“Let me know if you need me for anything,” I tell Paige. “Please.”
“I will. But we’re all good. For now, you need to look after your girl. We’ll probably see you at the hospital.”
“No, you won’t.” Keeley joins us, a hint of humor behind her tired eyes. “It’s your wedding night. Mom will disown you both if you show up tonight. Addie and I will go. If Mom’s not home tomorrow, you can visit then. But tonight is about you.”
“What about Isaac? Your mom was going to look after him for the night, and?—”
“I’ve got him,” I cut in. “He’s been asking for a sleepover at my place for a while.”
“I thought you had some big meeting first thing in the morning?” Paige questions me and…Fuck.
“It doesn’t matter. Being here is more important.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yep.” I smile while my chest tightens. If there was ever a time for me to push work aside, now is it. “Where is the little man?”
“He’s asleep on the couch over there.” She points to the lounge area near the glass doors leading to the gardens. “Mom’s with him. He was already asleep when…” She trails off but she doesn’t have to continue; we can fill in the blanks. And thank God he was sleeping. He didn’t need to see that.
Paige hums, her expression wary as her eyes move between Isaac and me. “We should stay with him. Easton’s not going to want to?—”
“Mom’s okay,” Keeley cuts in. “I spoke to Phil a few minutes ago. I promise, she’s okay. Easton knows that too.”
Paige’s eyes flash to something over my shoulder and I stiffen, her soft smile telling me Easton’s about to join us. Though God knows what she’s smiling about because I can’t imagine this is going to be fun.
“Keels?” Easton squeezes her shoulder as he moves past, settling next to Paige, his eyes briefly flitting to mine. “Did you talk to Phil?” he asks, his voice flat, his expression neutral.
“I did,” Keeley responds, seemingly unfazed. “He mentioned he’d already spoken to you.”
“Yep. Mom said to say that if we don’t have a proper wedding night, she’s going to disown us.”
Keeley snorts, while Paige laughs through a sniffle, and even I crack a smile.
“Told you,” Keeley gloats to Paige.
“What do you want to do? Dad said he can look after Isaac.” At that, Easton’s forced to turn my way, and if looks could kill…
Easton gives off a murderous vibe on a good day, but now, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like it. His nostrils flare as his wild eyes meet mine, and I stand tall, willing to take everything he wants to throw my way. He scoffs under his breath, and his expression changes, the anger replaced with hurt, and my stomach knots.
“Easton, I?—”
“I want to stay home with Isaac.” He turns back to Paige. “We can stay in a fancy hotel any night. Tonight, I want to be with my son.”
“Easton…” Keeley tries to speak but he closes his eyes, his broken expression making her pause. “East?”
“You never stayed the night at Mom’s, did you?”
He doesn’t bother waiting for a response before stalking away, grabbing Paige’s hand as he leaves. She glances over her shoulder, her gaze apologetic as she mouths something I don’t understand.
“I hope so,” Keeley says with a sigh, her expression defeated.
“What did Paige say?”
“He’ll get over it.”
“You don’t believe her?”
“I do. I just don’t think it’s going to be anytime soon.”
