Someone to Love

by Riley Rhea

  I’m pretty sure that me and Vance will get along just fine. Spencer comes back into the room with a nurse trailing him. I scowl at her when I notice she’s watching his ass. Bitch better be glad I’m in too much pain to punch her in her throat. As Spencer leans down to kiss me, I smile triumphantly. Then he moves to the side to allow her to give me my pain meds.

  After the nurse left, the door opens minutes later to my friends and family, along with two people I don’t recognize. From the looks of them, I assumed they are Spencer’s family. Spencer makes introductions and I really hate that I’m meeting them in a hospital bed. It’s probably a good thing there aren’t mirrors in this room to see what I look like. Because if I look like I feel, then I’m a pretty scary sight.

  It’s nice to have everyone right here with me and packed into this tiny room. Even under the circumstances, it was really nice to meet Spencer’s family. I’d really like to get to know Missy better. She’s been a little on the quiet side so far, but I have a feeling she would fit in just perfect with me and Brenna. The only people that are missing to make this little get together complete are Brenna and Tucker’s family and my brother, Drew. I can’t wait to have us all together, as one little happy family.

  Chapter Twenty

  Spencer

  For the first time in two years, I feel like I have my life back. I guess fate really does work in mysterious ways. If today never happened, who knows how much longer me and Vance would’ve gone without making things right? Knowing my stubborn ass, probably forever. On one hand I wish I’d confronted him then, but then on the other, I’m glad I didn’t since it led me to where I am now.

  There is a knock on the door. After a few of us announce to come in, Dr. Jennings and the nurse walk in. “Well, I’m glad to see you awake and smiling Miss Allen. How are you feeling?”

  “Not horrible, but kinda like I fell down some stairs.” Lexi states sarcastically. There’s my girl, always the smartass.

  Dr. Jennings lets out a low chuckle and begins to look over Lexi’s chart. “I’d say that’s because you did fall down some steps.” He shoots back at her. “You’re doing really well. If you keep up your good behavior, and are able to use the crutches to get to the bathroom, then how bout I set you free tomorrow?”

  “Seriously?” Lexi asks. Dr. Jennings nods at her. “Well, bring on the crutches. I’m sore and all, but I’m ready to go home. No offense doc, but hospitals kinda suck.”

  The nurse exits the room and returns shortly with a pair of crutches. I think if Lexi could bounce in the bed like a little girl, she would. She seems almost giddy.

  “I’ll be back in tomorrow to check on you and make sure you’re still doing well. If so, then you will be free to go home on one condition.”

  “I knew there would be a catch.” Lexi pouts.

  “You have to stay with someone who can help you for at least the first forty eight hours.” Dr. Jennings instructs.

  “That’s not a problem, Dr. Jennings I’ll take care of her,” I respond before anyone else has the chance. I give Tucker a look, silently asking him if he’ll give me the time off work to help Lexi. Tucker nods his approval.

  “Sounds good. Well, Miss Allen, behave and tomorrow you shall be free.” Dr. Jennings laughs as he exits the room.

  “I believe we are going to head home, Spencer. Lexi, it was very nice to meet you. Hopefully, we will see you again soon,” My mom says before she hugs me tight.

  “Missy, you and the boys want to ride home with us?” Dad questions.

  “I’ll take Missy home after we head over to the museum to get my stuff, but y’all can take the boys with y’all if you don’t mind,” Vance answers for her.

  My parents say their goodbyes to everyone, but before they leave they make sure to get a promise from me that I will bring Lexi to their house after she recovers. I of course, agree. This rift between me and Vance has been hard on them as well. Once they are gone, it seems like everyone else begins to follow suit.

  “I think Brenna and I are going to head back too. You riding back with us Spencer?” Tucker asks.

  “Nope, as long as it’s okay with Alice, I think I’ll stay here tonight,” I respond.

  “Hey, what if it’s not okay with Lexi?” Lexi jumps in before her mom can answer.

