Page 109 of Timid (Lark Cove 2)

I said we. He said I.

“Tutoring,” Dad suggested. “One-on-one help makes a big difference. It might get him caught up enough to at least be able to stay in the right grade. He probably won’t get perfect grades, but at least he won’t fall behind. And if you keep it up, maybe by the time he gets to high school, he’ll be on the right track.”

“I’m no tutor.” Jackson shook his head. “I barely passed school myself.”

“I could tutor him.” My eyes met Dad’s, a grin playing on his face. He was already five steps ahead of me.

Maybe I wouldn’t need that job in Kalispell. I loved spending time with Ryder and it would give me something to do. It was perfect.

Except Jackson shut me down. “Nah. You’re busy. I’ll just see if Hazel or Thea could help.”

My shoulders fell. He knew I wasn’t busy and he knew I would love to help Ryder. But he wasn’t even going to let me do that.

The writing was all over the chalkboard. Jackson was pulling away from me before he made the clean break. He didn’t want me tutoring his brother because he had no plans to keep me around.

“Well, that’s probably for the best anyway, Willa,” Dad said. “You can’t be tutoring Ryder if you’re going to get a job in Kalispell.”

“What?” Jackson’s eyes snapped to mine. “You’re getting a job in Kalispell?”

I shrugged. “Maybe.”

“It’s winter.” He planted his hands on his hips. “As soon as the snow sticks, the roads will be shit. You’re not driving up there every day.”

This man confused me to death. He didn’t want me around, but he didn’t want me to drive to Kalispell for a job to keep me occupied.

“Then I guess you’ll have time to tutor Ryder,” Dad said, trying not to smile.

Jackson dropped his gaze to the piece of paper in his hands. It looked to be some sort of report card. After a heavy sigh, he nodded and handed it over. “Fine. Let me talk to Ryder after school and tell him what’s up.”

“Okay.” I took the paper, seeing a list of Ryder’s classes with his grades next to each. Every single one was an F.

“I gotta go.” He turned around and took two steps but then stopped. He came back, gave me a quick kiss on the forehead, then waved to Dad. “Later, Nate.”

“Bye, Jackson.” Dad waved back.

Neither Dad nor I spoke as Jackson’s boots echoed down the hallway.

“I’m losing him,” I whispered. “He’s just . . . drifting away.”

Dad reached across the table to place his hand over mine. “Then pull him back.”

My chin quivered. “I don’t know how.”

“Talk to him. Don’t just let him drift away. If your relationship is going to end, you deserve to know why. Stand up for yourself, honey.”

“You know I’m not good at that.”

Dad patted my hand. “I think you’re a lot better at confrontation than you think. You just choose your battles.”

I didn’t want to fight this battle, because I wouldn’t win.

Jackson had all the weapons. He held my heart in the palm of his hand.

How was I supposed to fight? I couldn’t demand that he fall in love with me. I couldn’t make him feel those things.

When we ended, I’d be shattered. My life would be forever changed. I couldn’t stay in Lark Cove without him, not with memories of us together around every corner. I’d end up leaving my beloved camp. My parents. My home.

Everything.