Last Stop

Chapter fourteen

Spencer doesn't speak much until we are both showered and laying in my loft room, me on a makeshift camp bed. Unsurprisingly my aunt and uncle had nothing against him staying over, they were more concerned with the bruise forming on my jaw. Really didn't hurt as bad as it looked and I just told them it was a misunderstanding with someone at the fair. They were not too impressed but after I assured them that I was fine and I was pretty sure that the other guy wasn't going to press chargers they handed me frozen peas and left it. Sometimes I think it is also difficult for them to know what to let go and what to comment on, after all they know I was on my own for so long, handling things worse than a bruised jaw. Then again they are guardians to me now. 

I know that Spencer has questions for me but I am also curious. How does someone as sweet as Audrey fall for or even meet someone like Mike. I have had my fair share of assholes so I know when I see one and Mike seems like the classic small town lowlife.

"How did Audrey become involved with Mike?" I ask into the silence, eyes on Spencer who is laying on my bed with his phone to his face, with my question he turns to the side and shrugs green eyes holding so much back. I can tell.

"I don't know the details, you are going to have to ask her but he was a senior at our school two years back and his brother was a senior last year, I think they met through his brother but otherwise I don't know."

"Why doesn't she get a restraining order?"

"Why do you care?" His voice is harsh but I don't react, why do I care? because I have watched my mother be a victim all so many times to just stand by and watch someone be treated like I grew up watching her be treated. Because deep down I know that Everyone deserves to know their worth and if Audrey thinks she deserves the asshole Mike then somehow I have failed yet again to show someone I care about that they are worth more than the shit they put up with . Even if I have not been here long, I could try harder. "I mean you said you aren't interested in her and then you go and lead her on."

"What?!" I sit up in shock, cursing myself for feeling a tinge in my stomach and chest area at his words. "When did I ever lead her on, Spencer?" I ask but we both know I am not done. "I didn't let that Asshole Mike get away with the nonsense he puts her through, and I am her friend that doesn't mean I am leading her on."

He scoffs but says nothing and I sigh through my nose in frustration.

"I am pretty sure she has her eyes on someone else but if you want I can have the whole friendzone conversation with her."

"Don't do it on my account."

I scoff "Spencer everything I do has to be pre-screened by you because somehow you have already decided that I am a asshole, even through I have never done anything to you." I sigh as I see he is about to argue back "Just get some sleep."

With that I roll over, stopping any potential conversation. Hurt that even after all the progress we have made he still thinks that my intentions are bad, that he doesn't trust me.

**************************************************************************************8

"And then Katy said that I have big teeth, " Kelly tells me as she watches me divide cattle feeder into the toughs. Apparently she was bored so her father sent her out to help me, what she is actually doing is using me as her middle school therapist. From what it sounds like eight year old's are a piece of work.

"Jenny said that Katy was jealous because she didn't get the new barbie movie but I think Katy is just mean."

"Oh?" I ask learning earlier on that giving advice or even speaking more than a monosyllabic is dangerous.

"Yes!" She says adamantly "She dipped Hadder's Braids in the paint and told Fabian that he had ugly face." I raise my eyebrows at that. Wow Katy does sound like a bully.

"Really?"

She nods before continuing to tell me all about everything that Katy did wrong. It is obvious that they butt heads. I try listen but I zone out often, thinking about how I things left with her older brother. The next morning we barely spoke, just as required to not raise suspicion. I haven't seen him since he left. I mean I have been working at the farm since, for two days now and I haven't even seen him at meals. Thinking about him just makes me wonder what I could have possibly done wrong for him top constantly think I am the one in the wrong.

"Kelly! Mom wants you" I turn my head to where David calls from the porch to Kelly, but he isn't alone, Spencer stands next to him, looking self conscious as David pushes him down the stairs towards me. Kelly runs off. Skipping up the way to the farm like she hasn't just been bitching about her friends for forty minutes.

"Hi." Spencer says standing with his hands shoved in his pockets and slightly slouched.

"Hi." I say turning to continue with my work.

"You got a minute to talk?" I shrug, my back still facing him. I have been judged my whole life I really don't have time to continue the trend.

"Depends."

"Please." He says and I sigh cursing the part of my that wants to be around him. That wants to give him a chance. 

I spin around and nod, following him to the back of the barn where we both know that David can't watch.

"Look, I am sorry." Spencer says scratching his head "Anna told me you had the talk with Audrey and that she does like someone else." I nod, obviously already knowing this but not liking that he has to be told by someone else other than me before he believes me. "Look, okay I know you like me asking you this shit and I don't always believe you but it isn't my fault and I can't explain it."

"What?" I ask confused and he sighs gesturing between us.

"You make me uncomfortable, you know, ever since you got here there is something about you that just bugs me, it is like sensory overload, so normally when I can decipher an intention or feeling clearly, I feel like I need to double check in case I am like blinded by these confusing feelings."

So I am not the only one effected. I try read his face, he looks desperate and confused.

"I have always understood people." I don't need him to continue I know what he means.

I nod "I know, Spencer." I say moving closer unintentionally. " But it feels better to be friends that hate each other right?"

He nods. "Plus, all I ask that you trust me to always try my best, it is a long shot but I am not all that bad."

He smiles softly nodding his head "Okay, I can try that." I grin, taking us both my shock. I rarely dish out grins. 

"Is this a hugging moment?"

"Eww, no you sweaty." He says side stepping my open arms and heading around to the house "See you tonight at Anna's?" I nod and he grins leaving me to get back to my work glad that all that is sorted out. Thankful that I am not the only one feeling out of sorts by his presence in my life.

I might just be driving him as crazy as he is driving me.