Jamie’s cheeks flushed pink, and he nodded slowly.
“I know I’m not your daddy,” Spencer added, “but just for today, let me feel that good feeling of taking care of a boy.”
Jamie didn’t say anything, but the look in his eyes said enough.
Spencer went all in. Seven of everything—underwear, socks, shirts, sweaters, jeans. One leather jacket fit Jamie as if it had been made for him. He watched Jamie light up with each item, like he couldn’t believe someone would do this for him. That smile? Worth every penny.
He added boots, gloves, a hat, and a scarf to the pile. Jamie held the scarf as if it were a gift from another world.
“I can’t believe you’re buying me all these things,” Jamie said, voice thick with emotion. “No one has ever treated me like this before.”
Spencer handed the cashier his card and looked at Jamie with quiet certainty. “That’s what daddies do for their boy. If nothing else, I want you to know what a good daddy feels like.”
Jamie didn’t respond right away, but the way he looked at Spencer—like he was seeing something he’d never known he needed—said everything.
Chapter Seven
Jamie
Jamie stood beside the truck, bundled up tighter than he’d ever been. Spencer had insisted—leather jacket zipped up, scarf wrapped snug around his neck, matching gloves pulled over his stiff fingers. Jamie hadn’t even argued. It was bitter out, the kind of cold that made your breath curl like smoke, and snow had fallen in soft, lazy flakes. It was beautiful. Quiet. Like the world had hit pause.
But inside, Jamie felt anything but peaceful.
He climbed into the truck, and Spencer helped him, lifting the bags and tucking them behind the seat like it was second nature. Jamie watched him, still trying to wrap his head around it all. The clothes, the stuffie, the boots. No one had ever done this for him. Not even close. It made him feel warm and weird and kind of scared. Like he didn’t know what to do with kindness that didn’t come with strings.
As Spencer started the engine, he glanced over. “We’re gonna decorate the cabin for the party on Friday,” he said, smiling. “Two days from now. Nathan’s bringing lights, and Alfie’s got a ridiculous inflatable reindeer.”
Jamie nodded, staring out the window. The party. Right. The mixer. The whole reason Spencer had come down here. To meet someone. Someone new. Someone better.
Jamie’s chest tightened. What if Spencer found someone he liked at the party? What if this—whatever this was—was just temporary? A warm bed and a few gifts before he moved on to someone shinier, less broken.
He didn’t say any of that. Just kept his eyes on the snow-covered trees as they passed the cabin. The one with the black Jeep. Only now, the Jeep was gone.
Jamie’s stomach dropped. He knew that black Jeep. Knew it like he knew the sound of Daddy Tom’s voice when he was about to lie. That was his daddy’s Jeep. He’d seen it that morning, but the words had stuck in his throat like ice. Now it was gone, and too many ugly thoughts swirled in his mind—Was he still here? Did he leave again? Did he even care?
Spencer glanced over, brow furrowed. “You okay?”
Jamie nodded too quickly. “Yeah. Just tired.”
Spencer didn’t buy it. “You’ve been quiet since we left the store.”
Jamie shrugged, eyes still locked on the window. “Just thinking.”
Spencer reached over, resting his hand gently on Jamie’s knee. “You don’t have to talk if you’re not ready. But I’m here, okay? Whatever it is, you’re not alone.”
Jamie swallowed hard, throat tight. He wanted to say I saw my Daddy Tom’s Jeep, wanted to ask what if he comes back for him? But the words wouldn’t come. So, he just nodded again, leaning slightly into Spencer’s touch.
Spencer didn’t push. He just kept driving, hand steady, and his presence solid. And for now, that was enough. Jamie wasn’t ready to talk about Daddy Tom and all the rotten things he did to make Jamie cry for hours.
Jamie followed Spencer up the steps of the bigger cabin, boots crunching in the fresh snow. It was way larger than the one they were staying in—two stories, a wide porch, gigantic windows glowing with warm light. Inside, it smelled like pine and cinnamon, and the heat hit him like a hug.
Before he could even take in the space, Alfie came bouncing over, practically vibrating with excitement. “I’m glad you’re here! I want to get the lights to go around.”
Jamie smiled, tugging off his jacket, scarf, and gloves. “I’ll help.”
Spencer gave him a quick wink and wandered off toward Nathan, leaving Jamie with Alfie and a tangled mess of string lights.
Alfie looked like he’d walked straight out of a neon-lit dream and decided to make it everyone else’s problem in the best possible way. His hair was a bold mix of electric blue and vibrant green, tousled in that deliberate, just-rolled-out-of-a-storm look.
