Addicted z.m

Chapter 23

"I don't want to talk about it, Greg," I groaned, falling face-down onto my bed. The smell of familiarity swept through my nostrils as I hugged my pillow.

Greg's weight dipped into the opposite side of the mattress. "You're going to have to say something eventually, Spence. Mum knows when something's off."

"Then I'll talk about it then," I stated, knowing Maura was relentless. "Don't you have a room to 'make yourself at home' in?" I quoted my father from when we had first stepped into the house.

"Gregory! Good to see you! Thank you so much for visiting. I haven't seen you in ages. You can use the room across from the toilet next to Spencer's room. Make yourself at home."

That room used to be my mother's sewing room before she eloped.

"Spencer-"

"I'm gonna go check on my dad." I pushed myself off of my bed and left the room before Greg could say another word.

I took my time dancing down the stairs, but once I reached the bottom, my father was exiting the kitchen.

"Dad," I gasped.

"Hey, Little Bit," he replied, pulling on that fake smile that he's been practicing since he recovered from his depression and short lived alcoholism.

"Are you okay?" I asked. "Do you need anything?"

He chuckled lightly. "I've been getting on just fine for over a year now, Spence."

"I know," I nod, then look at my fingers, picking at my nails. "I just worry. . .you know?"

"I know," he said solemnly. "If it were the other way around, I'd be trailing behind your every step until your death."

He tried to laugh, but I could see the pain in his eyes. "Dad-" I sighed.

"So how's Florida?" he changed the subject. "Are your classes going well?"

I eyed him closely as his eyes begged for my cooperation. I nodded. "This term has been great," I lied for his sake.

*

Our forks scraped against our plates as my father kept up conversations.

"So you're not lonely at that new job of yours, eh?" he laughed after Greg's story from the office.

Just then my phone buzzed on the table in long intervals. I stared at the screen -more like glared.

Why does he even try? I thought of all the possible reasons he could be calling - every sentence he would possibly start with if I pressed "answer".

"You gonna get that?" My dad pointed at the device causing a disturbance.

I looked up at him, remembering I wasn't alone at the table. I quickly tapped "ignore" and turned my phone on silent.

"No," I declared. "Unknown number." I went back to the chicken spaghetti my fathet had made, trying to pay attention to what the two men were saying.

"You're insane!" Dad exclamed. "Derby County has got nothing on Arsenal."

"Arsenal's a team," Greg nodded. "I'll give 'em that. But did you see their past game against Manchester City? Now that's how to dominate."

I tuned their rambling on about football when I noticed my screen light up.

Zayn: Spencer, please pick up. We need to talk.

Zayn: I know you're still pissed at me, but this is important.