12 Chapter XII

I was angry. God was I angry and for a good reason. How could they not tell me?! They could've given me a heads up, so I had time to prepare. Instead, they dumped that very vital information literally last minute. Now I know how Titanic felt when he saw that iceberg. I didn't realize how much I was fuming until I saw Spencers' reaction upon my entrance. I do admit that I didn't need to slam the door that hard. I'm not sorry about it though. I practically threw myself on the chair.

"Fuck me!" I screamed in anger.

The words came out before I could stop myself.

"Sure. You lock the door and I'll get the lube."

I threw him a glare, but he did get me to smile a little.

"Will you tell me what is wrong or will you keep sending death stares to that wall."

His reading material was now closed and his whole attention was on me. My brain instantly started making a pros and cons list. On one hand, if I do tell him he will probably go all shrink on my ass, which annoys me to no end, but on the other hand, he could be useful. Telling him would be a mistake, yet...

"My mom's coming."

His eyebrows shot up.

"That doesn't sound so bad."

"Because you don't know her."

"Why don't you want her here?"

I sighed. Why did I have to open my mouth? Now I will be forced to play 20 questions with Spencer. Why did I think this was a good idea?

"I don't mind seeing her. What I do mind is dad and Victoria not telling me she's coming. I need time to prepare."

"For your mother?"

"Yes, mentally. We haven't had a Christmas together in a while and I honestly didn't really mind that."

"Why?"

"Because celebrating Christmas with my mom includes going to a mass."

He chuckled: "That can't be the only reason."

I shook my head: "It's not. It isn't even a main thing."

"What is then?"

I dragged my fingers through my hair.

"She-We don't really know how to act towards each other. I don't know what to say to her."

I looked down at my hands. His expression softened: "She is your mother."

"Do you always know what to say to your mom?"

The second I said it, I realized what I did. His gaze dropped.

"Shit Spencer, I'm sorry, I didn't..."

"No it's fine," he cleared his throat: "And no, I didn't. Even when she was alive our conversations weren't that, um, frequent. So, yeah I get it. It was stupid of me to...say that."

"No, in a way you are right. I should know what to say to my own mother."

There was a tense silence. When he smiled I felt relieved.

"What is she like?"

"Oh, you will meet her soon enough."

"When is she coming?"

"Her plane lands this evening, which means she will come to visit me and Vicky tomorrow and the absolute best thing is that she is staying for the office party."

The Christmas party was always held three weeks before the actual Christmas. For some reason. When I saw the decorations, I always felt like I'm in one of those stores that have their lights and Santas out in November already. The party is in two days.

That was when I remembered: "You should bring Matthew."

"What?"

"Yeah, everyone always brings their partners."

"I-I, um, I don't think so."

"Oh right, you are still doing the whole ˝I'm straight˝ thing."

"How do you mean still? It has only been two weeks since you found out."

"But you have been pretending for almost a year now."

"I'm not really pretending, I just don't correct people when they assume I have a girlfriend. I mean, I am half straight."

"Half straight? That has to be one of the stupidest things you have ever uttered."

"Maybe, but can be very useful with people who feel threatened easily or with jealous types. To straight people, I say I'm half straight and to gay ones I say I'm half gay."

"That just sounds like you are some kind of hybrid."

                                                                               X

When I came to work I thought that I would have a few hours before her arrival. Oh silly me. When I stepped out of the elevator, she was already in the conference room. I wanted to avoid her for as long as possible, but she saw me and waved through the glass walls. I forced myself to smile and opened the door.

"Lukas, honey!" she sang in her heavy Texan accent.

She hugged me and kissed me on the cheek.

"Hi, mom."

"You could at least try to sound a little bit excited."

"HI, MOM!"

She smirked in a way I usually do. I probably got that from her.

"How's work?"

"I'm putting my criminology degree to good use."

"Avoiding the question I see."

She brushed over my cheek with her thumb like she wanted to smooth my skin. She always does that.

"Are you ok?" her voice was softer and quieter.

"I'm fine."

"I wanted to come and see you but..."

"It's fine mom. I understand."

I didn't feel like hearing her bullshit excuses again. She clapped her hands together. 

"Well, Victoria was just telling me about your partner."

When she turned to my sister I quickly wiped lipstick off my cheek. I hated the feel of lipstick on my skin. Kissing girls that wear a lot of it, is just a nightmare. Everything smears all over your face and it's just...not appealing at all.

"Cool."

"What happened to your last one?"

"Um..."

"He slept with her, so dad decided to assign him a guy."

"Victoria!"

Mom chuckled: "Do you really think that I don't know my children have sex? You are 24 Luke, I know you are not a virgin. I hoped you would wait until marriage, but what can I do."

I didn't want to listen to this.

"Can you introduce me?"

That was when he walked in. Speak of the devil...

"Uh, sorry, I just wanted to give Victoria my statement about the parole case."

He handed her the file. 

"Thank you."

"And you are?" my mom asked him all sweetly.

"Aron Spencer. Nice to meet you."

She offered him her hand, but in a way I knew, she expected him to kiss it. Spencer just shook it. I smiled and mom looked confused. 

"I'm Savannah Rogers. A pleasure is all mine."

He just stood before her awkwardly. Mom was evaluating him. 

"So you are my son's new partner."

Judging from his face he just figured out she is my mom. Idiot.

"Yes, I am."

"What's like, working with him?"

He gulped.

"We work well together."

"That's good to hear. He doesn't usually work well with anyone."

I bit my tongue. We locked eyes. He knew exactly what I wanted him to do.

"It was very nice to meet you, but I have to go back to work."

He said his goodbye and disappeared through the doors. 

Mom's mouth twisted in a smirk once again.

"You were right," she said to Vicky, "He is cute."

Victoria blushed.

"You two would make a very nice couple."

I wanted to laugh. Hysterically.

"Mom..."

She looked embarrassed.

"What? It's true. You have good taste. Like your mother."

I rolled my eyes.

"Is that right? The last time I checked you were divorced."

That came out bitter.

"You're right. Our marriage didn't work, but that doesn't mean we didn't have fun."

She again turned to my sister: "And I think you and Aron could have a lot of fun."

I cringed. Please kill me.