Chapter 21
ALFIE
I’m adjusting a few variations on my screen, trying to make the data show me what I want to see as footsteps echo through the lab. Expensive heels click, clack. I don’t need to look up to know who it is.
I adjust the pressure parameters, refusing to turn around. “What do you want?”
“Can’t a mother check on her son?” She perches on the edge of my desk, her manicured fingers trailing over my research notes. I have the urge to swat them away. “Though I must say, this isn’t exactly what we pictured for you.”
“We?”
“The board, darling. Speaking of which - how is Professor Hammond’s funding request coming along? Such important work she does. It would be a shame if the foundation had to... reallocate resources.”
My hands still on the keyboard. “Don’t.”
“Don’t what?” She picks up one of my mineral samples, examining it like it’s a curious insect. “I’m simply making conversation about the department’s future. After all, the Spencer Family Foundation has been very generous with the geology program. Particularly this fascinating Europa research.”
“Leave my research out of this.”
“Why should I?” Her smile sharpens. “Especially when you seem so determined to embarrass the family with this little bartender situation. Really, Alfie. What are you thinking?”
I stand abruptly, my chair scraping against the floor. “We’re done here.”
“Are we?” She sets down the sample with careful precision. “You know, your grandfather’s grant is up for renewal. The foundation board meets next month to discuss priorities.”
“You’d really do that?” My voice comes out rough. “Destroy years of research just because I won’t play your games?”
“Games?” She laughs softly. “Oh darling, this isn’t a game. This is about family legacy. About maintaining certain standards.” Her expression softens into something almost maternal. “We only want what’s best for you.”
“What’s best for the family name, you mean.”
“Aren’t they the same thing?” She straightens, brushing invisible dust from her designer suit. “Think about it, darling. How many years of work would be affected? How many careers? All those brilliant minds, counting on continued funding...” She sighs dramatically. “Such a responsibility.”
My jaw clenches so tight it hurts. She knows she has me. It’s part of how she rose to the top, and how she stays there. Everyone thinks Dad’s in charge, that he’s the reason the Spencers have so much status and power, but they’re all wrong.
“Now,” her voice turns bright, business-like, “I’ll see you at the donor dinner. Yes?”
I say nothing, staring at my data until the numbers swim.
“Wonderful.” She pats my cheek like I’m still five years old. “See? That wasn’t so difficult.”
Her heels click toward the door, then pause. “Oh, and Alfie? Shave that stubble, you look like you live on the streets.”
I wait until she’s gone before slamming my hand against the desk, sending papers scattering. The worst part isn’t even the threat. It’s how easily she switches from threatening my entire career to critiquing my appearance, like she’s just being a helpful mother.
My phone lights up. A text from Tara. I don’t open it.
I stare at her name, guilt churning in my stomach. She has no idea what she’s gotten into. What my family’s really capable of.
But God help me, I’m too selfish to tell her to walk away.
“The calcium variations are definitely showing something,” Kinsey says, pointing to the screen. She’s grown more confident over the past few weeks, no longer flinching when I look over her shoulder. “But I can’t quite figure out what’s causing these anomalies in the pressure readings.”
I lean closer to the monitor, studying the patterns. Something’s off about the data, but I can’t put my finger on what. “Run it again. Maybe we missed—”
My phone buzzes.
Tink
Heading to work soon but wondered if you’re still at the lab. Need brain food? I just got pizza…
Despite myself, I smile at the screen.
“That must be Tara,” Kinsey says, and I glance up to find her watching me with a knowing look. “You only smile at your phone like that when it’s her.”
“I don’t smile at my phone.” I grumble, it was better when she was scared of me.
“Sure.” She turns back to the data, hiding a grin. “Tell her I say hi.”
Actually starving. You’re a lifesaver.
Of course I am. I’ll be 5 mins. Don’t solve all the universe’s mysteries before I get there
“I should head out anyway,” Kinsey says, gathering her things. “Some of us actually sleep at normal hours.”
“Sleep is for people who aren’t on the verge of breakthrough.”
“Uh-huh.” She pauses at the door. “You know, you’re different with her. In a good way.”
Before I can respond, she’s gone, leaving me with the data and my thoughts. I lose track of time staring at the screen until a familiar voice breaks through my concentration.
“Earth to Alfie! Or should I say Europa to Alfie?”
