She was going to wait until tomorrow to confront Braxton about their living arrangements, but the longer she was awake, the harder it was. She reached for her phone and sent a simple text.
PAISLEY: Brax, you awake?
She waited for the dots to show that he’d received her text and was replying, but they didn’t come. Paisley placed the phone on the bed beside her and punched her fist into the mattress in frustration. She stared at the ceiling for a little bit and then flipped to her side, pulling the covers up and huddling beneath them. Still, sleep eluded her. The glow of the red numbers on the clock taunted her; it was two a.m. and hours since she had sent her earlier text. Ready to climb out of bed, the blankets were tossed to the side just as her phone pinged with the notification of an incoming text.
BRAXTON: I’m awake now. I fell asleep on the floor in Emmy’s room.
PAISLEY: Brax, what are we going to do about our living arrangements? Shouldn’t I be there with the two of you?
BRAXTON: There’s no room for you here with Emmersyn and me.
Paisley read the words. She felt the burn in her throat as the bile rose. She was going to throw up. He didn’t want her to be part of their life. She was about to type back when the bubbles began bouncing once again.
BRAXTON: I need to buy a bigger house; there’s not enough room for you here. If you want, we can look at a few this weekend and hopefully find one we can make an offer on.
Excitement and hesitation filled her and she no longer felt ill. But buying a home was a huge commitment between the two of them. Was she ready to purchase real estate with Braxton? She wanted to kick herself. What she was thinking, they were married, and purchasing a house was the next step for any married couple. But they weren’t just any couple.
PAISLEY: I guess so. Night, Brax.
BRAXTON: Night, Paisley. Thank you again for doing this for me. I’m forever indebted to you.
Chapter 22
Paisley stood in the kitchen of their new home, her hair pinned on top of her head and Emmy perched on her left hip as she unloaded the box of dishes before her. Three months ago, when Braxton had suggested they go house hunting, she’d never expected it would take them so long to find the perfect home.
When they hadn’t quickly found a place they could both agree upon, Braxton offered his bedroom to Paisley, opting to sleep on the couch until they found something. When they hadn’t immediately found anything, Braxton had been beginning to worry.
They’d just about given up when their real estate agent called to let them know a new listing had come on the market that met both of their requirements. Within thirty minutes, of the call they had been walking through the Sherman Oaks four-bedroom home with a large backyard. The price was a little higher than what they’d wanted to spend, but Paisley had fallen in love the moment they’d stepped in the front door. Three weeks later, they stood in the driveway with a moving truck.
“Brax,” Paisley called from the kitchen. Like most men, he was content sitting on the sofa and watching sports. Though at the sound of her voice, he hit the pause button on the remote to avoid missing the next play.
“I can’t reach the top shelves with Emmy on my hip. You get two options—take Emmy or finish emptying the last couple of boxes.” Paisley already knew which option he would take, but she still gave him a choice rather than commanding him to do what needed to be done.
“Hmm, tough decision.” Braxton appeared to ponder her words; he even tapped his finger against his temple as he contemplated them before reaching out and taking Emmy from her. “I think I’ll go with keeping this little princess company.” With two hands, he lifted Emmy in the air, just high enough so he could blow a raspberry on her belly. “It’s you and me, caterpillar. Are you ready for some football?” Braxton used his sports announcer’s voice before leaning over and placing a tiny kiss on Paisley's cheek.
It was a simple kiss, one that you would bestow upon your close friend. The kind that said you’d done something worthy of more than a thank you but not one that meant I’m in love with you. He’d never given her one on the lips. They’d always been to the cheek or the temple. However, Braxton had been giving them more and more lately.
With the last box now emptied, folded, and placed in the garage, Paisley stood admiring her handiwork. Finally, everything was in its rightful place. Her tummy rumbled. She was about to call out to Braxton when he appeared on cue in the doorway.
“Dinner?” he questioned as he flipped his car keys in circles around his finger. Emmy was already tucked safely into her carrier and sound asleep. “You haven’t taken a break all day, so I knew you’d be hungry.”
“Captains Pizza?” she asked, knowing full well that Braxton wouldn’t pass up the chance to eat at their favorite pizza place.
Braxton lay in bed recalling what a perfect Sunday it had been. With their home finally empty of all its boxes, they were able to spend the remaining portion of the day together, watching their favorite shows and playing with Emmy.
If it hadn’t all been a façade, this was what a family would feel like. The only thing missing was a dog, and of course, a wife who shared his bed.
He hadn’t thought of Alissa as often lately. His focus had been on doing everything within his power to ensure he didn’t lose the only part of her he had left: Emmersyn.
They were three months into their legal battle for custody. Just as Samuel had indicated, it wasn’t an open-and-shut
