“That sounds fun, don’t you think? Maybe Wolfie and I will have to try that.”
“Spencer,” Elliot yelled. “Will you please tell us?”
“Sit down. It’s going to be a long night.”
Chapter Nineteen
It was after midnight before he and Wolf finished telling their stories, tag-teaming each other when necessary. To their credit, Elliot and Chess sat silently, shocked and wide-eyed when Wolf explained his past. Win held Elliot’s hand tight while André put his arm around Chess, who every few minutes would wipe his eyes with a tissue.
They hadn’t yet revealed their other news, which Spencer had a feeling would rock their worlds to the core. He was looking forward to it. He always loved a bit of drama.
From the shelter of André’s arms, Chess gave them a watery smile. “I’m horrified, Spence, over what you went through. A teacher’s betrayal of trust is almost as bad as a parent’s. And I’m glad Spencer was there to help you, Wolf, and that you had each other to lean on. I wish you could’ve felt more secure to talk to us, but trust me, I understand why you wanted to forget. Both of you.”
“And yet I couldn’t. No matter that I changed my name, or how deeply I buried myself in my work, it ate away at me like a cancer and prevented me from doing so much and living a normal life.” Wolf’s shoulders hunched, and Spencer vibrated with tension. He wanted nothing more than to hug him tight, but he waited, knowing the time wasn’t right.
“I remember your father’s case, Wolf. A lot of the techniques we use now in sting operations came from that case.” Win seemed almost apologetic, and Wolf gifted him with a quiet smile.
“It’s not your fault. When I saw him at the parole board hearing and heard they’d denied him, I thought it would magically change my world, and I’d be happy, but the anger remained. Every day I found it harder to breathe. I still hated him for what he did to me and my mother. He never mentioned us—I doubt he’d thought about me at all. And even though I hate him, a part of me wonders why he never tried. And what I would’ve done if he had.”
Oh, God. Spencer’s heart ached for Wolf. That was something he hadn’t yet confided, and it made perfect sense. It was natural for Wolf to be angry and resentful, but shouldn’t his father have reached out to his son, at least once? It wasn’t for Wolf to take that step. It was one thing for Wolf to say he hated his father. Spencer believed he did, and he could hardly condemn Wolf for his feelings. Yet Wolf had also recalled the good times they’d had and how he’d idolized the man. How he must’ve hurt all these years…and what strength he possessed to make it alone, going so far as to change his name and reinvent himself. He’d risen again, like a phoenix from the ashes, to take his place in the world. Spencer rubbed his stinging eyes, and when he found Wolf’s gaze on him, gave him a nod of encouragement, hoping it conveyed all his love and support.
A tiny smile flirted at the edges of Wolf’s lips. “Then I learned that nothing good is accomplished by holding on to the pain and grudges of the past. So I’ve decided to move forward.”
“Okay,” Elliot said, “I know everyone is holding off on asking, but I’m not.” His gaze shifted from Wolf to him, and Spencer tensed. “What’s going on with the two of you? Why are you both barefoot?”
Chess snickered, obviously recovered from his emotional meltdown. “Inquiring minds need to know.”
Wolf appealed to him, and Spencer grinned, then walked over to Wolf and gave him a kiss. “Oh, we just decided to make love, not war. Right, Wolfie?”
Wolf’s blush was too adorable, and Spencer couldn’t keep from kissing him again.
“Stop looking at me like that. It’s indecent,” Wolf said, but his eyes told a different story.
“Isn’t that what you love best about me?”
Wolf released a sigh. “Unfortunately, yes.”
“What?” Elliot screeched, and André smacked his thigh.
“I knew it. Right, Win? We called it.”
Nodding, Win gave them a thumbs-up. “About time you two figured it all out and got your heads out of your asses.”
“Oh, we accomplished that earlier in the evening. My ass is very happy, thank you.”
“Jesus,” Wolf hissed. “Have you no filter at all?”
In front of everyone, Spencer laced his fingers with Wolf’s. He whispered—as the words were meant only for him, “This is who I am. You’ll love me, and hate me, but you’ll never have to worry about trusting me. I’ll always be there for you. The one thing I’ll never be able to hide is what you mean to me.”
Wolf’s gaze softened. “I know. And I’ll never forget today.”
“Neither will I.”
“Do you know how many times I told Win he was crazy to think the two of you really wanted each other? I’m going to owe him big-time.” Elliot scowled. “I hate being wrong.” His frown morphed into laughter. “But oh my God, who the hell could’ve predicted this? I still don’t get it.…You guys never miss a chance to snipe at each other. How did thishappen? And so fast? At Chess and André’s wedding you were at each other’s throats most of the time.”
Spencer had no answer for that. Honestly, he’d wondered himself. How had they shifted positions from hate to love in the blink of an eye?
“I’ll take the blame for that,” Wolf said. “I was on edge, knowing my father’s parole hearing was coming up, and then that case with the young girls was on my mind. I regret my behavior toward Spencer. He tried to smooth things over on the beach the night before you got married, but I pushed him away. And if years ago I could’ve ignored all the doubts in my head, it would never have taken us this long to get to this place.”
