Page 124 of Losing Faith

Jackson’s shoulders slouch as the door shuts and with no one else around, I walk into the hall with him.

“Please don’t tell me that had something to do with me…”

When he turns to me, he lets out a tired breath. “It didn’t,” he mumbles and I can’t decide if I believe him or not.

“Well, that tone was convincing,” I tease, but when he looks at me again, he looks annoyed. “Who pissed in your turkey?”

The corner of his mouth lifts an inch before he shakes his head at me.

I close the distance between us before saying, “Don’t say it didn’t have anything to do with me if it did. It’s like when you say you aren’t mad when you are. I really do hate it and it just gets me in my head.”

He looks between my eyes and a soft look covers his earlier annoyance. “It had nothing to do with you, sweetheart,” he reassures me, his tone taking on that tired one again.

Before I can ask what’s wrong, Isabelle walks in. “Hey…” She starts off gently, and a smile grows on my face when I see how clear it is that she wants something.

“What’s up, penguin?” Jackson walks past me to her.

“So, I was thinking…” She looks between the two of us and nothing good comes to mind by that look in her eyes.

“Uh-huh,” Jackson starts and he’s biting back a smile as he watches her.

“I know we’re having dinner soon, but can Ipleasetake just a little bit of pictures of Lola?”

I almost ask who Lola is before I remember she’s her baby doll.

“I don’t want her to feel left out and we didn’t take any with her, but I think she’ll love the camera Abuela got me.” She holds it up with a hopeful smile.

“Okay,” her dad entertains her. “But when I ask you to come down to eat, I don’t want to hear you ask for five more minutes.”

“Deal.” She takes off running for her room.

When she’s out of sight, his face drops again before he runs a hand through his hair.

“Since I love to make you feel worse, I want you to know you’re failing my test.” I shrug teasingly and his brows furrow as if he’s actually worried.

“What test?” He searches my eyes frantically.

“I go through a field of studies after kissing a man. I have to make sure you’re not a part of the ninety-eight percent of men who are horrible.”

“And I’m failing? How many tests have you conducted? What happens if I fail?”

I stifle a laugh at his genuine worry. “If you fail, I’m running for the hills. Your parents just stormed out,” I remind him. “It’s not looking good for the momma’s boy test.”

“Momma’s boy?” he repeats, a smile tugging at his lips.

“Yeah, you need to respect your mom, but not be acompletemomma’s boy to the point where she’s a horrible mother-in-law and in love with you.”

His brows furrow as he studies me. “What kind of men do you kiss?”

I tilt my head back with a laugh, but he watches me like he’s concerned for me. I turn to him as my laugh sobers. “You gonna tell me what happened, or do I have to assume she’s crazy and mad we kissed because she’s in love with you?”

It’s his turn to break into a laugh now. “I’m seriously concerned about the men you encounter.” He shakes his head at me before letting out a sigh. “She’s been bugging me for the last few months to tell Belle about her mom.”

His words make me falter and a part of me is surprised because I didn’t think there was anything to tell. “I thought she left you for another man? She wants you to tell your five-year-old that?”

“That’s exactly what I said and she had the nerve to say people deserve second chances.”

I feel my brows furrow. “Well, of course, people deserve second chances. What exactly happened?”

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