  “Oh, hush girl. Let this young man take care of you. Your mom and I are too damn old to be sleeping in hospital chairs.” Sam comes to my defense and Alice winks at me. I’ll have to thank them later. Sam and Alice leave shortly afterwards leaving only Vance and Missy.

  “Hey, Vance, you care if I ride over to the museum with you so I can get Lexi’s car and bring it here?”

  “Of course.” Vance answers. “You ready Missy?”

  “You are more than welcome to stay with me, Missy. Give us a chance to get to know one another,” Lexi says.

  “I’d like that.” Missy smiles as she takes the chair that I just abandoned.

  * * *

  Lexi

  Once the boys leave I waste no time being nosy. “So, are you and Vance together?”

  Missy laughs and shakes her head. “Everyone asks that, but truthfully, no. We’re just friends.”

  “Sorry, I’m nosy by nature.”

  “No worries, you can’t get to know someone without asking questions.” Missy says with a smile.

  “Truth. So, how long have you known them?” I ask..

  “I saw Spencer a handful of times when I was in college. Tessa was my roommate. Even though I knew of Vance, I never actually met him until a few weeks after Spencer left town.”

  “Tessa deserves a swift kick in the twat, if you ask me.” I say seriously.

  Missy begins laughing, “That she does.”

  “Spencer doesn’t talk about her at all,” I tell her. Spencer’s silence makes sense to me now, though. I think it was the thought of his brother being the other man that hurt him the most. I’m so glad things weren’t quite what they seemed. “Okay, enough about all that. How old are your babies?”

  “They are four months old.” Missy’s face transforms as her lips tip upward. I can tell she’s a proud mother.

  “At first I thought that Spencer was going to find out he was an uncle today.” I laugh.

  Missy lowers her head and begins fidgeting in her seat. “No, they aren’t Spencer’s nephews. Until today I’ve only ever seen one other person with eyes like yours.”

  “Really, may I ask whose?” My heart stutters as I speak the question. Why do I feel like her answer will impact my life?

  Missy raises her head, wipes away a tear, and says “His name is Drew and he’s my boy’s father.”

  OH MY GOD! There it is the impact on my life. I blink a few times in disbelief. Then I scan the room to locate my purse sitting on the table against the wall. “Can you hand me my purse please?” Once I have my purse, I dig out my phone and begin scrolling through my photo gallery. Finding a picture of Drew, I turn the phone toward Missy. “Is this your Drew?” I ask her, holding my breath as I wait for her response.

  Missy takes my phone and looks at the picture of Drew on the screen. She stares at the picture for a few minutes. Then her finger strokes the phone screen as another tear rolls down her cheek. “Yes, that’s him. I never got to tell him about the boys. We lost contact a few weeks after we parted.”

  “Do you want to tell him?” I ask her softly.

  “He deserves to know. I don’t know where he is though and if I ever get the chance I’d like to do it face to face,” Missy whispers while continuing to stare at my phone.

  “I can make that happen. He’s my brother and he’s coming home soon.” I can’t believe I have two nephews. I know my brother will want to know.

  Missy takes a deep breath. Her eyes dart about the room before landing on me. “I’d appreciate it, Lexi. The only thing I ask is that you not mention us, I’d like to be the one to tell him.”

  “Deal.” Oh yes, I’ll make this happen. It’s time I have a chat with my big bro a
nd as soon as I get the chance, I’ll be making that call.

  Missy and I chat about the twins. I learn their names are Camden and Colton, and are identical twins. We talk nonstop about whatever else pops into our heads until Spencer and Vance get back.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Spencer

  Silence hung between Vance and I until we turned onto the highway in the direction of the museum. “So, what’s up between you and Missy?” Small talk is better than nothing, right?

  Vance lets out a half groan and half laugh. “Nothing, man. We’ve always just been friends.”

  “Then I take it those boys aren’t yours?”

  “Naw, but they might as well be. I’ve been there for them since they were born,” Vance answers.

  “What about the father?” I ask him, curious to know why he’s helping raise them.

  “Dunno, man. All I know is that his name is Drew Allen, and based on Missy’s reaction to Lexi’s dad and the fact that Lexi is an Allen. I’d say we may be finding out really soon what happened to their father, Vance replies.

