Crowded Spaces (Empty Halls sequel) *BoyxBoy*

Chapter 14

Raising an eyebrow and quaffing down the remaining wine in my glass, she picked up the bottle and poured a bit more into it, matching the original amount I had placed in there moments ago.

"The entire agreement hinges on this part as well." She said taking another large gulp of wine. "Once a week, you have to agree to a supervised time for no less than one hour with her and her husband."

I could feel the blood drain from my face immediately. I didn't want to see them, I didn't want to see him. Not after what he did and what she allowed. I could feel my body shaking a little bit as I picked up my glass and chugged the rest of it back, then grabbed the bottle and poured the remainder of its contents into mine and threw that back as well.

We sat in silence for a moment, something I was happy about so that I could think and process everything. I knew I didn't have a choice in the matter, it was the only way I could be with him, but god was the idea of it all was terrifying. Then as if reading my mind she confirmed the biggest concern I had about the issue.

"Alistair is allowed to supervise the visit, provided he can keep his cool and not punch your stepdad again, and the officer that was here earlier said that on the day the arrangement is set for he will be in the area and only a call away."

Finishing her sentence she slid a card over towards me with the name Officer Greenland, as well as his personal cellphone number. Thanking her once again for everything she has done, I gave her another hug and returned to my chair.

While the wine was doing its job and helping me relax a bit, my mind still drifted towards what Alistair had told me earlier. I had never seen him breakdown so heavily before, just thinking about how hurt and sad he was almost brought me to tears.

Sensing something was still wrong, Mrs. Stone voiced her concerns and was taken aback when I informed her of earlier.

"Alistair told me what happened to his parents."

I could still see the shock on her face as she processed my words. She didn't say anything for a moment as we sat in silence. I mean, there really isn't much one can say about it. It was tragic and horrible, and I hated how he blamed himself.

"You must really be something special, Azel. If he told you that, understand how difficult it was for him."

Her voice was flooded with sympathy and it just now clicked that he lost his mother, but she lost her sister that day too. A few tears fell from her eyes as she sat in silence before speaking again.

"I don't like that he blames himself either." She stated as if reading my mind once again. "My father, the way he is treating Alistair is as horrible as what your mom is doing to you. I don't blame him, he just wanted his parents there."

"That's what I tried to tell him as well." I replied sheepishly, lowering my head. "I just wish there was a way to take away his pain."

"You already are doing that, Azel. Seeing him with you is the happiest I have ever seen him. He gets better day by day, and that's because of you."

Smiling at her words, I thanked her once again and asked if she had seen the letter his grandfather sent.

"Of course I've seen it." She scoffed. "As if I'm going to allow any of that to happen. He's in my custody, and he will go there with the family that chose to love a kid who lost his parents in a horrible accident, and will show up in front of him if necessary!"

My respect for this woman grew with each passing moment, with every sentence that she said. Smiling back at me she paused all of the sudden and began to stare at me.

"Something about the date bothers me though. I mean, obviously it's a bad day, but why does the date he picked sound so familiar?"

She sat there lost in thought trying to figure out what it was I already knew. A date I was used to spending alone. A date that I managed to avoid dealing with last year due to everything that happened with my dad.

"Oh my god!" She exclaimed rather suddenly, pulling me from my thoughts. "The date, that's your birthday!"

Trying to get her to lower her voice so she didn't wake up Alistair or the other guys, I tried to quietly tell her I don't celebrate my birthday and with it being on that day, I wasn't going to bring it up and just be there for Alistair.

"We need to plan!" She said excitedly, still a little too loud. "We need to make it a great one! You'll be turning eighteen!"

Trying to hush her again she quickly blew off my attempts and cut my words short.

"Alistair is going to want to make you happy, Azel, and on that day he is going to need a few happy moments so please, let us do something for it."

I wanted to argue what she was saying, but she silenced me by holding up her hands and informing me she was going to bed, but quickly added that we don't need to attend school tomorrow as she will make the arrangements on that part before getting up from her chair and walking towards her room, leaving me in the quiet dimly lit room.

What she said had truth to it, but I also just want to be there for him on the day he needs me the most. Getting up from the chair and grabbing our wine glasses, I rinsed them off in the sink and headed for the room Alistair and I now shared. Quietly as I could, I stripped down and climbed into bed, but made sure ti turn off my alarms for school tomorrow, that way the two of us could sleep in.

As if instinctually his body reacted and immediately pulled me into his arms and tightly against his body. I could feel his slow labored breathing on my neck letting me know he was still asleep. Letting the entirety of the day wash over me, it didn't take long for me to start feeling the wine I had consumed and slowly started to relax. The warmth of his body allowed me to melt into him, slowly succumbing to the sleep my body had been denied the last few days.

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