Chapter 36
Chapter Thirty-Six
SALVATORE
Keeley stays locked in my arms for another few minutes while I rub circles across her back, occasionally whispering words of comfort, ignoring the stares aimed our way.
The second I saw Rochelle, I knew I’d fucked up. I’d walked outside to hide away, acting the part of the coward I am.
I lost control of myself, working myself up as I watched Keeley having fun, hating the fact that it could never be me laughing by her side.
Because of that, I wasn’t there when she needed me.
And now that I am, I’m not leaving until she tells me to go.
I’m not stupid; I know how this looks. I’m not a colleague looking out for my teammate, or even a friend offering support. Keeley has plenty of friends, all here tonight, and yet she chose me. She let me hold her. She broke down in my arms. And anyone that knows her knows that’s a big deal.
The same goes for me.
My marriage ended because I couldn’t see that my wife was hurting. Even when she was standing in front of me. With Keeley, I didn’t have to see her at all. I knew. She consumed my every thought as I ran inside. I didn’t have to be looking at her for her to be all that I saw.
And I’ll be here for however long she needs me. No matter what happens because of that.
I’m not sure how long we’re standing, frozen in time before the crowd disperses and the whispers calm down. Still, I hold Keeley until she pulls away again, her tear-soaked cheeks cracking my chest wide open.
“Sorry,” she apologizes again and I scold her with a glare, making her laugh. “What? I am. I’ll buy you a new shirt.”
“I don’t need a new shirt. I have plenty.”
“But you had it made especially for today and?—”
“Are you planning on wearing this beautiful dress again?” I stare at her pointedly, holding back from calling her out for deflecting again.
“No.”
“Exactly.”
“Point taken.”
“Good.”
Bright lights assault my eyes, and I blink a few times as Keeley moves away, putting distance between us as though we’re no longer able to hide in the shadows. Not that either of us is mistaken enough to believe we were hiding.
I’d say the only people that won’t be questioning our relationship are Rochelle and Phil, and that’s because they were already gone.
It’s safe to say the cat’s out of the bag.
“I think the party’s over.” Keeley smiles softly before glancing over her shoulder toward the back room. “I’m going to grab my bag before everyone begins their goodbyes. I don’t want to miss anyone.”
“Take your time, Keeley. You see most of these people on a regular basis. They’re not going to mind if they miss you.”
She lifts her shoulders as she turns to leave, and I have no doubt she’s going to ignore me. I’d laugh if Paige wasn’t walking toward me, a hesitant smile gracing her lips.
“How are you doing, Kid?” I pull her into a hug, much like I did with Keeley, and she sniffles softly before stepping back.
“What a way to end the night.” She huffs out a strained laugh while tears prick her eyes.
“She’s going to be okay, Paige.”
“For now. But it’s not going to be that way forever. It’s going to kill Easton and Isaac.”
“Just them?”
“No.” She shakes her head. “It’s going to kill me too.”
“I’ll be here, Paige. Whenever you need me, I’ll be here.”
“Until you die.”
“Whoa. Are you killing me off?”
“No, sorry. But for a girl that doesn’t love facing deep emotions, it’s been a full-on day.”
She pouts and I bite back a smile. “It has. You got married. You’re not my baby anymore.”
“I haven’t been your baby for a long time, Dad.”
“No, but you’ve been a D’Angelo. Now you’re a Wilder, and I have to rely on Marc to continue the family name.”
A bout of real laughter escapes from Paige, and it eases my mind.
“Don’t worry. He’ll settle down. Mom said he was upset about that earlier. He hates that no one takes him seriously. Apparently, he wants what I have. And I’ve got to be honest, I feel bad that I’ve been neglecting him a little.”
“You’re not allowed to feel bad, Paige. Especially not today. Marc wouldn’t let you in if you tried. Though, that does explain why he was high.”
“He was high?”
“A little, yeah. At the rehearsal. And I’m the asshole that assumed he was rebelling again.”
“Jesus. Does that mean he’s spiraling?”
“I think so. Have you seen him? I better?—”
“I think he left. And you’re needed somewhere else anyway.”
“Right, what did you want help with? What do we leave here and what needs to go home with you? I can fit some stuff in…” I trail off when Paige laughs before staring at me pointedly. “What?”
“I don’t mean me.” She points toward the back room as Keeley steps out, her bloodshot eyes visible from here. “How long have you loved her?”
“Huh.” I choke, clearing my throat. “That’s not… I don’t… We?—”
“Come on, Dad. You’ve been playing down your happiness for weeks now. At first, I couldn’t figure out what it was until I noticed Keeley’s happiness on the rise too. Then tonight… I hate to say it but everyone saw it tonight.”
“Fuck.”
“Yep.”
“I don’t even know what we are, and it’s killing me, Paige.” The words are out of my mouth before I’ve thought it through, and I instantly regret it. I should not be talking to my daughter about my love life with her best friend…and sister-in-law.
Jesus Christ, this is one fucked-up situation.
“Talk to her, Dad. You’re a smart man. You know what you have to do.”
“Thanks, Kiddo.”
“Anytime.” She shifts to walk away, but I stop her, my expression pinched uncomfortably.
“On a scale of one to ten, how pissed is Easton right now?”
“You sure you want to know?”
“Reluctantly, yep.”
“About fifty.”
“Great.” I smile, my teeth bared as I grit them. Way to ruin her day, Sal.
“Don’t worry.” Paige squeezes my arm, her voice soft as she smiles sympathetically. “He’ll come around. He has to. You know, since you came around to the idea of him.”
For some reason that doesn’t ease my mind, but when Keeley smiles, drawing my attention, I no longer care.
“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.”
“Because it’s me?”
“No, of course not,” she lies, trying to smile through her pain.
“He’s pissed that I lied. Or that I held back the truth.
” She shrugs and... It’s definitely because of me.
And I have no fucking idea how to fix it.
They need a book for shit like this. What to do if you find yourself falling for your son-in-law’s sister.
If Gregory’s pompous ass can release a book, why hasn’t anyone written something like that? Fuck. They probably have.
“Tell me what to do, Keels, and I’ll do it.”
“You don’t have to do anything.”
“Keeley. This isn’t all on you. It takes two to tango, remember?”
“God, you’re old.”
“Why? Young people use that phrase.”
“Sure they do.”
I fight not to smile but it shines through, and when Keeley hits me with a grin matching my own, I start to relax. “What about I ask Jeffrey to drive us to the hospital to visit your mom. I can come up or wait in the car—whatever’s best for you.”
Keeley’s smile briefly falls before she widens it again, and I have my answer. “Thanks, but Mom doesn’t want me visiting either, so I’m just going to help pack up here and head home.”
“Do you need a ride?”
“No, that’s okay. I didn’t have much to drink and my last one was hours ago. You don’t have to wait.” She glances toward Easton and Paige, and my heart breaks for her. This was supposed to be a happy occasion. It wasn’t supposed to end like this.
“I’ll help you pack up. Just tell me what I need to do.”
“You don’t…” She begins to argue but trails off before I’ve even opened my mouth. “Thank you, that would be nice.”
She directs me like we’re strangers, and when everything is packed and we’re ready to go, she gives me a brief hug goodbye before driving away.
Taking a part of me with her.