Christmas in His Bed

He looked at his almost sister-in-law. “Straight for the jugular, huh?”

“That’s Cady,” Patton murmured.

“And you adore me.” Cady smiled up at her fiancé.

Patton nodded, looking at Cady in a way that made Spencer slightly uncomfortable. “I sure as hell do,” he said in a gruff voice.

“I’d tell you to get a room, but...” Spencer teased.

Cady glared at him. “Patton says she’s the one.”

Patton groaned.

“He does?” Spencer glared at his brother. “Did he tell you I messed it up?”

She nodded. “You were pretty much the biggest asshole ever, from what I’ve gathered. But things like confessions and apologies make a difference. So does hearing ‘I love you.’”

He swallowed. “She doesn’t want a relationship.”

Patton and Cady both looked at him.

“She’s saying that because she’s scared,” Cady assured him. “Wouldn’t you be? Both the men she committed to dumped her.”

He didn’t say anything.

/>

“Is she what you want?” Patton asked.

He nodded.

“What are we talking about?” Zach joined them. “It looks serious.”

“Your brother and Tatum,” Cady offered.

“Okay.” Zach nodded. “I need a drink.”

Spencer laughed. “Conversation’s over, don’t worry.” He smiled at Patton and Cady. “Congrats, guys. I’m really happy for you. And I appreciate your concern.”

He excused himself and wandered into the billiard room, populated entirely by men. He took off his jacket and waited for the next game to start. But sitting in the large leather recliner in the corner, a warm fire crackling, the sounds of the party muffled by the thick wooden doors, wasn’t a good idea. He was nodding off when the doors opened.

“Told you,” Dean said, slapping Jared on the shoulder.

“Hiding out?” Jared asked.

Spencer shrugged. “Figured I’d wait to play.”

When the table cleared, they jumped up, racked up the balls and rolled up their sleeves. On the second round, Dean was chalking his pool cue when he said, “Let’s make this interesting.”

Jared chuckled. “I was waiting.”

Spencer frowned. “Now what?”

“I win, I get to kiss Tatum under the mistletoe. You win, you do,” Dean suggested.

Spencer’s frown grew. “No.”

“I could just do it,” Dean said. “This way I’m giving you a chance to stop me.”