The Handcuff Game

Chapter 11 - Parents and cuffs

"What the hell is going on here?" Alec's dad demanded.

"I-I dad." He sputtered. I'd never seem Alec stumble over his words so much.

"Speak up." He snarled.

"Charles!" His mom snapped, her eyes briefly darting in my direction.

"Does it look like I care? Do you see what's on their hands? You know what that could do to our reputation? The asshole has got to stop screwing around!"

I flinched, and I swear Alec did too.

"That was a little harsh." I mumbled louder than intended.

Alec stiffened beside me and his father's hard gaze turned to me, "Excuse me?"

I could practically hear Alec begging me to shut up with all his mental strength. But, like we all know, I didn't stand to bullies, even grown ones. "I said that was harsh." I said it louder, almost too loud.

His father's eyes glowed with fury, "You little-."

"Charles!" His mother was visibly sweating as she tried to maintain a smile and calm her husband down. I couldn't imagine how many times she must've done this over the course of their marriage.

"I'm done with this." He yanked his arm away from his wife and spun on his heels, stomping down the hallway. After his footsteps faded, we heard a door slam.

Her mom let out an uncomfortable laugh and looked at me with apologizing eyes. Then, she sized up her son before sighing, "When will you stop Alec?"

She walked away somewhere in the direction of where her husband went, probably to reassure him. Something she clearly didn't seem necessary for her son.

Wow.

We stood there for a few moments – me gawking at his parents' behavior, and him sniveling, which I chose to keep quiet about. He didn't need my sass right now.

"I should've known this was a bad idea." He mumbled before yanking on the chain and puling me out the door.

"Where are we going?" I asked, still in shock.

"To your house," He replied shortly, all emotion drained from his tone, "We're not wanted here."

I couldn't help but feel guilty for my contribution to the mess. I should've just let him do his thing at dinner instead of thinking I knew best. I wanted to tell him I was wrong and how sorry I was, but I just didn't know how to.

"Do you want to talk about that?" I asked hesitantly.

He bit his lip, "Why? So, you can brag about how you were right? That I'm just a screw up like he thinks?"

My guilt spiraled. God Reed, why do you have to be such an asshole?

I grabbed his arm and stopped, "Alec, you are not a screw-up. Your parents are." I tried to speak in that same commanding voice he sometimes did, but I don't think it had the same affect.

He just rolled his eyes, "You don't know me Parker. If you did, you would agree with them."

"I sort of know you. I know you just want your parents to accept you."

I was trying to sound soothing, but from the glare he shot me, I think he took it a different way. I guess that could've sounded like an insult in some way.

Instead of yelling, he just spun around and dragged me back to the car.

***

Once situated back in my room, we stayed silent. Alec scrolled through his phone while I attempted to read my book one-handed.

I don't think it bothered either of us that we weren't talking. He clearly needed time to cool down, and I needed time to make sure I didn't say anything stupid.

After almost an hour of silence, I heard the front door slam shut. Mom called from downstairs, "Reed! I'm home early. Are you awake?"

My eyes widened and I threw down the book, hissing at Alec, "Get under the bed."

He rolled his eyes and scooted his body underneath.

I shoved myself under the covers, making sure to keep my cuffed hand covered up.

"Honey? Can I come in?" She knocked on the door.

"Yeah." I said groggily.

She opened the door and smiled, kissing my forehead. "I love you sweetheart. I'm sorry I couldn't be home tonight." She sat on the edge of my bed and tucked my brown hair behind my ear.

"It's okay." I smiled.

"Okay, well, have a good night then." She stood slowly, then paused, "By the way, I picked up some more tampons. The heavy flo-."

"Thanks." I interrupted her, trying to hide my face as my cheeks flamed red, and I heard a muffled laugh come from under the bed.

She closed the door just as Alec poked his head out from under the bed, "That just made my day." He laughed.

I narrowed my eyes and threw a pillow at his face, "Shut it, Marks."

He stifled another laugh and grabbed the pillow, shoving it under his head. "Why can't I sleep on the bed?" He pouted. He put his arm up so his head was resting on his forehead, and I couldn't help but notice the small bulge on his upper arm. I wondered how often he worked out.

He shifted, making me nervous that he had saw my little observation. So, naturally, I threw some sass at him, "Because I don't trust you yet."

He smirked, then shrugged. "That's too bad sweetheart."

I rolled my eyes, although, I was secretly grateful we were back to this. Things got a bit too serious for my liking earlier. This felt right.

As Alec began to snore, my thoughts began drift. After so much commotion, I had pushed Surina to the very back of my mind, but now thoughts of her returned with a vengeance. I felt guilty for forgetting about her, but it hurt my brain to even think about.

I wanted to ask Alec again about her, but I didn't want to sound crazy. I just didn't understand how no one remembered her. And Maddy? She led us to the jail cell? Why did I know remember that? It was like we were living in some parallel universe.

What did she mean when she told me good luck? Was she really just imaginary the whole time? Was I actually insane? The thought made me feel sick to my stomach.

Curious, I pulled out my phone and scrolled through my messages, looking for any trace of her.

Nothing.

All of our texts, gone. I didn't understand. How could I make up a whole person? What about Luke? Was he real?

I scanned through my messages for his name, and sure enough, he was there. Maybe he would remember Surina.

I wasn't ready for that yet though. I couldn't text him. I needed to talk to him in person after... well after Alec and I figured this all out.