Page 85 of The Snowflake Effect

Kolton lightly nudges Jackson. “Called you what, bud?”

“…A freak.” He pulls up his socks—one red, one blue. “I don’t wanna go back.”

Now I want to send this Samantha kid on a train to the Arctic. I know exactly how Jackson feels, the embarrassment over being different, teased, left out. I wish he knew how much better life gets when you’re older and you find your people. He also needs to know how lucky he is to have a family who supports him.

“It’s okay,” Kolton soothes, but he looks ready to spit nails. “I’ll come with you and⁠—”

“Was it the pigtail girl in the yellow dress?” I ask, interrupting him. “The one fighting with her mom when I picked you up last week?”

Jackson nods and goes to scratch his knuckles again, but Kolton whispers, “No, bud. Leave it.”

I sit cross-legged, facing them, and place my hand on Jackson’s knee. “Know what I think?”

He looks up, bottom lip pouting, trembling.

“I think,” I say gently, “that Samantha’s folks maybe don’t let her wear two different socks. Maybe they don’t make her purple peas and spend time with her in the library. I think maybe she’s jealous you get to do and wear all that cool stuff.”

The morning sun shines through the curtains, casting light across Jackson’s pinched face. “You think?” he asks, his voice so quiet I almost don’t hear him.

I nod decisively. “Yeah, I think. I feel kind of bad for her, don’t you? It would suck if you couldn’t do those things, right? If you had to be like everyone else? You have it pretty good.”

Jackson chews his bottom lip. “Should I bring Samantha some peas today?”

My heart swells ten sizes. This kid deserves every good thing. “Brilliant idea! And…it was going to be a surprise, but I made you some purple apple slices yesterday. We can add those.”

He scrambles off Kolton’s lap, already lunging for the edge of the bed. “Purple? Really?”

“Yes, really. Head on up, and I’ll be there in a sec to help you.” Relieved he feels better, I turn to Kolton. “Sorry if I overstepped. He just seemed so sad, and I’m guessing you’ll still talk to Samantha’s parents, let her know what happened, but at least….”

I trail off, because Kolton isn’t even looking at me. His intense focus is on the duvet between us, his brow pinched, one hand pressed to his sternum.

“Kolton,” I say and touch his thigh.

He jumps slightly and shakes his head. “Sorry, what?”

I explain again about Samantha’s parents, but he seems off: swallowing too much, his face and neck flushed. This isn’t the first time I’ve noticed him this distracted and off lately, either. “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, fine. Sorry.” He wipes his forehead and offers a partial smile. “Just worried about Jackson. And thankful you were here to make him feel better.”

“Unfortunately, I’m well acquainted with bullying.”

The veins on his reddened neck tense. “Mean kids are the fucking worst. My cousin Heather has cerebral palsy, and the fuckwits in school never let her forget she walked differently, thought differently, and couldn’t do gym like the rest of them. I defended her as much as I could, but I hate that I can’t be there for Jackson.”

“You’re his safety net at home, though.” Along with Stella and Sawyer and Nico and his grandparents. A lot of love in his corner. “He knows he has you to lean on.”

Kolton nods and stares at me a moment longer, his neck still flushed and jaw working. He’s clearly upset about Jackson. I mean, if I feel this protective of him, I can’t imagine how Kolton even lets his son leave the freaking house. But the other times he’s felt distant and distracted haven’t always been when Jackson is around.

“You’re sure nothing else is wrong?” I ask.

He blinks a few times, then cups the back of my neck and pulls me into a tender kiss, obliterating everything but him. “What could be wrong with you in my life?” he says against my lips.

CHAPTER 37

KOLTON

Swanky restaurants aren’t generally my deal. The pressed shirts and gelled hair are too uptight for my liking, but Shay had to work late, and it’s close to the shop.

I check the time again. She should be here soon, which means the conversation I’ve delayed will also happen soon. I force another swallow of scotch.