My Forever Valentine

by Melody Heck Gatto

  Harley nodded, a smile on her face, as she stared at his text message. Those two simple words filled her heart with a sense of hope.

  Chapter Eighteen

  SPENCER

  Alone in the basement, Spencer struck his old punching bag. Anger bubbled inside of him. His chest tightened with anxiety. He could’ve lost his dad yesterday.

  He hit the bag harder.

  In one split second, with a single phone call, his dad could’ve been gone. Spencer’s emotions were all over the place, and he had no idea how to manage them. His fist connected with the bag again.

  He had been down here working out with his old weights since he and his mom had arrived home from the hospital. He just wanted to punch this bag until he couldn’t feel any more.

  And he hadn’t even begun dealing with his emotions surrounding Harley being here yet.

  There were so many emotions that he wasn’t processing—because he didn’t know how. And honestly, he didn’t want to face them.

  He wanted to cry. He wanted to yell. His chest hurt, and he couldn’t breathe.

  Maybe he was having a panic attack; he didn’t know. Whatever this was, it wasn’t good.

  He wanted to pull Harley into his arms and never let go.

  It was too much to deal with. Losing Harley to Isaac hurt. She was the love of his life. At least she was still in his life, just not the way he wanted her to be. That alone was hard enough.

  But he had almost lost his DAD yesterday!

  He’d watched Zane go through that kind of loss years ago, and he thought that he understood that pain. But after yesterday, it was obvious that he had known nothing about what Zane had gone through.

  Thoughts of his dad swirled around his head with such intensity... He wasn’t ready to be without him.

  His fist smashed into the punching bag with force. It was all too much. And just like when he was a stupid kid, he turned and punched the basement wall as hard as he could.

  He winced and shook his now scratched up, and hopefully not broken hand. Moving his fingers, he was pretty sure it wasn’t. The pain was tough, but it was what he needed. His chest rose and fell; he was able to breathe again.

  Just like when he was young, he now focused on the pain in his hand, not the pain in his heart.

  His mind cleared.

  It was a strange, messed up kind of therapy, but it worked for the moment.

  Spencer returned to the living room and looked around the quiet house.

  Zane and Lily had retired to Zane’s old room earlier to watch a movie. Spencer was pretty sure his cousin was still reeling from things. And like him, his cousin needed a quiet corner to think.

  And lucky for his cousin, he had Lily to lean on.

  It’s not that Spencer wasn’t grateful that the girls had rushed to their sides. They had been a foursome long enough that he had no doubt they’d be here to offer support. But he was still shocked to see Harley walk in the door after how she’d treated him.

  A sense of bitterness filled him at the thought of her being here. She had obviously moved on with her life without giving him a second thought.

  Entering the living room, he came upon his mom. “Hey...”

  “Finally decided to join the rest of the world again? You’ve been in that basement since we got home. You even missed dinner. Want me to heat up something for you? You missed out on a great meal. Lily heated up the manicotti I had put together, and Harley even made banana bread. Those two are coming right along with their kitchen skills.”

  “I’m not hungry,” he grumbled.

  “Not hungry? Spencer, I’ve only heard you say those words a handful of times in your entire life. And I believe, each time there was a girl involved.”

  It was true; he was always hungry. Especially for his mom’s homemade manicotti. But not tonight.

  “Let’s see,” she mused. “Once was in junior high when that girl, oh what was her name? Kerry. When Kerry broke up with you for that kid on the baseball team. That was your first broken heart.”

  His cheeks burned with embarrassment at her reminiscing. Plus, Kerry had nothing to do with his current situation. “Ma—”

  “Another time was in high school. Remember you didn’t make the wrestling team, and that girl, Martha, broke up with you on the same day? I also think that was the first time you punched the basement wall and broke your thumb.”

  His mom eyed his hand suspiciously.

  “Mom, I’m just not hungry. Okay?” His glance went right to his dad’s empty chair.

  It was weird not having his dad sitting there watching television. A pain hit him square, in the chest when a brief thought of how different things could’ve turned out crossed his mind.

  “Wipe that look off of your face,” his mom said sternly, breaking the silence. “I know what you’re thinking about, and get that thought out of your mind. That didn’t happen. Your father will be home tomorrow, back in his chair watching football and yelling at the television.”

  “I know, but it doesn’t help any that he keeps talking about the widow maker.” Even saying the words caused his body to tense.

  “Spencer, you know darn well that he will be fine. Now, I don’t want to hear another word about what could’ve happened,” she pressed.

  He nodded, knowing better than to cross his mother, especially right now. “You’re right. It’s just been a really long day. I think I’m going to turn in. Tomorrow will be better once Dad is home.”

  “Spencer, I know that we had an awful scare yesterday. But he’s fine. And after a little rehab, he’ll be back to his old self. Your father and I have many more years together—just with a little less fried food,” she teased, trying to lighten the mood.

  And it worked. He couldn’t help but nod, amused at her words.

  “But it’s you that I worry about. Dad and I will be fine; we have each other to help get through this. But I worry about you being alone. You ran to my side when I needed you. Who will run to yours when the time comes?”

