Page 148 of Delicate Storm

“I’ll get the paperwork drawn up and sent out by the end of the day Monday. But if you’re right in saying she doesn’t want the responsibility, then I suggest you talk to her, maybe arrange some kind of mediation to see if you can come up with an amicable plan. And if that fails, that’s at least more evidence thatyou tried to come to an agreement but that she wasn’t willing to be civil. At this point, our best option is for her to sign those papers. Anything else will take a miracle.”

“Thank you. I’ll try.”

“I’m sorry I don’t have better news, Easton. But I promise that if it comes to a court case, I’ll do my best to win.”

“I know. Thank you again.”

“Talk soon.”

I hang up dejected and fall into a heap. Deep down I knew I’d be faced with that response, and a little part of me wonders if that’s why I never made the call. I’m no closer to creating a better life for Isaac. In fact, I’d say I’m going backward, and I can’t keep going along like this.

Staring down at the phone in my hand, I consider calling Macy when someone knocks on my door.

My stupid chest tightens, picturing Paige on the other side despite knowing she’s not there, but God knows I could use her company.

Taking a deep breath, I open the door to Keeley and sigh. “What are you doing here?”

“I was visiting Mom and she mentioned you were talking to a lawyer tonight. Thought I’d stop by since she can’t.”

I internally groan and immediately change the subject. “Can we talk about Christmas?” I say instead, catching her off guard.

“Ah. Sure.” She frowns as she steps inside, hitting me with an expression that screams “what the fuck?”

“Good.” I fake a smile and gesture toward the kitchen, following behind her. “Instead of a present this year, I want you and Mom to stay out of my business and to stop talking about me behind my back.”

“Ha ha,” Keeley deadpans. “You’re so funny.”

“I wasn’t trying to be funny. I mean it.”

“Whatever.” She shrugs. “How did it go?”

“Keeley. Please. Do you want me to beg?”

“No. I want you to grow up and understand that we are here for you and we only talk about you because we care.”

Fuck. That’s exactly what my teammates said. “Okay. Okay. I’m sorry. I’m juggling a lot of balls, and they’re all going to drop any minute.”

“So let me catch some. Let Paige catch them. But maybe not Mom; she needs a break.”

I let out a long sigh and scratch the back of my neck. “I don’t know what I’m doing, Keeley. And Paige will yell at me for saying this, but I think I need to retire.”

“No,” she snaps.

“God, you sound just like her.”

“Because she’s right. You’re grumpy enough these days. Isaac doesn’t need a dad that’s given up on his career and moping around all the time.”

“I wouldn’t mope.”

“Sure, you wouldn’t.” She rolls her eyes as sarcasm oozes from her pores. “But either way, before you do anything rash, sit down and make a plan. I can help, or I’m sure Paige will. Hell, we’re friends; we can do it together. Just don’t give up yet.”

“I’m not really the type to do something rash, Keeley. I’ve been thinking about this for a while.”

“Well, keep thinking. Paige deserves to be able to say she has a football player boyfriend.”

“We’re not—”

My phone buzzes on the counter in front of us, cutting off whatever bullshit I was about to say. Keeley glances down at the same time I do, so there’s no hiding the name on the screen. But I’m at least able to hide the message, much to Keeley’s annoyance.

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