“I see you’ve done quite the case study on me.” He flicked his fingers on the tablecloth as if asking for another hit of cards from a Vegas dealer. “Go on. I’m sure you’re not finished.”
“You’re laughing at me, I can see. Fine. But I love you. You’re my brother in every way but blood, and it kills me to see you alone and hurting. Deny it all you want, but I won’t believe it. These past few years have been the worst, watching you withdraw, pulling inside your shell and snapping at Spencer. Is he wrong too? Yes. I’m not attacking you. Wolf, please. If there’s anything I can do, let me help. You’re a wonderful person, loyal, funny as hell, sharp and brilliant.”
“You forgot devastatingly handsome.” He tried to lighten the mood. Elliot had hit close enough to home to leave gaping holes in his heart.
“I don’t have to say that. You know you’re gorgeous.” Elliot’s sad smile hurt worse than anything. “Which is why it makes no sense that we’ve never seen you with anyone, so when Anthony showed up, we were all thrilled. But if it’s not him, that doesn’t mean you cut yourself off from everyone else.”
“I-I don’t know what you want me to say.”
Elliot’s warm hand landed on his, and he trembled. He’d almost forgotten what it meant to be touched.
“Just be you.”
“I’m not sure…I think there’s something wrong with me.”
Elliot stilled. “What’re you talking about? Are you sick? Did—”
“No, no, nothing like that.” God, this was humiliating, and impossible to talk about, especially in the middle of a trendy club, yet because it was Elliot, Wolf could chip away a piece of himself. “It’s really nothing. I’m just not interested in dating or being with anyone. I’m happy being alone. By myself.”
Liar. You know who makes you burn.
At that moment, Win returned. Wolf appealed to Elliot with a simple look, and from their almost twenty years of friendship, Elliot understood.
“Have fun talking shop?” Elliot shifted away from Wolf, but not before giving Wolf’s hand a squeeze, which Wolf hesitantly returned.
“It was nice seeing Jerry. We used to work in the same precinct when we were rookies. Now he’s a homicide detective, but with five kids, he picks up extra work where he can.”
“You should invite him to the barbecue.” Elliot turned to him. “You’re coming, right? Saturday. Noon, at our house. No excuses.”
He could make plenty but found it impossible to say no to Elliot.
“Sure.”
Chess and André returned with the photographer, who motioned to Win and Elliot. “You’re up next, gentlemen. Come with me.”
Wolf slipped out of his seat. “I’m heading out. Good to see you all.” He kissed his friends good-bye and hurried out of the club. Thank God he didn’t run into Spencer.
Chapter Nine
Still on a high from the success of the runway show, Spencer bounced on his toes as he rang the bell at Elliot and Win’s house. Not only had Todd become an overnight sensation, but when his boyfriend got down on one knee at Tao and proposed, the editor of one of the most powerful fashion magazines, an older man and a soft-hearted romantic, secured the exclusive story of their relationship and Todd’s rise to fashion stardom for their cover.
The only negative part of the evening had been his altercation with Wolf, and even now, three days later, he was still confused, by Wolf’s behavior and his own.
The door opened to Elliot’s grinning face. “There’s the man of the hour. Come on inside.” Spencer walked through the door, and Elliot slung an arm around his neck. “We’re still talking about that party. It was so much fun.”
“Glad you enjoyed it. And aren’t you the fashionable ones. Look at you two. What happened to those ratty old T-shirts and sweat pants you used to wear?” He made a face.
Elliot snickered and fingered the hem of his gray-and-black-flecked T-shirt. He’d paired it with dark-gray jeans, artfully ripped at the knees. Win wore an outfit from Julian Cornell’s athletic line—a cotton T-shirt in hunter green paired with black joggers.
“We figured we might as well look nice for you. And…” Elliot paused, and Spencer watched a blush rise to his face. “You’re right. It is kind of nice to get dressed up every once in a while.”
“Good boy. I’m glad to see I’m rubbing off on you…fashion-wise.” He grinned. “I’ll let Win take care of the physical rubbing.”
Win walked in from the kitchen. “Warn a guy when you’re going to do that, please.” He held up his bottle of Stella. “I almost cracked a tooth on this.” He came over and hugged Spencer.
“Elliot walked right into it.” He glanced around. “Am I the first?”
“Yeah,” Elliot said. “Chess and André are on their way, and Wolf said he was coming from work. Win’s partner and his wife will be here too.” Elliot beckoned to him. “Let’s go sit outside on the deck. We can hear the bell from there. We’ve set up drinks already. It’s too nice to stay inside today.”
