Spencer groaned softly as he forcefully separated his swollen eyes. He hasn't broken down that way since he overheard Ava's declaration of his father's ultimate betrayal - the conception of his baby brother.
He pushed the blanket from his lower body as he threw his legs to the side - sitting up for a moment - memories of his and Trina's midnight confrontation immediately clouded his mind, which began to race as he felt an absence in the silence that covered the cottage.
He rushed from the guest bedroom to their main room and his intuition was correct - she was gone. He looked outside and his car was the only vehicle in view. His heart accelerated as he raced back to the guest bedroom for his phone - she was just as emotional as he was earlier - which made him worry about her capability of driving herself.
He saw a notification, it was Trina. He read the short text message left by his lover at 4 a.m.
"Although it hurts me, I will give you the space you want. I understand. Please, text or call me when you've had enough time...selfishly, I hope it doesn't be too long. I love you."
Spencer dropped his phone on the bed as his hands covered his face. They dragged down to his mouth as he stopped himself from shedding tears again.
-
Rapid knocks echoed through Laura's apartment in the early hours of a new morning. The door opened, "Josslyn? Hi? Why are you here?" Esme inquired as the unexpected visitor stared at her. "Where's Spencer?" The blonde immediately asked. "He's asleep...I think, I don't think he's in the mood for visitors," Esme was very defensive with Josslyn as she spoke. "Go wake him, this is important," Joss demanded as her patience began wearing thin.
Esme went to combat the request, but Joss yelled out the male's name as she pushed past Esme.
"Spen-" Josslyn began to yell again but the disheveled male rushed down the stairs. "Josslyn, what the fuck? Ace is asleep!" Not even a second after those words left his lips the cries of his baby brother rang throughout the home. "I got him," Esme glared at Josslyn from the corner of her eyes.
The blonde couldn't care less about her interruption.
"Why -" Spencer went to ask a question, but Josslyn stopped him. "Where is Trina?" Her question alerted the male, "I don't know, I assume she was home," He held his composure despite the concern he felt by Josslyn's question. "So, I'm right?" Josslyn mumbled to herself, "You guys broke up?" Her voice softens.
Esme walked back downstairs in time to hear Josslyn's soft words and began eavesdropping on the childhood friends.
"We're on a break," Spencer clarified, "Is there a difference?" The blonde quarried. Spencer sighed and sat down, "What happened?" She asked. Spencer contemplated for a bit before confiding in Josslyn about their fight.
"You haven't contacted her in four days...." Josslyn mumbled as she looked at the date when she received the one-worded text from Trina. It was three days ago - she hadn't heard from her friend since.
She looked up at Spencer, whose eyes traveled everywhere but at her. Her anger migrated into remorse.
"Don't blame Trina for how she feels...it's my fault," Joss began making Spencer roll his eyes as he stood and began pacing around. "Joss, I get that you're her best friend but please don't take on what she's at fault for," He vented as his hurt turned into anger. "No, listen. I pushed the agenda," She exposed making the male stop in his tracks.
He slowly turned to the blonde, "What?"
Josslyn gulped as she stood, "Spencer, you weren't being the best partner, okay? Trina never complained because she understood why you're doing what you are doing...but, she felt abandoned by you. You prioritized this pseudo-family of yours over your girlfriend on multiple occasions." Joss paused her words as she rubbed her forehead. "By coincidence, I met Christian and I invited him out with us and they clicked...Christian was always attracted to Trina, but Trina always pushed him away because of her loyalty to you...The shooting might have just elevated some emotions?" Josslyn ended her speech with an unsure question.
"I only did it because I was hoping your attention would've shifted. You'd finally give Trina the attention that she wanted and deserved," She rambled an explanation.
"So, I'm to blame?" Spencer asked with a raised brow. Joss sighed, "All of us had a part in it, Spencer." She seemed exasperated over the whole situation now. "Josslyn, at the end of the day she fell for another man. All of this shit could have been avoided if she had just spoken to me! Tell me how she felt!" He raised his voice a bit as his temper began rising again.
"When would she have time to do that when you prioritize that bitch over her!" Joss matched his tone. They stared at one another as Spencer pointed at her, "Trina has always been my main priority Josslyn, and you know it."
"At some point she was Spencer, but you must admit. She's not anymore," Joss softened her voice. Spencer shook his head as she continued. "Since your father vanished, you've taken on that role for your brother and whether you realize it or not the time you spend with Esme and Ace exceeds the time you've spent with Trina," Josslyn gave him a defeated gesture as she spoke.
Spencer stayed quiet.
"Trina fell for the attention that Christian gives her - that same attention you used to give her. Who wouldn't fall out of love when their partner finds someone more important than them," Joss shrugged as she picked up her bag. "Not to mention you somehow assembled this tolerance or twisted way of forgiveness to Esme is just the icing on the cake," Joss laughed as she shook her head and held on to the front door that she opened.
"After everything Esme has put - not only me - but Trina through...Trina doesn't deserve to be second place to her," Joss ended as she left the apartment.
Spencer walked towards the door with a deep frown before turning to the stairs which led him back to his bedroom. He collapsed on his bed as he stared at Trina's message that he had yet to reply to.
He still couldn't bring himself to respond.
He was hurt - he knew that Trina was different - from the moment he met her, she was unlike any he had ever met. He was angry with her and himself, even more so at himself after his and Josslyn's conversation.
"Spencer?" Esme's voice was heard behind his door after a few knocks. She opened after there was no reply from the male, "I overheard," She began, but he interrupted. "Then you know I'm not in the mood," His face was covered by his arms, but Esme didn't miss the tear residue that was left on his jaw. "I brought Ace to keep you company," She whispered, Spencer sat up at the whines of his younger brother.
She stood after handing the baby to the sad male. "You're not wrong for being a father figure to Ace. You're being the man that your father couldn't, it's a sacrifice, but it's worth it. If they can't understand that then they don't deserve you." She told the male that kept his attention solely on the baby that sat on his lap. She sighed and left his room as he ignored her.
She leaned against his door, her mind racing with scenarios.
