by Riley Rhea
“Son, I don’t know her, but you have to have faith that she will be okay,” My dad says as he steps in front of me and pulls me into a tight embrace.
“I hope you’re right, dad. I really do.” My voice is so low I can only hope he hears me.
Brenna and Tucker are talking softly to Sam and Alice. I know Brenna’s just as scared as we are, yet she’s trying to be strong for all of us. Stepping away from my dad, I begin looking around for the one person I don’t really want to see.
“He’s outside calling the museum to see if they can store his and Lexi’s canvases,” My mom tells me.
Needing a distraction, I begin introducing everyone. “Mom, Dad, I suppose y’all have already met Lexi’s parents, Sam and Alice Allen.” I then point to Tucker and Brenna. “This is Tucker and Brenna Wade. Tucker and Brenna these are my parents Steven and Ellen. I just wish y’all were meeting under better circumstances.”
Everyone begins to make small talk as we wait. I sit down in one of the hard plastic things they call chairs when the entrance doors slide open. A woman, that looks eerily familiar, walks in pushing a baby stroller in our direction. I’m watching her when the doors open again and I can feel him. Without even looking I know that for the first time in two years I’m in the same room with my brother.
Turning my head, I watch my twin hesitantly approach me. He doesn’t say a word as he takes the seat next to me. I know it sounds weird after all we’ve been through, but there’s a part of me that’s glad he’s here. There’s a piece of me that’s been missing since the day I left home.
Here and now, I don’t care what happened in the past. All that matters to me is that he was there to help Lexi when I couldn’t be. We can deal with all the other bullshit when the time comes.
“Tell me what happened today, Vance.”
“She thought I was you. She slapped me and said ‘fuck you, Spencer Jacobs’ and took off out of the building. I followed her to try to tell her I wasn’t you and to see if she would help me contact you. She started running as soon as she got outside. She must have not realized how close to the steps she was because she completely missed the first one. I tried to get to her, Spencer, but it was like I was running in water. I tried…”
“It’s my fault, I never told her about you. I guess it was a huge shock for her to see you.”
“She was talking to Missy when she saw me pushing the stroller. I had no idea why she slapped me until she called me Spencer. Then I knew she thought the worst. I just wanted to set things right for you. I didn’t mean for her to get hurt.”
“It’s not your fault, Vance.” I can’t be mad at him for this because in all reality he had no idea who she was. It’s just one big fucked up coincidence that they came face to face today. “Missy, as in Tessa’s old roommate?”
“Yeah, man that’s her.” Vance answers, “No, it’s not what you think. We’re just friends.”
A small laugh escapes me. It’s crazy how he can read my thoughts as well as our mom can.
“Oh my hell, there are two of you, Spencer.” Looking up at Brenna I begin laughing at the expression on her face. She looks back and forth between Vance and me like she’s never seen a set of twins before in her life. “Tucker, did you know there was two of him?”
“Nope.” Tucker laughs as he extends his hand to my brother. “By the looks of it you must be Spencer’s brother, Vance. I’m Tucker Wade, and this here is my wife Brenna.”
“It’s nice to meet you both,” Vance responds.
The clock is ticking away as we wait for those doors to open and a doctor to tell us anything. Alice and Sam have both asked the nurses how much longer and all they get is that they will be with us as soon as possible. We know that Lexi is getting x-rays and a CT scan. Finally, after we’ve waited nearly two hours a nurse comes out and tells us the doctor will be out to talk to us in just a moment.
The women are gushing over the twin boys in the stroller as the men listen to Tucker tell them about that damn old Chevy we worked on for so long. I’m only half listening to them; my gaze is focused on the door leading to where Lexi is. I’m willing it to open and a doctor to come out and say she’s okay.
It seems like an eternity has passed when the doors finally open again and a man wearing green scrubs walks in our direction. “Are you all the family of Alexia Allen?”
“Yes, sir we are,” Sam answers the doctor.
