Chapter 52 #2
“What’s she going to do?” he yells and then scoffs, lowering his voice. “Or your brother? That doesn’t give me much confidence.”
Sal’s head drops back as Paige speaks again, and I almost laugh until his worried expression darts my way.
“Can I speak to her?” I mouth and his eyes light up, probably thinking I’m going to take his side. I’m not. I get it. Paige is strong. She can do this on her own.
“Keeley wants to speak to you.” He pauses. “Yeah, I’ll put her on.”
He hands me the phone, mouthing the word “help” before running his hands down his face.
A pang hits me and I’m torn. On one hand, I can understand where Paige is coming from, but on the other, I don’t want Sal to spend his time worrying.
This girlfriend/friend thing is going to take some time to navigate.
“Hi, Paige.”
“Hi, Mom.”
I snort out a laugh, shaking my head at the absurdity of our situation. Although, she did just give me an opening to help Sal. “Your dad’s worried about you and—” I stifle a laugh. “Sorry. I tried but this is too weird. As your friend, I wanted to see how you were feeling.”
“I’m okay. I want that part of my life to be over, and until I testify, it won’t be.”
“You know you’ll probably see Christian?”
“I know. And I’m ninety-nine percent sure that’s the main reason Easton wants to come.”
“I’m not going to lie and say it’s not one of his reasons, but I know my brother. He wants to be there for you. It turns out, he’s actually more caring than we give him credit for.”
“You mean you give him credit for? I’ve known that since we met.”
“Okay. Maybe I haven’t been the best sister.”
“Nah, you’re okay.” Paige laughs. “And I have the authority to judge that now, with you being my sister-in-law… and my future stepmom.”
“Stop. It was funny the first time. Now…”
“I’m kidding.”
“I know. But on that note, I’m going to ask you something as your dad’s girlfriend.”
“So it’s official?”
“It is. Which is why I have to ask this. Are you sure you won’t let Easton go with you? Mom can come here with Isaac and we could look after him together. With Phil, of course, since we’re both physically unstable.”
“What would you do, Keels? If you were me. I trust you and Rochelle. It’s not that. I’m worried about Isaac. He’s a smart kid; he can feel the nervous energy surrounding us all. If Easton and I disappear, how do you think that will make him feel?”
I turn to Sal, meeting his eyes as a memory of my childhood rears its ugly head.
A memory of my mom going to work when it was clear she didn’t want to.
It was a sacrifice she made to support us after my dad left.
And a realization hits me. Something that has nothing to do with my present conversation. Something I can talk about later.
“I think Easton should stay home,” I tell Paige with my eyes still locked on Sal’s intense gaze. “I’ll talk to your dad.”
“Thanks, Keeley. As far as step?—”
“Don’t even start.” I laugh under my breath.
“Sorry, I promise that was the last one. To you, anyway. I might bring it up to Easton every now and then.”
“I’d be disappointed if you didn’t.”
“I knew you’d say that. On a serious note… I’m really happy for you and Dad. You both deserve so much love, and I’m thrilled you’ve finally admitted to what we all saw. I couldn’t be happier for you. We couldn’t be happier. He might not show it, but Easton’s happy too.”
“Thank you, Paige. Have you told Isaac? Is that going to be strange?”
“Not yet. But we will.”
“Thanks. I hope he’s okay with it.”
“He will be. He loves you both.”
I smile, picturing my gorgeous little nephew. “I guess now all that’s left to do is announce it to those on the team that don’t know us outside of work.”
“I don’t think that’s going to be an issue. You know Luke’s got your back, so everyone else will follow suit. Either that, or he’ll force them to shut the hell up.”
“You’re right.” I smile at Sal and he frowns back at me, making me giggle. “I better go. I don’t think your dad’s happy about the advice I gave you.”
“Just tell him it’ll always be chicks before dicks. Wait. Ew. I don’t want to think about that.”
“You said it. Shall I pass that along?”
“Please don’t. Please.”
“Okay. Only because you begged.”
“Thank you. Talk soon.”
Sal’s at my side by the time I hang up, his eyes wide with questions. “So that’s how it’s going to be?” He finally smiles as he curls his arms around my waist and pulls me in close, making me hop slightly.
“Not always, I promise. I just happened to see her side of the story.”
“Which was?”
“That she didn’t want Isaac here worrying about both his parents instead of just one.”
“Shit.”
“Yep.”
“Sometimes I forget that kids worry about their parents too.”
“They do. When Paige was telling me her reason, it made me remember worrying about my mom as a kid. I worry about her now too, of course, but as a kid, there’s the element of confusion because you never really know the full picture.
I knew Mom hated her job because she was forced to do it to take care of us.
She wasn’t earning money doing something she loved. She was working out of necessity.”
“I can see where you get your strength; that couldn’t have been easy on her.”
“It wasn’t. And the memory of that gave me an epiphany. That’s why I work so hard. Because I never want to be in a situation where I have to work to survive. Or be forced to work in a job I don’t love. And I’ve experienced losing a job I loved before.”
“That makes sense. It’s how my work ethic started too. And now we’re both thriving. We could probably afford to take it easy every once in a while.” He stares at me pointedly before his eyes drop to my foot.
“You’re right. I’m going to enjoy this time off. I’m in a gorgeous house with a stunning view both inside and out. It’s time to live in the moment.”
“Good.”
“Good. Anything you want to say?”
“About what?” Sal fakes a frown and I roll my eyes.
“Living in the moment?”
“Nope. I’m good.”
A laugh bursts out of me as Sal pulls me close again, burying my face in his hard chest, probably so I won’t say anymore. Baby steps for him. He’s definitely been here more than the office, taking care of me, so that’s something. Maybe one day we’ll both learn to go easier on ourselves.