Chapter 18 Paige
Paige
The first thing I felt when I woke up was sore muscles in places I hadn’t used in a very long time. The second was the ridiculous smile tugging at my mouth.
I stayed still for a moment, cocooned in my blanket, letting my brain replay last night like a movie I didn’t want to end—Hunter’s hands, his voice in my ear, the way his eyes had looked when he’d told me he wasn’t going anywhere.
A vibration on my nightstand yanked me out of the memory. I reached for my phone, blinking against the light of the screen.
Hunter: Morning. Drink water. Eat real food. And yes, that’s an order.
I snorted under my breath. Bossy was apparently his love language, right after kissing me until my legs didn’t work properly.
Me: Good morning. I’m about to make coffee and maybe some toast. That counts as something real, right?
His reply came faster than I expected.
Hunter: Toast is not a real breakfast. I could come over with something real for you.
A thrill of heat and something dangerously close to giddy shot through me.
Before I could overthink it, my bedroom door cracked open and Lark’s head appeared, her hair in a messy bun, eyes narrowed. “Why are you smiling like that?”
“I’m not smiling,” I lied. Poorly.
“Uh-huh,” she said, then disappeared again, her voice drifting down the hall. “Briar! Mom’s being weird!”
Perfect. Precisely the kind of subtlety my girls were known for.
By the time I arrived in the kitchen, Briar was rummaging through the fridge, and Lark was stirring Nutella into a bowl of oatmeal.
“Morning,” I said, grabbing a mug.
Briar straightened, holding up a container. “Can I take the leftover mac and cheese for lunch?”
“Yes. Just don’t—”
She was already halfway down the hall before I could finish reminding her to bring a fork.
Briar eyed me over her spoon. “You going to the bar early today?”
“Not too early,” I said. “Why?”
She shrugged. “You just seem less stressed. Which is suspicious.” She smirked at my look of confusion. “Translation: the stupid town gossips are working overtime. We’ve heard some things.”
My hand froze on the coffee pot. “What do you mean?”
She lifted her phone. “Maddie told me people saw you and Hunter leaving the tavern together. And before that? Dad and Hunter almost had a fight at Pennywhistle Pantry. Her mom asked her about it. So yeah, Mom, everyone’s talking. And we want to know what is going on with Dad. Please.”
I set the coffee pot down carefully, like maybe if I moved too fast, the whole morning would shatter.
“Great,” I muttered, pouring coffee into my mug. “Exactly what I needed this week. I’ll tell you everything when Briar comes back in here. I’m not trying to keep secrets, just everything is happening fast, okay?”
Before I could take a sip, my phone buzzed on the counter.
Ren: Call me when you can. It’s important.
That did nothing good for my stomach. I held up a finger to Lark, then stepped into the laundry room, shutting the door behind me before dialing him.
“Tell me it’s not what I think it is,” I said as soon as he answered.
“I’d love to, but Eli’s lawyer just sent over new demands,” Ren said. “He’s doubling down—more claims about your ‘unstable’ work schedule, but now he’s hinting about inappropriate overnight guests.”
My grip tightened on the phone. “That’s disgusting. And hello? Isn’t that the pot calling the kettle black? Did he forget why we got divorced?”
“It’s also easy to knock down if it comes to it,” Ren said, his tone calm but edged. “He’s got nothing but speculation. But I wanted you to know so you’re not blindsided.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Thanks. I’ll handle it.”
“No, you won’t. Paige, I have it under control,” he said. “Remember that. You do nothing, okay? All I’m doing is keeping you informed.”
I hung up before my voice could shake, leaning back against the dryer. My phone buzzed again immediately, but this time the contact’s name made my breath catch.
Hunter: Don’t panic, but I heard Eli’s running his mouth again. I’m coming by early again.
Me: You don’t have to. I got this.
Hunter: That’s cute.
Despite everything, a laugh escaped me. The man could boss his way through my bad moods better than anyone I’d ever met.
I slid my phone into my pocket and rejoined the chaos of the kitchen. Briar was rinsing her bowl, and Lark had her backpack over her shoulder, ready to go.
