Page 44 of Delicate Storm

“Anyway, I won’t take up any more of your time,” he continues while I spiral. “I trust you’ll all be as welcoming to Paige as you have been with me. Thank you.”

I wonder if he’d consider my time with Paige as welcoming. I did assist her with her needs.

ButGoddammit.

“Sorry, one last thing.” Sal grabs the mic again and everyone falls silent. He seems like a genuine guy, but we haven’t figured out if he’s to be trusted yet, so everyone’s on their best behavioraround him. “I’d like another Super Bowl win this year if you can work on that,” he adds, making the guys all crack up laughing again. Except me. “Thank you. As you were.”

He walks away and the general chatter picks up. While I stand frozen.

Paige is off-limits.

I finally found someone to take my mind off the crazy in my life and she’s about to be taken away from me.

We lock gazes again and her expression confuses me. Is that guilt? Did she know?

All this time I was sure she had no idea I played football, but was she playing me?

I’m lost in thought, my anger simmering, when someone slaps me on the back.

“Wilder, you’re looking more pissed off than usual. What’s going on? What did Zane do this time?”

Luke-fucking-Bennett.

He smirks and I want to punch him. “Is that actually funny, Bennett? You know, I thought you’d grow up after having a kid.”

His face drops and he steps closer. “Sorry, man. It’s been a day and humor is my go-to. But you know we’re here for you, right? In all seriousness, you were there for me when I needed it, and I’ll always be happy to return the favor.”

The sincerity in his eyes throws me a little because as he said, humor is his go-to, although Amelia must have seen something in him so maybe I can give him a shot. “Thanks, man. I’m fine. Just having a day myself.”

Luke and I walk back to the locker room together but keep the conversation on football. Despite his offer, I can’t see myself opening up to him, or anyone for that matter. It’s just not something I do.

Ever.

Though I can see the benefits. When Luke spoke to me about his situation with Amelia, he managed to come to some kind of epiphany after something I said. That could happen to me. Or…it could be no help at all and instead, I have a teammate feeling sorry for me. Actually,sorrierfor me, because they already think I’m broken after Macy’s cheating scandal with Zane. And that’s more annoying than the cheating was.

Sal walks past us when we reach the door of the locker room and my stomach knots, half expecting him to call me away so he can personally tell me I need to end things with Paige. But of course, he doesn’t. Instead, he smiles and lets us know it was a good practice.

Again, he’s genuine. There’s just something about the way the management acts around him that has us all on guard. But maybe, like us, they're just getting used to the change.

The next day, I run into Paige threegoddamntimes, but never get the chance to talk to her. The first time, I was driving out of the parking garage as she was walking past. The second was in the crowded lobby in the middle of the day. And the third was at the swimming pool while I had Isaac with me. She was getting out of the water when we arrived, and it took everything in my power not to stare at her dripping body. Thankfully, I had a little reminder tugging on my shorts, keeping things innocent in my mind.

After Isaac falls asleep that night, I try to distract myself with TV and music, but it doesn’t work. My head is a chaotic web of issues that I can’t control, and it’s impossible to determine what’s worse—my imminent chat with Paige or Macy’s arrival tomorrow. Or more specifically, Macy canceling tomorrow andme having to pick up the pieces of my son’s fragile little heart.Again.

I’m calling this her last chance. If she fucks it up, I’m done. I’ll have no guilt finding the best, most expensive lawyer out there so I can ruin her.

I’m sure Luke knows a guy. I remember him mentioning he had to rush Amelia’s divorce so they could get married. I had to listen to that fun little story while seated next to him on the bus to our last away game. At the time, I was hating life, but now, he might be useful.

And he said he wanted to help.

I try another tack, reading in bed, and I must fall asleep at some point because when I next check the time it’s four a.m and I feel groggy. Macy isn’t coming for hours and our practice isn’t until the afternoon, so I have no reason to be awake this early. But since it took me hours to fall asleep last night, I can’t imagine it’s going to be any easier now.

Accepting my fate, I get up and workout on my balcony so I don’t wake Isaac, but at around five thirty there’s a soft knock on the glass door, and his sleepy little smile greets me as he waves.

“Good morning.” I smile back after walking inside. “Are you hungry?”

“Yes.”

“What would you like? Pancakes, waffles, or eggs?”

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