Spencer clattered to the steps below him and sat. Of course, he was his impeccable self, and Chess had to smile. “How do you always look so put together? It’s not even nine in the morning.”
Spencer examined his immaculate fingernails. “It’s part of my job. Ever since I was promoted to head stylist for Maximillian’s men’s division, all eyes are on me. If I’m not perfect all the time, someone will notice, trust me. And not in a good way.”
“That must be hard. No one is perfect.”
“Well, I try to come as close as possible. But it is tiring.”
It was the first time Chess had heard Spencer voice anything close to a complaint about the dream job he loved. “It must be. But you’re the best at your job. I’ve seen the articles. The industry looks to you for trends. You’re the ‘it’ guy.”
“Until the next one comes along. I’m not foolish enough to think this is going to last forever, but I’m giving it my all, making my mark every day. It’s exhausting. All these young, eager faces in the wings. Sometimes I feel they’re like vultures, waiting for me to slip up so they can rush in and kick me to the curb.” He hung his head. “And then I wonder why I even bother to care.”
For Spencer to show such vulnerability was nothing short of shocking. He’d been the unending source of energy in their group, the one always able to bring everyone else out of their funk. Chess had long suspected that even Wolf enjoyed their sparring.
“Spence, is everything okay?” He reached over and squeezed his arm. “Is there something going on you’re not telling us?”
Those big blue eyes blinked, and the light, teasing smile Chess was used to returned. “Of course not, sweetheart. I’m an open book. Now where is that rich, sexy man of yours?”
“He’s got a ton of business calls to handle on a fire in one of their hotels. But…I need to ask your opinion on something.”
Shrewd as always, Spencer searched his face. “Let’s go somewhere private to talk.”
“Not the house. I don’t need Kyle to hear this.”
“Now I’m really interested. Come. We’ll go down to the beach.” He rose to his feet, and Chess followed as he descended the stairs.
“You’re willing to sit in the sand with your clothes?” he teased, expecting an equally snarky response.
Spencer stopped so suddenly, Chess nearly ran into him, and his lighthearted response died on his lips at the fierceness in his friend’s eyes.
“You’re my family. I’ll do anything for you.”
They found an outcropping of rocks under the shade of some scrub trees and sat facing each other.
“What’s going on? Is this work-related, or a problem you and André are having?”
“It’s André. And not a problem. Not really.” At that, Spencer’s brows flew up, and words Chess didn’t think he could speak spilled out. “But I’m not sure what’s going on, or if it’s all in my mind.” He recited everything he knew, from André’s explanation of the kissing picture to Kyle, and, most importantly, the pictures he’d discovered in the pool house.
What he appreciated most about Spencer was that no matter how flighty or outrageous his persona was, whenever any of them had important issues in their lives and needed to talk, he was there for them with surprisingly sage advice for someone who had no contact with his family and was determined to remain uncommitted in his personal life.
“Okay, here are my thoughts.” Spencer’s toes wiggled in the sand, and Chess noted they were as well-manicured as his fingernails. “The Instagram pictures you’ve already talked about with him, and while getting drunk isn’t an excuse, he owned up to them. The rest…” His lips tightened. “I don’t like that he lied to you about Kyle. Plus, why hide any of it? Kyle is nothing, a nobody he hasn’t seen in years, right?”
“So he said. I’m even questioning that now.” It was impossible to think of André lying to him all these years, but then again, he hadn’t exactly been telling the whole truth himself. He rubbed his face. Was there a difference? Who was he to question André when his own waters were as clear as mud? Miserable, he gazed at Spencer. “What should I do?”
“Sweetheart, you need to get the answers, and you’re not going to get them from me because I don’t know about relationships or any of that messy stuff. What I do know is, that man loves you to death, but that doesn’t absolve him from not telling you the truth. So yes. Get to the bottom of what the hell is going on.”
“So you do think something is going on?”
“Chess.” Spencer left his place on the rock to sit next to him. He put an arm around him, and Chess leaned into his comforting shoulder. “I refuse to believe André would ever hurt you, so no, I don’t think he’s cheating on you, or has cheated. You two are disgustingly perfect together, and I’ve never seen another couple so nauseatingly in love, aside from Elliot and Win, but they’re so new, I expect it.” Spencer kissed the top of his head. “You know him as well as you know yourself. Talk to him. I’m sure he has a good explanation.”
“Thanks. I will. We’re going to talk after he’s finished with his calls.”
“Okay. Now I have a party to plan, so I’m off to town.” With another kiss, this time to his cheek, Spencer left him.
“You know him as well as you know yourself.”
He stared off at the water, watching the waves roll in and out.
***
