Someone To Love ~ Prologue

Cover Designed by Melissa Gill @ MGBookCovers

Photographer Mandy Hollis @MHPhotography

Cover Models: Justin Hadden & Rainey Wilson

Prologue:

Spencer

2 years ago…

With today being Tessa’s twenty-second birthday, I thought of the best surprise I could, but it’s not a cheap one. We’ve dated since she was seventeen and it’s about time to take our relationship to the next level. 

Especially with her graduation around the corner, I’m ready to start our lives together.

So, over the last six months, I’ve busted my ass, picking up every minute of overtime I could get my hands on. Engagement rings aren’t cheap and I need enough for that and a down payment on a house.

Her party started at nine and here it is, almost midnight. I’m hoping she’s not trashed, but at least my brother is there to keep an eye on her.

Vance is not only my best friend, he’s also my twin. We are identical in every way, except the fact that he went to a university and I chose community college.

Once Tessa graduated high school, I assumed she’d go to Western, which is pretty close to home. Instead she chose to attend The University of Tennessee. It’s not that far away, but it’s not a drive I want to make daily. The last three and a half years have been harder than I expected, but we beat the odds and stayed together. She comes home at least one weekend a month and the other times, I try to make it out to her.

Pulling up to her house, the blaring music from the celebration inside is reverberating inside my vehicle before I even open my door. Getting out of my truck, I notice some people standing in the side yard. I make my way toward them to see if Tessa or Vance is among them in the crowd. Looking at faces and nodding at the people I know.

Where the hell are they?  I don’t see my future fiancé or my brother outside. 

Once I make my way inside the house, I finally see a familiar face, Missy Cooper, Tessa’s roommate.

“Hey, Missy. Have you seen Tessa?” I ask, and the look she gives me makes my heart beat faster. Whatever she’s about to say, I know I’m not going to like.

“Uh, I saw her going into her bedroom to check on you about an hour ago.” Missy answers looking completely perplexed.

Does she not know I have a twin?

“Thanks Missy, I’ll go find her.” I tell her as I turn to go down the hall to Tessa’s room.

When I get to her door, I don’t knock. Why should I? She’s my girlfriend and he’s my brother. I trust them both and if he’s sick, I’m glad she’s taking care of him.

Opening the door, I see that maybe I should’ve knocked after all. My heart drops to the floor and bile rises in my throat. I swallow it down as anger takes a hold of me.

“WHAT THE FUCK!” Anger and pain consume me. It feels like my heart is ripped from my chest and stomped to oblivion. I can’t fucking believe it. He’s my damn brother for crying out loud!

After a few seconds, Tessa turns to look at me and jumps up, face full of surprise. However, my brother, Vance doesn’t even bother to give me a glance.

Heart racing I turn to go and go now before I do something I will forever regret. He’s my brother. We shared a womb. I can’t physically hurt him, although he just emotionally destroyed me. Why would he fuck my girlfriend? 

The girl he knew that I planned to ask to marry me on Valentines’ Day? Better yet, how could the girl I have spent the last four years with do this to me? 

With my brother?

Slamming her door, I storm out of the house. When I reach my truck I hear Tessa scream my name before I hurry and jump in. I’m so fucking pissed off right now. I know I shouldn’t be driving in my emotional state, but I have to get out of here. Slamming my truck into gear, my tires kick up rocks as I peel out of the driveway, I can hear them as they ping against my truck as I speed away.

My phone rings, but I don’t bother to even look at it. I know it’s who it is. I don’t have anything to say to her after what she did. Vance better hope he doesn’t come home while I’m still there. Either way, I won’t be staying long. 

I’ve got to get away from him, her, this town, and the memories…

Everything.

I pull into my parent’s driveway and gravel flies when I slam on my brakes. 

Wasting no time, I throw open the front door and head straight to my room.

Grabbing a duffel bag from my closet, I start throwing clothes in before going into the bathroom and gathering up all the toiletries I will need. When I walk back down the hallway, my parents’ bedroom door opens.

“Spencer, what are you doing?” My mom asks as she looks at my arms full of supplies.

“I’m packing, Mom.” I snap.

“Are you going to stay with Tessa?”

I clench my jaw and take a deep breath before answering. Just hearing her name makes me want to punch something.

“Tessa and I are over. I’m leaving town, Mom, and I don’t know when, or if I’ll be back.”

Tears fill my mom’s eyes. She loves Tessa, she has since the day she met her four years ago. When she finds out what happened tonight, she’s going to be devastated.

“Why, what happened?” She asks as she wraps her arms around herself, tears trailing down her cheeks.

There’s hurt and confusion all over my mom’s face. She has no idea what happened tonight and I can’t tell her. It’s too fresh on my mind, and my heart feels like it’s stopped beating inside my chest.

“Ask Vance.”