  “Ma—”

  “Spencer Michael Wilson,”—her eyes narrowed into the serious look that only appeared on her face when she used his full name—“I am your mother, and I worry about you.”

  “I’m fine.”

  The look on her face told him that she didn’t believe him. “Tomorrow we will pick your father up from the hospital, bring him home, and try to get back to normal. But before that happens, I suggest you square things away with Harley. Your father doesn’t need you sulking around right now. The tension in this house is too much, and I don’t need it lingering when your father gets home. And no, don’t think for one minute that you will be staying long-term to ‘help out.’ We got along fine before, and we’ll get along fine now. You’re only a short drive away if we need help. And Spencer, that girl misses you as much as you miss her.”

  “Ma, I don’t—”

  His mother put her hand up and stopped him mid-sentence. “Don’t even bother denying. I know you better than you know yourself. And I can see it in her face, the way she watches you when you aren’t looking. And how about the sheer fact that she is here right now?”

  “I know, but she didn’t need to come.” Still, there was no denying that he was happy that she was here.

  “No, she didn’t. And the fact that she felt she had a place here, without you asking, is what I am talking about. Talk to that girl tonight! Get everything out in the open. Then tomorrow, we’ll bring your dad home, have a nice dinner, and then you boys can get back to your lives.”

  Spencer had no comeback worth responding with. He knew better than to argue with his mother.

  His mom took him by the arm. “Now, come with me.”

  Spencer let her lead him upstairs to the guest room. She stopped in the hallway, while he moved to knock on the guest bedroom door.

  “Hey,” he croaked out as he opened the door. Harley was sitting on the floor, hard at work on her laptop. “You busy?” He shook out his hand, while trying not to wi
nce in pain.

  Harley looked up and forced a smile. “Just finishing up this paper. What happened to your hand?”

  “Oh, I’d rather not talk about it. You look busy; I can come back later.” He rubbed the back of his neck with his good hand, a habit of his when he was stressed.

  His mother cleared her throat loudly, as she exited back down the stairs. That gesture was aimed at him. And for the first time, he realized that he had been walking around sulking.

  “No, it’s fine. If you can give me a few seconds. I just need to send it over to my professor. It was due this morning, but after explaining my circumstances, he gave me an extension until midnight. I just have to send this over...and it’s submitted.” She looked up at him expectantly. “What’s on your mind?”

  “My mom thinks we need to talk.”

  “Oh, your mom?” She nodded with a smirk.

  “Hard to believe, right?” he joked. “But I agree with her. We should talk.”

  Harley moved to the bed, and he sat down next to her.

  “You missed dinner,” she said.

  He sighed. “Yeah.”

  “I can heat up a plate for you, if you want?”

  “No, but thanks,” he responded flatly, staring at the floor.

  He carefully thought about what he was going to say. The last thing he needed right now was to fight with her. It was obvious that her defenses were already up.

  “Spencer,” she asked point blank. “What did Isaac say to you that day in the office to get you so upset? That day you punched him?”

  “Harley, just let it go,” he demanded. “I don’t want to talk about him right now.”

  “What is the big secret?”

  “It’s not important.” He stood and shut her door. This talk was already going all wrong, and the last thing he needed was his mother overhearing. He didn’t go back to sit on the bed, because he thought it might be better to keep some space between them “Look, I don’t want to fight. That’s not what this is supposed to be about.”

  “Okay,” she said cautiously.

  Shocked at her quick agreement, he couldn’t help himself from verifying her words. “Okay? Just like that?”

  “Yes.”

  “Now I’m confused. Since when do you concede so easily?” he asked with a laugh. He had never known her to give up on anything.

  Harley stood and took a few strides towards him. “I’m sorry. I know you’ve been through the wringer these last few days. I can’t even imagine.” Her expression softened.

  She was so beautiful standing there in the guest room. All he wanted to do was hold her. Looking into her eyes, he wanted to tell her how much he missed her.

  But then his brain went to Isaac. She was with him now.

  He couldn’t help the words that came next. “Harley, why is it so important that you know what that righteous piece of dirt said about you? Will it make you feel better about dumping him?” The words came out before he could internalize them. They were harsh and not appropriate.

  Taking a step back, she squared her shoulders off, her eyes wide. “If I want to know, it’s because I have a right to know. I don’t need anything to validate why I left him. I know why I dumped him. And I’m not planning on running back, if you’re worried about that.”

  “Oh really?” Again, he spoke before his brain could filter his words.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Confusion and anger laced her words.

  It hurt him to see her angry with him. But it hurt more to think about her with someone that wasn’t him.

  “I saw him, Har.” He knew that his hurt came through in his words, something he never intended to show her or anyone.

  “Who? What are you talking about?” she asked. Her shoulders dropped, and her face wrinkled up with confusion.

  He didn’t know if he should continue, but he finally croaked out, “I saw Isaac leave your apartment.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  HARLEY

  Her heart sunk into her stomach. What did he just say? He saw Isaac leaving her place. “How?”

