for, lover (Completed; editing)

Chapter 83

Mom wants a new coffee maker. Her last one broke over the summer and she refuses to buy herself a new one because she'd much rather kick the caffeine addiction than purchase another one. Her argument wasn't a great one and I almost convinced her to buy a coffee pot on sale at Costco. She slipped in a remark about wanting an espresso machine instead so I've been in search of a reasonably priced one since then. Making her an espresso drinker is the expect opposite of kicking that addiction but a moderate consumption of caffeine never hurt anyone anyway.

"We could always check Best Buy." Miles suggests, taking a turn and walking me through the entrance.

I don't have high hopes for this store. I never find decent deals and I doubt they'd have what I'm looking for at a store that's mainly electronics.

I still give it a chance but much to my dismay, the results are disappointing.

"We need to go somewhere like Bed Bath & Beyond. They got that kind of shit, right?"

"Yeah...maybe. Or you could check online."

"Ugh, I hate shopping online." I mutter and head back out to the mall walkway.

"I know." Miles laughs and jogs after me. "You want to find her a good gift, don't you? Christmas is literally three days away. You're a last minute shopper."

"Not true! I got everyone's gift except my mom because I couldn't find the perfect thing I was looking for."

"Okayyy well I gave you pretty good options."

"Don't badger me. Let's check the other stores."

I drag Miles full circle around Concord. By the time we reach the food court again, he grabs my arm to pull me in that direction. "Let me at least get something to eat before I pass out."

"Sorry! I'm just very focused right now."

"I can tell." He smirks and walks over to the Chick-fil-A.

I could honestly use some food myself so I follow him over. He looks at me after scanning the menu for a moment.

"You want something? I'll buy it."

I shake my head knowing damn well I'm just gonna order after he pays. The face he gives me when I walk to the next available cashier is a loud silence. I laugh under my breath and place my order, walking to where he is for pickup.

"Do you let anyone buy you things?"

I shake my head. "Not really."

"You're ridiculous." He says, nudging my shoulder.

They call out our orders and we take our food to one of the only empty tables all the way in the back of the food court. I'm just glad it's away from all these crowds of people.

Miles sits across from me and we both simultaneously empty out our bags on the table.

He looks up at me. "Are you copying me?"

"Don't be stupid, we're both eating."

"Yeah but you put your food in the exact same setup that I did."

I look down at both of our nugget boxes, aligned straight ahead with our fries to the right of it and our drinks behind that. I laugh and reach for a fry from the packaging.

"Okay, and?"

"I just thought it was cute." He smiles, taking a sip of his drink.

It was kind of cute. I just really don't want it to be.

"So what are your plans for the holidays?" I ask him.

He shrugs and glances down. "My mom is having some whirlwind overseas romance so she won't even be in town."

"What?!" I gasp.

"Yeah! She met this guy on the beach. He has a beach house in Myrtle but he spends a lot of his time in New Zealand so they're going there for Christmas."

"That's insane. She doesn't think she's moving too fast?"

He shakes his head. "No, they're not getting engaged or anything crazy...just meeting the family or something. They've been together for a few months now. My dad invited me to his place for Christmas but I don't think I'm gonna go."

"Why not?"

He shifts in his chair and ruffles his hair from the back. "We just aren't on the best terms right now. I'd rather distance myself as much as possible."

"Oh. I'm sorry to hear that."

"It's okay. I had a lot to work through and he wasn't exactly my biggest supporter through all of it, not that I expected it. It just created this weird riff between us and he's trying to act like the caring father who can get over his disappointment of a son but it's obvious how he really feels."

"You are not a disappointment, Miles."

He laughs. "You're sweet."

"I'm serious." I defend.

"It's not a good look to be almost mid 20s and constantly dependent on your estranged dad for stability."

"You have a job and you work your ass off. There's nothing wrong with some support. It's what parents are for. No good parent wants to watch their children fail."

"No good parent." He emphasizes.

"Right." I chuckle.

His dad is a bit of a narcissistic ass but at least his minimal effort is consistent enough to keep Miles from going under. I would never defend the man out loud though.

"What about you?" He questions.

"What? Holiday plans?"

He nods and plops an entire chicken nugget in his mouth with one swift motion.

"Dad's thing is on Christmas Eve and I'm seeing mom on Christmas Day."

"What's Maddy and Ben up to?"

I giggle. "Maddy gets to put up with Ben's family for the holidays. I don't know what her mom is doing."

"Sounds like a blast."

"It is but it's also kind of sad how rude they can be to her for no reason. No matter what she does it's like she'll never be good enough for him. It's so stupid."

"Probably because they can't get over you guys being together."

"Well it's a little late for that. They're married and have a child. Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham need to suck it up."

"You were just too perfect. I can see how it would be hard for them."

I over-exaggerate an eye roll and glare at him. "Far from perfect, Miles. They don't even know who I am not that it even matters. It was our relationship not his, mine, and his parents who for some reason thought I couldn't do any wrong."

"You guys grew up together. They wanted that cute little childhood best friend to soulmate bullshit everyone romanticizes in books and movies."

I shrug. "Real life is very disappointing then."

"It sure is." Miles smirks and gets up to throw his trash away after we finish eating. "Let's get going. I'm getting anxious around all of these people."

"Aw, still Mr. shy guy?"

He elbows me in the arm as I erupt in a fit of laughter. "Says you."

"I own my anxiousness, thank you very much."

He childishly sticks his tongue out at me and takes a few steps, pausing to make sure I have time to catch up with him. I throw away my stuff, almost forgetting my purse in the chair and rush over to him.

He turns to me. "I'm trying to be better at owning my shit. I know I'm very anxious. It gets even worse when I'm around you."