“Forever,” I whisper when he finally pulls away and rests his forehead against mine. “That’s a hell of a long time to put up with you. I’m not sure if I’m up for the challenge or not.”
“I think you might be the only one who can handle what I have to give. My heart beats for yours.”
“You own my soul,” I state. It’s the only way I can explain how I feel about him.
“Good. Because you own mine.”
With that, Jay kisses me one last time before getting in his car and driving off. No good-bye. No, I’ll see you later.
All I can do is stand in the middle of the sidewalk and watch him drive off with my heart in tow.
Long after he’s out of sight, I force myself to walk the four steps up the porch of the Hideaway and open the front door. The staircase proves to be a bigger challenge to navigate as my legs feel heavy, knowing I’m going to be putting even more distance between us as soon as I get on the plane.
Distance I want to erase.
There is nowhere in this world I want to be other than by Jay’s side.
I’ve always known it but been too afraid to admit it and terrified to act on it. Even now, the thought scares me, but it also makes me smile.
After torturing myself for years, allowing the guilt to consume me, I’d like to think Sam would be happy for us as well. That two people she loved most in this world, love each other. That we’ve found our happiness. Someone to accept us the way we are.
And if she’s watching over us, I hope she can see how sorry we both are for betraying her. It was not something we meant to do. Not something we were proud of.
There are moments in life that define you. People that help you figure out who you are and who you want to be.
Meeting Jay opened my eyes to love.
Being friends with Sam sparked my drive for adventure.
Spencer warmed my heart with laughter.
Mia kept us all grounded.
Summer made me feel accepted.
Mindi nurtured my wounded soul.
The people I’ve met, the memories we’ve made, will always be a part of who I am. A part of the woman I’ve grown to become. They’ve helped mold me into a strong, vibrant woman.
Even Sam’s death has made me stronger. I’m a survivor.
But this weekend changed me more than any of the years I spent here. It healed a part of me that’s been broken.
The reason acceptance is the hardest step is because it’s final. Once you really, truly accept someone is gone, the pain becomes real. You don’t have another chance to tell them you love them. To show them you care.
In your mind, you didn’t do it enough when they were alive.
The truth is, if you truly love someone, you don’t have to say the words. Your actions will always be enough.
Sam knew I loved her. She knew she was my best friend. I told her often, but I didn’t have to. My actions spoke loud enough.
And vice versa.
I will never question how much she cared about me. How much our friendship meant to her. It was everything.
Which is why it made having feelings for Jay that much harder. I wasn’t willing to lose her for a chance with him. In a sense, I cared more about her than I did my own happiness. More than I cared about Jay.
And that’s okay.
Sam deserved our love.
No matter how we feel about each other, no matter what happens in the future, Sam will always have our love. Mine and Jay’s. Because you don’t stop loving someone after they’re gone. You just love silently.
I’m zipping up my suitcase, scanning the room to make sure I have everything, when my phone rings.
“Spence,” I say, drawing his name out. The hairs on my arms are standing on end. There’s only one reason he would be calling.
“Are you still in town?” His words are rushed and he sounds out of breath.
“Yeah. I just finished packing. I’m about to leave. Why?”
“Stay there. I may need your help.”
“Spencer—” I start, but the line goes dead.
Pulling my suitcase off the folding stand, I hear something hit the floor and immediately begin searching the area. Out of the corner of my eye I spot a screw by the leg of the stand, and after setting my suitcase aside, I pick it up to inspect it.
The drive has been stripped and the treads are practically bare. It’s obvious the screw has been worn down over the years. It’s small, barely an inch in length, and rusted.
Spencer bursts through my door at the same moment I notice the return air vent is hanging lose.
“We know who it is,” he says after slamming the door behind him.
“That’s great, Spence,” I reply excitedly as I attempt to put the screw back into place with only my fingertips. “Is he in custody?”
“The chief is on his way to pick him up right now. I wanted to tell you in person. Where’s Jay?”
“He already left,” I reply, pressing my hand against the vent as I continue to fidget with the screw, causing the one on the left to wiggle itself lose and fall to the ground.
“Breaking things before you leave?” he asks, crouching down beside me.
“I didn’t break anything. This damn screw fell out and I was trying to put it back in and the other one fell out.”
“Here,” Spence says, picking up the fallen screw and nudging me out of the way. “Let me try.”
Securing the vent to the wall with his hand the way I was, Spencer attempts to put both screws back in place. Once one is seated, he moves to the other, causing the first to fall back out.
“They’re stripped. Just let Brandon know and he’ll get new ones. They cost a buck, if that.”
Releasing the vent, he gently lowers it to the floor and stands to his full height, setting the screws on the dresser. I’m frozen in place as my eyes fall on what lays hidden behind the old piece of metal.
“Spence,” I mumble, his name barely slipping passed my lips as shock knocks me on my ass. Literally. I fall backward, landing with a thud.
“Are you okay?”
