Page 4 of Spencer and the Younger Girl
Spencer pivoted on his heel, bracing for the bludgeon that was Vicky Chambers and the feelings she brought forth. “Hey, Vic.”
A smile parted her painted lips. She looked good, better than good. The years treated her well. “Are you home from USC?”
“USC?” He looked from her to his parents.
His mom jumped in. “Yeah, he had a break from classes.”
His brow creased. Was that what his parents told people? He’d once thought he’d marry Vicky. As best friends growing up, she’d been a part of his family. Then she crushed him… or maybe they crushed each other. Either way, whatever it was between them broke.
And he’d left town.
His parents didn’t know the details, but they loved Vicky like she was one of their own. She practically had been.
She stepped closer. “It’s good to see you, Spence.” A smile warmed her face. “I mean it.” And she did. Vicky meant everything she said. In all his traveling, Spencer hadn’t met a single person as genuine as his old friend, the only girl he’d ever loved.
“Yeah.” He couldn’t take his eyes from her face. “I’ve missed you.”
Her eyes softened. “Don’t be a stranger, okay? I don’t know how long you’ll be in town, but I’m living over in the village.” It was a neighborhood by the beach next to the prestigious WentWood estates her parents lived in. “Come by and we can catch up.”
He nodded, unable to form words.
“Spencer?” Saved by the brother.
Spencer broke away from Vicky to face his brother with the first genuine smile on his face. Damien stood before him, sweaty and tired, but grinning.
Pulling him into a hug, Spencer pounded him on the back in the manly way they’d always made fun of.
“I can’t believe you’re here.” Damien pulled away, eyeing Vicky. “Sorry, Vic, I’m stealing my brother.” He turned to his parents. “He’ll ride home with me.” Through all this, the smile never left his face, and for the first time, Spencer felt like returning home had been the right decision.
Their parents left, and Vicky followed them. Spencer elbowed Damien. “Don’t you have to shower or something?”
Damien shook his head. “I was going to, but Ma texted me to come out here.” He blew out a breath. “I did not expect to find you with them.” He lifted his hockey bag from where he’d set it at his feet. “Come on. Let’s get out of here, and you can tell me why my vagabond brother would return home to the family ranch.”
For you, he wanted to say. But Damien was the most un-selfish person Spencer knew. He’d never want his brother to come back for him.
What Spencer never would have admitted to anyone was that those first few minutes with Damien were the first time in three years he didn’t feel alone in the world.
And he hadn’t realized just how lost he’d been until he returned to the one person tethering him to the ground.
