Page 50

Easton

I ’m anxious as I leave for my game, and if I’m being honest, it’s the last place I want to be. I was already stressed about Isaac, after Macy said she’d call for Thanksgiving and never did, and now I have to worry about Paige too.

It’s going to kill her if that douche’s parents retaliate, and if Macy uses it to her advantage, I’m concerned for Paige’s reaction. I don’t think she’ll run again. We’re past that. But I have no doubt she’ll take the brunt of the blame, despite the fact that Macy and I have had issues for years.

I check my phone before our pregame warm-up and sigh when I have no notifications. I’m not sure what’s better—for Macy to call or remain MIA. A little part of me hopes she disappears for good. But then we’ll always be in limbo, never knowing if she’s going to walk back into our lives. I wanted her around so that Isaac had a mother, but I’m starting to think he’s better off without one rather than having Macy as a part-time come-and-go-as-she-pleases type.

With a huff, I’m about to put my phone away when it buzzes in my hand, and on seeing that it’s Macy, I snort out a laugh.

Of course, as I think of the devil, the devil appears.

Macy: I’m on the way to your apartment. I’m taking Isaac with me

What the fuck? I rush out into the hall—risking a fine for being late—and hit call on her name, grinding my teeth as the phone rings.

“Hello,” she answers innocently and I want to scream.

“What the hell, Macy. I’ve told you this before; you can’t just turn up when it suits you.”

“I can now,” Macy practically sings, and her tone sends shivers down my spine. “I’ll be there in an hour.”

“What? What does that even mean?”

“It means that I spoke to my lawyer this morning and mentioned that you’d been leaving Isaac alone with a woman attached to a certain criminal case in New York.”

“The fuck?”

“Haven’t you seen the news? The Mikklesons are huge, and it seems Paige has been caught up in their mess.”

“She’s a witness, nothing more.”

“Doesn’t matter. It’s all unknown at the moment and doesn’t look good for you.”

“You don’t even want him. You—” I cut myself off when my voice rises. I can’t do this here and now. I can’t—

Luke rushes past and I’ve never been more relieved to see him. “Luke,” I call out, before telling Macy I have to go, hanging up on her.

Luke turns, armed with a smirk, but he must see something in my expression because his face drops and he abandons whatever he was about to do, jogging over.

“What’s going on?” he asks, his tense gaze locked on mine. “What can I do?”

“I need your help,” I admit for the first time, and it doesn’t feel as awful as I thought it would.

“Anything. Name it.”

“Is Amelia coming to the game?”

“She is.”

“Can she look after Isaac in the suite? I need him away from my apartment. I can have someone drop him off. I—”

“You don’t have to explain.” Luke cuts me off from telling him about Paige and I’m grateful for that. I need Isaac here, close to me, and I would have begged but I’m glad I don’t have to. Luke reaches out to cup my shoulder but must think better of it because his arm drops and he shrugs. “I’m here for you, man. Just tell me what you need.”

By the time I’ve spoken to Paige, and Luke’s made arrangements with Amelia, we’re both late for our warm-up, but no matter how much I apologize, Luke won’t hear it.

“Family comes first. Always. And I’m willing to argue that point if any of the coaches say something.”

“I agree, but it’s my family and your—”

“You’re my family too, man. This team is family. Except maybe Zane. He has potential, but he still has a little way to go before I’d go to bat for him. He’s yet to understand you protect your family. You don’t fuck with them.”

We round the corner to the tunnel and come face-to-face with an angry Coach. His glare travels between the two of us until Keeley comes to our defense. “Jonathan. I’ve got Sal on the phone. It’s urgent.”

Coach’s glare turns to a scowl while he’s talking out of earshot, and it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that they’re talking about me. I can't be too upset about Coach's reaction, he's been understanding when it comes to Isaac and my mom, but I told him I had it all worked out and that I wouldn't let it affect the team. Now I've broken my word, and dragged a teammate into my mess.

He walks over when he hangs up, his scowl deepening. “Well, today’s your lucky day, boys.” He rolls his eyes as Luke’s gaze flashes to mine. “Bennett, it seems Wilder’s girlfriend had her dad come to your rescue, but I’m not fucking happy. Get moving. You better play your asses off, today. If we lose, it’s on you.”

“Thanks, Coach.”

“Don’t thank me. Thank D’Angelo.”

We nod and walk away, not giving him the chance to say any more, and I hold my breath for Luke’s reaction.