Tara stands in the doorway, pizza box balanced on one hand, wearing her work uniform under a cozy UMS hoodie. Her hair’s pulled up, and she’s got bright pink eyeshadow on making her blue eyes pop.
I want to tell her but I don’t. I want to tell her about my day. I want to tell her about how Kinsey’s started to warm up to me, how we actually work really well together when she isn’t afraid to speak her mind.
When did she become the first person I want to tell things to?
When did this stop being pretend?
She sets the pizza down, coming to peer at my screen. “Ooh, pretty colors. What are we looking at?”
“Pressure variations in the calcium formations.” I pull her closer, arm around her waist. “Something’s not adding up, but I can’t figure out what.”
“Explain it to me?” She settles into my lap like she belongs there, stealing a slice of pizza. “Use small words for the non-genius-chemists.”
“You’re plenty smart enough to understand.” I rest my chin on her shoulder, gesturing to the screen. “See these patterns? They should indicate standard mineral formation under specific pressures. But these anomalies here—”
“Wait.” She leans forward, pizza forgotten. “Are those time stamps correct?”
I blink. “What?”
“The readings. They’re happening faster than they should, right? Like, if the minerals were forming naturally?” She tilts her head, studying the data. “Remember that paper you made me read last week about crystallization rates? Wouldn’t that mean...”
“Holy shit.” I straighten up, nearly dumping her off my lap. “The pressure isn’t causing the formations. The formations are affecting the pressure.”
“Which means...”
“Which means there could be active geological processes we haven’t accounted for.” I start typing frantically. “If the mineral growth is happening this fast, it could indicate current subsurface activity, not just historical formations. Tara, this is—”
“Breakthrough worthy?” She grins, clearly pleased with herself.
“How did you—” I stop typing, staring at her. “You actually read that paper?”
“Of course, I did. You were excited about it.” She shrugs like it’s nothing. “Plus, the implications for potential microbial environments were fascinating. Even if some of the chemistry went over my head. Life on other planets though? Pretty cool stuff.”
I cup her face in my hands, making her look at me. “You’re actually brilliant, you know that?”
“I know.” She steals a quick kiss. “But it’s nice to hear you say it. Now eat your pizza before it gets cold. Some of us have work soon.”
“Stay?” The word slips out before I can stop it. “Just for a bit longer? I want to run these new calculations and you clearly understand this better than you let on and—”
“Alfie Spencer,” she cuts me off, eyes sparkling, “are you saying you want my company?”
“I’m saying I work better with you here.”
Her expression softens. “Smooth talker.” But she’s already settling back against me, reaching for her pizza. “Okay, explain these pressure readings to me again. And this time, don’t dumb it down.”
I tell myself it’s nothing.
That this is just comfort. Familiarity.
But when she leans in, too close, too easy, my pulse betrays me.
I press a kiss to her temple, unable to help myself.
“Well,” I start, pointing to the screen, “it all comes down to the relationship between pressure and time...”
Tara left for work a couple of hours ago and I’m leaving the lab with a little time to go home and shower before I stay up trying to beat Butterboi69 at Chess before I go to pick up Tara from work.
I check my phone as I click my car keys and chuckle. Sliding into the seat, I join the conversation. Troy has sent a selfie of him Kayaking on a lake, he’s grinning at the camera and flipping us off.
UMS LADS
Troy
Missing our weekend lake sessions boys
These kids are great but they're not as fun to dunk as Ethan
Ethan
HEY
I won’t come if you keep dunking me
it’s unfair and cruel
Freddie
You have every opportunity to defend yourself
Plus you have a complete lack of balance
it’s too easy
Alfie
And you’re usually still drunk from the night before
Troy
First weekend I'm back we're going to the Crystal Lake
No excuses @Alfie, even you have to leave the lab sometimes
Alfie
My research is time-sensitive
Some of us have actual work to do
Troy
Stfu and say you'll come
Need my best friend to help me throw
Ethan
Wow.
He’s your best friend.
Ok.
Cool.
Troy
You’re all my best friends
Ethan
But also yes please come back Troy, Alfie's been extra broody lately
He won't even play Mario Kart with me
Alfie
Because you cry when you lose
Freddie
Can confirm the crying
Ethan
And Freddies all sad becasue Alex is away. Come back Troy. Pls.
Troy
The legend will return soon.
Gotta go, morning activities starting
But seriously - Crystal Lake, first weekend back
No excuses