Page 54 of The Senator

I faked a yawn, having drank five energy drinks as I made my way through a blizzard to get to Spence after Pacman, Hand, and Denny explained how the Judge and Mrs. Brady had set up Spencer’s downfall. They’d offered to drive with me to explain that shit to Spence, but I knew keeping the club away from Spencer was for the best.

Denny made me promise I’d call him if I needed anything, and one of the prospects followed me until I reached the highway. It was slow going, but I made it, thankful to be in the Senator’s arms again—before it came crashing down.

“We can talk tomorrow, Spence. Get some sleep.” I evened my breaths so he thought I was asleep. My mind wouldn’t stop spinning, because I had no idea how to begin to break the news to him.

I’d considered seeking Vani out, but it occurred to me that I couldn’t continue to count on her as a crutch. She was Spencer’s wife, yes, and it was completely fucked up that I’d ask her for advice. I needed to learn to talk to him on my own, without her intervening on my behalf.

“I really missed you, Nash.” Spencer’s breathing became even, comforting me as I listened to the sound in the quiet room. He pulled me closer, and I did my best to relax, but the idea that I had to be the one to tell him his parents had been behind the scheme to fuck him over? Not the best spot to be in, ever.

After Spencer fell into a deep sleep, he turned onto his back and loosened his arms around me, so I gently extricated myself, pulling on my jeans before I went downstairs, determined to get my duffel out of the SUV so I didn’t have to keep using Spence’s toothbrush.

I walked into the garage and grabbed my bag from the back seat, trying to be quiet when I walked back into the house. I was surprised to see Jay standing at the refrigerator, scratching his ass as he leaned over the door. He was shirtless and wearing a pair of grey sweats, and I could see I’d startled him when I came into the kitchen.

“Sorry.” I placed my bag on the island so he could see I wasn’t doing anything shady.

Jay chuckled. “It’s okay. You want something to drink?” He pulled out a Gatorade and held it out to share from the bottle, which surprised me.

“I, uh, I’m okay. Everything okay with you?”

“Well, I’m a little dehydrated, and I thought you might be as well.” Jay gave me a sarcastic smirk.

“Ah. Too loud. I hoped we weren’t.” My cheeks heated with embarrassment.

“Don’t worry about it. Cole’s usually loud, but he was asleep. When did you get back?” Jay took another gulp from the energy drink.

“Uh, about an hour ago. Can I ask you something?”

Jay shrugged, so I stepped out on that limb. “Are you close with your grandparents? I mean, uh, Judge Brady and Hillary?”

“Fuck no. They were against my parents adopting me. They thought Mom and Dad should have a bio kid, and they never accepted what happened to Mom.” Jay’s scowl supported his comment.

“I, uh, I know some stuff, but what do you mean?” I tried to determine how much the young man knew about his parents getting together.

“Do you and Dad do anything other than fuck?” Jay chuckled. “Mom wasn’t able to have a kid, so they decided to adopt me. Judge and Hillary never accepted it, though based on recent revelations, they probably wouldn’t have one anyway since Dad’s gay.” He did have a point.

“So, they won’t drop by with presents?”

Jay chuckled. “Hell no. They’re both assholes, and we never see them. I remember once when they came here to give Dad shit about the way he voted on a bill, and they got into a shouting match. Ron said Dad was too liberal, and Dad told him to fuck himself. I’m sure the neighbors enjoyed the show. Ron and Hillary left, and I don’t remember seeing them after that.”

I nodded. “Merry Christmas.”

“Look, Nash, I wasn’t sure how you played into this situation. I remembered seeing you at the hospital after the accident, but nobody explained it to me until Dad finally told me the score.

“Mom also talked to me about their divorce, which wasn’t so much of a surprise as everybody seemed to think it would be. Hell, I don’t ever remember them sharing a room, and the excuse that Dad snored was bullshit. I know he doesn’t, but you know, as a kid, there’s shit you don’t wanna think about your parents—you know, like my dad plowing you like farmland.” Jay’s joke made me laugh.

I heard moving around upstairs, and glanced down to see I wasn’t wearing a shirt. “I’m gonna go get decent. Are you people early morning gift exchangers?” I walked to the coffee maker to set it up, knowing it wouldn’t be long until everyone was awake.

“Hey, I’m going back to bed, but if you can keep Mom and Dad down here for a while, maybe I can get my Christmas present before breakfast.” Jay waggled his eyebrows before he ran back upstairs.

I heard the snick of a bedroom door, so I left the light on over the sink and grabbed my duffel, heading upstairs to change into something nicer than a pair of ratty old jeans. When I opened the door of the bedroom, I saw Spencer was leaning against the headboard, his shirtless chest enticing me to climb back in with him. Maybe I could get another Christmas present myself?

“Where’d you go?” He stifled a yawn.

“To get my bag out of the Navigator. I started the coffee.” I opened my bag with the intention of unpacking, but then, I remembered what I needed to tell him, and I decided to forego it. I reached inside and grabbed a clean Henley, tossing it on the chair where Spence had put my coat.

Spence pulled back the covers to reveal his naked hip, and he smirked at me. “Come back to bed.”

I laughed. “I think Vani’s up. Seems bad form for us to be fucking like rabbits in here while she’s downstairs making breakfast.”

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