Page 157 of Delicate Storm

“There’s a photo of the two of you doing the rounds on social media. I’m surprised you haven’t seen it.”

My heart spikes thinking it’s the photo he sent his friend, but I quickly realize he’s talking about the event. “Ah. I’ve been trying to cut back on social media. I haven’t had a lot of time for it lately.”

“About that. I haven’t seen you around much. Where have you been hiding?”

“I’ve been here, in the building. Guess we’ve just been on different schedules.”

“Possibly. So, what you’re saying is that you don’t have any news for me.” He’s fishing, meaning he knows something, but I’m not giving in that easily.

“Nope. Not really.”

“Okay. Well, if you’re all good and you’ve got nothing to say, I’ll let you go.”

Goddammit.Now I feel guilty. He definitely knows something, and I’ll put all my life savings on that something being Easton. “Spit it out, Dad.”

“What?”

“Why did you really call?”

“I called to ask if you were okay after spending time with Christian.”

“Okay.” I breathe a sigh of relief.

“And to ask how long you’ve been seeing one of my players.”Fuck. This would have been so much easier if I’d told him myself rather than letting him find out by some other means.

“Social media?”

“Nope. A friend who was at the event.”

Shit. My nose scrunches and I cringe, picturing his reaction. “Are you mad?”

“No. But I’m a little hurt that you felt you couldn’t tell me.”

“It’s complicated.”

“Aren’t all relationships?”

“Yes, but—”

“He’s about to be locked in a custody battle with his ex and you’re caught up in a scandal with yours. I get it.”

The sadness in his voice makes me hurt for us both. I should have told him. Neither Easton nor I were worried about his reaction, but we haven’t told anybody. Although, after the other night, I guess people know. Thank God Easton told Isaac.

“I’m sorry I didn’t talk to you about it.”

“Look, he gets bonus points because he was there for you, and from what I’ve been told, he’s not a social guy. But is he good to you?”

“He is. Almost too good.”

“Paige, you—”

“I know, Dad. I deserve the world. The thing is, I’m pretty sure that if I asked for it, Easton would give it to me.”

“Good. I’ll allow it then.”

I laugh, while my chest tightens. Because while I’m generally confident when it comes to relationships, with Easton, there’s so much more at risk. And for the first time, that includes my heart.

When Easton gets home from his away game after another win, we settle into a very un-Paige-like routine. I spend my days with Isaac, out and about or playing in their apartment, and then the two of us prepare some kind of random dinner before Easton comes home. I guess some people would call that normal. But for me, it’s the polar opposite of how I spent my days, and I think I prefer this life.

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