Page 116 of Delicate Storm

I usually silence it at night, so I’m clearly not thinking properly.

“It’s ten thirty, Keeley. Why are you calling so late?” I whisper to keep from waking Isaac as I walk into the kitchen, closing the door between the living area and the bedrooms.

“Late?” Keeley scoffs. “I just got home.”

“Good for you. It’s late for me. You know I’m up at five tomorrow? Anyway, what’s up?”

“I called to ask if I could take Isaac out for a couple of hours tomorrow afternoon?”

“What, why?” I shouldn’t be suspicious but I am. Keeley’s great with Isaac, but I usually have to ask her to help out—she doesn’t volunteer.

“I want to impress a single dad, to show him that I’m marriage material.”

“What? Fuck, no. You can’t—”

“I’m joking, dickwad. I promised him I’d take him to that new animal exhibition at the wharf and I got free tickets, but they’re only for today or tomorrow.”

I bite back a groan. It’s after ten p.m. I can’t deal with humor right now.

“That’s nice. He’s been talking about that. What time were you thinking? I’ll need to let Mom know.”

“I already did. I told her I’d take her shift. Give her the day off.”

“Her shift? You make it sound like I’m forcing her to work.” Guilt swirls around my middle as tension works its way into my chest. I know she’s tired, and she definitely deserves time off. But she won’t let me seek an alternative.

“I know it’s not you, East. She argued with me too when I offered. But I think she needs it. She looks tired.”

“I know. God, I know. If only it had been someone more responsible that offered to help out.”

“Uh. Shut it. I’m responsible. I pretty much manage an entire team of children. Children that are far less mature than Isaac is.”

I huff out a laugh. Can’t deny that she has a point. “Okay. I’ll put my life in your hands.”

“Aww, that’s the sweetest thing you’ve ever said. You are getting soft, Bro.”

“Want me to change my mind?”

“Nope. You’re the greatest. I’ll be there at six. Mom usually comes then, right?”

“She does.”

“And she stays until…” She trails off so I can fill in the blanks.

“I’m usually home by late afternoon on Friday. You know this.”

“I do. But how was I to know you’d be going straight home? Maybe you have a date.”

“Ha ha. You’re hilarious.”

“Well, date or no date, we’ll be at the exhibition until around four, and I want to take him to Mom’s for dinner so she still gets to see him. I’ll bring him home after that. I can stay at your place later if you want to…”

“I’m not going on a date, Keeley. I’ll see you in the morning.”

She hangs up and my thoughts drift to Paige.Again. I can’t see this getting any easier. But at the same time, I don’t want it to end.

What the hell do I do?

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

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