“No.”
“Won’t I cause a stir then?”
“You’re never a stir. I won’t use my words to make an announcement, but I’ll live with you as my lover. I’m not ashamed of being with you or being gay. I mostly didn’t come out because of my grandfather. I think he knew but never said shit to me about it.”
“That’s good enough for me.”
“You need to know that Nathan, who I love like a brother, never got over me quitting. He will never understand my promise. We go through the reasons, but this time, he tried to force it on me. I’m not moving back. I can’t.”
Chapter Twenty
Jamie
Jamie waved as Daddy Spencer’s truck pulled away, the tires crunching over fresh snow. Nathan had hopped in with a quick goodbye, leaving Jamie and Alfie standing on the porch of the cozy little cabin. The air smelled of pine and chimney smoke, and for a moment, Jamie let himself believe it would be a fun-filled morning.
Jamie followed Alfie to the tiny kitchen. Alfie rolled up his sleeves, pulling out ingredients like he was on a mission. “Waffles first,” he said, grinning. “Then gingerbread boys. You in?”
Jamie nodded, grateful for the distraction. “Absolutely.”
They made a mess of the kitchen—flour on the counter, whipped cream on their fingers, strawberries sliced and stolen before they made it to the plate. Alfie’s waffles were golden and crispy, piled high with toppings, and Jamie felt himself relax a little as they sat at the table, laughing between bites.
When the cookies were baked, they leaned against the counter, decorating gingerbread boys with shaky icing lines andway too many sprinkles. The conversation drifted, as it always did, to their daddies.
Jamie hesitated, then said, “I saw Billy.”
Alfie’s eyes narrowed. “Ugh. That little bitch.”
“I thought he had more going on,” Jamie admitted. “Like… I don’t know. I thought he’d be more put together. But he’s just… mean. I keep worrying he’s gonna try to get Daddy Spencer back.”
Alfie snorted. “He’ll never take him back. Not in a million years. Spencer hates him. And Farlan too.”
“You met Farlan?”
“Yeah. He was the keyboard guy for Black Shadows. Total asshole. Drinks too much, talks too loud, thinks he’s God’s gift to music. He wants to join Nathan’s new band, but Nathan won’t take him back.”
Jamie was about to ask more when a loud, aggressive pounding shook the front door.
They exchanged a look.
Alfie wiped his hands on a dish towel and walked over, Jamie right behind him. He opened the door—and there was Billy.
He looked the same as before: long blond hair, black clothes, tattoos, that smug glint in his eyes. Without waiting for an invitation, he pushed his way inside.
“I’m looking for Nathan,” he said, scanning the room. Then his gaze landed on Jamie, and his mouth curled into a sneer. “Well, well. You’re still here.”
Jamie stiffened.
Billy stepped closer. “You’re not enough for Daddy Spencer, you know that, right?”
Jamie’s stomach dropped. The way he said Daddy Spencer made his skin crawl. It felt mocking, like he was trying to twist something sacred into something dirty.
“Don’t call him that,” Jamie snapped. “You don’t get to.”
Billy raised an eyebrow. “Touchy, little princess.”
“Get the hell out of here,” Jamie shouted.
Billy didn’t move. He just stood there in the front room, smirking like he knew something Jamie didn’t. “I’ve got your suitcase and backpack in my car. Want them?”
