Spencer took the plate from her hands, one corner of his mouth slightly tugging up at her comment. He wasn’t really humoured by the words, though they definitely were true. “Probably,” he agreed silently. They’d never experienced what it was like to not have to share as a family. After all, it was just the three of them and mom. And still — somehow — that hadn’t made the siblings as close as it should have. Maybe Spencer and his older brother were when they were younger, but they’d never gotten that close with Amy. Looking back at that time in his life, Spencer regretted some of the actions that had taken place. That’s also why it didn’t surprise him at all when she turned down his offer to help her out. With a simple nod, he followed her into the living room and sat down next to his younger sister on the couch.
“Oh, I’m sure they were happy tears. I think she really missed ya.” His mom had mentioned that before. Even asked him if he’d spoken to Amy, and hating to tell her he hadn’t because he always felt like he was letting her down — letting the family down. With his brother and sister out of town, Spencer was the only son their mother had left for a while. At least physically. And that surely weighed down on him, too. Though he learned that it was important to appreciate whatever relationship was left between him and his family. Quickly popping a fry into his mouth, Spencer eyed his sister for a moment. They had never been close — at least not in the way people expected siblings to be close. Sure, when they were younger they’d shared, and played, and laughed. But there were also tears, and shouting, and yelling. It’d never bothered him in the long run, not to a certain extent that he figured there was no way to heal from it. But how did his sister experience that? It had never been a topic open for discussion back when she still lived in Wilmington, nor had it been with his brother or his mother. They’d all rather stick their issues and problems in some tiny box, lock it and throw it far, far away. Spencer had definitely learned to deal with that over the years, partly because of his job.
“A Black Hawk? Nice,” he raised a brow, grabbing the beer and opening the can, before a light chuckle slipped past his lips. This definitely reminded him of their teenage years, where his friends would come over and they’d all share a beer — even though they were nowhere near the legal drinking age. Memories like that were the ones he cherished most. In a way, his best friends had become more of his family than his actually family was. The boys were over all the time, or he was over at their house. Back in high school it was rare if there was a day that they didn’t see each other.
Taking the first bite of his burger, Spencer could feel a somewhat awkward silence settle between the two of them. And while he had been expecting that and was fully prepared for it, his sister had other plans. As his girlfriend’s name slipped past Amy’s lips, he turned his head to look at the blonde. He knew the two girls were close, or had been close in the past, at least. And while the two of them never really got that close as most siblings, he was glad she got close to the people around him. Especially Haley, since she played such a big part in his life back then, and still does now. Though the next set of words made him stop chewing the food that was currently in his mouth, instead averting his gaze as he processed what was just said. With a big sigh, he managed to swallow most of the food down and placed his plate back on his knees. “I, ah —“ Spencer stalled, not really sure what to say. “I didn’t know she’d tell you.” But if any of the three involved were to tell Amy, it sure as hell would’ve been Haley. “Mom doesn’t know,” was the next thing that seemed morally acceptable to share. “And I’d really like to keep it that way.” It almost felt like they were back in high school, where one of them pulled a stunt and didn’t want to be ratted out to mom. This time, though, it involved a much more serious matter. “Have you spoken to Adam at all in these last couple of months?” Or years, considering he didn’t know when she last heard of him.
She could feel the atmosphere adjust around them, almost as if a switch had been flipped. On one hand, Spencer’s shock erased some of the awkwardness hanging in their silence. On the other, it was Amy’s turn to look at him a little stunned. Did she just screw up? Should she have warned Haley before talking with Spencer? “Yeah, I think she felt bad and wanted to come clean now that I’m back. ‘Cause I’m close to her, and we’re family.” Family. When used for herself and her siblings, the word tasted foreign on her tongue---used only to justify her friend and cool down any fires. That wasn’t to say she was picking her side in this story. She saw no reason for picking any sides to begin with. The three parties involved, or at least Spencer and Haley, had worked past it on their own. It wasn’t her place to steer old trouble alas had no intention of adding fuel to the fire. Truth be told, she couldn’t even find a good reason why Spencer would be mad at finding out Haley told her the truth in the first place. But she knew they were in a good place, the two of them. The last thing she wanted was say something that would mess that up, even in the slightest. “I’m glad she did. We should be honest with the people we care about.” Unlike us. Maybe Amy and Spencer had shown one another how they felt about each other, but no words were ever truly said. Not the ones that should’ve; the ones that’d hurt.
Out of everything her brother could’ve said or requested of her, the words that actually came out of his mouth hadn’t even crossed her mind. Her eyebrows furrowed, causing the skin between them to crease. “No, I---why the hell would I tell mom?” Confusion and another feeling reflected in the low but strict, sharp tone of her voice. If Louise found out the truth, she’d be crushed and all hell would break loose because of it, for she’d want to see or hear nothing of Haley. Maybe Adam, too. “It’s not her business. It’s not mine, either.” The fact Spencer could be worrying she wanted to start gossip riled her up. A lot. “I’m not gonna tell anyone. I just wanted to clear the air between us at least on this matter. You deserved to know it wasn’t something I knew and kept a secret all these years. That’s all.”
Her hand reached for the water bottle and she brought it to her lips, grabbing the opportunity to take a break which prevented her from adding anything else. At his question, she shook her head with the sip in her mouth before swallowing it. “No. I’ve nothing to say to him. Might tell him he’s an asshole if he shows up in town, though.” Despite the sarcasm in her tone, there was a solid chance she’d do just that if she felt like it. She’d felt the need to tell him that even before she knew he repeatedly slept with his brother’s girlfriend. Finding it out...blew her mind. The two older Bayer siblings had pushed her away and shut her out to the point she could no longer remember a time where things had been different. Fine. But them? They’d been inseparable growing up. How could he do that? If she’d known all along how much and for how long Spencer had loved Haley, there was no way he didn’t. “Have you?” Azure irises darted to take a look at the sickenly similar face next to her. She never said it and wouldn’t but, had it been her in his shoes? She would’ve never forgiven them. No matter how much she loved them.
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