Chapter 37 - Andie
Chapter Thirty- Seven - Andie
“Damn key.” I swear my key worked when I left, but it’s like the house is rejecting me, saying, “Sorry, you abandoned me for Chicago and a hot new boyfriend. We’re done.”
“Charlie, can you try this? I can’t seem to get the door to unlock.”
“Sure thing. Remind me, and I’ll come by tomorrow to clean out the locks for you.
” Charlie gets the door open, slipping in behind us, but we remain in darkness.
Just seeing the outside of the house lit up from the porch lights has memories rushing back.
I can’t imagine how seeing everything we shared together will impact me.
Spencer squeezes my hand, somehow sensing my hesitation as I pause in the entry.
This house is a physical manifestation of my life with Cody, from the exterior we painted on those sweltering summer weekends, to the landscaping we meticulously maintained each fall, to the furniture we picked out to make this a home.
Everything about this house and its belongings brings back the past and our time together.
I turn toward Spencer as he grabs both of my hands. The warmth of his grip my personal anchor in a storm. My breathing steadies as the ache in my chest loosens, slowing my heartbeat.
The outline of his face is the only thing visible from the porch light glow.
“It’s okay. I’ll be here with you the whole time.
You aren’t alone.” I can hear the truth in his voice, and when he holds my hands, it doesn’t feel like I’m falling into a downward spiral anymore.
He’s caught me, bringing me to shore where there is safety.
He leans in and gives me a gentle kiss. I wrap my arms around his neck to keep him there just a bit longer.
Even though it’s hard, my heart is mending knowing he will be here and that I’m not alone as I navigate this mess of—
“Surprise!!”
Our lips rip apart as the lights of the living room threaten to blind us. Holy crap! I send up a silent prayer that I’m dreaming and there isn’t a bunch of family and friends in my house watching Spencer kiss me.
Universe, if you’re listening, now would be a great time for a sinkhole.
Their faces are in shock, wine glasses are lowering, and jaws are dropping. It’s a scene from a movie where the music screeches to a halt and everyone freezes. I wish I could erase this from my memory.
“Welp, looks like you already broke the news for her. Good job, bro.” Evan pats Spencer’s shoulder as he pushes his way past to make it into the house.
“Good luck, guys. Spence you’ll need it,” Maddie whispers, before following Evan inside.
It was one thing to tell Charlie, but for all the other firefighters to find out this way causes my stomach to churn. I wanted to be able to tell them face-to-face, not have them find out by seeing my lips pressed against another man.
“I really hate surprises,” I mutter to myself.
“I’m starting to see why,” Spencer replies, his gaze scanning the room, taking in all the people staring at us like we’ve just announced we were having a baby or something.
“Welp, this is awkward as hell, but it’s out now. May as well embrace it right?” I take him by the hand, ready to brave the evening together.
Abby breaks the ice, rushing to me with outstretched arms. “Andie, I am so glad you’re back!” Her hug tightening around me, squeezing until I can’t breathe. When her grip finally loosens, I gasp.
“Abby, what the fuck? I thought you were out tonight.”
“Oh, that was just a cover for the surprise party to welcome you home. Don’t blame Charlie he didn’t know,” she says with a smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes.
“But I also didn’t expect you to bring anyone with you.
Let alone end up watching you suck the life out of another man.
I didn’t know that Cody was only a placeholder.
” Her voice drops like she’s being secretive, but it’s clearly meant to be heard by everyone in a ten-foot radius.
I’m not sure if she realizes that just because you say it in a joking tone doesn’t make it funny.
And so it begins—the shaming of Andie.
The twist in my stomach threatens to become more as her words echo off the wall. “He’s handsome, though. I can definitely see the attraction.” She adds, eyeing Spencer, studying every inch of his figure, locking onto him like her next prey in the dating world.
“Where’s Travis?” I ask, looking around, hinting to stop looking at Spencer when she’s engaged.
“Oh, out of town on business, again.” He always seems to be gone, and I wonder if it’s weighing on her, but that isn’t my problem to deal with. Right now, it’s her advances on Spencer. With her fiancé out of town, she’s apparently feeling bold.
Okay, now it’s just getting weird.
“Abby, this is Spencer. Spencer. Abby. My sister.”
