It took me longer than usual to get out of the bed, and when I did, I took my precious time peeling off my clothes. My shirt smelled like women’s perfume and there was lipstick on my face. I threw my clothes on the floor next to my door and got a hot shower.

When I finally appeared in the kitchen, my mom looked at me and shook her head.

“Feeling better?” she asked with attitude.

“I feel like shit. What time did I get home last night?”

“You mean what time did I have to come pick you up? Hmm, I’d say it was about four this morning. The cop was super friendly about the whole thing since you started crying and acting crazy.” She turned off the stove and shoveled some eggs onto a plate before setting it in front of me. “Eat. You’ll feel better.”

“Cops? I don’t remember any cops, and I don’t cry so that’s bullshit,” I said defensively.

“Watch your language and don’t you get snippy with me, Jimmy.” She pointed at me with the spatula.

I felt like shit for being mean to her.

“I’m sorry, Mom. I’m sorry about last night, too. I don’t know what got into me.” I took a bite of my eggs and my stomach turned.

“It’s okay. You’ve done worse, but don’t do that again. I was worried sick about you. Apparently, the cops were called by Leroy’s neighbor because of the noise, and you refused to leave. They were about to take you in when Leroy called and told me to come get you. By the time I got there, you were in tears—something about losing faith and God punishing you.”

She sat down at the table beside me and reached out for my hand. I squeezed her small fingers to assure her I was okay.

“I know you’ve been through a lot in your life, Jimmy, and if you ever need to talk, you know I’m always here for you. You can tell me anything and I’ll never judge.” Her eyes watered up and I had to look away.

“Thanks, Mom.” I leaned up and kissed her on the cheek. “I love you and I’ll always be grateful to you for taking me in.” Emotion closed my throat.

“I’ll always be grateful for you. I’m not sure I could’ve made it through without you.”

She patted my hand and then got up and left the room. I could tell by her small limp that she was in pain. I felt awful for her having to get out of bed and deal with my drunken ass. It was a dumb thing for me to do and she deserved better out of me.

Later that afternoon, while I was out getting some stuff for my mom, I passed the church. Faith was sitting on the front steps alone, so I pulled in and parked in a dry patch of grass. I sat in the Jeep, watching as she wrote in a notebook. She had no idea she was being watched. She was so hypnotic—the slide of her soft hair against her shoulder as she pushed it from her face. The movement of her hand as she wrote slowly. She was beautiful.

She looked up when I shut my door and started toward her. Her smile was welcoming and bright. I couldn’t help but smile back.

“Hey. What are you doing?” I asked as I sat beside her. “Writing naughty things about me in your diary?”

She looked me in the eye, her brown orbs sucking me in and capturing me.

“What if I am?” she asked.

I was more than shocked. Even though she blushed sweetly, I couldn’t believe she’d said something so blunt and flirty. I liked it. I liked it a lot.

“Are you?” If she was, I wanted to read it.

She grinned at me as she closed the book. “Maybe.”

I could play like that with her all day. Not only was it adorable as hell, it was turning me on. I’d never been turned on by something so innocent.

“Can I read it?”

A guy could hope.

“I’m not going to let you read my journal.”

“Why not? My name’s in it.”

She laughed. “And that’s exactly why you’re not reading it. What are you doing here today anyway? It’s Saturday.” She quickly changed the subject.

“I was just driving by and saw you sitting out here all by your lonesome. I thought I’d stop by and say hi. Maybe find out how your date went last night,” I said, even though I didn’t want to know.

As a matter of fact, it was the last thing I wanted to know about. If she told me he kissed her, there was no telling what I’d do.

“It was fun. We went and had dinner at the restaurant next to the tracks downtown, and then he took me home.”

It was official. Stephen was a dumbass.

“Did you get to try out your new kissing skills?” The hair on my arms stood on end as I waited for her to answer.