fault. I just want to know that you’re all right.”

“I feel fine. I don’t even know what happened. I just fell and couldn’t get up for a minute.”

God . “Maybe you’re doing too much? Maybe you need more time.”

“I hate this. I’m too young for this.”

“You’re old, Mom. What are you saying?” Mom laughs and I pull her into a hug. “Are you sure you don’t need to go to the hospital?”

“I’m sure.”

“Then what are we going to do with you? Put you out to pasture?”

“Oh, stop it.” She shoves me away, but smiles. “Thank you. I really am sorry I upset Isaac.”

“Don’t be.” I shake my head. “He cares. But he’ll be okay.”

Phil pops his head in, so I hug Mom and go in search of Isaac and Keeley, thanking Phil on my way past, shelving my concern until later.

When I find them in the kitchen, they’re making dinner with Isaac smiling brightly. I sneak past and make my way outside, calling Paige and once again getting her voicemail.

With a groan, I allow myself to break, falling onto the outdoor lounge chair, burying my face in my hands, and trying hard not to scream. Why does life have to be so goddamn complicated?

Lying down, I rest my head against the backrest and sigh. I’ve never needed a woman in my life, never relied on anyone to lift my mood, at least not for me . But right now, I need Paige…more than anything. I’m at a loss for what to do.

Easton: Call me when you can. Please. I’m not going to make it home tonight and I need to hear your voice