Daddy Issues

40|Like Old Times

I can't remember the last time I didn't sleep beside Alex, so I've found it pretty weird.

When I let myself climb out of bed, I head downstairs.

"They'll be okay. You can't put your life on hold for them, thats not fair." Phoebe's voice says from Josh's room. "I know, but they seem fine. Then they break and I don't want that to happen." Josh says and my heart faulters.

"We can check in more often, visit more often but you said it to me yourself. We can't move back." She says and I hold my chest.

"Come on sweetheart, they're having a private talk." Mom says from the bottom of the stairs.

I head in to the kitchen and drink some coffee with mom. She's just talking about how good it was to sleep in her own bed.

The doorbell rings and I slip off of the stool and head towards the door.

I open the door to Alex. I quickly kiss his cheek then open the door wider for him to come in.

"I can't stay long." He says and I raise an eyebrow. "Don't worry about it. But my mom's come over later." He says and I nod again.

"Aren't you grounded?" I ask and he scoffs. "No." He says grinning.

"How are you?" He asks examining my face. "Fine..." I say confused. "Sure?" He asks and I nod.

"I've gotta run but call me if you need me." He says and waves at someone behind me. I turn to see Josh and Phoebe walking towards the kitchen.

"Morning." They smile. We give them a slight wave before they head into the kitchen.

Alex leans down and kisses me. "Call me." He says and I nod. He rushes towards his car and I watch him drive off.

I head back into the kitchen and slide back onto a stool.

"Where's Alex?" Phoebe asks looking behind me and I shrug. "He just popped by, he just wanted to say that Lucy is coming round later and check in. He's got things to do." I say and she nods slowly.

"That Alex is a good friend. I know we got off to a rocky start but maybe you should make him your boyfriend." Josh says and I laugh awkwardly. If only they knew.

"I think I'm gonna go have a shower." I say and rush upstairs.

****
Saturday went well. It's now Sunday, early afternoon and we're saying bye to Phoebe and Josh.

"Tell Alex to keep in touch." Josh says and I nod. "Call me if you need me." He says walking towards the taxi.

Phoebe goes to hug me for the millionth time but Josh drags her to the taxi instead.

We wave them off and just as they leave Hunter pulls up. I roll my eyed and turn to my mom. "I've got this." I say and she laughs before heading inside.

"What are you doing here?" I ask him and he sighs. "I know, I know it's the weekend and if Alex found out I was here, he'll kill me. So don't tell him. But basically major SOS." He says and I raise an eyebrow.

"Can we go inside?" He asks and I nod and head inside.

"Hey India, these cookies are ready. Do you want one?" My mom calls. "I'll have one." Hunter says as we head into the kitchen. Mom spins and smiles at us both. "Oh it's so lovely to see you Hunter." Mom says and she hugs him. "You too." Hunter smiles.

"He has an emergency." I shrug and she laughs. "I'm going to head up and clean your brother's room. Eat those cookies." She says before heading upstairs.

"Again. I'm so sorry." Hunter says and I shrug. "Don't worry about it." I say sliding onto a stool and taking a cookie.

"What's your emergency?" I ask breaking a bit off and then plopping it in my mouth. "Did Alex ever actually tell you what our job is?" He asks and I shake my head whilst making a mental note to ask Alex.

"For fuck sake." Hunter grumbles before standing up suddenly and throwing his phone in the bin. "What did you do that for?" I ask and he runs his hands through his hair.

"Okay. I need to talk to Alex. That was dumb." He sighs and I nod slowly before sliding off of the stool. I grab the landline and take it over to Hunter.

"Just re dial the last number on there. I spoke to him last night." I say and Hunter nods and slips off his stool and walks away.

"Yeah not India." I hear him say as he walks away. "Don't freak out!" Hunter says and my eye brows knit together as I snack on cookies.

Hunter comes back in and sits on the stool beside me. "Yeah... he's not happy." Hunter says and I scoff. "He never is." I say pushing the cookie plate towards Hunter.

"You gonna tell me what's going on?" I ask and he shakes his head no. "I don't wanna ruin your relationship." He says and I raise an eyebrow. "Oh for fuck sake." He grumbles.

A few minutes later an angry Alex stomps into my kitchen. "Morning sunshine." I say as he glares at Hunter. "Yeah look at your girlfriend. She's so sad." Hunter says and Alex's face drops as he turns to me.

"I'm fine. Ignore him." I say pushing the cookie plate infront of him. "India." He warns and I raise an eyebrow.

"What's going on?" I ask him and he turns to Hunter with a slight glare. "Just tell me." I say and he nods.

"I will. Tonight. I'll come back." He sighs and I make a mental note of that one.

"Oh is that Alex I hear?" Mom says as she gets to the bottom of the stairs. I shove a cookie in Alex's mouth and he looks down at me whilst shaking his head.

"Hi Kim." He says biting into the cookie. "What are you doing here?" She asks and I look up at Alex.

"Getting Hunter. He's been a pain in my ass. We're actually leaving now though. I'll see you later." He says and pushes Hunter towards the door.

"Wait." I call behind him. He stops and turns around. I smile at him before walking over to him. I put my hand on his cheeks and bring his face closer to mine so I can kiss him.

I hear my mom gasp as I do so and I take a deep breath.

"What are you doing?" He asks pulling back ever so slightly. "I haven't kissed you today." I say and pat his cheek before releasing him.

"Come in through my window tonight." I say and he nods.

Him and Hunter say goodbye quickly and head out to their cars.

I take a deep breath and turn back to my car. "I was wondering how long it would take for you two to admit to me you were together." She says and I raise an eyebrow.

"You two have become close. Plus Lucy said she had a suspicion you two were together and that you're definitely sleeping together." She says and my face heats up. "Oh my God mom." I say and she laughs.

"It's nothing to be ashamed of. I don't need to give you the safe sex talk right? Better yet, do you want to go on birth control? I'll get you on it if you want to go on it." She says and I nod. "Okay." I admit and she smiles.

"It's nice to see you happy again sweetie." She says kissing my forehead.

"Do you want to watch maze runner? Just like old times?" She asks and my heart melts. "Sure. Let me go grab my blanket." I say and she nods.

I rush upstairs and grab my blanket before returning to sit beside her, wrapped in my blanket.

"I've missed this." She whispers to me. I can't help the massive smile that stretches across my face. "Me too." I smile and put my head on her shoulder.