The Tangled Web | Peter Parker

Chapter 32

"Are you fucking kidding me, Em?" Flash raged, shaking his head. "What the hell is he doing here?"

The color drained from my face as I slipped into a silent panic. Why are you here? I opened my mouth to speak, stepping in Flash's direction, but no words came out.

Eddie pressed his lips together as I neared where he was nervously standing. He lowered his head, staring at the ground for a few seconds before he made a grunting noise and walked away, disappearing somewhere in the kitchen.

Flash was fuming, glaring at Eddie as he retreated into the Parker's home. His eyes snapped to mine when Eddie rounded the corner, out of sight. "What the fuck, Em?" Flash exhaled, running his hand over his face.

"It's not," I stammered, shaking my head as I took another step toward the door. "He-"

"I can't believe you would invite him over," Flash huffed, letting out a frustrated exhale as he took a step away from me. His tongue swiped over his teeth while he placed his hands on his hips and moved further onto the porch.

I hesitantly stepped out of the house, following him, watching carefully as he paced back and forth. "Technically, I didn't invite him over," I explained, furrowing my eyebrows. "It was May. She-"

"I mean, what the fuck," he interrupted, cutting me off for a second time. He threw his hands in the air as he continued ranting, not hearing a word I was saying. "I was coming over, hoping to watch the game with you and Peter," he grumbled, closing his eyes. "And then who answers the door but that fucking-"

"Will you just let me explain?" I yelled, my face falling flat.

"Why?" Flash scoffed, motioning with his hand at the door. "So you can give me some bullshit excuse as to why you're spending Thanksgiving with him? No," he exhaled, shaking his head. "I don't think so."

"Wow," I said slowly, raising my eyebrows as I crossed my arms. "So you're not even going to let me talk. Got it," I nodded, turning around to head back inside.

"Em, no- wait," Flash groaned, reaching out his hand to grab my arm. He turned me to face him, lowering his head. "I didn't- I just," he exhaled, shaking his head. "Why is he here?"

"Are you actually going to let me speak this time?" I questioned, tilting my head. I didn't talk until Flash slowly nodded his head in agreement. "It was a last-minute thing. May invited him over yesterday," I explained carefully. "He just came over for dinner. Nothing happened. It isn't a big deal."

"I disagree," Flash chastised, lifting his chin in the air. "Dinner with your family seems like a pretty big deal."

"He didn't have anywhere to go, Flash," I sighed, trying my best to hide my annoyance. "We're friends. It's just dinner," I shrugged, crossing my arms over my chest tighter.

"Is it though?" Flash asked, his voice cracking. He was staring at me intently, his eyes burning with hurt.

"I mean, yeah," I supposed, shaking my head. "Why do you care so much?"

Flash raised his eyebrows and exhaled through his nose. "Why do I- seriously, Em?" he exclaimed, running his tongue over his lips.

I raised my shoulders, shaking my head slightly as I lifted my eyebrows and waited for him to continue speaking.

"You don't think I would care about him being here? On Thanksgiving?" he sneered, narrowing his eyes. "He gets an invite to the family dinner, but your own boyfriend doesn't," he scoffed, shaking his head.

My eyes grew wide as I stared at him. "My boy- Flash," I exhaled, closing my eyes. "We broke up."

"The hell we did," he yelled, taking a step toward me.