Someone to Love (11 page)

Chapter Twenty-One

Spencer

S
ilence 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

I
t’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.”

I was a little worried what her response would be. She could have easily said no or that she wouldn’t be here much longer. I have hope that my quest to get Lexi to move in will be easier than I originally thought. “Ya know, you could’ve sat around naked all week. I wouldn’t have cared one bit.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Lexi laughs and a slight blush appears on her cheeks. Truth is I’ve treated her like a china doll all week, terrified I would hurt her already injured body. It would have been pure hell to look at a naked Lexi all week, but a hell I would gladly endure any day.

I decide to change the topic back to a safe zone, or we would never make it to Louisville tonight. “You need help getting ready to go?”

“I’m going just like this. I only need to find my flip flops and I’ll be ready,” She says as she begins to get off the couch. Her ankle is still a little swollen and bruised and she can’t put all her weight on it yet, but she’s stubborn and determined to walk on it as much as possible.

“Sit,” I order as I get off the couch to go grab her flip flops from the bedroom. I come back a few moments later and Lexi is glaring at me. “What?”

“I’m not a dog, Spencer,” She huffs out.

I really try to contain the laughter that wants to burst free. She is so damn cute when she’s pissed. “Now don’t go getting all upset. I know you’re not a dog, Lexi.”

“You better be glad I like you, Spencer, because if I didn’t I would junk punch you for ordering me around.” She smiles sweetly, as if she didn’t threaten my manhood.

I groan at the thought of Lexi punching me in my junk. Good thing for me that she likes me. Sliding her flip flops on her feet I pull her up off the couch, “Come on, Spunky, let’s hit the road.”

* * *

Lexi

Spencer and I make it to my apartment in a little over an hour and as soon as I walk through the door I go straight to my bedroom. “Will you grab my suitcase out of the closet for me?” I ask Spencer as I begin opening dresser drawers to get out clothing to fill it with.

“Do you just want this big one?” Spencer questions as he lays the suitcase on my bed and unzips it for me.

“Um, depends on how long I’m packing for,” I answer before I think better of it. What if he thinks I’m trying to move in or overstay my welcome?

“You can stay as long as you need to, Lexi.” He answers, relieving my worried mind that I overstepped.

“Then I will also need that small tote like bag for my toiletries.”

Spencer grabs the small tote I asked him to get as well as another small suitcase. Puzzled I ask, “Why did you get that one out too?”

“I just thought you may need one to carry your art materials, your Kindle, and whatever else you may want to take.”

“Good thinking.” I smile. I begin placing my clothes into the largest suitcase and then begin gathering all the other things I need to fill the other two bags.

It doesn’t take too long before I’m finished packing and Spencer begins carrying the bags out to his truck. While he’s gone, I sit on my bed and look around my room. The moment he walked out of here the room felt so empty.

This past week that I’ve spent in his home has been wonderful. Even though I’ve been recovering and aching most days, he’s made me feel so welcome and dare I say, loved? I could easily spend every day with Spencer and never grow tired of him.

“Is that all, or do you want to take anything else?” Spencer asks as he walks back into my bedroom and sits on the bed next to me.

“Nope, I think that I got enough to last me at least a month,” I joke.

“Good. That means I expect you stay that long.”

My heart flutters in my chest. Is he serious or is he just saying that because of what I said? With Spencer I can never tell. Even though we’ve been dating for almost two months, I refuse to push him. Instead of responding to him, I smile.

“Come on, let’s get out of here,” Spencer says as he stands from the bed. Stepping in front of me, he reaches down and takes my hands, pulling me up and straight into his arms.

Wrapping my arms around his waist, I rest my chin on his chest and look up at Spencer. I can’t help but wonder what is going on in his head. Before I have a chance to question him, his hand slides up my back and into my hair, tugging slightly to tilt my head back. Spencer lowers his head, placing his lips against mine. He takes his time exploring my mouth with his. There is something different about this kiss. I just wish I could figure out what it is.

When we break apart, both of our chests are heaving. Spencer places a soft kiss to my forehead and then steps back, taking my hand in his and leading the way out the door and to his truck. The ride back to Cave City is pretty much a quiet one. We both seem to be too absorbed in our own thoughts.