“It’s nice to meet you.” Abby purrs, extending her hand, her engagement ring glinting as she moves. “I hope you don’t take this the wrong way, but you are way too handsome to be with my sister here.” Spencer’s grip tightens on my hand, refusing to let go.
“Hi,” he grits out, his jaw twitching like he’s trying to bite back his words.
His hold on me is almost crushing, and when I glance at him all his usual politeness has vanished.
Leaving Abby with her hand extended, I lead him into the crowd of people, creating distance between us and Hurricane Abby.
“I’m so sorry about all of this,” I whisper. “I had no idea. I just wanted to put my stuff up and relax, but now there’s a party, and everyone is here, and—"
“Andie, Sweetheart, it’s fine, really,” he reassures me. “I mean, I can’t say I’m a huge fan of how your sister treats you, but I’ll only intervene if you want me to.”
I cling to Spencer. This whole thing has become a mess.
Abby managed to put together a cookout complete with music, friends, family, and oh yeah, an extreme level of humiliation for Andie.
Both people from my life and from Cody’s life are here.
Friends I can handle. My mother on the other hand . . . that’s a different story.
People tell me my fear of heights is irrational—if they only knew about my fear of interacting with my mother. The woman can get an innocent man to admit to murder if it would make her stop the interrogation. “I’m sorry,” I murmur once again, despite his reassurance.
“For what now?”
“My mother, you’ll see,” I whisper just in time to see her approaching us.
Speaking of the devil . . .
“Andie, it’s so good to see you, honey. You’re looking . . . different.” Not good or lovely or well, just different. I’m sure it’s her way of saying I look like a troll that lives under a bridge. Always the charmer, able to deliver what sounds like a compliment, but feels like a paper cut.
“Thanks, Mom. It’s good to see you too.” I give her a quick kiss on the cheek, before turning to my father—the only one in this godforsaken family who’s ever truly loved me for me. "Hi, Daddy. I’ve missed you."
“I’ve missed you too, Peanut.” His voice is warm and sincere, a nice break from the condescending tones of my mother.
My parents have a strained relationship.
I’m pretty sure my father stays with my mom because it’s all he knows, and he doesn’t want to go through change.
My mom is well-intentioned, but in her mind, Abby walks on water, and I’m possibly a waste of space.
I think Abby and I could be close if she changed her way of thinking.
She’s just the spitting image of my mom which makes it hard to want to be around her.
I catch a glimpse of the guys shooting daggers at Spencer from across the room.
It seems that no matter what I do, drama will always follow.
Charlie has gathered the crew in a corner, and they’re all glancing our way while speaking in hushed tones.
It’s like middle school all over again. Why people can’t just be adults is beyond me.
“Spencer, I need to go talk to them. I don’t really want to leave you alone, but . . .”
“I’ll be fine, don’t worry.”
My nose scrunches up unsure if he realizes what he’s saying, staying alone with my parents.
I make my way toward Charlie, and my chest tightens a little.
I haven’t seen most of them since Cody’s funeral, and now here they are, watching Spencer like an intruder.
I get that they probably don’t like the idea of me with another man, but we need to clear the air.
“Hey, guys, how’s everything going over here?” I say, trying to keep things light. A round of hugs, a few I missed yous, and there’s that family warmth I remember, but also an underlying tension looming.
“Okay, fire away. Let me have it.”
Charlie decides to be the spokesperson for the group. “Look, we just have concerns about Spencer.” They don’t even know Spencer, but here they are gossiping in a corner like the queen bees in high school.
“It’s not personal.” Jason adds, shifting uncomfortably. “He looks nice enough, but . . .”
“But being so serious with a man after . . .” Dave trails off.
“After Cody died.” I complete for him. “I know this is hard for you guys. We all lost Cody and seeing me with someone else probably feels wrong.”
“It feels fast,” Charlie admits quietly. The guys nod their heads in agreement. “We’re worried he might be taking advantage of you while you’re still grieving.”
I take a deep breath, feeling my defensiveness soften at all their hurt-filled eyes.
These guys have always looked out for me.
“I understand why you’d think that. But Spencer isn’t taking advantage of me.
He’s patient, kind, and genuinely loves me.
” I look between all of them, really driving my point home.
“I know this is an adjustment . . . for everyone. I wasn’t expecting him to come into my life, but he did, just when I needed him most.”
The tension begins to fade slowly. “If he makes you happy,” Dave says, looking softly at me.
“He does,” I say simply.