Page 96 of Delicate Storm

A few cars pull into the parking lot, so I duck around the side of the building, out of the way as Isaac sniffs. “Do you know where my Halloween shirt is?”

“Your Halloween shirt?”

“Yeah.”

I pause and my shoulders drop. The way I see it, I have two options, and as much as it pains me, I have to be the bigger person here. “It might be in the washer. Can you wear something else today and I’ll have it ready for you tomorrow? The one with the truck, right?” I ask, going along with what Mom said.

“I want it today.” Isaac begins to cry and it breaks me.

“I know you do, Buddy. I’m sorry. I wanted to make sure it was clean for Halloween.”God, now I’m taking the blame.

He’s silent again before he sniffs. “Okay. I’ll wear it tomorrow.”

“Thank you.” I bite back a relieved sigh. “I love you.”

“Lub you.” He hangs up before letting me speak to my mom, and I groan as I note the time. Iwasearly and now I’m going to be late because I have to find a goddamn Halloween T-shirt. Thank God, it’s the right time of year.

I shouldn’t have lied about washing it, but I’m sick of seeing his disappointed little face or hearing his broken voice whenever Macy fucks up. It’s not his fault she’s unreliable.

Taking a deep breath, I dial Macy, the last person I want to speak to, and release a slow drawn-out breath before she answers.

“Hey, Baby,” she says in a childish voice.

“It’s not Isaac.”

“Oh. It’s been a while since you’ve called me.”

“I’m not calling for a friendly chat. Isaac said you promised him a Halloween T-shirt.”

Macy laughs. “I didn’t think he’d remember that.”

“You didn’t—” I stop myself from attacking her because it’s not going to get me the information I need. “Do you remember what it looked like or where it was from?”

“It was from Macy’s.” She laughs like she always does when either one of us mentions the department store with her name. I used to laugh, or at least smile, but now I’ve got nothing.

“Can you send me a photo?”

“It was Halloween with a truck.”

“I know that, but there could be more than one.”

“Ugh, fine. I’ll send it when I finish at the nail salon. I’ve got you on speaker, by the way. Say hello to Easton Wilder, everyone.”

Fuuck.My fist clenches as I grit my teeth. “Send me the photo, Macy. It’s for Isaac.” I hang up and slam open the door, not even checking if anyone’s nearby before beelining for the locker room, keeping my head down.

But apparently that’s not a clear enough indicator that I want to be left alone because Luke’s in my face the second I step inside.

“I don’t want to hear it,” I preempt whatever he’s about to say, continuing on my path.

But of course, he follows. “You know what, East? I don’t give a fuck what you want because I’m not walking away until you listen.”

Jesus. I groan before dropping onto the chair in front of my locker and raising my hands. “Have at it then.”

“Great. I wanted to say thank you,” he begins softly and my frustration wavers. “I had no idea you did that for Amelia. You told me you watched him leave. You never mentioned…” He trails off but I don’t need him to continue.

“I didn’t—”

“I know you didn’t do it for me. You made that clear last year. I’m thanking you for Amelia.”

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