They both gave me that look—the one that said they knew something was up and were waiting for me to explain.
“Okay,” I said, setting my coffee on the counter. “I need to tell you both something before you hear it from someone else.”
Briar froze. Lark shifted her weight, crossing her arms.
“Your dad’s lawyer filed more paperwork,” I said, keeping my voice calm.
“Along with wanting to pay less child support, he’s trying to change our custody agreement.
He’s saying my work hours aren’t good for you, and that I have people staying over who shouldn’t be here.
I am not embellishing or making this more than what it is.
I promise to only tell you the facts. I think you’re old enough to handle it and observant enough to figure it out on your own. ”
Briar’s mouth dropped open. “That’s such crap. Grandpa is here every night that Noah isn’t. What’s the problem with that? We could even stay alone if we had to; we’re old enough. You have to work, we know that. Like, it’s his fault you’re working. He left us.”
“Yeah,” I said automatically, but my throat tightened at the fierce look in her eyes. “He was also talking about Hunter.”
“Are you dating him?” Briar asked. “I’m okay with it if you are, just saying.”
“Yeah, we won’t say a word.” Lark interrupted.
“Forget about that. I don’t have a problem with you dating Hunter either.
The real problem is Dad is lying about you,” she said flatly.
“Hunter only stayed here that night because we were all traumatized, and you were both on the couch. Nothing happened, and who cares if it did anyway? Dad lives with Danielle, hello? Why would he lie like this?”
“I don’t know,” I said, avoiding answering their question about Hunter.
“But Ren is going to fight this for us, and I need you to know that no matter what your dad says, none of this is your fault. You aren’t to blame for his money troubles, or whatever is going on with them.
You’re safe here. This is your home, and it always will be. ”
Briar sat at the table, her movements jerky with fear, and probably a little bit of anger, too. “What if he makes us live with him?”
“That’s not going to happen,” I said, stepping closer.
“You’re both old enough that the court will listen to what you have to say.
You might not get what you want, but you will be heard.
And Ren has all the evidence he needs to show you’re better off here if this is where you want to be.
But if you hear anything at school, or if your dad says something to you, I need you to tell me right away. Promise?”
They both nodded. Lark’s eyes were shiny, but her jaw was set like she was ready to take on a war. Briar stood to hug me without another word.
I kissed the tops of their heads. “We’ve got this. I promise.”
“I don’t want to go over there anymore,” Briar whispered.
“I’m so sorry, sweetheart. We have an agreement I can’t break. But I’ll call Ren and see what he can do about that. Okay?”
She nodded. But Lark had already picked up her phone. I watched her fingers fly furiously as tears filled her eyes.
“Lark? It’s going to be okay—” I started.
“Yeah, it will be.” She looked at Briar.
“I just texted and told him we aren’t coming this weekend, that we’re going to Grandma and Grandpa’s instead.
” She looked at me. “I don’t want him to come over here and try to pick us up or mess with you.
No way he’ll try to see us at Grandpa’s house.
” She turned to Briar. “I won’t let him do this to us anymore.
I’m sorry I didn’t say anything before, and I’m sorry I told you to ignore it. ”
Tears filled Briar’s eyes as she hugged her sister. “It’s not your fault. We’re not the same. And it’s okay if we handle things differently—”
I wrapped them both in my arms, thinking of the way my sisters and I were always there for each other like this. “I love you both so much, and I’m so proud of you.”
“We love you too,” Lark answered for both of them.
“Are you okay to go to school today?”
“Yeah,” Briar mumbled. “I’m okay.”
“Me too,” Lark confirmed.
“All right. Let’s get ready to go, then. It’s time.” As the morning light filtered in through the windows, we shifted back into the gentle rhythm of getting ready for the day.
Lark slung her backpack over one shoulder, double-checking the front pocket for her notebook, while Briar carefully slipped the container of mac and cheese into her lunch bag.
I kept a close eye on them as they moved with quiet determination, handing each of them a water bottle and offering a reassuring smile.
They had just left, their voices carrying down the walkway as they headed for the bus stop.
I shut the door, then flopped onto the couch to think, or nap, or perhaps lose my mind a little bit.
