Page 34 of Healer’s Betrayal

I stop and stare at him. “You don’t like pizza?”

He shrugs. “It’s not my favorite.”

“How is that even possible? That’s just...un-American.”

“What is?” Ransom asks, joining us with a plate stacked high with pizza.

“He doesn’t like pizza,” I say in exasperation.

“Oh. That’s because Jackson’s like a ninety-five-year-old man stuck in a twenty-five year old’s body.”

“I am not,” Jackson says, elbowing him. He turns to Noah, who I didn’t even realize was still waiting on us. “Come on, Noah. Let’s do this.” I watch as Jackson and Noah walk towards the buffet, but I don’t move. I don’t know what to make of it; Noah doesn’t even look back at me. They walk through the line looking at the different pizzas. I finally walk towards the two of them.

“What looks good?” I ask when I get close.

“All of it,” Noah says, and I can’t help but agree. I take in all the pizza, plus the breadsticks, salad, and more. “This is amazing,” I breathe.

Jackson stops next to me. “Fill up a plate.”

I grab a plate and put some salad on it, a breadstick, a piece of cheese pizza, a piece of pepperoni pizza, and some extra marinara on the side before heading back to the table. Jackson sees me coming and slides out, so I can scoot in. Once I’m in, he slides in next to me. This time, there is no space between us. I'm not sure if he did that on purpose or if it just happened. I should feel penned in and claustrophobic that I can’t easily get out, and yet, I don’t. I’m too hungry to care. I pick up the pepperoni pizza first and eye Noah. “Ready?” I ask him. His lips tug up, and he lifts a piece as well. “Go.” We both take a bite at the same time. I can’t remember the last time I had good pizza, and this is good pizza. “Mmmm, that is so good.” Noah nods and takes another huge bite. My first piece disappears in seconds, and I notice Noah’s does as well. We’re both well into our second piece when I notice Ransom and Jackson aren’t eating. Jackson’s body is stiff, and I stop eating and put my piece down. My eyes bounce between the two of them. I swallow. “Is everything okay?” Jackson turns his head towards mine, and I suck in a breath at his eyes. “Your eyes,” I breathe. Without a word to any of us, he shoves himself out of the booth and strides towards the front door. I watch him go, unsure what just happened. I look across the table at Ransom, but he takes a bite of pizza. Noah meets my eyes, and I see the uncertainty...the fear. Without another thought, I slide from the booth. “I’ll be right back.”

I stride towards the front of the restaurant where Jackson disappeared. I open the door and scan the parking lot. A hand grabs my elbow, and I panic. I jerk my arm free, but Jackson is suddenly in front of me. “Sorry, it’s just me.” He lifts both hands, and when I think about it, his hand was gentle on my elbow. I just couldn’t help my reaction. He palms the back of his neck, and I stare at him.

“Are you okay?” I ask softly.

“Am I okay?” he asks, harshly. “I just scared you.”

I wave him off. “I spook easily; it’s okay.” I cross my arms over my chest, feeling vulnerable suddenly.

“I hate that.”

I look up at him. “What?” He closes his eyes again. Uncertainty flows through me. “Jackson, what’s going on?”

He opens his eyes. “Are you and Noah going hungry?”

Shock flows through me. “What?”

“You and Noah...do you have enough food?”

I take a step back. “We’re fine.”

He studies my face, and then he throws me another curveball. “How old are you?”

I narrow my eyes. “Why does it matter?”

He palms the back of his neck again. “How old are you, Kayla?” His voice is soft, gentle almost; it’s so at odds with his entire demeanor right now.

I lift my chin. “I turned nineteen recently.”

His eyes sharpen. “When?”

I shrug. “Recently.”

“I’m gonna find out, you know.”

I feign indifference. “Are you good now? Past...whatever that was?”

His eyes search mine. “Can you just tell me? Do you and Noah have enough food to eat?”