I point toward the vent, and Spencer laughs. “Do dark places scare you now? You were the one that loved to go to the haunted houses, Andi. The one that always dragged Sam, knowing she was going to scream every time she rounded a corner. I swear—”
“Spencer!” I holler, interrupting his trip down memory lane. “I’m not scared of dark holes. There’s something in there.”
Crouching back down, Spencer tries to see what’s in the hole, but his head blocks the light. Pulling his cell phone from his back pocket, he turns on his flashlight and shines it inside, the sight causing him to take a seat next to me.
We sit in silence, neither of us sure what we can say in this moment. Spencer’s flashlight is still pointed at Sam’s apron, a multicolored, fuzzy pen sticking out of one of the folds.
“You were going to arrest someone without the evidence I told you we needed?” I finally ask.
“The chief was convinced it was him. He didn’t want to wait. There’s a judge issuing a search warrant for multiple properties right now. This place included.”
“I can’t believe Brandon would do this,” I say, the words slipping passed my lips as I expel a loud breath.
“He didn’t. It was his brother, Ben.”
“Ben Royal?”
“Yeah. Every single one of the officers wrote his name down while you were presenting the profile. Every. Single. One. They all went to school with the Royals. They know him. Knew he had a bad relationship with his father. He was a track star in high school but a fuck up in all other aspects. And he likes to be the center of attention.
“Even the chief was sure it was him. Before we looked at your list. Before we watched his interview from five years ago. He wasn’t called in by anyone, he came in and offered to help. Claimed he walked through the park that night on his way to Riley’s and saw Sam walking home. Waved at her but didn’t stop to talk to her.”
; “That wasn’t in the file.”
“It appears there was a lot missing from the investigation. Things they didn’t think were important were left out of the notes. The chief’s job is on the line. I think that’s why he wanted this case closed. He had to know if anyone found out how badly they fucked up the initial investigation, heads would roll. Mainly his.”
Spencer finally turns off his flashlight and tosses his phone on the floor next to us.
“Don’t you need to call this in?” I ask, my eyes still focused on the now dark hole. I don’t need light to have a clear image of what I know is there.
“Yeah. I just need a minute to process, ya know? It’s over, Andi. It’s finally over.” Spencer let’s out a gruff breath, and when I turn to thank him for his hard work and dedication, I find tears streaming down his cheeks.
Wrapping my arm around his broad shoulder, I pull him to me, and he lays down with his head in my lap.
“Thank you,” he mutters, wiping away the tears.
“None of this would have been possible without you, Spence. You dedicated your life to solving Sam’s murder. You never gave up. Not even when it all seemed hopeless. Not when life got hard. Not when you wanted to run. You stayed and you made sure someone was always searching for answers.
“I may have put together the picture of who did it, but you kept hope alive. You brought the town together to celebrate Sam’s life. And now you get to tell everyone that the case is closed. Not because it’s been five years and it’s time, but because you caught the bastard responsible.”
“I really should call this in.”
“Take another minute to relish in the victory. To let closure wash over you, Spence. Remember this feeling for the rest of your life. Once you make that call, this place is going to be a flurry of activity.”
Spence closes his eyes and breathes deeply. Reaching for my phone, I quickly shoot off a text to Jay. I know he’s on his way home, that he probably won’t get the message for hours, but he deserves to know it’s over. He deserves to know the name of the man that took Sam’s life.
Me: Case closed. They’re arresting Ben Royal right now for Sam’s murder.
This isn’t just closure for Spencer, it’s for all of us.
My phone rings seconds after I send the message.
“Hey,” I say, keeping my voice low even though Spencer is now staring up at me from where his head is still resting in my lap.
“Are you serious?” The sound of relief in Jay’s voice mixed with disbelief causes an ache in my chest to build.
I can feel the pieces of my heart being put back together.
“Yes, Jay. The chief is on his way to arrest him, and coincidentally, Spencer and I stumbled on Sam’s apron.”
“What?” You can hear the shock in Jay’s voice. “Where? How? I don’t understand. That happened so fast. It’s barely been two hours since you presented the profile.”
After relaying to Jay everything Spencer explained to me, I hang up with the promise to keep him updated on the situation. Spencer finally calls the chief and informs him of what we found.
It’ll be an hour before the crime scene unit arrives, so Spencer and I are babysitting the evidence. No one is allowed in the room with us. There’s an officer standing guard outside of the open door, and another in the room watching to make sure we don’t contaminate the evidence.
“So,” I start, wanting to talk about anything other than why we’re stuck in this room. Why I’m going to miss my plane back home. “When are you going to propose to Mia?”
“I figure I’ll let things die down a little, make her squirm for a few weeks, and then surprise her. Why? You got a better idea?”
“Actually I do, but you have to keep an open mind,” I say, echoing the words he spoke to me a week ago when he called to ask me to come here.
“That’s my line.”
“I stole it,” I counter quickly.
“I don’t like it. You know I can’t refuse your requests. I’m a sucker for my ladies.”
