Spencer: Book 2 of The Bachelor Collective

BONUS EPILOGUE

"And here we have an eat-in kitchen," the overzealous real estate agent said as Harper and I followed her deeper into the house.

I leaned closer to the beautiful woman I now got to call mine and said, "Is there any other kind of kitchen."

She giggled and swatted at me before following the real estate agent a little quicker. 

"I know it's not open concept, but it's well within your price range and in the school district you wanted."

Harper looked at me. "It's really cute, and there's room to grow." She shrugged, her cheeks pinkened.

"Why don't I give you two a minute, and then we can meet in the fully fenced backyard," the real estate agent suggested before slipping past us.

I turned to Harper. "This is a big decision. And this is only the third house we've seen."

"I also liked the other houses."

I sighed. Who knew buying a house would be so difficult?

Everyone.

Everyone knew. 

I could hear Hector's voice saying, "Make sure you take your time picking, hermano."

"And don't buy a fixer-upper like we did. I'm surprised we're still married," Paul said, looking at his husband, who nodded in agreement.

"In case you put another baby in her, make sure you buy a house with room to grow!" Mikey added, once again ignoring the fact that I hadn't put the first baby in her.

I looked around the house again. It wasn't modern, but it also didn't look like something out of the 60's which is when it was built. There was a lot of carpet, which, considering the amount of fluids and other mess that would likely come out of the baby, was a little disconcerting, but I figured it would give Adam and me a chance to hang out as we tore it up and put in something more baby-friendly.

Adam.

That was another hard sticking point. 

I didn't know how to tell my best friend that I was moving. Of course, I figured he had some idea that our time living together was coming to an end. I knew it too. Even though I'd never been happier than I had with Harper, it stung to think about moving out of my apartment.

I looked down at Harper. She rubbed her large belly as she looked around. I could see her decorating it in her mind.

"Do you love the house?" I asked.

Her beautiful, lush, crimson lips turned up in a smile. "I can see us happy here."

That's all I needed. I didn't want to spend a second away from her and our baby. We were already cutting it close.

"Let's put in an offer."  

After I dropped Harper back at the diner, I went home. Adam was sitting on the couch watching sports highlights. I sat next to him, tossing my phone on the coffee table as I did.

"You have a good time with Harper?" Adam asked.

"Uh, yeah. Look, can we talk?"

"Sure---" Adam's alarm on his phone went off. He clicked his tongue. "Med time. One sec."

He turned off the TV and then left for the bathroom. The sound of pills rattling filled the apartment, and my heart sank. I was the only one who knew why he took the medication, and I knew how much his condition devastated him.

He hopped over the back of the couch. "Okay. What do we need to talk about."

I blew out a long breath. "Look, man, I'm not sure how to say this but---" The words caught in my throat. I didn't know how to tell him, only that I had to.

"You and Harper bought a house."

I met his eyes. He didn't show his emotion which was almost harder than him being upset since my face stung with suppressed tears. "We put in an offer and the agent thinks we're likely to get it."

Adam slapped my back. "That's great! Will you be in before the baby?"

"If everything goes to plan, yes."

"That's great, Spence. I'm happy for you." 

He smiled, but we'd been friends long enough that I knew while he was happy for me, he was sad for himself.

"Are you going to be okay here by yourself?" I asked.

Adam nodded. "Of course. Why wouldn't I be?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. I don't want you to be lonely. Reed's married. I'm having a baby. Bram's.... Bram. Declan is emotionally unavailable." I wet my lips. "It leaves you alone."

"I'm not alone. At least, assuming this isn't you also ending our friendship."

My eyes widened. "What? No! Never!"

Adam laughed. "Then, see? I'm not alone. Everything will be okay. Everything is okay. Dude, I'm so excited for you and Harper. I'm happy Reed found Piper. I'm okay with losing Bram, and Declan will eventually come around. He just needs time."

I swallowed. "It won't be the same."

"It shouldn't be. We should all be moving forward with our lives and doing the things we want to do."

"You never will."

Adam shrugged. "I'll do plenty in this lifetime."

I reached over and pulled Adam in for a hug. He patted my back, and I did my best not to cry. Not because I worried what Adam would think, but because I know his biggest fear is feeling like a burden--- like his condition is a burden. 

When we pulled apart, Adam smiled. "So, can I keep the X-box?"

I pushed him, and he laughed.

"Come on," I said. "Let's go to the hangout. We'll text the guys on the way."

Even though life was about to change drastically, I knew one thing would remain the same: Adam and I would be best friends. Harper was the woman of my dreams, and I looked forward to doing life with her. Nonetheless, Adam was my ride or die. I hoped I would never experience the latter.