“Mr. Allen, I’m Dr. Jennings. I was the first to assess your daughter when they brought her in. According to the Paramedics she fell down some stairs and hit her head. She also sprained her ankle as well as bruised a couple of ribs. The head injury is our main concern, though. I ordered a CT scan of her head to check for any swelling or bleeding which came back normal. This is a good thing. We have sutured the laceration on her head and bandaged her ribs. The orthopedic surgeon was called in to look at her x-rays to make sure there wasn’t a fracture to her ankle. She will be placed in a regular room soon. All her vital signs are stable and we expect her to make a quick and full recovery. Do any of you have any questions?”
“When can we see her?” I ask before anyone else can reply?
“As soon as she’s in a regular room I’ll have one of the nurses come and let you know.”
“Thank you so much, Dr. Jennings,” Sam says as he reaches out and shakes the doctor’s hand.
“You’re very welcome.” The doctor replies, before he turns away to help other patients.
“Dr. Jennings?” I say.
Turning, he looks back at me. “Yes?”
“Has Lexi woken up at all yet?”
“She did wake up, but she was in quite a bit of pain. Once the CT came back clean, I ordered her some pain medication and she was asleep for the rest of her tests,” he answers.
“Thank you, sir.” Relieved, I drop back down into the chair and begin the waiting game once more.
Chapter Eighteen
Spencer
Not long after Dr. Jennings gave us the news about Lexi, everyone decided to find the cafeteria and grab some lunch while we waited. I refused to go with them, but promised to text Alice the minute they bring Lexi to her room.
Now, sitting here alone in this waiting room is grating on my nerves. They need to hurry their asses up and let me see her. I have to see with my own eyes that she is indeed, okay. If I’d been with her, none of this would have happened. I should’ve told her about Vance. Had I opened myself up more, she’d be showing her exhibit right now instead of lying in a fucking hospital bed.
“Excuse me, sir. Are you with Alexia Allen’s family?” Raising my head I see a petite blonde woman standing in front of me wearing pink scrubs.
“Yes, ma’am, I’m her boyfriend,” I answer while getting to my feet in hopes she’s about to lead me to Lexi. “Can I see her now?”
“Would you like to wait for the rest of her family?” The nurse questions.
“I will let them know where to go.” The nurse gives me Lexi’s room number. Taking my phone out of my pocket, I pull up Alice’s number and begin texting her the information.
Now, knowing where she is, I head straight to the elevator. Leaning against the wall, I brace my hands on the rail and lower my head, drawing in as many deep breaths as I can. All this has put into perspective just how much Lexi has come to mean to me in such a short amount of time. I just hope and pray she doesn’t hate me for keeping things from her.
Reaching her floor, I exit the elevator before the doors are completely open and rush down the hallway to her room. Stopping in front of the door, I take another deep breath and hold it as I open the door to step inside.
As soon as my eyes land on her face, all the air leaves my body. I feel like someone just punched me in the stomach. She looks so small and fragile lying against the stark white sheets. The closer I get to her side the more my stomach twists into knots. When my eyes scan her beautiful face, a single tear falls down my cheek. The bruising from the fall goes from her hairline to the middle of he
r face.
I gently lower myself on the bed beside her, placing my hand on her unbruised cheek. Leaning close enough to brush my lips against hers in a soft kiss, another tear drops onto her injured cheek.
“I’m so, so sorry, Lexi. I should have told you I had a twin brother. I should have been there with you today, instead of letting my stupid pride hold me back. I should have told you days, hell, weeks ago, that you knocked all those walls around my heart down.” Reaching under the cove r and finding her hand, I hold on to it like a lifeline. I need her to wake up. I need to see those golden eyes of hers, that beautiful smile, and hear her voice whispering my name.
There’s a soft knock on the door before it opens and Lexi’s parents and Brenna and Tucker come inside the room. I place another soft kiss to her lips before standing and moving away from her bed to give her parents a chance to see her.
Tucker tilts his head toward the door to signal me to follow, I did, and spot my parents, Vance, Missy, and the babies near the wall speaking quietly.
