Someone to Love

by Riley Rhea

  Lexi: I’m counting on it.

  Damn, that woman. No more has to be said than that and my cock is already semi erect. The way she makes me feel may scare me, but the affect she has on my libido is amazing and I’m all for it.

  It’s not very long before I hear a truck roar down the road. I know without a shadow of doubt it’s Tucker. He’s bugged me all week to find out from Lexi where the wedding was going to be. There is no way I would have ruined this for him.

  When Tucker walks up, he greets us and starts pacing back and forth. Lewis won’t need to mow this area for a while because Tucker is definitely wearing down the grass. I wait for him to pass me again before I speak, “Hey man, there’s no reason to be nervous.” Tucker looks at me like I’m crazy; I know he’s not so much as nervous as he is anxious.

  Before I can say anything else to him, my phone vibrates again.

  Lexi: Brenna wants to know if her man is here yet?

  Spencer: Yup, and if she doesn’t hurry up he may pass out from exhaustion from all the pacing he’s doing.

  Lexi: LOL!! Well I think we’re about to get this party started. Shh don’t tell him but we’re on our way.

  I inwardly smile and type back.

  Spencer: Better hurry the grass is getting thin.

  Tucking my phone back into my pocket I try my best not to look down the lane and give away that they are on their way. I continue to watch Tucker pace and when he stops dead in his tracks, the look that passes over his face radiates so much happiness and love that I get it. No matter what happens in the past the future can hold so much more. It’s time for me to let go of the past and move forward.

  Turning around, I see the most beautiful site I’ve seen in days. Lexi smiles brightly at me, and my heart skips a beat and the breath leaves my body. I’m struck speechless. She is absolutely stunning. In this moment I know this woman is worth putting my heart on the line.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Lexi

  The simplicity of Brenna and Tucker’s wedding really fits them. Moisture pools in my eyes as they speak their vows to one another. This is the perfect place and moment. I’m so glad I brought my camera along with me today to capture this memory for them.

  Finally the preacher proclaims them husband and wife. I capture the picture of Tucker lifting Brenna and kissing her for all he’s worth. After a few moments I say loudly, “Who brought the popcorn?” Of course, only the four of us knows what I’m talking about, and we laugh, everyone else looks at us like we’ve lost our marbles.

  As everyone begins making their way toward the house, I realize Tucker and Brenna aren’t behind us. Turning around, I notice them standing next to their tree. I raise my camera and zoom to snap the picture. This is what true love looks like.

  “Do you see that, Spencer?”

  “What am I looking at?”

  “Them,” I say, nodding toward Brenna and Tucker.

  “Yeah, I see them.” He replies.

  “That right there proves fairy tales do come true.”

  Spencer stares at Brenna and Tucker a moment longer before turning to face me. He takes my face in his hands and lowers his face to mine. “I’m beginning to believe you’re right about that,” he breathes against my lips right before he places the sweetest kiss there.

  Intertwining our hands, we once again begin walking toward the house where the small reception will take place. When we walk in the front door we can hear music playing and laughter. Letting the sounds lead us, we find the others inside the den and the room looks great. Brenna may have wanted the simplicity of nature for her wedding, but her mother turned Lewis’s den into a real reception.

  Sitting on a lace covered table is a small, but beautiful two-tiered cake with a bride and groom on top, a punch bowl, and an assortment of finger foods. On the end of the table are wrapped presents. I watch as Lewis places an envelope against the wall behind all the other gifts. Being the outstanding friend that I am, I make sure to capture it all on film.

  I can’t wait to see Brenna’s reaction when she sees what her mom has pulled together without her knowing. I spot Caroline gazing out the window. Stepping up beside her, I look to see what has her attention but don’t see anything.

  “Are you okay, Caroline?” I ask her softly, placing my hand on her arm.

  “Oh, Lexi, I’m okay. Just a little sad that my baby girl is all grown up now.”

  I watch as Caroline’s eyes begin to fill with tears.

