Running On Empty

by Emily Camp

  “I still want you to come to dinner sometimes. Bring your brothers and sister. Even Carly.”

  “Dadada,” Bailey continued on Bree’s hip.

  “Okay, here you go.” Robin held out the cookies.

  “Thanks.”

  Robin leaned in and kissed Bailey on the cheek. “Bye, bye, Bails, Gramma will see you tomorrow. You are still going to the dance, right?”

  “I’m going to try. I don’t know with everything going on.”

  “If you need help with anything, let me know. It doesn’t even have to be about Bailey.”

  Why did Robin’s kindness only make her feel worse?

  ***

  The car ride home didn’t make her feel any better. She sat in the passenger side, staring out the window. Bailey was surprisingly quiet. She seemed to like Spencer’s car. It wasn’t as deafeningly loud as Garrett’s.

  Sometimes she wasn’t sure what to think of Spencer. Most of the time, he’d be loud, flirty, and funny, but right now, he seemed to be in a different world. She never knew what to do or say when he wasn’t talking, and she didn’t know why she cared. When he was the one flirting and laughing, it was easy.

  When things were quiet, it gave her time to think. That was the last thing she needed. To think about her failing grades, her worthless mother. Garrett. Robin.

  In her life and family class, she’d learned that a divorce effects at least 20 people. Though they were never married, it felt like she’d miss at least that many people from the break up.

  She looked over at Spencer, as he pulled in the apartment parking lot, his square jaw clenched, his blond hair spiked above his furrowed brow. If she felt it was her place, she’d ask him what was wrong.

  He didn’t speak as he parked and shut the car off. Was he mad she asked him for a ride? She could have waited for Parker or Carly.

  It didn’t take much to remove Bailey from her seat. When Bree was out of the car, she held her against her chest, blocking the cool wind from hitting Bailey in the face.

  “Breanna.” The small sobbing voice made Bree freeze.

  “You aren’t supposed to be here.” Spencer’s voice came out gruff.

  “This is between my daughter and me. It’s none of your business, Harris.” Mindy spat his last name out like it was bitter.

  When Bree turned, hugging Bailey tighter to her, Spencer was in between her and Mindy, standing a few inches taller than normal, as if to completely block them from her.

  “It’s between the courts and you. Leave Bree out of it.”

  “I don’t know who you think you are.” Mindy grew louder, her shrieking words echoing through the parking lot.

  Bree peeked around Spencer. Bailey still burrowed on her shoulder.

  “You and Parker think you’re so much better than me, Breanna.” Mindy’s skinny, bruised arms flew through the air.

  “Bree, get inside.”

  “Get over it, Harris. She’s my daughter.” She glared at Bree. “Bryson and Maggie are mine and you can’t take them from me. What if someone took your baby from you?”

  “She doesn’t put her baby in danger.” Spencer’s words were clipped.

  Bree stepped back, as if to give herself more room from the drama. Bailey bobbed her head up and took in a big gasp when the wind hit her face. Bree guided her face back to her chest.

  Spencer held his arms out to his sides like he was guarding someone on the basketball court, shielding them from Mindy. “I’ll call the cops if you don’t leave.” Spencer’s calm deep voice sent a chill down Bree’s spine, and she was the one he was protecting.

  “You kids think you know everything.” Mindy poked her head around Spencer, locking her deep black and blue eyes on Bree. “You’re just like me, Breanna. Face it, you had a baby before you were out of school. She’s not even crawling, and you’ve moved on to the next guy.”

  Spencer flipped his phone out as if it were a gun and pulled it to his ear. “This will only look worse on you when try to get them back.”

  “Fine,” Mindy held her hands up in surrender, her eye twitching.

  Bailey began to fuss against Bree, her little head wiggling. Bree’s cheeks burned, as the cold air screamed across them.

  “This isn’t over, Breanna.” She pointed a slinky finger at her. “I’ll be back, and I’ll get my kids.”

  “I doubt it,” Spencer said.

  Mindy glared at him, her ratty hair whipping through the air. “Nobody asked you.” And just like that, she stalked away, her ridiculous heels clicking on the blacktop.

