Page 158 of Delicate Storm

On the eve of his next game, Easton’s mom calls and it’s obvious from her tone that she’s happier today.

“I’m ready to look after Isaac,” she announces as soon as Easton says hi. “I’m feeling much better and I’ve been given a clean bill of health. Sort of. You know what I mean.”

“Are you sure?” Easton asks, hesitantly. “We have help and—”

“Help? Is that what you’re calling your girlfriend now?”

Easton’s jaw drops while I laugh. I knew his mom was something special when I first saw her with Isaac, but now I’m even more fond of her.

“She’s not—”

“The next words out of your mouth better not be that she’snotyour girlfriend, especially if she’s there. Hi, Paige.”

Easton glances my way as he shakes his head.

“Hi, Rochelle. I—”

“I wasn’t going to say that,” Easton cuts in. “I was going to say that she’s not the help.”

“So she is your girlfriend?”

“What are you doing, Mom?”

“Embarrassing you. So you’ll say yes to me looking after Isaac just to get me off the phone.”

“Oh, you’re good,” I say, smiling at Easton. “I’m going to need some lessons.”

“I’m here any time.”

“She doesn’t need lessons.” Easton rolls his eyes as he frowns, and I bite back my grin. “She’s already just like you in that sense.”

“Good. Don’t ever change, Paige. Easton needs to be challenged.”

Just like Rochelle expected, Easton gives in and agrees to drop Isaac at her house the next day to get her off the phone, but it’s obvious he’s worried.

“Do you think she’s lying?” I ask when he hangs up, watching closely for his reaction.

“Lying? No. But there’s a possibility she believes she’s more capable than she is. Having said that, it will be good to have her help around Thanksgiving.”

When I’m away.

An aching pit forms low in my stomach as I think about leaving Easton and Isaac. On one hand, Easton won’t be happy if I stay—he already thinks I’m doing too much for them—but on the other, he needs me, and I can always go home for Christmas.

I lie awake for most of the night, trying not to toss and turn to avoid waking Easton, and come morning, my mind’s made up. I’m staying. It’s settled.

Now if only I could work out how to keep everyone happy.

After an easier than expected conversation with my mom, she accepted my decision to help Easton and even got excited when I called him my boyfriend.

“You know you never once called Christian your boyfriend out loud,” she tells me, her voice lifting. “You mentioned it on social media, but never voiced it. I’m guessing this is bigger than that.”

“It is,” I admit. “So much bigger. And I’m freaking out.”

“Because he has a son?”

“No, Isaac’s amazing. I’m scared I’ll mess up.”

“Not possible. I don’t think you’ve ever messed up in your life.”

---