Page 161 of Losing Faith

“You don’t understand anything so spare me.” She turns to walk away, but I grab her arm.

“Don’t walk away from me when I’m talking to you, Lisette.”

She tries to snatch her arm away, but I keep my grip on her.

“Let go of me,” she bites out.

I hold her gaze and maybe it’s because I’ve never seen her this upset, but I don’t even recognize her. I let her go and she storms out. I walk to the entrance, and when I notice she left her car keys, some hope remains.

Letting out a frustrated breath, I turn on my heels but go still when I see Isabelle staring back at me in a towel.

“I’m sorry I was in the pool without Lissy.” She keeps her gaze low and voice hushed, and itbreaksme.

“Belle—”

“You didn’t have to scream at her… I was fine.”

“Penguin, that’s not why I was mad.” I take a step towards her, but she starts walking towards the stairs.

“I’m going to shower. Sorry again.”

“Baby, come here.” I quickly catch up with her and kneel so I’m at eye level with her. “I’m so sorry for yelling and scaring you. I promise I’m not mad at you, baby. I’m mad at Lisette for something else. It’s not because you were in the pool.”

Her brows slightly furrow. “But I heard you. You said I could’ve drowned… I can swim. You didn’t have to be mean to her, Daddy.”

I let out a frustrated breath before kissing her forehead. “You’re right. I shouldn’t have spoken to her like that. That’s not how we talk to our friends.” I kiss her cheek now. “But I’m not mad at you. You’re perfect and didnothingwrong.”

She smiles at my words. “Promise?”

“Always.” I hold my pinky out to her and she intertwines hers in mine.

“Do you want to swim with me?” She slowly lights back up and I force a smile as I tell her I do, but as I get in the pool with her, Lisette is the only thing on my mind.

Chapter Forty-Nine

Lisette

IfeelBaywatchingmeclosely, but I don’t turn to her as I keep my eyes on the painting I’m packing.

I haven’t been active on social media the last few days, but after sending out the first batch of orders, I received a few more and I’m so glad I kept most of my art because I’m making a lot of money from stuff I did years ago.

In the corner of my eyes, I see Bay shake her head at something before she looks back at my phone. She’s helping me sort through my messages. I’m still working on how to price my art, but she’s been a big help.

In the corner of my eyes, I see her throw her hands up in defeat. “I’ve had your phone forfivehours and he hasn’t texted you once.” She breaks the silence and finally brings up the Jackson thing.

“He isn’t going to call.” I try not to sound like I feel so bad about it, but I feel like shit and the only reason I’m not drowning in liquor is because she’s here.

“It’s been twodaysand he hasn’t called.”

“He’s not going to. I fucked up, why would he reach out?”

She shakes her head as if that’s the most unbelievable thing. “I’m not saying that your sobriety is in his hands, you know I always try to take accountability, but I couldn’t be with someone who doesn’t call me after a fight. Especially if that fight was regarding my sobriety. You could be getting high and overdosing right now. Does he not care?”

I bite my lip as I think of her words and another dark cloud seems to loom over me. “You don’t know Jackson… he’sincrediblyoverprotective with his daughter andsoparticular. It’s probably the OCD, but she has to sleep at a certain time, she needs to eat certain foods in specific portions, only certain people are allowed to babysit her, and even more specific people are allowed nights with her. I wasn’t just drinking, I was drinking while supervising his child. Maybe he doesn’t care about anything concerning me because he thinks I don’t care about his daughter.”

“But you do,” she counters and maybe it’s just how dark and blue her eyes are, but they’re almost filled with as much heartache as I feel.

I let out a long breath before flopping on the couch beside her, popping the bubble wrap between us. “I do care about her… I think that’s what hurts the most. I never wanted kids, but now I can’t imagine not having her in my life. Ilovehis daughter more than I thought it was possible to love someone.”

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