Page 132 of Delicate Storm

I rub my eyes to hide the tears threatening to fall, and when I drop my hands, Paige throws her arms around me, smothering me in a hug. “Did you love her?”

“I don’t even know anymore. At one point I thought I did, but…” That was nothing compared to how I feel now.

“But then you felt real love with Isaac?”

“Yes.” And maybe evenyou.

“You can’t blame yourself for everything, East. Macy made her own choices. Did you lock her up?”

“No, but—”

“Did you threaten her physically? Tell her you’d hurt her if she left?”

“Fuck, no. I’d never do that and she never thought I would. Is that whatyouthink?” My heart seizes and I can’t bear to look at her face.

“No. God, no.” She grabs my chin and forces me to face her. “I’m trying to make you see that you didn’t do this. You tried to hold your family together but the glue wasn’t sticking. And maybe it was never meant to. Have you talked to anyone else about this? Your mom or your sister? A professional?”

“No.”

“Why?”

“Because I never wanted them to look at me like you’re looking at me now.”

“How?”

“With pity.”

Paige raises an eyebrow and leans back. “Please don’t hate me for this but…you need to suck it up.” She pauses to gauge my reaction and I laugh. Trust Paige to put me in my place.

“Go on.”

“I really am sorry, but if anyone is looking at you with pity, it’s because they feel bad about the situation you’ve been forced into. It’s not a reflection on you. This would be an awful situation foranyone. And while I’m not saying others would have made the same choices you did, there’s also no guarantee someone elsewould have achieved a better outcome. But no matter what, you need help. You can’t do this alone.”

“I’ve got help, Paige. At least I had it until I pushed my mom so far she ended up in the hospital.”

“That wasn’t you.”

“How do you know?”

“Because Keeley texted me about a minute before you got home.”

“She what?”

“She was worried that you’d keep everything bottled up. I guess she was wrong.” Paige shrugs and I force a smile, thinking about what Keeley did. I’m pissed off until I realize she’s right. I’d normally keep it all bottled up. But with Paige, I no longer want to.

“What if—”

“No,” she cuts me off. “There are no what-ifs…”

“But—”

“No. Your mom has ALS, Easton. She didn’t get it because she was helping you with Isaac and—”

“I—”

“You didn’tmake it worse.” Paige’s gaze softens, and I finally let some of what she’s saying sink in.

“Okay.”

---