  Bree’s heart didn’t slow with Mindy’s surrender. In fact, it sped up when Spencer turned to her, his arm reaching around her shoulder. “Are you okay?”

  Bree nodded, though didn’t speak. She looked up at the apartment, Bailey getting heavy in her arms.

  “She’s wrong, you know.”

  “Huh?” Bree shivered in the cold as she made her way toward the apartment.

  “You’re nothing like her.” Spencer’s footsteps pinged on the stairs behind her.

  “I know.” She patted Bailey with one hand, while keeping her pinned against her with the other.

  “I don’t think you do,” he said when Bree stopped at the door. With her hands full, he stepped around her, the wind sending a whiff of his musky cologne her way.

  “Please, Mindy is the last person I’d compare myself to.” She couldn’t look him in the eye as she said it. She stared at the shiny peep hole. Bree didn’t want anyone feeling pity for her, especially Spencer.

  Bailey went from a whimper to a full on cry as he unlocked the door and held it open for them. Bree rushed in. Shrugging the diaper bag off her shoulder, it landed with a thud on the sofa, while readjusting Bailey in the crook of her arm.

  “Do you need help?” Spencer shut the door with a click.

  “No, I got it.” She bent sideways, digging in the bag for the bottle Robin made up before she left.

  “I’ll take her.” Spencer reached for Bailey.

  “I got it.” Bree didn’t let go.

  “I’m just …”

  “It’s okay. I’m a mom. I have to do this on my own sometimes.” Bree finally located the bottle in the front pocket. Of course, where else would it be?

  Spencer slunk on the sofa and let out a small groan. His head in his hands. Bree shook up the formula just in case it settled on the way home. When she shoved it in Bailey’s mouth, she took it greedily, making little moaning noises and gripping the bottle with her chubby little hands, her eyes big and wet peering up at Bree.

  “When that girl wants to eat, you better get it for her,” Spencer chuckled, leaning back and stretching his arms out like the last twenty minutes never happened.

  “Yeah,” Bree eased down beside him. He turned on the television, because what male can sit in front of one without it actually being on?

  “I think everyone’s going to the game tonight.” He didn’t take his eyes off the screen as he pointed the remote and flipped through the guide. `

  “Probably.”

  “You’re not going?” He finally glanced Bree’s way.

  She nodded toward Bailey. “No babysitter. I didn’t want to go anyway.” Bree pulled the bottle out and propped Bailey on her shoulder.

  Spencer nodded.

  Bailey belched, and Bree brought her back down to the crook of her arm, giving her the bottle again.

  Spencer’s knee bounced beside her, shaking the entire sofa, his eyes zoned in on the television.

  Bree glared.

  Seconds passed before Spencer turned her way. “What?”

  “Can you not sit still, or do you need some of Bryson’s medicine?”

  Spencer quirked a smile, one that shouldn’t make her stomach fuzzy, but it did. Bree looked down at Bailey. Round, blue, Garrett shaped eyes blinked up at her. Bailey’s lids drooped a little more with each suckle. Her fingers wrapped around Bree’s pinky.

  Would her life ever be simple again? Garrett would always be a part
of it. Sometimes, with Spencer, she felt like the teenager she was.

  “You just need to relax.” Spencer nudged her.

  She felt him staring, but she didn’t look up. Bailey’s eyes slid shut and stayed this time, her mouth stopped and fell off the bottle. Bree tipped it up, almost empty. She should be down for a good couple hours now.

  “She sleeping?” Spencer leaned over Bree’s shoulder, invading her personal space, though, for some reason, she didn’t mind.

  “Yeah,” Bree whispered, rocking Bailey back and forth to make sure she was sleeping sound.

  “Hey, since the baby’s down, and we’re both losers and home on a Friday night …”

  “Home?” She held back a laugh. Technically, it was neither of their homes.

  “Well,” he scratched the back of his head. “We’re in, anyway. Let’s watch a movie and we can chill.”

  Bree raised an eyebrow at that. “Chill?”

