Chapter 36 - Spencer #2
I didn’t know that Andie had a sister. I wonder what their relationship is like.
What dynamic exists between them. I would assume their relationship is strained if she doesn’t speak about her, but I could be wrong.
She never talked about Charlie either. I’m beginning to realize there’s a lot about Andie’s past life that I still don’t know.
“And ‘the guys?’ are Cody’s friends?” I ask confirming my suspicions, trying to prepare myself for whatever gauntlet I’ll be running tomorrow.
“Cody’s friends,” she replies softly. “Our friends, I mean. They’re like an extra family. Don’t worry once they know you, they’ll love you.”
Great, more protective brother figures who likely won’t be thrilled about my existence. This trip is shaping up to be one long, awkward meet-the-family ordeal, except the family consists entirely of people who knew and loved her husband.
The house isn’t what I imagined as we pull into the driveway.
It’s a one-story country-style home, with a huge front yard and trees lining both sides.
The view is a drastic difference from the Chicago cityscape—open space, quiet, and a sense of privacy you’ll never find in the city.
The stars in the night sky twinkling above us, the same stars that would be hidden in the city lights back home.
Andie tenses the minute we step out of the vehicle to head up to the front door. I place a hand on the small of her back, trying to offer silent support. “Sweetheart, what are you thinking?” I ask softly, watching as emotions play across her face.
“Everything here is just different now—like it belongs to a different version of me,” she admits, her voice barely above a whisper. “I thought it would be like coming home, but this place no longer feels like home to me.”
“Are you okay with that?” I ask, nodding in understanding, but I have no idea how that feels.
I’ve never experienced the loss that she is going through so how am I to understand the struggle it would be to come home?
She’s standing here in front of a source of pain, likely reliving memories and is expected to put a smile on her face like everything is okay.
“Yeah, I think I am.” A small smile creases her face.
I get it now—why she hesitated to tell people about us. This isn’t just about facing friends and family. It’s about coming to terms with her past and her present, figuring out if there’s room for both.
“Charlie, do you think I could tell the guys about Spencer myself? I think it will be best coming from me.” This trip went from a simple short-term sorting out a few things to disclosing our relationship to everyone closest to her. It’s a lot for Andie, but I will help her however she needs.
Charlie isn’t comfortable with the request from the way his shoulders tense, it’s obvious he doesn’t want to withhold information from their friends.
His eyes find mine again, and the message can’t be clearer: You hurt her, you answer to me.
“I’m not going to lie to the guys, Andie.
” His voice is tight. “But I won’t tell them anything unless they ask me straight out.
” There’s reluctance in his tone, but he manages to still respect her wishes.
“Sounds fair. Thanks, Charlie. I promise I’ll tell them soon,” Andie assures him, reaching forward to squeeze his hand briefly, a gesture that seems to momentarily soften his tough exterior. Andie goes around the car to grab her bag, just when I’m about to join her I hear my name.
“Spencer, can I speak to you for a moment?” Charlie nods towards the yard, away from the group.
I keep my expression neutral as I make my way to him.
He stares at Andie making sure she isn’t in earshot.
“Look, man, I don’t know you, and I don’t know what’s going on between you two,” he says, his voice low and controlled.
“But Andie’s been through hell, and she’s just starting to put herself back together.
So, whatever this is”—he gestures between Andie and me—“just remember that.”
It’s not exactly a threat, but it’s not far off. Before I can respond, he’s walking to join Andie, grabbing bags from her as he’s unwilling to let the ladies carry their own luggage. Which I can respect.
“Don’t mind Charlie,” Maddie whispers, popping up next to me.
“You two will be fine, I have no doubt.” Her words do little to comfort me.
“He saw her at the lowest point in her life. He’s seen things he should never have had to witness.
He may never be your friend, but he will learn to respect you when he sees how much Andie means to you. ”
I nod, the mystery of Charlie is becoming clearer with each interaction. He’s not just being overprotective. He’s the man who witnessed firsthand what losing Cody did to Andie. Of course, he’s wary of someone new who could potentially cause her more pain.
I make my way back to Andie, and we walk hand in hand up the driveway of the home she shared with her late husband.
The question remains: Will this visit bring us closer together, or will we drift apart as she navigates the complicated emotions of returning to a place filled with memories of another life—and another love?
Evan catches my eye as we approach the front door, giving me a small nod that somehow conveys both I’ve got your back and this is weird as hell in a single gesture. Our time here will be challenging. I have no illusions about that.
Charlie and his friends will test me, judge me, probably try to intimidate me, but none of that matters. What matters is the woman beside me, and the promise I made to stand by her through whatever comes next. Let them bring their worst. I’m not going anywhere.
Despite all the odds—the protective friends, the ghostly past, and the unknown—my grip is steady, unwavering. This is where I’m supposed to be—with her.