  “No shit!” I’m a bit shocked, what are the chances that those boys father is Lexi’s brother. “Lexi has a brother named Drew, Vance.”

  “Well then, I guess Missy will finally find out what happened to him then,” Vance says with a trace of anger in his voice.

  “I’ve never met him so I can’t shed any light on the subject. All I know is that he’s a Marine.”

  “Yeah, I knew that he was military. I also know that after he left, he never contacted Missy again, she called him multiple times and nothing.” Anger laces Vance’s voice as he speaks.

  “I’m sure if Missy was to tell Lexi that those boys were possibly her nephews, she would help her get into contact with Drew.” I can’t imagine Lexi not telling her brother. If there is a reason Drew stopped contacting Missy, then I’m pretty sure she’ll try to kick his ass to make sure he takes care of his sons.

  “Well, that’s up to Missy, I know she wants her boys to know him, and she’s been through hell since she found out she was pregnant, but that’s her story to tell, not mine.” Vance lets out a sigh and then continues, “Can’t really hold it against Drew, he doesn’t know about his sons. Being in the military, so many things could have happened, I just hope she gets some answers.”

  “I’m sure Lexi will help her if that’s what she wants.”

  “That would be good. Now, enough about that, tell me about you and Lexi.” Vance shoots me a smirk.

  “Ah Lexi, she’s spunky,” I say with laughter in my voice. “I met her about six weeks ago when I went to help Tucker move Brenna from Louisville to his house. We spend every weekend together and she has been busting through the barriers around my heart like a wrecking ball.”

  Vance pulls his truck into a parking space at the museum and shuts off the engine. Turning in his seat to look at me, Vance says, “Spencer, I know that the shit that happened with Tessa must’ve cut you deep. I can only imagine how hard it is for you to trust and open yourself up again. I also saw the way you look at Lexi and let me tell you this much, you never looked at Tessa that way.”

  Before I can open my mouth and say a word, Vance is out of the truck. I don’t know what to say anyway. I know that what I feel when I’m with Lexi is absolutely nothing like I ever felt in all the years Tessa and I were together. Opening the truck door, I jump out and follow Vance inside the building.

  When we enter the building, Vance approaches an employee, “Excuse me ma’am, my name is Vance Jacobs and I’m here to pick up mine and Lexi Allen’s work that we had to leave behind after her accident.”

  “Of course. How is Miss Allen?” She asks as we begin following behind her. I tell her what the doctors said about Lexi. “Oh, that’s good. I’m glad she’s going to be okay.” Stopping, she points to two exhibits sitting side by side. “I hope you don’t mind Mr. Jacobs, but we left your work out as well as Miss Allen’s, we just put them next to each other and I watched over them personally.”

  “Not a problem at all…” Vance says. “I’m sorry, we didn’t get your name?”

  “Willow. Willow Scott.” She replies with a slight blush.

  “Thank you for watching over our work, Willow, I greatly appreciate it,” Vance says with a smile.

  Oh hell, is my brother really hitting on this chick right now? I mean don’t get me wrong, she is very pretty, but we don’t have time for this. I’ve got to get back to my woman.

  “Yes, thank you, Willow. Lexi will be very happy to know her work got shown,” I tell her.

  Her blush deepens. “It was no problem, really. Miss Allen is very talented.”

  “That she is,” I respond. “Although, I haven’t seen what she brought to display here.”

  Willow lets out a giggle and then points toward the covered canvases behind her. “Well then maybe you should have a look.”

  Vance and I both walk over to the canvases. He begins removing the covers from each one. I wonder if Brenna and Tucker have seen these. Lexi did an amazing three pictures representing their love. Vance lets out a whistle, and I turn toward the last canvas. Well, that explains why Willow was blushing.

  “Since when did you start posing for portraits, Spence?” Vance laughs.

  “I had no idea she did this.” I’m floored. I can’t even be embarrassed or mad at her for this, she did an amazing job. “Let’s get these covered back up and I’ll start taking them to Lexi’s car while you get yours,” I tell Vance.