  Eyes wide and jaw slack, he nodded. When Bree’s expression didn’t change, it was like a lightbulb went off in that dense, blond brain of his, his mouth stretching into a smile. “Well, I wasn’t thinking that, but we can if you want.”

  “As if we’d even be able to agree on a movie.”

  “Put the baby to bed, Martha, and I’ll make the popcorn,” he spoke with a drawl, rising from the sofa and slapping the fabric.

  Bree did laugh that time, though careful to not be too loud, it still made Bailey flinch. “Okay, George.”

  “Ahhh, see, I knew you’d be into role playing.” When he reached up, opening the cupboard, his white tee shirt snaked above his jeans.

  Bree stood with Bailey, her face feeling flush. She bounced her a little as she made her way down the hall. She eased Bailey into her pack and play. She could do this. She took in a deep breath and threw on a pair of pajama pants, bright pink with white stripes. She opened the top drawer and paused at the sight of Garrett’s football tee shirt folded on top. She glanced back at Bailey, her heart feeling hollow. With everything else going on, it was that moment when the breakup became real. Garrett more than likely would be crowned homecoming king to Queen Paige tonight, a more suitable couple than he was with Bree, anyway.

  Tossing the shirt to the side she found a ratty old white tee she wasn’t even sure where came from, but it was large and it drowned her body.

  By the time she’d made it back to the living room, Spencer was all set with a big bowl of popcorn, two sodas, and the movie paused.

  “Please tell me you didn’t pick anything nasty.” Bree collapsed on the cushion next to Spencer, not bothering to move when she slid into him, dipping her hand into the popcorn.

  Spencer chuckled, “Ye of little faith.” With one click, the movie started. “How do you feel about horror films?”

  “Hate them.” Horror was worse than the mindless action movies Garrett always wanted to watch. She plunked the popcorn in her mouth.

  “Well, I think I have just the one that may convert you.” His arm stretched over the back of the couch, behind her.

  “Are you trying to get me to cuddle up to you out of fear?” Bree curled her knees up to her chest and leaned toward the snacks, even though it was leaning toward Spencer. Somehow it didn’t feel awkward.

  “You got me.” He turned toward the movie with his smirk, dipping his hand in the bowl.

  Bree rested her head on her knees and stared at the poorly budgeted movie. “I think you’re starting to become my best friend.”

  “Ouch,” he held a hand to his heart. “I’ve been friend-zoned.”

  “Oh, like you care about that.” Bree nudged him.

  “Are there benefits?” He tossed a kernel in the air and caught it in his mouth.

  “Absolutely not,” Bree giggled, grabbing another handful of food.

  “Sounds boring.”

  Bree opened her mouth to speak again and Spencer leaned up. “Shhhh, this is the good part.”

  ****

  Being lifted off the sofa in her dreamy state, wasn’t something Bree was prepared for. She pretended to stay asleep like she used to when she was little and her dad put her in her bed.

  Spencer eased her into the comfy bed and pulled the covers up to her shoulders. The sheets, crisp and clean, she nuzzled in.

  She was somewhat alarmed when she felt lips press against her forehead, especially when they stayed there for a few seconds too long.

  She waited before opening her eyes to the silhouette of the back of Spencer exiting her dark room, the hallway light shining in.

  Spencer forehead kissed her … did that mean something? She wasn’t sure if she wanted to mean something to Spencer, but maybe part of her did.

  Chapter Twenty-four

  Bree stepped out of the bedroom in the sleeveless, orange dress. It hung all the way to her ankles and she felt like Cinderella in the clear heels, her hair pinned half up-half down in large chocolate curls.

  “Put your tongue back in your mouth, Spence.” Parker smacked Spencer in the back of the head.

  “Ouch,” Spencer winced, his eyes narrowed, rubbing his injury.

  Parker and Spencer stood side by side in dark suits, hair slicked back.

  “Parker, we’re waiting,” Carly opened the door, the crisp autumn air spilling in with her.

  Parker turned. The chest of Carly’s purple dress was decorated with silver rhinestones.

  “Dang girl, are you trying to kill me!” Parker’s eyes bugged out of his head like a cartoon character.

  Carly giggled, holding a hand to her hip and doing a side runway model pose. Parker let out a growl and took her in his arms. Carly’s laughter grew louder.