Tears fill my own eyes. Not only did I lose the girl I love tonight, I also lost my best friend and brother. My mom strolls away and her muted voice can be heard as she wakes my dad. I have to go before they try to talk me into staying. When I get back into my room I throw everything in my bag and zip it up. Throwing it over my shoulder, I grab my work boots and tennis shoes and start back toward the hall.

When I get to the front door, my dad’s voice stops me. “Son, I’m not sure what happened tonight, but whatever it is we can work it out.”

“This can’t be worked out, Dad. I love you and Mom. I’ll call you when I get wherever I’m going.” Not waiting for their reply, I open the door and storm to my truck.

I’m not sure where I’m going. I just know “here” isn’t where I belong anymore.

Someone To Love ~ Chapter 7 ~ (Unedited)

Cover Designed by Melissa Gill at MGBookCovers 

Photography by Mandy Hollis at MHPhotography

This chapter is unedited and subject to change. 

Chapter Seven

Spencer

The days passed slowly as I followed the same routine. Work, eat, sleep, and never talking to Lexi. I’ve been pretty quiet, keeping busy, and trying not to think about anything. By Thursday, Tucker was asking me what was up with me. I tried to blow it off as nothing, except being tired, but of course he wasn’t buying it. Finally I cave and tell him as much as I’m willing to share about the weekend, up until I woke up alone Monday morning. 
“Do you like her?” he asks me curiously.
“Yeah, maybe a little too much,” I respond while going about cleaning the tools I used today. 
“There’s no such thing as too much. Look man, I know there’s something holding you back. You haven’t had any relationships for as long as I’ve known you. Whatever it is, you can trust me. Talk to me if you want. Or if you’d rather, talk to Lexi. Either way you need to talk to someone about what’s really bothering you. Just be honest with her. What do you have to lose?”
That’s easy… my heart. I don’t tell him that though. 
“Thanks Tucker, I’ll keep that in mind.” 
What he doesn’t know is, I’m still not ready to talk about what landed me here in this place two years ago. I wish I could erase it from my mind and move on. 
“You wanna ride down with us to graduation on Saturday?” Tucker asks.
Do I?  At least I would see Lexi again, and maybe if I’m lucky she will talk to me. Yes, I think I will go. It’s time that I man up and face her and hope she doesn’t hate me. 
“Yeah man, that sounds good.”
Before I know it, it’s Saturday and I’m standing here with Brenna, Tucker and both their families. I scan the crowd looking for the one person I really want to see. When I spot her, I begin walking straight for her. 
She looks beautiful in her cap and gown. I think she would be beautiful in anything. She doesn’t smile at me as I approach, but she doesn’t take her eyes off me either.  
“I’m sorry.” I say as I step in front of her. 
“For what?”
“For not calling you all week. It was a dick move and well… I’m sorry. How ‘bout we start over?”
Lexi looks away and stares off into the distance for a moment before she turns back to me holding out her hand.
“Hi, I’m Alexia Allen, my friends call me Lexi.” She smiles as my hand takes hers.
“Nice to meet you Lexi, I’m Spencer Jacobs. My friends call me Spence.”
Lexi leans around me and grins at whoever is standing behind me. Curious, I turn around and see a man and woman I’ve never seen before, Lexi squeals and throws herself in the man’s arms. When he releases her, she hugs the woman. The man is looking at me curiously, but before I can introduce myself, Lexi speaks.
“Spencer these old people here are my mom and dad, Sam and Alice Allen,” She laughs as her parents both scowl at her.
I extend my hand to shake her dad’s and then her mom’s, that’s the polite thing to do, right? 
“It’s nice to meet you both.”
Her parents are both looking between Lexi and me, like their trying to figure out if there is more there than just friends. I’m really hoping they didn’t hear our conversation and put it all together. Her dad may be older than me, but he’s a big ole dude, I’m not thinking I can take him if it came down to that. 
“Do you go to school here too, Spencer?” Her mom asks.
“No ma’am, I went to community college in Bowling Green.”
“Then how did you two meet?” Her dad asks while raising a brow at Lexi who was about to answer. I haven’t been questioned by a girl’s dad in six years and it’s not any easier now, than it was back then.
“We met through Brenna. She’s engaged to my boss and good friend, Tucker Wade.” 
“Brenna’s getting married?” Her mom asks Lexi. 
“Yes, and to her childhood best friend. They are so sweet together, Mama. Just wait till you see them together.” She answers while pulling out her phone and texting someone. 
“He better be good to her, Brenna’s a good girl. I’d hate for someone to hurt one of my girls.” Her dad says while looking right at me. I’m thinking maybe I have ‘I slept with your daughter and didn’t call her for five days’ written across my forehead. 
I am just about to defend my best friend, when he and Brenna walk up. Brenna introduces Tucker and his parents to Lexi and her parents. I feel like I have been issued a stay of execution by the governor when Sam Allen’s focus is directed to Tucker. 
When it’s time for graduation to begin, we all take our seats. Hours pass as they hand out diplomas. Who knew college graduation would take so long. My ass is numb and Lexi’s dad keeps looking over at me. He makes me a little nervous for some reason. Needing to get some air and get away, I get up and go in search of a bathroom. When I come out Lexi’s dad is leaning against the wall with his arms crossed waiting for me.
“I guess you are wondering why I keep looking at you and followed you.” He asks me.
“Yes sir, I am a little curious.” I answer him truthfully.
He looks at me a moment longer before he answers, “Lexi is my baby and I saw the way you were looking at each other. Something didn’t make sense to me though. When she introduced you as her “friend” you didn’t correct her.”
“Lexi and I just met last Friday, Sir, she and I are just friends at the moment.” There that wasn’t so bad. 
“At the moment, what exactly does that mean?”
“I really like Lexi, but I’m not looking for more than friends at this point. We are getting to know each other, and well, to be honest Sir, maybe one day Lexi and I could have more.”
Mr. Allen looks at me for a moment before nodding, straightening up off the wall and stepping toward me. 
“You’re honest, I like that. Be good to my girl Spencer, that’s all I ask. She’s never shown interest in a boy before now, so don’t break my baby’s heart.” He says as he pats my shoulder and begins to walk away. 
I follow behind him and take my seat to watch Lexi graduate. Once it’s over, we all meet up at a restaurant and eat dinner together. It is relaxed and something I could get used to. I may have left my family behind, but I think I have found a new one. One of these days, maybe my family can be here with us like this. Until then, I am content right where I am. 

