Page 160 of Delicate Storm

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?

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

Easton

Ismile 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 goodthing 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.”

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