Page 92 of The Infiniteness of Yesterday
“I had a shower at Daddy’s,” she mumbles.
“If I call him, is he going to confirm that answer?” She makes a small huff of annoyance, and I know the answer is no. “Pick out some pajamas and wash up.”
With a dramatic groan, she heaves off her bed and trudges over to her dresser where she pulls out the first pair on top in the drawer
Once she’s washed up and I’ve detangled and brushed her hair, she opts to put on a movie in my bedroom and set up a board game.
“Can I sleep in here tonight?” she asks, climbing up on my bed with one of her many stuffed animals.
“You want to have a sleepover?” She nods. “Yeah, sweetie, we can do that.”
I didn’t realize how neglected she must have been feeling. I feel like complete shit for not noticing sooner. I’m stretched thin between work and classes and since she loves Jameson, I hadn’t contemplated that she might want one on one time with only the two of us. That fact makes me feel incredibly selfish.
I promise to be more cognizant of it moving forward. I never want my little girl to feel like I’m not here for her.
CHAPTER 32
SPENCER
EIGHT YEARS AGO
Standing in the doorway of my dorm room I want to throw up.
T.J. was supposed to be here with me. We’d planned on doing everything we could to ensure we ended up roommates.
“Smile, honey,” my mom brushes past me with a box of my stuff. My father follows behind her with more stuff and I finally set down the things I’d been carrying. “You’re starting college. This is a happy time.”
My mom … I know she means well, but she just doesn’t get it. She tries, but it’s been months since T.J. passed and while I don’t think she expects me to be over it, I think she assumed I’d be in a better place by now.
I paste on a smile. “Like this?”
She frowns. “Maybe not quite like that. You might scare your roommate.” With a sigh, I let the smile fall. My dad claps me on the shoulder before heading back out. “Go help your dad. I’ll get to work putting your bed together.”
“Thanks,” I mutter, and turn to follow my dad, barely making it in time to catch the elevator thanks to my sluggish steps.
“Your mom means well,” he says, lightly bumping my shoulder with his.
Does he think I don’t know that?
“I know.”
He doesn’t say anything else which I appreciate. He’s not one for idle chat.
We grab another load from the car and take it up. It only leaves one more trip necessary since I didn’t pack much. I’m close to home, so if I need something it’s not a big deal to go back and get something.
I’m putting my clothes away in my closet when my roommate arrives.
A part of me wants to hate him simply because he’s not T.J. and he’s taking his place. But that’s not fair so I bury those emotions down and extend my hand in greeting.
“Hey,” I say. “I’m Spencer.”
“Parker,” he replies, and our parents introduce themselves.
I already knew his name from our roommate assignment papers, but beyond that I don’t know much else. I never accepted his follow request on Instagram. Shitty of me, I know, but it’s not like I’ve posted on there in months.
When everything on my side of the room is set up and Parker is nearly done with his—he has even less than I do, but he did bring his gaming system—my parents offer to take everyone out to eat. Parker and his parents attempt to decline, but mine aren’t taking no for an answer.
I’m annoyed, but I try to hide it. I just want to be alone, and I want to call Harlow. If I hear her voice, I’ll feel better.