  “She’s in good hands, ya know. That man loves her completely.”

  “I almost ruined it all for them, Lexi.” Caroline says in a broken voice.

  “But you didn’t. They’re together now and that’s all that matters. Who’s to say that it would have worked out this way for them if you hadn’t intervened when you did?”

  “But…” She begins, but I shake my head to stop her.

  “No, no buts. You did what you thought was right at the time to protect your daughter. No one holds that against you. Brenna and Tucker have forgiven you. Now it’s time you forgive yourself.”

  “I know, Lexi, but there are so many wasted years now.”

  “Maybe, maybe not. Still it doesn’t matter. They found their way back to one another and now they have many years ahead of them to make up for all the years they’ve missed.”

  Caroline embraces me before asking, “How’d you get so smart?”

  Pulling back, I grin at her. “I read a lot of romance novels.”

  We are both laughing softly when Brenna and Tucker finally decide to grace us with their presence. Time to get this reception started. That cake is calling my name.

  * * *

  Spencer

  Since the moment the wedding ended, all I can think about is trying to get Lexi alone. Now, I’m standing with Lewis, Tom, and Anna, barely listening to them talk as I observe Lexi photograph the room. Once she puts her camera down, I start to step toward her, but she walks over to Caroline. The two of them are so deep in conversation that I know not to interrupt them. I’ll have her alone, eventually.

  Brenna and Tucker finally join us and everything seems to be moving at a faster pace now. No doubt Tucker is trying to hurry up and get his bride home. After the presents are all opened and the cake has been eaten, Lexi walks over to the CD player and plays Wanted by Hunter Hayes. Tucker takes Brenna in his arms and they have their first dance as husband and wife.

  After their dance is finished, Lewis and Tom both take a turn with the bride as Caroline and Anna do the same with Tucker. Lexi continues to snap pictures, and then finally Brenna instructs her it’s her turn to dance. Finally, I have Lexi in my arms and as the song begins to play the words fit us so well. I can’t break eye contact with her as Now That I’ve Found You plays. The lyrics and the music hit me hard. I feel as though the song was written just for us.

  As the final strands of the song play out, I lean in close to Lexi’s ear. “You ready to get out of here?”

  Lexi gives me a coy look before answering, “What? You think you’re gonna get me to go to that barn with you?”

  My mouth curves into a smirk. “Absolutely.”

  Lexi doesn’t say a word, but she takes a hold of my hand and leads the way out of the house. Once we are outside and a little ways away from the house she begins to speak. “Can you believe that Lewis gave them all that land around their tree? How amazeballs is that?”

  “It was a pretty amazing gift.” What else is there to say, it was. Her grandfather had given them a hundred acres surrounding the oak tree that they spent so much time together as children.

  “It’s really great that they’ll be able to raise their children right there where their story began.” Lexi mummers, her voice filled with awe. She may be a bit spunky, a tad of a smart ass, but she is a huge romantic.

  “Yeah, I’m sure Tucker will waste no time getting that house built before their baby is born.”

  We hustle across the yard and reach the barn. The place held so many memories for
Brenna and Tucker. But I planned on leaving our own memories in the old barn by the time we leave.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Lexi

  Four weeks later…

  The past four weeks have been so busy, between getting all my sketches ready for the show to spending every free moment I could with Spencer. Things have been going great between us and I can feel our bond growing more and more each day. I really wish he was here with me now to calm my nerves.

  Today is the day I’ve been preparing for. I decided to spend the night in Nashville, Tennessee so I could arrive early enough to set up my exhibit. I’m a combination of scared shitless and excited as a child going to a fair for the first time. Pulling my car into the parking lot of The First Center for Visual Arts my stomach decides to learn acrobatics.

  Flipping down the visor, I look into the mirror and say to myself, “Suck it up, Lexi, you can do this!”

