Worth the Risk (Carolina Rebels 5)

“Bree, even if she is a baby.” He glances at me. “And Mr. EJ,” he adds as an afterthought. I smile at him, my heart almost unable to take the fact that we’re his favorite things about living here.

“You’re one of my favorite things about living here, too, J-man.”

Jackson grins, thrilled to hear this.

Raelynn begins getting the dough ready for them to cut out shapes. I think she’s making sugar cookies. To keep Derek from asking another question, I ask Jackson how it was to see Stella and Stephanie yesterday. He talks about playing with them until the cookies are in the oven.

“Okay, Jackson, let’s get you in the bath while they bake.”

“When are we making the fort?” he asks.

“Uh, I don’t know if we are. Derek or Nicole is sleeping in your room and Elias’s parents are sleeping in my room. So, we’re camping out in Mr. EJ’s room tonight. He may not want a fort in his room.”

Jackson turns to me with big, hopeful eyes. “Momma says we always have a Christmas fort. Please, Mr. EJ?” Before I can answer, he looks at Raelynn. “Why can’t we sleep in the living room instead? Santa won’t wake me up.”

“What’s a Christmas fort, Raelynn?”

“A regular fort but with Christmas lights inside. I did my entire living room last year, but I can do a small one this time.”

“Why don’t I help Jackson with his bath while you build the fort? You can have free rein in my room.”

“I’ll help you, Raelynn,” Derek offers.

She looks like she wants to say no, but she nods. We walk upstairs and head our separate ways. I wish I knew what was being said between them in my room. Derek better not make Raelynn uncomfortable or make her wish she was still at Henry’s. I’ve never kicked anyone out of my house before, but that might make me do it.

“Mr. EJ? Do we have to move?” Jackson asks. He stands before me with his towel wrapped around him and a frown planted firmly on his face.

My first instinct is to frown, but I manage to keep my face passive. “Why would you ask me that?”

“People are sleeping in our rooms.” His eyes well with big fat tears. “I don’t want to move again. I like it here. Why did you give our rooms away? And why doesn’t my dad like you?”

Fuck, this kid is killing me. Where’s Raelynn? Jackson wipes away a tear that betrayed him by falling and I grab his shoulders.

“You aren’t moving, Jackson. Unless your mom decides it’s best for you two to move, you are staying right here with Bree and me. You’ll have your room back soon. My family is only here for Christmas and then they are going home. You are not moving,” I repeat so he believes me. Jackson nods. “Now,” on to the topic I really don’t want to address without Raelynn, “why do you think your dad doesn’t like me?”

Jackson drops his head, staring down at his feet where one slightly rests on top of the other. His voice is barely above a whisper. “Sometimes, he looks mad when you’re around, and today, he called you and Momma names.” Jackson looks up at me. “I don’t like him anymore. I don’t want to go there tomorrow. I want to stay here with you and Bree.”

My heart both breaks for him and fills with rage that he feels this way. “What did he say?”

His eyes widen in horror. “I can’t say those words, Mr. EJ! I’ll get in trouble!”

“You can just this once.”

He seems conflicted for a moment before he leans forward and whispers, “While you were outside talking to Momma, he said, ‘He’s a prick and she’s a liar.’” Jackson steps away, his eyes all watery again. “I don’t want to go tomorrow. He’s mean!” He wraps his arms around my neck and cries.

That is when Raelynn walks in.

What in the world? Jackson is still only in his towel from his shower, but that isn’t what has my heart in a panic attack. My son is in Elias’s arms, crying. What happened?

“What’s wrong?” I ask. “Jackson, baby, what’s the matter?” I crouch down just in time for him to barrel into me, leaving Elias in a second.

“Dad’s mean! I don’t like him anymore!”

Huh? I don’t understand.

“I don’t want to see him tomorrow,” he adds, hiccuping with his tears.

“What? Why? What happened?” He was only supposed to get clean; what could’ve happened with Henry when he isn’t even here?