Page 96 of Losing Faith

“Oh, my god.” I shake my head at him as I rise to my seat. “I overdoseonceand all of a sudden I can’t do anything on my own.”

I turn to him, waiting for him to laugh, but when he watches me with thatlook,I somehow just realize that’s exactly what he’s doing.

“Oh, mygod.” I keep my gaze on him and as if he just read my mind, his eyes cut down to the ground. “It was anaccident.I don’t need to be on suicide watch.”

He doesn’t say anything and him not believing me really does hurt.

“I swear it on the twins’ life, Sire.” I desperately try to get him to believe me.

“Okay.” His eyes meet mine before he nods. “I’d still feel better if you let me drop you off.”

I only nod in response and leave the room to get ready, no longer having the energy to convince him I’m fine.

The entire ride to Jackson’shouse is silent. It isn’t until we pull into his driveway that my brother turns to say something.

“I know you’re hurt that I’m being overprotective. You feel like I don’t trust you, but I think you can understand where I’m coming from.”

I nod in response, and we sit in silence before I turn to him. “Just tell me if I broke all your trust.”Tell me if you lost all hope in me.

He quickly shakes his head. “You didn’t. I trust you, Lis. I’m just scared and being around you keepsmefrom relapsing.”

I study him, trying to decide if I believe him.

“I swear it on the twins’ life, Lis.”

“Okay.”

He nods and when his eyes get glossy I quickly look out my window.

“You know I’m sorry, right?” My voice is just above a whisper.

“I know, Applejack.” His voice comes out strained, like he’s struggling to keep it together. I almost tell him that I saw my bio mom and it nearly killed me, but a lump too big grows in my throat, so I remain silent.

“Can you please spend Thanksgiving with me and Vid’s family?” He sounds beyond desperate now.

I nod in return, blinking away my tears. Pulling in a deep breath, I climb out of the car.

I don’t hear Sire drive off and I know he’s waiting until I’m inside. I try to convince myself that he always does this, and it’s his way of being a good older brother. That he’s not waiting to make sure I go inside because he doesn’t trust me and thinks I’m going to leave to get high.

I ring Jackson’s door and after a minute, he opens it. Our eyes meet and he looks surprised to see me.

“Hey, hot stuff.” I slip past him and I don’t miss the smile that creeps onto his face.

“Hey, I didn’t know you were coming over.” He shuts the door. “I misplaced my phone and didn’t get to text you. I was going to reschedule tutoring. I have a meeting and didn’t think you were up for driving.”

“Sire drove me,” I answer as I walk further into the house.

“Surprise!” Isabelle throws her hands in the air and behind her on the kitchen counter are balloons that readfeel betterandget well soon, along with a crocheted pot of flowers and what I’m assuming is an apple pie. “Did I surprise you?”

She’s practically jumping with joy as she turns to get the crocheted pot of tulips. I turn to Jackson, but his brows are furrowed.

“We were going to take this to you tomorrow, but I guess I know where my phone went.” He turns to his daughter who has a precious guilty smile on her face.

I stifle a laugh. “Yeah, you did surprise me.” I don’t need to fake my smile as I close the distance between us to take the gift from her. “Thank you, sweetie.” I kneel down to give her a real hug and she almost knocks me over as she throws her arms around my neck.

Wrapping both arms around her, I dip my head in the crease of her neck and breathe in her sweet cherry scent. She squeezes me tighter before kissing my cheek.

“Well, you look like you feel better. When we went to visit you at Uncle Sigh’s house, you didn’t look so good.” She shakes her head, her eyes slightly widened in concern and I break into a laugh.

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