Taking It Slow - Reese Knightley Page 0,33
actually? I know so, but he says our lifestyles are too different and we can’t be more than friends.”
“Sometimes, people say one thing, but they really mean another.”
God, he hoped that was the case. He closed his eyes and then opened them and smiled. “Wouldn’t that be cool?”
“You’d have to move him.”
“I’ve already thought of that. Colonel Schneider said Fury could report to him.”
“You told this Schneider you were interested in Spencer?”
“No, I just put it out there that I might be making some changes and would need Fury to report to someone else.”
Logan nodded. “Can you live with that? Someone else calling the shots for Fury?”
“If it meant I’d have Spencer in my life? Fuck yeah.” He’d hand Fury over in a heartbeat if it meant having Spencer in his arms.
“So, now you need to convince Spencer to give you a shot.”
“I’ve tried.” He shook his head. “He knows I’m interested in more than friendship. The ball is in his court. It has to come from him.”
Logan tilted his head in thought. “You’re right.”
He shared a smile with his brother.
“When do you head back?”
“This afternoon.”
“I want to come out and see your new setup.”
“Anytime, baby brother.”
He snorted at the baby comment and gave Logan an annoyed smirk even though he wasn’t.
Logan grinned.
Spencer
Jesus fucking Christ. Spencer tracked Liam’s tall form as he walked across the mess hall. Anywhere they were, anytime he got the chance, he watched Liam. It got so bad, he couldn’t not watch Liam. He knew Liam noticed, of course, but the man had the graciousness not to point it out. In fact, Spencer was sure Liam liked that he looked at him a lot.
A shoulder bumped his and he glanced over to find Maddox staring at him. His friend then deliberately looked over at Liam and then back to him.
“Stop it.”
“Stop what?” Maddox smirked.
“It’s not like that,” he squinted.
Maddox gaped and then growled, “Why the fuck not?”
“What?” His mouth dried up.
“You two are perfect for each other. It’s clear to the rest of us that you like and respect each other. So again, why the fuck not?”
Spencer shoved back his tray and stood. He spun from his best friend and walked out of the chow hall. He only forgot how tenacious Maddox could be when his buddy followed him to the locker room.
“I wasn’t done.”
“I was.”
“Fuck that, Spencer. Talk to me.”
“No.”
“Spencer.” Maddox’s voice sounded hurt.
Spencer pinched the bridge of his nose and then turned. “Sorry.”
“You were there for me when I needed you the most. If not for you, I wouldn’t have called River.”
“You would have.”
“Probably, but not that day. I might have let our misunderstanding go on for a lot longer if you hadn’t been there for me.”
He swallowed and nodded. Okay, yeah, the misunderstanding between River and Maddox had been a fucking doozy.
“So, talk to me. What’s the problem?”
He’s rich! he wanted to blurt out. And suddenly, the silent words sounded so fucking vane, like he was a snob or something. “You know my living situation.”
“Yeah?”
Spencer stared at him. Maddox’s face went from frowning in puzzlement to clearing.
“It’s monetary differences,” Maddox said and rubbed his chin.
“Yeah. I can’t meet him on even ground.”
“Why even try?” Maddox frowned. “Why not meet him on even ground with something else. There’s more to life than money. What about your interests? You have the military in common. Everyone can see you’re attracted to each other.”
Great, he groaned silently.
“He’s my commanding officer.”
“So? You’ll have to report to someone else if you make a go of it, but so what?”
He licked at his lips, shoved his clothes into his duffle, and hefted it over his shoulder.
Maddox jerked his head toward the door and Spencer followed his friend. They’d been through so much together. God, he’d be dead if it hadn’t been for Maddox and River.
They stepped out the doors and headed to the parking lot.
“Come over for dinner. Bring Wesley. You can observe being a couple from River and me,” the smart ass said with a grin.
“Fuck you,” he laughed.
“I mean it, though. Spencer, think about it? River and I haven’t always made more money than the other. We fluctuate. With my promotion, I now make more, but we’ve never let that get in the way of our love.”
“I know. It’s just that Liam and I are from two different sides of the tracks.”
“Yeah, and you’re basing the shit that happened in high school on your decisions now. That’s not good.”
He squinted at Maddox.
“Remember when you told me I sounded