He waits until we’re out of earshot before grabbing my shoulder, pulling me to a stop. “Did he just allude to you and D’Angelo’s girl? The Paige looking after Isaac is Paige D’Angelo?”

“Yep. One and the same.”

“Huh.” He laughs. “How did I not know about that? Does Amelia know?”

“I’m guessing she does now.”

“Well, fuck me. Well played. Remind me of that when I next fuck up with Coach. I’ll be calling in a favor.”

My relieved expression drops as I grimace. I don’t want that. I don’t want the guys to think I get away with shit because of my girlfriend’s dad.

“Relax.” Luke laughs again. “I’m kidding. You should see your face.”

“Fucker. Come on. We have a game to play.” Unfortunately . I wish D’Angelo had given me a pass—I wish he’d had Coach excuse me from the game entirely, without penalty. But since that’s not the case, I have to hope that my plan works, and on top of that, I have to hope that Sal’s there for Paige. Because if Macy turns up before they’ve gone, she’s going to need it.

I ’m a fucking embarrassment in the first half of the game. No matter how hard I try, I can’t get my head in the zone because I have no fucking idea what’s going on with my family.

My gaze has drifted to the wives’ suite more often than it’s been on the goddamn ball, and I still have no answers.

Coach pulls me off the field after my next fumble, and I flinch at the venom in his voice. “What the fuck is going on with you, Easton?”

“I—”

“Actually, no. Don’t answer. I don’t have time for your bullshit.”

He barely glances my way as he speaks but it’s enough to throw daggers. The thing is, I can’t even blame him. I’m playing the worst game of my career, and I’ve never been one to let my personal life get in the way. Though I’ve never had to worry about Isaac as much as I have in the last six months.

I watch the rest of the half from the sidelines before making empty promises to play better when the guys run off the field.

Coach looks my way but doesn’t respond, and I’m not sure what that means.

When I get back to the locker room, I risk checking my phone and find six missed calls from Macy seconds before Sal calls my name, pushing through the players as he makes his way over.

My hackles rise as a shiver runs through me. He’s supposed to be with Paige. “Sal, what’s—”

“I never put my family before work, and while I’m happy with where I am today, I’ll always regret it. Paige and Isaac are here. Isaac needs you. Paige is doing an amazing job at calming him down, but he needs his father. And I can promise you, the team won’t punish you for walking away.”

“No.” I shake my head.

“No. Easton, I—”

“I want you to take me to them, but I don’t want any special treatment. I’ll take the fine, and if Coach drops me from the next game, so be it.”

Sal’s lips pull into the smallest smile. “I knew I liked you. Come on.”

I only manage two steps before Coach calls everyone to attention. Ignoring him, I keep walking until he calls out. “Wilder. Where do you think you’re going?”

“I have a family emergency.”

“You said—”

“I’m sorry,” I cut in. “I have to go.” I may not know why but it doesn’t matter. I have to be there for Isaac.

There’s a standoff between us before he nods and turns away, launching into his halftime speech. I can hear it as I walk, but I’m not listening . Nothing is penetrating my mind. I’m focused on following Sal, nervous about what I’m going to find.

Sal leads me to his office, and when he opens the door, Paige spins around to face me, Isaac in her arms.

I rush forward. “Paige, what’s—” She shakes her head, cutting me off as her gaze subtly shifts to Isaac, and she mouths “not now.”

Nodding, I turn my attention his way and smile. “Hey, Buddy. This is a surprise.” His eyes water as he reaches out for me, and my heart clenches as I grab him, holding him close.

“I’ve got you, Little Man. I’m here. I’m here.”

He sniffs as he buries his face into my neck, and the expressions on Paige’s and Sal’s faces gut me. What the fuck happened?

After fifteen minutes, he’s finally calm, but I still have no idea what’s going on, because despite me asking, all he does is shake his head. And it’s messing with me. I have to know. How can I protect any of them if I’m in the dark?

When I realize we’re not getting anywhere, I try a new tack. “How about we go home? You and me.”

Isaac shakes his head more forcefully and I panic. “How can I—”

“Do you want to see Keeley, Isaac?” Sal cuts in. And I’m just about to tell him I’ve got this when Isaac lifts his head and nods. “She just arrived. Do you want to come with me to meet her?”

To my surprise, Isaac squirms in my arms as he nods again. “Can I go, Dad?”

“Of course,” I say reluctantly, forcing a smile. “I’ll be waiting right here.”

“With Paige?” Isaac panics but Paige is quick to reassure him.

“I’m not going anywhere. We’ll be here. Always.”