Page 55 of Delicate Storm

Easton gets up from his comfortable position on the lounge chair, and my eyes drop to the sketchbook peeking out from underneath my recliner. I’d been contemplating sketching him next, purely by memory, and apparently that conjured him to reality because here he is, walking toward me.

The lady he was talking to calls out and he barely turns around, waving her off. From my position across the pool, I can just make out her features, but there’s something familiar about her, and since his sister is standing in front of me, it would be safe to guess it’s his mom. God, it’s one big family affair this week.

“So… before he gets here,”—Keeley waves a hand toward Easton with a bored expression, rolling her eyes as she lowers her voice—“I should tell you that we don’t usually promote our brother-sister relationship. Easton’s choice, not mine. Meaning…he’s likely to be pissy. But since you’re here, you’re in on the secret. It’s an exclusive club. You’ll love it.” She smiles ather joke and I have to stop myself from commenting, an image of a pissy Easton making me smile.

“Good to know,” I say just as Easton joins us, and I don’t miss the unimpressed expression he flashes Keeley’s way.

“Easton,”—Keeley claps her hands together, ignoring him—“this is Paige and Paige, this is Easton.” She officially introduces us and I once again bite my tongue. “Easton is one of Storm’s wide receivers. And my little brother. Well, you know…younger, anyway. He lives here, and I’m crashing his personal space so I can use the pool.”

Keeley turns to Easton expectantly and he rolls his eyes before offering a quick, “Hi.”

“That’s it?”

“What do you want me to say? You said it all. Should I mention what I had for lunch? Or my dinner plans?” He sneaks a glance my way and a smile tugs at my lips. I’m pretty sure he hadmefor lunch. Sort of. He may not have used his masterful mouth this time, but we were together around then.

And something about that makes me want to giggle. Secrets are fun. As long as they’re not hurting anyone.

Keeley smacks Easton’s arm, bringing me back to the present. “Don’t be a dick,” she snaps. “Just be nice.”

“I’m always nice,” he scoffs, his gruff tone turning me on before he’s even looked my way. . “Hi, I’m Easton.” He subtly raises a brow. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Hi, Easton.” I control my knowing smile. “I’m Paige. Daughter of your new owner. I live here too. And I skipped lunch. I wasbusy. I currently have no plans for dinner, and it’s nice to meet you too.”

Easton’s eyes widen, and I can tell his mind went exactly where I wanted it to go. If I have to think about it, about us, then so does he.

Keeley laughs at my comment and bumps shoulders with Easton, brushing her auburn hair away from her face. “Ooh, I like her. I bet you keep your dad on his toes.”

“I try.”

“You know the team is all talking about what your dad’s going to do,” she adds, making Easton groan.

“What the fuck, Keeley?”

“What?” She spins, hitting him with a glare. “Was that a secret?”

“No, but I don’t need that information coming from me.”

“It’s not coming fromyou; it came from me.”

“I won’t say anything,” I cut in before they get into a sibling argument, while also trying not to think about the conversation I had with my dad and the issues with the team. “Believe it or not, I can keep secrets from my dad. I do it all the time,” I joke to hide the awkwardness I feel until I realize I’m not in fact joking at all. “I’m currently hiding a doozy.”

Easton’s face scrunches like my admission pains him, and I get it. I’m teasing. I too was enjoying our tryst and could have happily continued on. But life happens.

Keeley, who’s thankfully none the wiser, laughs. “Sounds like me.”

“Bullshit.” Easton scoffs. “Mom knows everything.”

“Mom, yes. Dad, no. Anyway.” Keeley turns to me and I notice Easton’s eyes flash to my body before I shift my gaze to smile back at her. “Sorry for interrupting your work,” she says, confusing me until I remember my sketchbook. “I just wanted to say hi.”

“Oh, I wasn’t… that wasn’t. It’s not a bother. It was really nice to meet you both.”

Keeley smiles, seemingly letting me get away with my little stumble of words, but Easton’s not so forgiving, eyeing mecuriously before his gaze drops to my things. Sorry, East, but that’s not something I’m ever going to share.

“It was great to meet you too,” Keeley says, drawing Easton’s attention. “I guess we might see you around the stadium.”

“Yes, you might.”

“Enjoy the sunshine.” She waves as she walks away, and when her back is turned, Easton raises a brow, his thinned lips suppressing his expression.

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