Rolling my eyes, I’m about to launch into detail about my big idea when there’s a commotion outside of the door. I hear hollering, recognizing the voice immediately.
“This is my house. You have no right to be here,” Brandon yells. “I don’t give a shit if you have a warrant. This is my business. I’ve done nothing wrong.” There’s a long pause before footsteps grow louder as they climb.
“Chief,” the officer at the door says as he steps aside.
“Well, that didn’t go well,” he says in lieu of a greeting. “Though, I can’t blame the guy. I’d be pissed if my brother killed someone and hid the evidence in my house, too. Where is it?”
“In the return air vent,” Spencer offers, pointing across the room but making no move to get up off the bed.
“We’re not cutting corners on this. The feds are sending a crime scene unit in. They should be here any time. I want them to bag and tag the apron and all its contents. They’re going to process everything at their lab. It’ll be quicker than the state lab. I’m hoping to have this wrapped up by the end of the week.”
“Where is he?” I hear myself ask.
“County jail. He’s being held without bail. He didn’t even put up a fight when we knocked on his door. Held out his hands and let us cuff him. It’s like he knew we were coming for him.”
He probably did, and that means he’s ready to talk. To tell his side of the story. To relive the events of that night because he knows his name will be infamous in the town of Great Falls.
Chapter Twenty-Two
ONE YEAR LATER
“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride,” the officiant announces. Jay leans in, pressing his lips to the side of my head as we watch Spencer capture Mia’s lips, bending her backwards with more flare than necessary.
The small ceremony took less than a month to plan. Mainly because Spencer and I have been working together secretly behind Mia’s back. The invitations were sent out the same day Mia catapulted into Spencer’s arms screaming yes.
“May I present to you, for the first time, Mr. And Mrs. Spencer Crawford.”
Rose petals are tossed in the air as Mia and Spencer walk hand in hand away from Sam’s fountain. That’s what it’s come to be known as. And I can feel her here. When I’m in town, yes, but mostly here. When I come to visit and toss in a coin. When I talk to her, I do it here. The place she took her last breath.
It was only fitting to have the ceremony on sacred ground. It almost feels like Sam was a part of the celebration as the water rained down on the metal waves, sliding back into the fountain, over and over again.
The reception is just as perfect. Riley’s Pub has been transformed. The normally dark and dank feel is brightened by stark white linens over the tables and sheer white drapes that hang from the ceiling, surrounded by red and blue paper lanterns, giving the space a pop of color.
“You did good,” Jay says, giving my hand a squeeze.
“I didn’t do it alone. Mindi was a huge help.” Looking over my shoulder to where Mindi is situated behind the bar, our eyes meet, and she flashes me a bright smile.
When Spencer and I approached her on New Year’s Eve about hosting the reception here, she practically jumped at the opportunity. She was already a little tipsy, the new year only minutes away, so I was surprised when I had a string of texts from her waiting for me when I woke up the next morning, complete with pictures of her vision.
The last three months have been a whirlwind of plotting and planning. Knowing Spencer was going to propose on Valentine’s Day, we had to move quickly, but I couldn’t be more impressed with the final product. Judging by the smile on Mia’s face right now as she glides around the room, we did good.
“Spencer’s a genius,” Jay notes as we watch our two best friends share their first dance as husband and wife.
“Don’t tell him that. His ego is big enough already,” I joke as he stands, extending his hand to me.
“Think about it,” he begins, leading me to the dance floor and spinning me into his arms, “he proposed on a holiday, a date he’ll never forget. Then, he got married on his birthday so he’ll never miss their anniversary.”
Laughing as Jay spins me out and pulls me back in, I nod my head in agreement. “Yeah, I guess that was a good idea. Though I doubt he’d forget his anniversary even if today wasn’t his birthday. He loves Mia and has been waiting for this moment for years.”
“You think in fifty years, when his memory starts to go, he’d still be able to remember their anniversary?” he inquires as he dips me backwards, pulling me up slowly and securing me in his arms.
“When you love someone, I think you remember every moment. It’s not about celebrating your love one day a year. Sure, it’s a milestone, but love should be celebrated every day you wake up. Every time you kiss, you should feel their love.”
Jay leans in and presses his lips to mine as he continues to lead us around the dance floor. What I assume is going to be a chaste kiss continues for far longer than anticipated, turning needier by the second. When I pull away, I can see the lust in his eyes, the deep blue specks around his hazel irises having disappeared.
Jay pulls us to a stop as the song changes. “All of Me” by John Legend begins to play, the melody drawing my attention.
This is our song.
Deemed by Jay as it was playing the night I confessed I loved him. The same night we made plans to move in together and go all in.
It’s amazing how one text changed everything. Not only did it provide a sense of relief that Sam’s murderer was caught, but it instilled hope in Jay.
He was halfway home already when I sent the text. He’d stopped for gas and was getting ready to call to see if I had made it to the airport when his phone buzzed in his hands.
A Moment Too Late Page 19