“You doing okay, man?” Tucker asks as soon as the door closes behind me.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been so scared in my life. The not knowing from the moment the call came in until I just laid eyes on her, man…” Running my hand down my face, I take another deep breath. “I felt like my world stopped spinning, like all the oxygen had been sucked out of it.”
“She’s going to be okay, Spencer. You need to tell her that. Let her know how you feel about her. Don’t wait. As soon as she opens her eyes, you tell her that you love her.” Tucker states before heading into Lexi’s hospital room.
Do I love her? Is that what this feeling means? I know I damn sure didn’t feel a portion of this way about Tessa. Fuck! That little red head in there has knocked me on my ass without even trying. I swore I’d never open my heart again to anyone. Apparently, I wasn’t prepared for her.
* * *
Lexi
I hear my parent’s voices and their pleas for me to wake up. I try to open my eyes for them. I only get my eyes open to a small slit before I shut them again; the light is so bright that it feels like someone just stabbed my eyeballs. I try to raise my arms to block the light, but pain radiates throughout my sides and chest. Holy fucking hell, I feel like I’ve been hit by a train.
“Lexi, wake up, baby girl. I need you to open your eyes for us,” my dad pleads.
“Light,” I rasp. My mouth is so dry it feels like I just swallowed a mouthful of sawdust.
“Thank God, you’re awake. We’ve been so worried. Sam, go get Spencer,” My mom says.
“No!” I attempt to yell, but it came out more of a raspy whisper.
“Here baby, drink this,” Mom says as I feel a straw touch my lips. I sip the water slowly as I try to open my eyes again.
The light’s dimmed. Thank you, sweet baby Jesus. “How bad is it?” I ask my parents and listen as they tell me what the doctors told them.
“Lexi, what happened?” My dad asks as he takes a seat next to my bed.
I tell my parents what happened, from the time I arrived at the exhibit to the time I ran into Spencer. I assumed my dad would be furious, storming out of the room in search of Spencer, but they both sat there calmly as I speak. “I can’t believe how stupid I was to trust him. I should have known he was too good to be true.”
Dad sighs softly, “Lexi, did you ever think to stop and listen to what this man had to say?”
“Are you serious right now, Dad? I just told you that I saw Spencer with another woman and you ask me if I stopped to let him explain?”
“Honey, I think you really need to talk to Spencer.” Mom says softly.
“No! I have nothing to say to him,” I shout. Yes, I know I’m being kinda disrespectful to my parents, something I’ve never done before, but damn it I’m hurt and pissed. He’s the last person I want to see.
“That’s too bad, Lexi. Because I have plenty to say to you.” Spencer says as he walks through the door.
My parents stand to exit my room. I can’t believe they are doing this to me. What the hell? I tell them he’s cheating, while I’m lying in this hospital bed in excruciating pain, and they abandon me.
“I have nothing to say to you, Spencer. Go talk to that girl that was with you earlier and leave me alone.”
“It’s not what you think Lexi, and I can prove it to you.” Spencer says. He opens the door and motions for someone in the hallway.
If my damn head and face didn’t hurt so bad, I’m sure my jaw would’ve hit the floor. I’m convinced the pain meds are messing with my head. Right in front of me are two Spencers.
“Hi, Lexi, my name is Vance, and as you can see I’m Spencer’s twin. I’m really sorry for the misunderstanding this morning.” His voice is a little deeper than Spencer’s, how did I miss that?
“Oh my God! There are two of you.” I don’t know what else to say. I feel so stupid right now. If I’d only have stopped and listened to him, then I wouldn’t be in this hospital bed right now.
“Lexi, I should have told you. There’s a reason why I didn’t. Today is the first time I’ve seen or spoken to Vance in two years,” Spencer says as he takes the seat my father was sitting in moments before. Vance leans against the wall and stares at the floor.