Lexi

Today is all about closing one chapter and beginning another. Spencer and I are starting fresh and I graduated from college. Now all of us are sitting around a table having a great time. Tucker’s dad and Brenna’s grandpa are a hoot. You can tell they’ve known each other for a long time. My dad, Tucker, and Spencer are right there with them laughing and telling jokes. Caroline and Anna have been talking quietly with Brenna about the secret wedding I suppose. 
My mom is sitting next to me taking it all in, just like me. I could get used to this, maybe one day Spencer’s family will be joining us too. Yeah, I’m thinking ahead and I can’t help it. Even though we are just friends right now, I want more. 
“He’s very handsome.” My mom says quietly beside me. 
“Who?” 
“Well both of them are actually, but I was referring to Spencer.” 
I turn in my chair to look at my mom, who is looking at me like she knows exactly what I’m thinking. 
How do moms do that? 
“Yes he is,” I reply to her while turning back around to continue watching everyone. 
Well, maybe not everyone. I am really only watching one right now. He must feel my eyes on him because he turns to grin at me. It’s obvious he knows I’d been watching him. He winks at me then turns his attention back to the men. 
“Interesting.” Mama mutters beside me. 
“What’s interesting?” 
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe the way you two look at each other, but yet you’re only friends. Or the fact that your cheeks are flushed from just one little smile and wink from him. I’ve never seen you have this reaction before.”
No, she hasn’t, because I’ve never met anyone that affected me the way Spencer does. Mama knows that I am holding out for the right guy for me. I want what she and dad have and Brenna and Tucker. I don’t want a man to love me for a little while with only half of his heart. I want his whole heart, with no memories of past ghosts haunting him. I will not share him with anyone, past or present. I’m greedy like that. 
“If you want him Lexi, then fight for him. Help him heal. Open your heart to him. Show him how it is to really be loved.” 
“I don’t even know what happened to him.” 
“Well then, Alexia, I suggest you figure it out.” She never uses my real name, unless she means business. “Trust me, it may be a bumpy ride but the end result will make it all worthwhile.”
“Thanks Mama.” I say to the woman who has always had my best interest at heart. She smiles and pats my hand as I lean over and place a kiss on her cheek. 
When we’re all leaving the restaurant I overhear Tucker and Brenna invite my parents to their house tomorrow. I had totally forgotten that my parents were leaving for Florida tomorrow, for the next two weeks. They had asked me to go with them, without Drew here though and not able to go with us, I told them no. The two of them need this time to themselves. 
Mom and Dad hug and kiss my cheek before they get into their car to head back home. I feel Spencer behind me before he speaks.
“You going to Brenna’s tomorrow?” He asks.
“I was planning on it. You?”
“With free food? Of course I’m going.” He says with a grin. 
“Are you riding back with them?” 
“Depends.” 
“On what?” I ask with a raised brow.
 “On whether you’ll let me sleep on your couch tonight.”  
I smile and nod at him before he walks over to Brenna’s Xterra, pulling out his bag and talking to Tucker who grins at me. He came prepared, just in case. This makes me smile that much more. Hope blooms in my chest, as I watch him walk back toward me. We say our goodbye’s to everyone before getting in my car and heading toward my apartment. Maybe I can get him to open up a little tonight. I need something to work with.

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