  “What do you mean, how? It wasn’t like he was sneaking around. Anyone on the block would’ve seen him leaving your apartment.” Spencer shook his head as if he were trying to erase it from his memory. “I was on my way to see you. I wanted to apologize for being a jerk and hitting Isaac that afternoon. And as I drove down the block looking for an open parking spot, there he was, walking out your door.”

  His words hit her like a punch in the stomach. She even had to suck in a breath of air before she could continue. “Spencer, you didn’t see what you thought you did.”

  Spencer simply shrugged. His pain evident at what he thought he witnessed.

  Her heart ached at his indifferent response.

  Spencer was hurting and had been since that night. She had caused his pain. Maybe she should’ve set things straight from the start.

  She knew what she would think if she’d observed the same thing. He wasn’t wrong to assume the worst. But why would she leave him for Isaac? That made no sense. She knew convincing Spencer of her commitment to him was not going to be easy.

  Softly, Spencer spoke. “Look, we’re supposed to sign the lease on Friday, so—“

  “Oh,” she interrupted, surprised. “I figured you would’ve cancelled that.” Surely that was a logical assumption, considering he hadn’t been talking to her.

  Spencer shrugged, sadness on his face. “No, I guess I was holding out hope that we would work things out. But seeing how things played out with Isaac and all, if you’re going to break up with me, let’s get it out of the way right now. I’ll call and cancel. I don’t want to waste any more of your time.”

  His soft but harsh words pulled her out of her own thoughts.

  “But I’m not breaking up with you! Why would you even think that?” The words tasted vile. Tears stung her eyes and threatened to fall. She swallowed hard and pushed the tears back, refusing to let them fall.

  “Harley. I want nothing more than to move into our new apartment with you and forget all of this ever happened. But that obviously is not what you want. Isaac told me,” Spencer said, his face drooping like he lost his best friend.

  She could tell he was doing his best to keep his voice low so the whole house didn’t hear their discussion.

  “Isaac told you what?” This was not the time to be having this conversation. He needed comfort, not conflict. And she already regretted it. She’d turn back time if it allowed her to simply hold him and comfort him rather than have this conversation.

  “The day I caught him leaving your apartment, I confronted him to tell him to stop harassing you. And in his snide Isaac way, he told me that you two were back together.”

  She heard the words, but none of it made any sense. “Isaac told you what?”

  “That you two were back together.” He grimaced. “I mean, I should’ve expected it. Compared to Isaac, I’m just skating through life. He’s the one who has the five-year plan. Why wouldn’t you want that stability?”

  Stunned at Spencer’s words, she tried to pick her words carefully, to make sure he understood. “But you’re a thousand times better man than Isaac. I want you, not him!”

  It killed her to see him like this. He was hurting so much, and she was just adding to his pain. Still holding his hand, she refused to let go. “Spencer, I am so sorry this happened to your dad. And I am grateful that he is okay. But can you please listen to me?”

  He looked up at her with tired eyes.

  “Isaac lied to you.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Oh, poor Spencer, he had so much going on in his world with his dad, and the whole time he thought I was back with Isaac, thanks to that jerk!

  “Isaac is a terrible person. He lied to you. We are not back together. I would never go back to him!”

  Spencer took a moment as if he were piecing things together. “That day at the office, he did this creepy thing. He winked at me and said he would se
e me soon. Could he have planned this whole thing?”

  “To mess with us and eventually break us up? Yes. Isaac most definitely is capable of that. All the phone calls, then lying to your face, even being so obnoxious that you felt the need to hit him in front of me. I guarantee it was all part of his plan to break us up. Maybe he did want to try to get me back at the end of it all, or maybe he was just playing games with us as payback. I don’t necessarily care enough to find out.”

  His dark eyes met hers. They weren’t full of life and fun like they normally were. Instead, she saw nothing but sadness and fear. Reaching out, she caressed his cheek. She didn’t care if he pulled away; she just needed to touch him.

  Astonishingly, he didn’t pull away. Instead, he leaned into her touch.

  “Harley, I’m glad you’re here.” His words were heartfelt and grateful.

  “I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”

  “Thanks for that.”

  She debated her next words, but they needed to be said.

  “Spence, I know you’re in this awful place right now, but there’s an upside to this.”

  “An upside? Are you kidding?” He pulled away. His tone was gruff, and a scowl crossed his face.

  “Spencer, hear me out. Yes, these last few days sucked. No one will deny that. And while it’s okay to be upset, you have to stop dwelling on what might have gone wrong, because that didn’t happen.”

  “Harley,” his eyes narrowed. It was obvious he didn’t want to hear what she had to say, and she didn’t blame him. “You don’t understand—”

  “But I do.”

  “What do you understand, Harley? Do you understand that I almost lost my father? My life was at a standstill, and I was missing you, and then I received the call from my mom, and my whole world came crashing down around me.”

  She wanted nothing more than to pull him close and hold him.

  “I get all of that. The second I heard what happened, my heart ached for you, and for Zane, and your mom. I’ve never had the same connection with my parents the way you do, but your parents welcomed me and Lily into your family. And when I heard the news, I felt pain, too. And I knew I needed to be with you. Even if it was just as your friend. And as your friend, I’m telling you, this all sucks, but you are very lucky.”