“Why? No more hiding Spencer.” I order him with as much conviction in my voice as I can muster. I listen as Spencer tells me about what he walked in on two years prior. My heart aches for him. No wonder he guards his heart so well. I glance over at his brother. Pain and sorrow are etched on his face as he listens to his twin talk about the betrayal that tore them apart.
Chapter Nineteen
Spencer
Telling Lexi about what happened two years ago is surprisingly much easier than I thought it would be. The pain that I felt then at their betrayal is a distant ache which no longer seems to consume me. It feels good to get it all out there, knowing my brother is hearing what I have to say as well.
“No wonder you’ve been so guarded,” Lexi says softly to me. I don’t say anything in response to her. I continue to watch Vance willing him to say something.
“You weren’t the only one betrayed that night, Spencer. We both lost something,” Vance finally says.
“What did you lose?” I grunt, surprise filling me at the audacity of his statement.
“My best friend. My other half. All over some stupid bitch that wanted what she couldn’t have,” He replies, anger lacing his voice.
“What do you mean by ‘what she couldn’t have’?” Lexi questions Vance.
“Missy came to me a few weeks after you left; she was actually looking for Spencer. She told me that Tessa had talked for months about finding out just how identical we were. So basically, Tessa had this all planned,” Vance answers Lexi while keeping eye contact with me.
“Wow, what a bitch,” Lexi replies. “Is Missy the girl that was with you this morning?”
“Yes, we’ve have been really close ever since then,” Vance says.
“That still doesn’t excuse or explain what I saw that night. You fucked her, Vance, I saw you!” I hate that this is all going down in front of Lexi, but the time has come.
“I did not fuck her. Hell, Spencer, do you honestly think I would do that to you? You’re my goddamn brother for fuck’s sake. There’s no way I’d betray you that way, but you never gave me a chance to tell my side of the story. I didn’t even know what happened until after you took off and by the time I called Dad to come get me that night, it was too late. You were gone, and well, now here we are,” Vance says angrily.
I’ve never seen my brother so angry or heard him curse so much in front of a female. As bad as I hate to relive that night again, I have to hear his side of the story so I can move past this completely. “Then tell me what happened that night.”
I listen as my brother tells me how he arrived at Tessa’s house already half drunk and was feeling sick. He asked Tessa for some medicine and then went to her room to lie down. That w
as the last thing he remembered until he heard the door slam. He then told me about his conversation with Tessa afterwards. I can’t believe that she would stoop to that level. Vance is telling me the truth. I can see it in his eyes and hear it in his voice.
“You can talk to Missy if you want,” Vance offers.
“Naw. It’s over and done with now and I just want to put it all behind me. Had that not happened that night I wouldn’t have met this woman right here,” I tell my brother as I turn to smile at Lexi.
“Wow, what a story. I’d like to meet this Tessa chick and thank her for being so stupid,” Lexi adds. “Her loss is my gain, although she does deserve a good punch in the twat for what she did to the two of you.”
Vance and I both laugh at Lexi’s comment. “She’s spunky, I like her. You did good brother.” Vance laughs.
“What the hell?! Why does everyone call me spunky?” Lexi blurts.
“Because babe, you are one spunky little redhead and I love it.” Lexi smiles as much as she can at me before a pain filled moan escapes her. Getting up from my chair, I head toward the door to search out the nurse’s station to see if Lexi can have something for pain.
* * *
Lexi
“He loves you, ya know?” Vance says as soon as the door closes behind Spencer.
“I don’t know about that. I believe he cares, but love… I think he’s too scared to love again.” I whisper.
“Naw, believe me, he loves you. I saw his face when I walked into the emergency room. There was so much fear and concern. There is no doubt in my mind that my brother is head over ass in love with you.”
“Hmm, well, he sure hasn’t told me,” I say using sarcasm as a barrier to protect myself just in case he’s wrong. “By the way, I’m sorry for slapping you this morning. I really thought you were Spencer.”
“Don’t worry about it. Shit happens. I just wish this much shit didn’t happen.” He mutters, gesturing to my injuries.