  After a few deep breaths, I open my door and get out of my car. I unload the trunk, pulling out one canvas at a time and taking them inside where I’ll be setting up. I want to get my display done before my parents arrive. I smile as I inspect the canvases displayed in front of me. I had such a hard time deciding what to show and it wasn’t until a few days ago that I picked these four.

  On the first three easels is a triptych, a picture in three parts. It’s not your typical triptych, which is one picture split into three, but rather three different images in one to show a story. In the first one is a huge Oak tree in the middle of an open field with a young boy and girl sitting together on a branch. The second is the same tree with a carved heart showing the initials TW + BJ and here I decided to add some script of my own, so underneath the tree it says A Forever Kind of Love. The third image is my favorite. It’s Brenna and Tucker on their wedding day standing under their tree. I’m kinda glad they aren’t going to be able to make it here today because I plan to give them this as part of their house warming present for their new home.

  Even though I love the series I did for Brenna and Tucker, the last one brings a huge smile to my face. If Spencer knew that I was displaying this one he may very well kick my ass. This is what happens when I wake up before him, the artist in me capturing as much on film as possible so it can go to canvas. Spencer is lying in bed on his back sound asleep; one arm is thrown over his head while the other is reaching across the bed. The only part of him that isn’t exposed is his groin. I caught every line and angle of his body. The V at his hips, is scruff along his chin, the muscles in his arms. All in black and white.

  Once I’m all set up I decide to walk around and see what everyone else has on display. There’s a little bit of everything here today and I love seeing so many amateur artists in one place. I spot a display a little further down with what appears to be landscape photography and know I have to check it out. I’m so caught up in the different views of the same images in front of me that I jump when I hear a ladies voice behind me.

  “He’s quite talented, isn’t he?” She says.

  “Yes, he is. I love how he captures it all in so many different angles and compiles them together.” I’m really impressed with this display I’ve never seen anything like it before.

  “I’m sure he’d love to hear you say that, if you have a few minutes he’ll be right back. He’s just getting the boys out of the car for me.”

  “Sounds great, I’m just killing time until the doors open to the public,” I reply.

  She begins asking me if I have art on display here and where it is. All I can do is nod and point. The sight coming to me has my stomach doing acrobatics again and my heart in my throat. I feel like I can’t breathe. Walking toward us is Spencer pushing a double stroller, he hasn’t noticed me yet since he’s smiling down at the babies inside.

  Why is he here with her? Are those his babies? How could I be so stupid?

  “Are you okay?” I barely hear her voice. I feel like I’m in a tunnel and it’s closing in on me. Shaking my head at her, I begin walking toward Spencer.

  Before I can stop myself, my hand connects with his cheek. Between clenched teeth, I hiss, “Fuck you, Spencer Jacobs, I hope you’re happy.”

  He tries to say something in reply. I don’t care. I don’t want to hear it. I begin to walk as fast as I can toward the exit. When I reach the door leading outside, his footsteps pound behind me as he calls out to me to wait.

  Hell no, I won’t wait. I have to get out of here. I run as fast as I can in the direction of the parking lot. My only thought is to escape. Digging in my purse for my keys I don’t even see the stairs in front of me until it’s too late. Pain radiates from my ankle. My heel snaps and I lose my footing completely, falling forward. I try to grab a hold of the metal railing to stop my momentum with no luck. Then as if I wasn’t already broken enough, my head connects with the last step. My vision goes blurry.

  The last thing I hear is a man’s voice yelling to someone to call 911 before my world goes black.

  * * *

  Spencer

  “Hey Tucker, can you hand me that wrench on the counter?” I yell from under the Ford I’m working on.

  “Yep, here ya go,” he says as he places it in my hand. “You gonna try to get out of here in time to head to Nashville to see Lexi’s exhibit?”

  “I don’t think so, man. I told her I couldn’t make it.” I feel like such a jackass for not going, but this is just something I couldn’t bring myself to doing yet. Vance and I had always said that one day we’d go and show off our work at that museum when it was open to amateurs and we never got the chance.

  “Brenna was going to go, but she wasn’t feeling well last night so Lexi told her to get better and she could see her work later.”

