Taking It Slow - Reese Knightley Page 0,29
and meet us at the courthouse? I’ll spring for dinner. I know they’ve been wanting to check out that new arcade in town.” He hurried on when he saw the refusal building in Spencer’s gaze. “There’s this Mexican place next door to the arcade that has the best food on the planet.”
“On the whole planet?” Amusement replaced the forthcoming denial.
“Mhmm, I swear.” He crossed his heart with a smile.
“I’ll think about it.” Spencer grinned. “But the reason I stopped by is that I have a favor to ask.”
The words almost took his breath. Spencer had never before asked a favor of him. Liam nodded. “Ask away.”
“I need you to sign off on a part-time job for me.”
Liam drew in a quick breath and then clenched his teeth for a split second.
“Where?” he inquired calmly instead of the “hell no” he wanted to say. Lines of exhaustion already etched Spencer’s face.
“I’m picking up some night hours at the local mall as a security guard.”
Spencer slid the request form across his desk. There was a proud and stubborn tilt to Spencer’s chin as if he expected Liam to argue or offer him money. Fuck if Liam would screw this up.
“Of course,” he murmured, reaching for the form.
Relief swept through Spencer’s gaze.
“When do you start?”
“Next week.”
“Then you’re free tonight.” He paused, holding Spencer’s gaze.
Spencer laughed. “Yeah. I’m free.”
“When does the judge make his ruling?”
Spencer’s quiet question brought his gaze around from where he’d been watching the teenagers at the pool table. Adam was a bit of a pool shark, and he’d forbidden the boy from playing with anyone other than Wesley and Jessica.
The arcade was split in two sections, one filled with machines and the other with booths and pool tables. After dropping a couple hundred at the machines, Liam guided them over to the other side. He and Spencer had taken a spot in a booth and he was nursing a root beer.
“He’s heard our testimony and said he’d take a look at the evidence and get back to me by the end of the week.”
“He’ll take into account that you’re a colonel?”
“Probably, but it’s Adam and Jessica’s statements that will be the deciding factor.”
Spencer looked at him with sudden curiosity.
“What?”
“What made you want to enlist?”
“Oh, let’s see.” He took a breath and slowly released it. “My grandfather served, my father served, Logan and I joined at the same time, and as you know, our younger brother, Elijah, serves. It runs in the family.”
“All Army?”
“Yeah, even my grandfather. He retired as a lieutenant general.” He smiled, remembering his grandfather fondly and the kindness beneath his brisk facade.
“I never knew my grandparents.”
“Oh?” he encouraged Spencer.
“Yeah. My dad was like eighteen when his mom passed, he never knew his father, and my mom’s parents died before I was born.”
“Any of them in the military?”
“No. My dad was a long shoreman stationed out of San Pedro. He was killed in a fall while rigging.”
“How old were you?”
“Sixteen.”
“I’m sorry.”
Spencer shrugged and sipped at his drink. “Thanks. It was a long time ago.”
He wanted to ask about Spencer’s mother, but feared it would stop the soldier from talking.
“Why’d you join the military?”
“Escape.”
He held Spencer’s gaze. His eyes were a mixture of crystal and sky blue.
“I’m sorry,” he said again, at a loss.
“Don’t be. I’m glad I joined. I love it.”
“I’m glad.”
Another moment of silence passed while Spencer held his gaze. “Did you have a hand in them approaching me for Fury?”
He didn’t hesitate. The truth mattered. Honesty was the foundation of trust.
“I did.” Liam continued and told Spencer that he’d been in charge of Fury right out of the gate. “I thought you’d be a great fit for the three-man team and I wasn’t wrong.”
Spencer finally nodded and said, “I’m glad.”
“Me too.” He let out the breath he’d been holding.
Fuck, was he ever glad. Having Spencer as part of Fury kept the soldier close and God help him, that was all Liam wanted.
Spencer’s shoe nudged his and he jumped.
“Another root beer?” Spencer laughed.
“Sure, I’ll come with.” He scooted out of the booth and stood, throwing a glance toward the teens. They didn’t even notice until he lifted a hand, and then Wesley’s head popped up.
“Going for a refill, need any?”
Wesley smiled and nodded, pointing to the three empty glasses.
“Sorry you asked?” Spencer laughed and led the way down the small hallway to the open window where drinks were ordered.
“Nah, I figured they’d suck those Cokes down.” He smiled, coming to stand behind Spencer at the window. The