I’d barely settled into my internal worry-fest when I heard the low rumble of a truck engine idling in my driveway.
I glanced at the clock, frowning, just as the sound cut off and footsteps crunched up the walk.
A firm, friendly knock echoed through the house.
For a moment, I hesitated, then crossed to the door and pulled it open.
When I opened it, Hunter stood there with a paper sack in one hand and two coffee cups in the other. He looked annoyingly good for someone who’d probably been up since before sunrise, hair a little mussed, eyes warm in the soft morning light.
“Breakfast delivery,” he said.
I arched a brow. “I didn’t order anything.”
“Yeah, you did,” he said with that slow grin that always made my stomach trip. “Every time you skip breakfast, you’re ordering me to show up like this.”
I stepped aside to let him in, the smell of biscuits, bacon, and coffee curling around us like a hug I hadn’t asked for but desperately needed.
We ended up in the kitchen. He placed the coffee on the table while I unpacked the bag. “You okay?” he asked, leaning against the counter like he had all day.
I stared at the biscuits for a moment before answering.
“I don’t know. I’m worried about the girls.
Lark texted Eli this morning and told him they won’t be coming to his place this weekend.
And I can’t…” My throat tightened. “I can’t fix anything for them this time.
I can’t control whatever is going to happen, and I hate it. ”
He set his coffee down and closed the space between us, his hands finding my hips like it was the most natural thing in the world. “You’re already fixing it. You’re showing them you’ll fight for them. That’s more than most kids ever get.”
“I don’t want them to think this is their fault. I hate that Eli is hurting them like this.”
“They have you. Which means, they’ll be okay,” he said, steady as bedrock.
“They asked if we’re seeing each other,” I said softly, trying for a smile. I was desperate to change the subject. I was so sick of Eli taking over my life again. “I didn’t give them an answer. But they are okay with it if we are.”
His lips twitched, the barest hint of relief flickering in his eyes. “Good. I think they’re as amazing as you are. And I’ll be here for them too. And Noah.” He brushed a stray hair behind my ear, thumb tracing the line of my jaw.
“I hate that I’m dragging you into this. I have no idea what crap Eli will try to pull next, and I—”
He placed a fingertip against my lips. “Shh, please. All I care about is being with you. Eli can go to hell.”
“Okay. But let me deal with him. This is my problem, not yours.”
A quiet fell over the kitchen—not awkward, just the soft quiet that settles after a storm. I let myself lean into him, borrowing warmth, letting the tension of the morning ease away. It was a small, defiant act to let myself breathe and feel how rooted I was in this moment with him.
His hand gave a reassuring squeeze at my hip. “We’re in this together. All of it. The messy, the hard, and the good stuff, too. Please believe it.”
I nodded, my throat loosening. “I’m trying. It just feels like I never get to choose what parts of my life belong to me.”
He smiled, gentle and knowing. “Then let’s take this one. Right now. Just us.”
I managed a shaky laugh, and somewhere inside, the leaden weight shifted, just a little.
My hands moved to his shoulders, and then he bent and kissed me.
It wasn’t rushed. His mouth was warm and sure, the kind of kiss that lingered, that made the world tilt just enough to remind me I was still capable of wanting something good.
His thumb brushed lightly at my waist, coaxing instead of taking.
When we finally broke apart, his forehead rested against mine. “Is there anything I can do to make this easier on you?”
“You’re already doing it,” I said, and meant it.
“You’re going to make me late for work,” he teased.
“That’s on you, bossy,” I murmured, stealing one more kiss, slower this time, with the faint taste of coffee between us, before letting him go. “I’m going in early, too. I have a delivery to sign for. Then I’ll be back here until tonight.”
“I’ll see you later then,” he whispered against my lips before breaking away and heading to the front door.
“Promise?” I felt a bit foolish for needing the reassurance, but after the morning I’d had, I needed it.
“Absolutely.” He pulled me in for one more kiss before turning to leave.
I followed behind, thankful that at least one part of my life seemed to be falling into place. I watched him walk down the steps, my chest lighter and heavier all at once.