Page 9 of Delicate Storm

“How’s the interest?” I ask, and it pains me to play pretend, but I refuse to bring another stranger into my business.

“It’s good. Great. Lots of people want a house owned by a Super Bowl champion.”

“I’ll bet.” It’s a struggle not to roll my eyes or shield my gaze from the glow of his white teeth, but I force a smile and nod.

“It’s a beautiful home,” he adds and I have to stop myself from punching him. “It’s a beautiful home?” Ifuckingknow that. That’s why I chose it. It’s my dream home. Private. On the beach. There’s a gym, a pool, no nosy neighbors. It’s gated. Has a decent kitchen. It’s big but not in-your-face obnoxious. It’s perfect for me.

And she’s goddamn selling it.

“Are you waiting for Macy?” I ask to change the subject, hoping he can’t sense my frustration. Since she’s not answering my calls, this might be my best chance to catch up with her. “I’ve been on a plane for the past two days,” I continue. “Sorry, I’m not up-to-date with everything.” I wave my hand toward the house and force another smile.

“No, sorry, sir. She asked me to handle everything. Said she’d be out of state.”

She said what?That’s probably something I should have known.

“God, I’m an idiot. I knew that,” I lie. “It’s been alongday.”

“Of course. I’m sorry to bother you. I have two clients coming today, but I promise to stay out of your hair.”

“That won’t be a problem. I’ll only be here for a few minutes. Do what you need to do.”

He nods, and it takes everything in my power not to tell him to fuck off, but he’s lucky the world knows enough about my life at the moment. I don’t need this guy knowing more than he should.Plus, I have places to be and those places do not include my home while new buyers wander through it.

Fuck my life.

Actually no,fuck Macy.

Isaac’s still asleep when I arrive at my mom’s, and while it’s later than usual, I don’t wake him, needing to talk to her first.

“He hasn’t been sleeping very well,” she tells me, tightening my chest with guilt. “Knowing he’ll see you soon must have put his mind at ease.”

“I shouldn’t have gone.What was I thinking?” I whisper the question under my breath, but Mom catches it and frowns.

“You were putting yourself in a better headspace for your son. You werethinkingabout Isaac.”

“I know, but—”

“No buts. I won’t hear it.”

I smile, but it’s surface level and Mom sees right through it.

“East—”

“Did Macy visit?” I cut in, not wanting to make this about me.

Mom’s face falls as she shakes her head, a sheen of mist coating her eyes. “No, and she hasn’t called,” she whispers, her gaze flitting over my shoulder, making me turn to find the hallway empty. “Isaac’s been asking about her and I hate lying, but I also can’t break his heart.”

A rage simmers inside me, but I fight to quell it. “I’m sorry you had to deal with that,” I snap, but it’s not directed at her. “That shouldn’t be your responsibility.”

Macy hadonejob while I was away. To be a decent mom and visit her son. I said I’d call him every day—because I was going to do that anyway—as long as she saw himonce. It was the perfectplan—she’d get to spend time with him knowing there was no chance of running into me—and yet she still couldn’t do it.

I let her stay in the house. I gave her my goddamn credit card. She fucking cheated on me and I’ve been the one trying to keep things civil between us. For Isaac’s sake. But it ends here. “I wish you’d told me. I would have come home and—”

“We’ve talked about this. You needed the break. You’re about to dive headfirst into single parenting. And we had fun. He asked about her occasionally, but for the most part he preferred to talk about you. He’s a great kid.” A genuine smile lights up her face, and it hits me in the chest. “I’m not just being biased—”

“I know. He is a good kid. I’m lucky—”

“It’s not luck. Yes, he’s his own person, but you’re doing a good job, Easton. Don’t ever doubt that.”

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