Page 6 of Rekindled

He stopped on the steps, waffling between going back in and continuing home.

“There you are. I was hoping you were done with your stupid tutoring,” Tiffany, Bayfield High’s head cheerleader and Spencer’s on-and-off girlfriend, said with irritation. “I was hoping you would want to take me out to a movie tonight.”

“I thought you were done with me, Tiffany. I remember you saying this time it was for good.”

“Oh, you know how good we are together. It’s never really all the way done,” she said as she placed her hand on his arm and squeezed.

“Yea, but I’m thinking this time it should be. I’m tired of playing your games.”

“What are you talking about? We’re meant to be together Spencer. After all, you’re the star quarterback and I’m the head cheerleader. It doesn’t get any more obvious than that,” she stated with a roll of her eyes. “Stop punishing me for our last fight. Tell you what, we can skip the movie and just head straight up to the bluffs to make out.”

She leaned up on her tiptoes and tried to kiss him on the mouth. Before she could land her mark, he turned his head away.

“Stop it, Tiffany. I’m serious. It’s over this time.”

Stepping back, she narrowed her eyes and spat out, “Why? What’s changed? Is there someone else? Is it Amanda? I know she’s had her eyes on you for months. If she’s made a move on you, I swear I’m going to rip her hair out at the roots. And if you let her, you’re going to regret it, Spencer. You know better than to cross me. Remember the last time—”

“Excuse me,” Molly said as she tried to squeeze past them as she exited the library.

“Ugh, can’t you see you’re in the way,” Tiffany spat out at Molly. “You’re so annoying.”

“Believe me, I don’t want to interrupt whatever this is,” Molly stated, gesturing to them both.

“You’re not interrupting anything important. It’s just Tiffany being Tiffany,” Spencer explained as he reached out and stopped Molly from continuing down the stairs. “Why don’t I walk you to your car?”

Molly glanced hesitantly at Tiffany, then back at Spencer. “No, I’m good, thanks. See you on Monday for our next session,” she said before hurrying away.

“Good riddance,” Tiffany shouted out after her.

As Spencer watched Molly walk away, he had to force himself not to chase after her. After a few moments, he turned his attention back to Tiffany, who was glaring at him.

“Now it all makes sense. You’ve fallen for that tutor girl,” Tiffany accused. “Wait until everyone hears about this. You’re going to be the laughing-stock of the school.”

“What?” Spencer sputtered out. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. The school is making me meet with her.”

“Maybe, but it seems like you rather enjoy her company. Never took you for the type that would be interested in a nerd like that. I guess there’s a first time for everything.”

Spencer’s stomach seized with fear. There was no way he could handle Tiffany blowing up his life. He needed to do damage control quick. Against his actual desires, he stretched out his arms and pulled Tiffany into them.

“Why don’t I take you to that movie, Tiffany? Let’s forget all about this misunderstanding.”

“You sure?” she asked, looking up into his eyes. “Cuz you just said we’re done.”

“Yes, but you said it best; we’re never really done.”

Even as he said the words, his heart filled with regret. He didn’t like misleading Tiffany when he knew deep down he didn’t want to be with her anymore. He was certain of one thing now; his heart belonged to Molly Price. Yet, he was too scared of what Tiffany would do if he truly ended things once and for all.

“Here’s your cup of coffee, Mr. Conrad,” Jane interrupted his thoughts as she placed the mug beside him on his desk. “Is there anything else I can get you?”

“No, I’m good. Just shut the door behind you, please.”

Spencer forced himself to focus on his caseload and not think about the past. It didn’t matter how much he regretted his decisions when it came to Molly, he was never going to be able to make up for it anyway. The damage had been too severe. Spencer was keenly aware that sometimes there just weren’t second chances.

---