Spencer had taken a huge risk by showing up at Elena’s place. He had been here once before when Felix’s son had turned a year old. Of course, that day, he had been working, DJing the party. He hadn’t really met anyone other than Koda’s mom and Zayn that day. This time, he came with a new purpose—to bully his way into Zayn’s life. Also, he needed to see for himself if Rocky’s claims were true. They were painfully, horribly accurate. He had watched as Zayn sat alone in a crowd of supposed friends and family. Felix had been the only one to sit and talk with him, but not for long. Zayn’s mom didn’t appear to notice Zayn at all. Spencer had been aware of every single move Zayn made. He had known the precise moment Zayn realized he was there. Spencer had known the exact second Zayn left. No one told Zayn goodbye, asked why he was leaving, or acknowledged he was gone. Spencer could have left then. He hadn’t. Instead, Spencer had stayed and talked to everyone and mentioned Zayn’s name to every single person. He had made his presence known. They might have forgotten Zayn existed. Spencer reminded them.
He saved Hana for last.
“So, you are dating my son,” she said the moment his ass hit the chair beside her.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Her dark brown gaze moved his way and swept over him. She looked away. “You look like someone who’ll disappoint the fuck out of him.”
Despite her nasty claim, Spencer bit back a smile. She was probably only four foot eleven and ninety pounds. Mean things usually came in small packages. He shouldn’t have been surprised. Plus, she wasn’t wrong. Spencer had already disappointed him. “Most likely.”
At his agreement, she snorted. “Is that why he left without you?”
She was blunt. Spencer could be too. “I’m surprised you noticed he left since you never acknowledged he was here.”
“He’s my son. He can find the chair beside me as easily as you did.”
Spencer wasn’t having that bullshit. “You’re right. He’s your son. You could’ve found the chair beside him but didn’t bother.”
Her narrowed gaze slid his way again. “If you have something to say, say it.”
Spencer stood and pushed his chair in. “I’ve already said it. It was nice meeting you.”
She released a short, humorless laugh. “Most people care what their future in-laws think of them.”
Since he had already lost Zayn, Spencer didn’t have to worry about that. He was free to say what Zayn wouldn’t. “Since we’ve been together for months and I’ve never seen you until I sought you out, I’m not that bothered.”
Spencer walked away, unfazed by the drama he started. Zayn would never admit that it hurt him to be ignored by the people he financially carried. Spencer didn’t give a fuck about anyone’s feelings. Since he had caused all the damage he could and Zayn was gone, Spencer headed for the door. He almost made it to his car before Felix chased him down.
“Spencer, hold up. What the hell is going on?”
Spencer kept his features blank as he turned Felix’s way. “What do you mean?”
Felix made a wild gesture. “I mean, you show up here separate from Zayn and you two don’t even speak before he leaves. What the hell?”
He could make an excuse and leave. Felix wouldn’t stop him again. Instead, Spencer took a deep breath and said the first words that popped into his head. “None of you deserve him.”
Felix blinked, as if Spencer’s words were the last that he expected to hear. “Okay.”
Something broke inside Spencer. He had been hobbled by the fact that he was a complete fuck-up. No more. Maybe everything was his fault, but everyone else had taken a swing at Zayn before Spencer got there to level him. The people in Zayn’s life needed to know they weren’t blameless. “When was the last time you called to check on him?”
“Never,” Felix said, sounding as if the idea of it was beyond him. “We’re not really close like that. He’s more Koda’s friend than mine.”
That was fair. Felix had married into this. “Sorry. I’m just angry. I watched Zayn get ignored today by everyone but you, and I don’t even know what to say. This is supposed to be... never mind.” Spencer didn’t know how to get his point across. Maybe he didn’t have one. His family was terrible, so it was possible he didn’t know how a normal family functioned. Possibly, this was it. “I should go.”
“Okay.” Felix sounded sad, as if Spencer had broken something else. He was on a roll lately, losing friends right and left. Spencer probably shouldn’t have come here. He wouldn’t again. Without looking back, he headed for his SUV. He had one more mistake to make. Spencer headed for Zayn’s.
To his surprise, whoever the night shift guard was, he waved Spencer into the house without argument. Usually, whoever answered the door would point Spencer in the right direction. This time, he only had to follow the sound of loud voices and laughter. He stepped inside Zayn’s gaming room and froze. Zayn, Jinx, and Rocky all wore VR headsets and held controllers in each hand. They laughed and cursed one another as they battled virtually for whatever prize they saw inside their goggles. Spencer found the nearest chair and watched. Even though he couldn’t see what they did, it quickly became obvious that Zayn and Jinx had teamed up against Rocky. They teased him mercilessly. There was a pressure in his chest that felt a lot like pride as he watched the scene unfold. For the first time in years, Jinx looked his age. Spencer knew that was Zayn’s doing. Spencer startled as Zayn and Jinx yelled triumphantly in unison while Rocky groaned. As one, they took off their headsets. Their
