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.