  “Yeah, that’s basically what she told me too. I wonder what she decided on showing.” The little brat never would give me so much as a hint.

  “Dunno, she wouldn’t tell Brenna either.” Tucker says.

  “Wouldn’t tell me what?” I hear Brenna’s voice as she walks into the garage.

  “What Lexi is showing in Nashville?” Tucker answers her.

  “Nope, she’s been pretty closed lipped about it, which is unlike Lexi. So I’m thinking she’s probably up to something. Maybe it’s nudies of Spencer.” Brenna laughs.

  Oh hell, I didn’t even think about that at all and she does have that one sketch she did of me in the shower. Tucker and Brenna are both laughing when I hear my phone ring.

  “You want me to grab your phone Spence?” Tucker asks.

  “Naw, man. I’ll call them back in just a minute I’m bout done anyway.”

  As Tucker and Brenna talk about baby stuff, I tune them out. I just want to get this truck done so I can get out of here and cleaned up by the time Lexi gets back tonight.

  “Who is this and why do you have Lexi’s phone?” I hear Brenna say frantically.

  I slide out from under the truck and before I can get to her to take her phone away to see who has Lexi’s phone, Brenna’s face loses all color.

  “Oh my God, is she okay? Where is she?” She’s staring at me as she listens to whoever is on the other line. “Yes, he’s standing in front of me and we’re on our way. If she wakes up before we get there please tell her we’re coming.”

  “Tell me.” It’s the only thing I can get to come out of my mouth. My heart is beating furiously in my chest and I know I have to get to her as fast as I can.

  “She’s on her way to Vanderbilt Medical Center. He said he doesn’t know how bad she’s hurt, all he knows is that she fell down the steps, hit her head hard and hadn’t woken up by the time the ambulance got there.” Brenna says as tears begin running down her cheeks.

  I make a beeline for my truck, but Tucker stops me to tell me he’s driving. We all rush to Brenna’s Xterra, and with the hazard lights blinking, Tucker pushes the pedal to the floor and squeals out of the parking lot.

  No one says a word as we make the longest trip of my life. The fear and anxiety in is so thick in the vehicle, and
all I can think is that I should have put my bullshit aside and went with her.

  When I see the sign that says Welcome to Tennessee I remember hearing Brenna ask who she was talking to. “Brenna?”

  “Yeah, Spencer.”

  “Who was it that called from Lexi’s phone?” In the pit of my stomach I think I know who it was, but what are the odds that he would possibly be there the exact moment this happened?

  “He said he was your brother, Vance.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Spencer

  Fuck! I have a feeling this is my entire fault. Me and my stupid pride and being too damn embarrassed to tell Lexi what happened in the past. I don’t even care at the moment that I may have to come face to face with Vance. All I care about is getting to Lexi.

  Neither Brenna or Tucker question me about Vance and for that I’m grateful. I just don’t have it in me to explain to them why I’ve never mentioned my brother. I will tell them soon, right after I see that Lexi is okay and explain everything to her. She is the first person that needs to know.

  We arrive at Vanderbilt in record time. I waste no time jumping out of the vehicle and racing into the emergency department. As soon as I enter the waiting room I spot my parents standing with the Allen’s.

  “Spencer!” My mom and Alice, Lexi’s mom both exclaim at the same time.

  I wrap my arms around my mother that I haven’t seen in far too long and all the fear and anxiety I’ve been holding in comes pouring out. I’ve never been in this situation before, and to have my mom here with me in this moment means so much to me. Looking over mom’s head at Alice, I see the same fear reflected in her eyes.

  Releasing my mom, I wrap my arms around Alice. “Please tell me she’s going to be okay, Alice.”

  “We don’t know much yet; the doctors are still in with her,” Alice answers me with a trembling voice.

  “Don’t you two worry yourselves too much. Our Lexi will be just fine. She’s a fighter,” Sam interjects with so much conviction that I believe him as he takes his wife in his arms.