I rush into the school building, my mind still tangled in the moment I shared with Dylan, replaying it on repeat.
“Jinx, over here!” Jacob calls, waving me over. He checks his watch and exhales sharply. “You’re late. As always.” Nosy Nancy waves hello as she whispers to another parent waiting outside Ava’s classroom.
“Sorry, traffic was a nightmare,” I lie, faking a smile as guilt slowly eats away at my stomach. Jacob doesn’t respond. He just stands there, his stare cold as ice.
Ava’s teacher, Mrs. Allen, opens the door. “Ava’s parents, right? Come in.”
We step inside the room. Colorful artwork lines the walls, science projects fill the counters, and homework notes are scribbled across the chalkboard. Instantly, it pulls me back to mychildhood. When I’d walk into each classroom as the new girl, never making friends. Until Izzy.
Jacob sits next to me, his knee bouncing, as Mrs. Allen begins.
“Your daughter is doing fantastic. She’s always eager to help her classmates, and is a very bright, energetic girl.”
I smile through the meeting, but all I can think about is him. His eyes. The way he really looked at me like he thinks I’m enough. Me? Jenna Jinx. Not a disaster. Not a disappointment.
His voice echoes…You’re not mine.God, how I wish I was.
“Jenna?” Jacob calls out, pulling me back.
I blink, realizing the room is quiet and all eyes are on me. “Sorry, what?” I fumble with my purse.
“She said Ava’s doing great,” Jacob mutters, his tone dripping with his usual frustration.
Mrs. Allen slides a small stack of Ava’s papers across the table. I reach for them, but they slip through my fingers and scatter on the floor.
“Shit! I’m so sorry!” Heat flushes my cheeks as I bend down to grab them.
“Jesus, Jinx,” Jacob shouts, his eyes glued on me. “Just sit still.”
The weight of his impatience, the growing strain between us, and the massive guilt I carry press down on me more each day.
I glance up, catching Mrs. Allen quietly watching us, or maybe judging us. Why does it feel like I’m wearing a scarlet letter on my dress, and everyone knows I almost had sex with my contractor today?
“Thank you,” I mutter awkwardly.
Jacob shakes her hand and strides out of the room without waiting for me. A few parents glance our way, as I rush to catch up.
In the car, we drive in silence for the first half of the ride. Looking out the window, I have this urge to escape. To shut down like I always do.
But then, something inside me chooses to fight.
“How dare you raise your voice at me,” I snap. “Like I’m a child in front of our daughter’s teacher? It was embarrassing. I’m sorry I was late. I’m sorry I dropped more shit. I’m sorry I burned dinner. I’m sorry I’m not the wife you imagined—”
“Jenna, stop.” Jacob cuts in. “You're overreacting and twisting my words. I never said you were a bad wife.” His voice dips lower. “I love you, Jenna Jinx. The good and the bad… no matter how much bad or hard it can be sometimes.”
“How much bad is there?” My chest clenches, and I’m ready to end this awful conversation.
“I didn’t mean it like that. You know I suck with my words.” His expression softens, but it’s too late. I’m already hurt. “I just meant no one's perfect. And I love you.”
“Well, it hasn’t felt like that lately,” I say, exhausted. “Your tone. Your body language. They tell me something else. What do you even like about me? Not love. But like.”
Jacob grips the wheel tighter. “Are you trying to start a fight? Are you not happy? With us? With me?”
He hesitates, and for a second, he lets me in. “You think I don’t see how distant you’ve been? How much I’m losing you? I’m trying. But I don’t know if it’s enough.”
A lump swells in my throat. “I hate fighting. And I love our family… and you.” But even as I say it, the words feel hollow. Because I’m a filthy, lying, cheating, confused shitshow that has no idea what the hell I’m doing.
The car slows, pulling up to an unfamiliar warehouse.