  “Sure thing.” He smirks at me.

  Asshole. We may have not spoken in two years, but some things never change. I have my brother and best friend back.

  * * *

  Lexi

  As soon as Spencer walks through the door and into my hospital room, I know that he saw the sketches. He has a wicked grin on his face and I have a feeling I will be paying for it later. Of course I go for the innocent Lexi routine. Maybe one of these days it will actually work. “What are you grinning about?”

  “Hmmm.” Spencer hums as he walks closer to my bed. Leaning down close enough that our lips almost touch he says, “I saw your sketches, Lexi.”

  “Oh yeah? And what did you think?” Yes, I’m still playing little miss innocent here.

  “Some amazing artwork,” Spencer replies, then brushes his lips against mine. “And by the way, your innocent act never works.” He laughs as he steps back.

  “One of these days it will work on you, Spencer Jacobs.” I giggle.

  “Doubtful, but you can keep trying if that makes you happy,” Spencer says as he leans against the wall beside his brother.

  “You wanna know what makes me happy, Spencer?” I say softly.

  “What’s that?”

  Hoping that this isn’t pushing to far, but knowing I have to go for it. “You. You make me happy.”

  A smile spreads across Spencer’s face that causes my heart to expand. “You make me happy too, Lexi.”

  Vance and Missy both make an “awe” sound and we all start laughing. We all chat for a little while before Missy begins to yawn.

  “I guess we should probably head on back,” Vance says.

  When Missy and Vance get ready to leave, she leans over to hug me, while whispering her thanks. I haven’t done anything yet, but I will. I’ll bring her and my brother back together even if I have to go drag him off base myself.

  We say our goodbyes and make promises to keep in touch. Missy and I had already exchanged phone numbers and I promised to get into contact with her as soon as I talked to Drew. When Vance and Missy are gone, Spencer takes the chair beside my bed.

  “I’ve got to get a hold of my brother as soon as I get out of here,” I tell Spencer.

  “I take it Missy talked to you then?” He asks.

  “How did you know?”

  “Me and Vance talked about it.” He begins telling me the conversation between him and his brother.

  When he’s finished, I tell him what all Missy and I talked about.
“So, it looks like I have two adorable little nephews.”

  “Looks like it. How do you think your brother is going to react?”

  “I know Drew will do what’s right by those boys. I just wish I knew what happened to make him lose contact with her.” I can’t wait to talk to Drew. Those boys need him and I think Missy does too.

  The nurse comes in, putting a stop to our conversation. She begins checking my vital signs and asking me how my pain is. I know I have to sleep to heal so I take the offered pain medicine, and before I know it, my eyes are getting heavy. The events of the day and the pain meds are catching up with me. The last thing I remember is Spencer leaning over the bed and kissing me gently.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Spencer

  It’s been a week since the hospital released Lexi into my care. She’s fully capable of taking care of herself now and I know that I really should go back to work. The problem is, I’m not ready to go back yet, because when I work, she’s going to try to go back to her apartment. That’s not happening. Having Lexi in my home for the past seven days just showed me how much brighter life is with her in it, every minute of every day. Here’s the thing, how do I get her to stay?

  “Spencer.”

  Lexi’s voice breaks me from my thoughts. “Yeah?”

  “Are you going back to work tomorrow?”

  “Trying to get rid of me already, Lexi?” I half joke with her.

  “Not on your life, but I figured since I was getting better you didn’t have to babysit me all day anymore.”

  “But, I like babysitting you,” I answer. “But yeah, I plan on going in tomorrow. What are you going to do while I’m gone?”

  “Steal your kindle and see what good books you have on there, what else?”

  Well, at least she’s planning on staying another day. “You can download or read whatever you want.”

  “Sweet!” Lexi squeals before leaning over and kissing me hard on the cheek.

  “You know we could ride down to your place today and get some of your things if you want.”

  “Oh, that would be great. I love Brenna and all, but I’m so tired of wearing her clothes.”