Page 14 of Losing Faith

She runs over to her dad who scoops her into his arms. “How was your tutoring?”

“Pretty good.” She shrugs. “I think I like Uncle Sigh teaching me more, but Lissy’s not like really bad.” She shrugs again and I know she’s only saying that because it’s easier with Sire, who’s not benefiting her, but I’m offended.

“He can help next time then.” I lean back on the couch, but Sire quickly counters.

“No, you were great. You’re going to help us.”

“Says who?” I mess with him, just to see what he’s going to offer.

“Youwere supposed to tutor her,” Jackson points out to Sire. “You seriously passed this on to your sister?” He rolls his eyes at my brother and I watch as if this was a TV because he looks pretty bothered and I know Sire doesn’t like being told what to do. It’s like an alpha fight.

“I didn’tpass it onto her.” Sire rolls his eyes at him now. “She’s a teacher and offered to help.”

“It was barely an offer. I said you were a bad teacher,” I remind him.

Before Sire can counter, Jackson turns his attention to me. “Where do you teach?”

“The Milton Academy.”

His brows slightly raise and Sire laughs from beside him. “Please don’t believe a word this girl says, she’s as unemployed as yourchild.”

I let out a loud laugh before slapping his leg.

“I have a job.” Isabelle pipes up between us. “I own a bakery and I’m a balletstar, Uncle Sigh. You know that.” Her brows furrow as she looks up at Sire who is quick to apologize profusely to the five-year-old.

When I turn back to Jackson, his attention is on his daughter as he ties her shoe but I still say, “Iused towork there. It was my first job.”

His eyes meet mine as he nods in return. “I heard really good things about them. Did you like the job?”

“Yeah, it was hands down my favorite school to work at. I only left to work at a school that was in desperate need of special education teachers.”

He glances at Sire and I hold back a laugh. “That part was true, Jackson Jones.”

His eyes meet mine again and amusement fills them before a ghost of a smile touches his lips. “We have to get going, but it was nice seeing you,notDemeter.”

I bite back a smile, offering a small nod in return as he looks down at his kid.

“Say thank you to Demeter Lissy for helping you with your work.” He gently pushes Isabelle in my direction and a snort escapes me at his words.

“Thank you, Lissy.” Isabelle pulls me into a hug and I pat her back twice before she lets go.

“No problem, kiddo.”

Chapter Five

Jackson

“Areweready?”Bellelooksup at me with her big gray eyes as I pat my pockets for the car keys.

“Yeah, let’s go, penguin.” I take a step for the door but stop short. “Wait, is the water off upstairs?”

Belle lets out a quiet sigh as she turns to me. “Daddy, you already checked if the water was off. It’s okay.” She takes my hand. “Let’s go before I’m late for school again.”

I nod to myself as I take her hand, but as I take another step, I physically cannot leave the house. “Wait, let me just check that the faucet isn’t running.”

She smiles up at me as she lets go of my hand. “Okay.”

I turn on my heels but stop short as I pass the kitchen.

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