Page 104 of Revival

But there’s a big difference with telling my son who knows nothing of our history, and my brother, who still feels like he needs to hold a grudge in whatever form that may take.

“You don’t have to answer now if you aren’t sure.”

“I am sure. I want this. I just… My family really hated Sebastian. When that relationship ended, I promised myself I wouldn’t ever get involved with someone who they didn’t like. My family is the most important thing to me.”

“I understand,” Spencer rasps. “They were there for you when I wasn’t.”

He doesn’t know the half of it. He has no idea what it was like for me to wake up alone that morning. How, in the months that followed, my brothers picked up the pieces.

When Spencer walked out of that motel, I lost my best friend. My first love. He was my everything. And then he was gone.

Squeezing my eyes shut clears the painful memories.

He’s here now.

I cup his cheek. A sliver of yellow light shines through the crack in the door that Ollie left open. It’s just enough to see the apprehension on Spencer’s face.

“But you’re a really, really close second.”

I touch his mouth with mine.

“If everything goes right, I could see you tied.”

Spencer crushes me against his chest like a lifeline, kissing me with untold longing.

“So yeah, you can be my boyfriend. Though the label isn’t necessary. You’re already so much more than that.”

The door down the hall slams shut.

24

Cortney

The buzzerfor the back door sounds just as I finish giving Mr. Fischer’s ornery barn cat her rabies vaccine. Despite living outdoors, she’s more tolerant than half the cats that come in here. She certainly takes no issue with me ushering her back into her carrier at the end of her exam.

“I wonder who that is.” I set the syringe aside.

“It might be the installation company here to change out the lights.”

“What lights?”

“Didn’t you order a replacement for the florescent lights?” Bridget speaks slowly as if trying to help me remember. “I received a call this morning that someone would be out here today or tomorrow.”

I blink to cover my surprise. I didn’t order new lights, but I think I know who did. “Thanks, Bridget. I’ll take care of it. Are you good to check him out up front?” I check my watch. I’m supposed to meet Spencer at Tony’s Auto Shop at four thirty for dinner.

Her suspicious gaze lingers a second too long. She picks up the carrier and hands Lucinda back to her owner. “Of course. I’ll take you up to my desk, Mr. Fischer.”

The kind elderly man tips his head in my direction. “Good to see you, Dr. Powell.”

“Always, Burt. Hopefully we won’t see you back here until next year.”

“That’s the plan.” He waves and follows Bridget out.

The buzzer sounds again just as I reach the door. I tug my ponytail tighter and push up the bar to open the latch.

“Hey, big brother.”

Lee sweeps me into a side-armed hug, holding a taut leash with the other. “Hey. Got a nervous one for you today.”

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