“That’s the thing, I don’t want anyone to take care of me.”
The last time someone was responsible for looking after me didn’t go so well.
I don’t need anyone.
Twelve
Spencer
What can a person be doing so early besides lying in? I mean, it’s six in the morning, for Christ’s sake. What library opens so early? Unless it’s the one on campus. It wouldn’t surprise me if Indie lobbied for it to open before sunlight.
It doesn’t seem right. Something is off. Most places open at nine a.m. Could she be doing something else? Maybe she’s meeting a guy and not ready to talk to me about it yet.
I make a coffee, flinging the spoon into the sink with a little more rage than needed.
My parents are out already. They left an hour ago to meet my aunt and uncle at a farmer’s market.
I check my phone again and reply to a text from Denny, one from Ella, and another co-star called Ethan. Jared has also messaged, telling me he’ll meet me at LAX when I land, rather than have a driver collect me.
I reply to them all. There’s not a thing from Indie.
I’m tempted to go to her house, but I know that will cause a massive shitstorm.
Well, I can’t stay here all morning. Then again, I don’t really fancy putting on a disguise to leave my own home. I’m just Spencer here, but I’m too worked up to pretend everything is rosy. Denny said that I should have someone with me here. So far, I’ve not felt the need for security in my hometown.
My phone dings with a text. This better be Indie.
It’s a number I don’t have saved and don’t recognise.
Unknown: Can we meet and talk? Mila.
Mila? What the hell can she want to talk about? I’ve spent one evening with her. It must be about Indie, so I’m obviously intrigued. I’ll also feel like a traitor if I go and talk about her behind her back. That still doesn’t stop me from replying.
Spencer: Sure. When and where?
Mila: Now, at my place?
Spencer: Where is your place?
She replies a minute later with her address. It must be about Indie. I text back telling her I’ll be there soon, and then I go get ready.
I grab my keys and get in the car with my stomach churning. Fucking guilt. It’s not like I’m going to sleep with Mila. Would that even bother Indie? I think it would. We might not be together anymore but there are lines you don’t cross. I have no interest in Mila like that, anyway.
No woman has swayed me from Indie, and I’ve met a fuckload of them now. She’s my queen.
Ten minutes later, I pull up in front of Mila’s house and take a breath. Indie will kill me if she knows I’m here. I don’t even know why I’m here.
Getting out of the car, I take a look down the road in case Indie is coincidentally driving past. It’s unlikely, but I’m feeling guilty as hell.
Mila opens the door at almost the same second I knock. Her wild, amber eyes flash down the street. She grabs me by the wrist and tugs me inside. I almost fucking trip over.
I turn around as she’s slamming the door shut. “Jesus!” I scowl.
“I’m sorry,” she says, wincing. “I already feel like Judas.”
“What’s going on?”
She splays her hand out. “Step into my office.”
She leads me to the kitchen.
“You live with your parents?”
“So do you.”
I hold my palms up. “I’m not judging.”
“Good. I like it at home. I love my family, and I’m not ready to do my own cooking yet.”
“Fair enough.”
She places her hands on her hips. “Pleasantries. Can I get you a drink? Coffee? Tea? Anthrax?”
“What?”
“That’s the guilt talking. I’m not a terrorist.”
“Are you drunk?”
She shakes her head. “Not currently.”
“Just tea would be great.”
Her shoulders slump. “Fine. I’ll boil the kettle.”
Fighting a smile, I sit on a stool and watch her make two cups of tea.
Her hair is insanely long, and it’s as black as her sense of humour.
“Are you going to tell me what I’m doing here?” I ask.
She stirs the tea and places mine in front of me. “Indie.”
“… would be mad as hell if she knew we were here talking about her.”
“Hence the anthrax.” She sits beside me. “I love that girl, and I know you do, too. Probably in different ways.” She holds her hand up as I open my mouth to speak. “Your ‘friends only’ bullshit isn’t fooling anyone. You two go ahead and pretend all you want, though.”
Fucking hell, she wasn’t this annoying last night.
“Can you skip to the part where you tell me why I’m here?”
Sipping her tea, she says, “Indie is hurting. All the time.”
I drop my eyes. “She is guarding a big part of her life.”
“I’ve never been to her house or met her family. Do you know much about them?”
My eye twitches. “Only that they don’t get along. It doesn’t feel right, talking about her like this.”
“Not my finest moment as her friend either, buddy. Suck it up because we’re trying to help her. I’ve pushed a little harder over the years and she’s clammed up completely.”
“What did you ask her?”
“Just what her parents do, how they spend Christmas, that kind of thing.”
“Her answer?”
“Oh, she never replied. Subject change every time. I didn’t want to push as she might never trust me. You know, over the years, I thought she might open up. She knows everything about me. I’m an open book. She’s not.”
“What are you expecting me to do? I don’t want to push her too far, either.”
“Spencer…” Mila looks at me like I’m slow. “You’re the only one who can push her.”
“I’ve tried. She knows that she can talk to me about anything, I’ve made that very clear.”
“I’ll make it very clear, too. Help her.”
I sip my tea just so I don’t tell her to fuck off. “Mila,
