Matched

Chapter 15

“Spencer?” my dad called to me from the kitchen.

“Hmm?” I had been watching TV as he did the dishes. Luke had left hours ago and I had been left to my own devices.

“Come here, we need to have a talk,” he shut off the water. I almost pooped myself. Not really, but you get the point. I swallowed.

“Um, what about?” I feigned curiosity. I wasn’t curious. I just wanted to avoid this situation all together.

“Well, you know, it was impossible not to hear you and Dillon. Honey, don’t take this the wrong way, but there’s no way that you can end up happy if you and him argue like that. Maybe it’d be best if you,” he paused, as if thinking how to word his sentence. “Well, I believe it’d be best if you stop trying to be so independent. I understand that you’re my daughter and that you share a great deal of my personality, but if you block yourself off from Dillon then you’ll just end up miserable.”

“Okay,” I replied after a moment. I didn’t exactly know how to respond. He’d raised me my entire life telling me to trust myself and no one else. Why would he distill these lessons on me only to tell me later that I shouldn’t have actually listened to him?

“And what is exactly going on with you and Gill’s boy?” How did I know he’d ask about Russel?

“Nothing, dad. I’m with Dillon,” I mumbled, looking at the ground. I especially disliked lying to my father.

“Really then? Why when I came home did this house reek of him? You know, at first I thought it was Dillon, but then he helped you out last night and I got a good whiff of him, Spencer. Whatever it is you two have going, it needs to end. Immediately,” he gave me a stern look. I set my jaw. Caught red handed.

“No worries, dad. I know.”

“I’m serious Spencer. Stop seeing him or I’ll do something about. It won’t be pretty,” I imagined myself tucking my tails between my legs at his words.

“How can you be so sure I’m seeing him dad? Don’t jump to conclusions. We’re just friends,” I lied.

“Stop lying to me Spencer!” he roared and I flinched. I’d never seen him this angry at me before. “I’ve seen you around him. Don’t acting like a love sick puppy! Dillon’s your mate! He shouldn’t even make a blip on your radar. Don’t you understand the consequences if the council gets whiff of this? Hm? You stupid girl!” he exploded. “You don’t even have 2 weeks left to complete the mating process with Dillon. What are you even thinking? Sneaking around with that idiot boy?” I felt tears well in my eyes as I looked at the ground. I wanted to say something back, I really did. But that’d make it worse.

“Don’t be stupid, Spencer,” he said lowly. “I love you, but I didn’t raise you nor did I suspect you to be the only one who would ever think of going against the council. You’re going to be a major part in this clan one day. Don’t start acting up now. End this. Once and for all.”

“Okay,” I said quietly.

“And don’t ever try lying to me again, young lady. Do you understand?”

I nodded and scurried to my room. Once I found myself in my room, I got ahold of my connection with Russel.

My dad knows.

It was quiet for a moment.

What are we going to do?

He told me I have to end it, Russel. Dillon has even noticed. We messed up, Rus. We weren’t careful enough.I felt myself slightly get pushed a bit more to the edge of hysteria.

Don’t. Just… don’t.

I-I couldn’t if I wanted to, Russel, I mumbled quietly to him.

I love you, baby. I love you so much. We’ll think of something, okay? We’ve got to find out a way to make this work. I know how much you hate lying to everyone. I can feel it every time you do.

Okay. Okay, I trust you. We need to make this work. I need you. I won’t be happy without you. Ever.

I know.

I would have felt uncomfortable a month ago saying such intimate things. But it was true. I didn’t respond to him, I didn’t need to. I just snuggled into my bed, emotionally exhausted from everything lately. And I slept. And slept. And then I woke up at 4 in the afternoon the next day.

“Yes?” I heard my dad say from my bed. Russel was here. With Luke. Why were they here? I sat straight up in my bed.

“Hello, sir. We just wanted to see if Spencer wanted to go into town with us,” Luke asked. I’m sure he pulled his charming smile on my dad because the next thing I knew, my dad was yelling my name.

“Hold on!” I yelled as I changed my shirt. A bit faster than yesterday, my appearance was socially acceptable and I bounded down the stairs.

“Be home at a reasonable hour, Spenc,” was all my dad said before I closed the door behind me. I let out a sigh.

“Where we going?” I asked Luke as we climbed into Russel’s pick up. I of course was kicked to the back seat of the cab.

“To talk,” Luke replied shortly.

“Thanks for that load of information,” I joked. Luke smirked at me. The ride into town was silent. I could tell Russel had a lot on his mind, I feel it. Our bond was becoming incredibly strong. I didn’t realize I had rested my hand on his arm until he looked back at me during a red light. I gave him a small smile. He returned it. Luke ignored the interaction completely.

“So what’s up guys?” I asked after 15 minutes of this.

“I think I know a way to get you guys out of this predicament,” Luke turned to me a flashed me a smile.

And for the first time in my life, I doubted that Luke would be able to help me. I don’t think anyone could have.