Page 5 of Faithless

“Honey, you need to let me navigate this divorce on my own.”

His shoulders slump a little. “Mom, I’m just worried about you.”

“I know, but I’ll be fine.”

He shuts his eyes tightly. “You’re not ruthless enough. I worry that he’s going to take advantage of you.”

I frown. “You don’t give your dad enough credit.”

I jump in my seat when Cole slams his phone on the coffee table. “He doesn’t deserve any credit. He’s been a shit husband, and I don’t expect any more from him as an ex-husband. I think if he can get away with giving you a shitty settlement, he will.”

I shake my head. “Your dad has been many things over the years, but greedy isn’t one of them.”

Cole’s jaw clenches. “He’s never been put to the test.”

I sigh heavily.

“Will you please let me come with you? I promise I won’t try to take over the meeting. I just want to make sure you stand up for yourself.”

I sigh. “No, honey. I need to do this on my own.”

His eyes fill with something I can’t quite interpret. “I’m proud of you for doing this. I really am.”

I smile faintly as I lift my hand and set it on his forearm. “That’s sweet, but it’s okay to be sad. Divorce is hard. It’s even hard for me, and I’m the one who wants it.”

When his mouth tightens and he averts his eyes from mine, I know he’s getting emotional. “Yeah, it’s a little hard, I guess.”

I reach out and squeeze his arm. “Make sure you talk about it. Talk to your friends. Talk to Livvy.”

His mouth tightens. “I can’t right now… She and I have…some issues that we’re sorting out.”

I frown. “Issues? What kind of issues?”

He swallows. “Nothing, she’s just…changing. Sort of.”

My eyes pop open wide. “Changing? Changing how?”

His jaw clenches. My God, what is this? That sweet girl has been such a steady presence in Cole’s life. I was worried when he first met her. She’s extremely religious and so beautiful and sweet that most teenage boys would be ready to sacrifice anything to win her over. Cole had been completely smitten. I thought he might become a bible thumping evangelical just for the opportunity to date her. Luckily, that never happened, and she surprised me with her loyalty to him over the years. She’s always been there for him.

Change can’t be good.

“She wants to lose her virginity.”

My eyes pop open. “Oh.”

“Yeah.” His voice is soft.

I stare at him for a moment, trying to gauge this strange reaction to what should be good news. “Honey, why is that a bad thing? Doesn’t that mean she’s calming down a little with her rigid beliefs?”

His nostrils flare. “She wants to lose it by the end of the summer. It’s crazy! She’s not ready.”

I purse my lips, fighting the retort rising to my lips. “Why is that for you to decide?”

He rolls his eyes. “She said the exact same thing last night, but I know her better than anyone. You have no idea how sheltered she is. Beyond anything remotely normal. And it’s the perfect storm, because she has the temperament of someone who’s ideal for brainwashing. She’s so good-natured, she can’t even imagine that other people don’t have her best interest at heart.” His voice grows hushed. “She’s an angel.”

A chill runs down my spine.

Oh my God.

---