Spencer spent most of her flight from Boston to LA thinking about Ashley. How was she going to explain how her life had changed since moving to Boston? Could she even bring herself to tell Ashley the real reason she left?

“Ok Spence whatever you are thinking about, stop.” Kris said. “You are gonna make your brain explode.”

“I know but I need to come up with a game plan.”

“Ah the big talk with Ashley.”

“Exactly. What do I say to her without hurting her?”

“Well if you say you’re moving back to her you won’t hurt her.”

“Kris I’m not gonna lie to her just to make her feel better.”

“Spence here’s what I don’t understand. Why did you ever leave in the first place. Why walk out on a major hottie you are nuts about. She’s got money, you had a spot at UCLA, it doesn’t make sense.”

Spencer took a deep breath then spoke, “My dad.”

“Really? I’d say fuck him, you were set.”

“Except I just turned eighteen last week.”

“Yeah I kinda remember the bash but what does that have to do with anything?”

“My dad was gonna press charges against Ash if I didn’t go to Boston. He thought she corrupted me. In his eyes if I got away from her this whole gay thing would just disappear. I couldn’t live with myself if I let dad ruin Ash’s life.”

“From what you have said about her she would have fought him. And she doesn’t seem to take shit from anyone so it probably would have been ok.”

“That’s the problem. Arthur Carlin always get his way. Kids well behaved and silent, wife on hand when needed and other people either bow to his will or they get crushed.”

“No offense Spence but your dad sounds like an asshole.”

“None taken cause he is. I’m just thankful that mom didn’t buy into his bullshit. She helped Ash and I be together without him knowing.”

“Then why did the shit hit the fan? Couldn’t you and Ash play the just roomies card?”

“We could have if I wasn’t so dumb. I insisted when I moved out to tell him the truth.”

“Wow. I’m not sure if that was really brave or really dumb Spence.”