“I’m the one who’s been covering your ass and taking care of you since our world fell apart.” I pull her up by the hood of her jacket and push her towards my bedroom door. “Now control yourself and go change your clothes.” She glares at me for a moment then storms out. Her door slams loudly, echoing throughout the quiet house.

I’m waiting on the living room couch when she comes down properly dressed. She doesn’t look at me; she just stands there waiting by the door. I’m not going to let her make me feel bad for knocking some sense into her. Better now than at dinner, God I hope she bites that sharp tongue of hers.

“I need you to excuse yourself sometime while we’re there and go find Paula’s study.” I pull out a flash drive and offer it to her. She stares at the door, continuing her silent treatment. I stuff it in her front pocket. “Try to pull some files off her computer, if you need any help contact Tech Support. Don’t be gone too long, please Max just do your job.” She wordlessly walks out the front door. Hopefully Paula doesn’t keep all of her work separate from her family because I can’t sneak into the facility for some documents only and I don’t want to forget it in my haste. I turn off all the lights before following her. Walking up to the Carlin residence I don’t see a car that doesn’t belong there, he must not be here yet. My heart is beating a mile a minute when we step up to their doorstep. Does Spencer even know I’m coming? What if she doesn’t want to see me? This is obviously some twisted game Paula is playing but what if Spencer is playing it too. Max puts me out of my misery and rings the doorbell. If I can get over my fear of heights and drowning then I can attend a simple dinner.

“Alex, Skylar I’m glad you could make it.” I relax immediately and smile at the caring man.

“We wouldn’t miss a free meal for anything.” Max finally speaks up. She is right though, especially a home cooked meal. Mr. Carlin laughs then ushers us inside.