Taking It Slow - Reese Knightley Page 0,38

pregnant.” Spencer was pretty sure it had been on purpose to trap his dad again.

“They were volatile together. He had her take a paternity test. When he found out that Wesley was his, he stepped up and did the right thing with child support. Although, he never came home.”

“So, she gets federal assistance for being a widow with a child?”

“She got the bereavement support for twelve months, but that’s all over with.” He picked up what her disability check didn’t cover.

“No coverage from your dad’s company?”

“My dad didn’t follow safety guidelines, so there wasn’t a settlement.”

The silence weighed heavily and he couldn’t think of anything to break it.

“My ex-wife refused to sign the divorce papers,” Liam murmured softly.

“No shit?” Spencer scowled even though he was relieved to take the focus off of him.

“No shit.”

“What happened?”

“I sat her down after eight months of hell, promised to be her friend, and begged her to sign.”

“Are you her friend?”

“Kind of.”

He wasn’t sure how he felt about that, the woman sounded like a bitch.

“So, why the change of heart?”

“Honestly? I think my father threatened her with misery.”

He barked with laughter and hugged Liam hard. “I wish I could have met him.”

“Me too.”

The silence was nice after that and he lay content against Liam until his stomach let out a loud growl.

“Oh really?” Liam teased, lifting his head.

“I’m starving,” he complained poking out a lip.

“Worked up an appetite?” One sexy eyebrow lifted.

Spencer chuckled and a lightness filled his chest. “Hell yes.”

Spencer

Hungry or not, he groaned when Liam tugged from his arms and stood.

The man stretched and Spencer ran his eyes down Liam’s lean body. His eyes glued to a tight ass when Liam bent over and tugged on his sweatpants.

His gaze snapped up when Liam turned with a knowing smile. “I’ll meet you in the kitchen.”

“Let’s make those nachos.”

“You do realize that it’s morning. The kids came home last night while we were in here.”

Spencer searched Liam’s face. “I realize that. Does that bother you?” He held his breath.

“Not at all. You?”

“Nope.” He flipped back the covers and jumped to his feet. He scratched at his stomach and watched as Liam’s eyes widened. He smacked his flat abs and then tugged on his jeans and a t-shirt.

Liam’s throat moved when he swallowed and Spencer bit back a smile. The man spun and headed out of the room, leaving the door wide open.

They found Anna in the kitchen with breakfast already made and he snagged a plate and headed out to the patio.

The teenagers were already swimming in the pool.

Liam took a seat beside him and the next few minutes were silent as they ate their fill.

Glancing over, he found Liam had slipped on a pair of sunglasses that hid his green eyes.

“Take off your sunglasses,” he ordered.

“Why?” Liam asked, but slid off the sexy as fuck shades.

“I’ve only ever dated twice in my life,” he began.

Liam’s whole body went still, the sunglasses quietly placed on the table.

“One, I was too young to realize I didn’t like girls but quickly figured it out when I wasn’t turned on when I kissed her.”

“I can definitely relate,” Liam offered with a light tone.

Spencer smiled. “The next one was a rich college boy from the other side of town.”

The silence lingered.

“Everything was going okay until he tried telling me what to wear and when I told him I didn’t have designer jeans, he bought them for me.” He could still remember the sour taste in his mouth as he’d taken the “gift” and stared at his boyfriend through burning eyes.

“He’d come by and pick me up,” he rasped. “Oh, he’d never come inside. He’d take me to the park bathroom to change into whatever clothes he bought me.” Spencer gazed off toward the pool, not really seeing it.

“How old were you?” Liam asked softly.

“I was seventeen. It got to where if I mispronounced a word or didn’t act how he wanted, then he’d call me out right there. Embarrass me in front of whomever was with us.”

“Oh, Spencer,” Liam murmured.

Spencer nodded. “Once he called me white trash. That’s the day I ended it. He was pissed and made my life hell. He had some of his high school friends paint graffiti, words like trash and beggar on my locker. They spread lies that I had sex for money.” He continued roughly, “It went on until I graduated and left for the military.”

The silence was thick and long. He rubbed at his upper lip.

“I swore then that I’d never date