“We’ll see. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
After hanging up with Paige, I have another three calls that threaten to bring down my mood, but it doesn’t work. I’m off to see my little man, and nothing is going to affect me.
Since Paige and Easton gave me a key, I announce myself on my arrival then listen out for Isaac’s footsteps as he runs toward me.
“Poppy!” He skids to a stop, with his socks gliding along the floor, and when he reaches me, I swoop him up into my arms.
“Careful, old man, you wouldn’t want to break something.” Paige appears at the end of the hall, welcoming me with her sassy grin.
“Who are you calling old? I still hit the gym five times a week. I can keep up with the best of them.”
“What gym are you using? Because you don’t use the one here.”
“He uses the one at the stadium.” Easton appears behind her, his expression stoic as he leans against the wall. “I can vouch for him. I’ve witnessed it with my own eyes,” he says matter-of-factly and Paige snorts.
“Suck-up,” she jokes, making me chuckle.
“Why would he need to suck up? It can’t be because of you. You never listen to my opinion.”
“You’re right. I was referring to you being his boss.”
I internally cringe, shifting in place as I smile through it. Another reminder of why I shouldneverhave kissed his sister.
“Easton has nothing to worry about,” I tell Paige, pulling myself from my thoughts. “I don’t make player cuts.”
Isaac’s eyes bounce between us all until he grabs my face and draws my attention his way, seemingly over the ridiculous adult conversation. “It’s time for the club,” he whispers loudly, his eyes flashing back to his parents. “They still don’t know.”
That may be true for now, but they’ll know by the end of the night, because from the look on Paige’s face, she is not letting me leave until I’ve explained myself.
I shrug at Paige, feigning ignorance before turning back to Isaac. “Let’s go to our base. They won’t hear us in there.”
Isaac and I play secret spies in our secret club until we’re called for dinner, and as soon as we’re finished, we continue our game until it’s Isaac’s bedtime. The game’s not overly innovative or complicated—all we do is make up our own little spy adventures—but it’s ours, and I missed out on games like this with my own kids. Something I’ll regret for the rest of my life.
I don’t check my phone until I’m back in my apartment—only ever completely switching off like that when I’m with Isaac—and I find a message from Keeley.
KEELEY: I came by to ask about the budget meeting just now and to my utter surprise… you weren’t there. On a school night
I smile to myself as I respond before setting up my laptop for a night of work.
SALVATORE: Shocking, I know. I was with Isaac. Just got home.
KEELEY: Did you play secret club?
What?
SALVATORE: YOU KNOW ABOUT THE CLUB?!
I chuckle to myself, picturing Paige’s face when she finds out Keeley’s involved too. I snuck out before she could ask about it tonight, mostly because I could tell that she and Easton were both tired, so I’m waiting for her to call me.
KEELEY: I do. Isaac accidentally mentioned it when I was there yesterday. He panicked at first because he said it was supposed to be something between the two of you
Oh, shit. Poor Isaac.
SALVATORE: …
KEELEY: Don’t worry though. I put his mind at ease. I told him you and I play secret club too
