Chapter 28 - Spencer
Chapter Twenty-Eight - Spencer
After parting with Andie, I realize I’m terrified of how smitten I am about this girl.
She just told me she was married. That her husband died and he was the love of her life.
I didn’t even blink twice at that information.
She could have told me she murdered her whole family, and I think I would have still begged for her to come back to me—every word she said replays in my head.
Part of me is relieved that I finally got answers, but the other part of me is battling with the complexity of the situation.
She said Cody was the love of her life. Could I live up to that?
Could she love someone else that deeply?
I begin walking up to my place. The phone call that interrupted my time with Andie is proving to be the breather I need to really confide in someone about what happened, but I’m not sure how much to tell.
Evan is waiting for me on the couch with a couple of cold beers ready to open.
“You look like hell,” he says, handing me the beer while I sink into the chair next to him.
“Gee thanks.”
“So? How’d things go? You finally get some answers?” I’m starting to think he doesn’t want to talk about the project at our parents’ place. He just brought me here to fish for information.
I nod, but the words get stuck in my throat. “Yep . . . but it’s complicated.”
“Complicated how?”
“She’s got a lot going on. Some really heavy stuff,” I say, running my hand through my hair.
“Like what kind of heavy stuff?”
“Well, I get why Maddie said it wasn’t her story to tell, but it definitely helps me understand why she freaked out.”
We sit in silence for a moment while I process how my once normal life has been turned upside down, all because of this one woman.
“And you’re okay with whatever it is?”
“Yeah I am. Terrified her past will come between us, but I can’t imagine being without her.” I rest my arms on my legs, contemplating my next move.
“Damn . . . almost sounds like you love this girl.”
His words hit me, like I’m seeing how deep my feelings really go for her. I knew that I wanted her, but love?
“Yeah—I think I do love her. And it scares the shit out of me that she’ll leave again.” Every piece snaps into place as I realize my fears are not that she’s a widow, but that I’m just some coping mechanism and eventually she’ll tire of me.
“Spence, you’re way too persistent to let her leave and get away with it. I mean, look at the credit card bill from the flower shop.”
“What if I’m not enough? What if I say or do the wrong thing and she bolts again?” It sounds silly, but I need these answers.
“Holy fuck, my brother the most confident man in America, found a woman that makes him doubt himself. Never thought I’d see the day.” He jokes, but that little comment brought a chuckle out of me.
“It’s crazy right? Loving someone so soon after meeting them?”
“Mom and dad knew after their first date.”
“That’s different,” I say, not sure how, but thinking it’s irrelevant to me.
“Is it?” Evan gives me a look that tells me he sees right past my bullshit. “Spence, you’ve dated a lot of women. And I mean a lot.”
“Okay let’s get to the point.” I don’t need a play-by-play of my dating life.
“What I’m getting at is, have you once called me because one of them stopped talking to you or walked out?”
“I didn’t call you about this—you called me.” I poke holes in his point.
“Semantics, you’re still here having an existential crisis. And we have yet to get to the real reason why I called you.” He’s right. I came to talk about the remodel, but we have been focused on my feelings for Andie.
“Have you even thought about the remodel since you got here?”
“. . . Only when I realized that wasn’t why you really called me,” I admit.
“My point exactly.” He sits back with a smug grin. “You’ve got it bad, brother.”
I think about my time with Andie. The way she laughs, the way she questions herself constantly, even the way she sounds moaning my name. I remember all the ways she makes me feel and I know without a doubt she’s worth this fight.
“I’ve never seen that look before. Something tells me I’m going to get a sister in the future.”
I jokingly punch Evan’s shoulder before laughing. He’s not the most mature individual, but he’s there when I need him and that’s all that matters to me. “Anyway, back to the remodel,” I say eager to redirect our conversation.
“Right, mom’s gonna kill us if we don’t get this kitchen layout figured out soon.” Evan chuckles. “She’s been texting me pictures of countertops all week.”
“At least she’s excited. Dad just keeps asking if we’re sure we know what we’re doing.” I laugh, grateful for the distraction of family.