  Spencer stepped toward Bree, holding a corsage out. When she’d imagined this night, she’d always thought it’d be with Garrett. The image of it had been there so long, it almost seemed wrong that Spencer was her date.

  “Even if this isn’t real, you’re still the most beautiful date I’ve had.” His soft breath in her ear.

  “Spence,” her voice came out light and she stared at the orange flowers decorating her arm, “please don’t say things like that.”

  He tilted his head, his eyes narrow. “Why?”

  Bree never noticed how thick his lashes were before and how they were doing weird things to her stomach. “Because I don’t want to fall for you.”

  Spencer’s smile faded as he looked down at his shiny shoes. “I don’t want you to fall for me, either.”

  “Good.” Bree tugged on the plunging neckline.

  Carly and Parker were loud as they headed to the limo, the giggles and bantering echoing through the parking lot.

  Before she stepped outside, she paused and looked back, “Maybe we should lay some ground rules, you know, so it’s clear where we stand. Strictly friend stuff, unless Garrett’s in sight, then we need to make him, you know, think we are into each other.” Professional liar, that’s what she was. She wasn’t only lying to Spencer, but herself, as well. What was wrong with her? Spencer was her brother’s brother. Wasn’t that incest anyway?

  He put two fingers to his forehead and saluted. “Eye, eye captain. Ready boss? Since this isn’t a date, I don’t have to open any doors for you.” He pushed past her and was in the limo before she even made it downstairs in her heels.

  She held up the bottom of her dress and maneuvered herself into the limo, across from Carly. Spencer was already seated across from Parker.

  “You don’t have to be such a jerk.” She dropped the skirt and smoothed out the fabric, as she situated herself.

  “What do expect? I’m Spencer Harris, jerk and player at your service.” He stretched out, his arms wide across the back of the seat and his legs spread apart as far as they could, leaving Bree little room.

  “Dude, that’s my sister,” Parker scowled at Spencer.

  “She’s the one that wants this date to be all business. I’m giving her all business, she doesn’t have to worry about that. We can act like the happy couple in front of her jerk-baby-da
ddy.” Spencer’s words came out clipped and rushed. Parker’s foot met his shin. “Ow.”

  “I’m warning you, Spence,” Parker said through gritted teeth.

  “What is wrong with you?” Carly snarled at Spencer a second before her face lit up. “Spence, do you like her for real?”

  Parker’s eyes widened.

  “No.” Spencer said a little too quickly, his lip curled over his teeth as he glared at Bree.

  “Good.” Bree didn’t want him to like her.

  “Good,” he echoed, his knee bouncing beside her.

  ***

  At the dance, Spencer was two steps behind Bree until she spotted Garrett. She slowed, letting him catch up.

  Garrett leaned against the concession table with one elbow propped up on it, looking ridiculous in his white suit with a gold bow tie, bimbo Barbie by his side in her skanky little-gold-sequin-too-tight dress. They looked like they belonged in a Vegas show. Paige hung on Garrett’s arm, her hand clenched around his bicep like he was going to escape her, her platinum locks in waves under her tiara. The giant crown on Garrett’s head looked like something out of a cartoon, puffy with reds and golds.

  It was even more of a punch to the gut when she spotted Jake and Maggie standing with them.

  Parker almost got in a fight when Jake showed up for Maggie, but Bree talked him out of it, reasoning with him that if he stood in the way of Maggie’s first big dance he’d only drive a wedge between him and his youngest sister.

  “Come on Spencer,” Bree motioned with her corsage hand.

  He slid his arm around her back, his hand slid down to squeeze a cheek, making her jump.

  “If I’m on a pretend date, I’m going to treat you like it’s real,” he smirked, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “This is when you mindlessly giggle.”

  Like Maggie. She glanced back at her sister who was, indeed, giggling.

  “This is lame, how about we go back to the limo for a private dance.” He dipped his face down and kissed her neck. His voice rumbled against her skin.

  “Please don’t do that.” She spoke through the fake smile she had plastered on for Garrett. She wanted him to think she was having a great time.