Chapter Ten
Spencer
Spencer sat stiffly in the cabin’s office, the low hum of the boys decorating muffled behind the walls.
His jaw was clenched so tight it ached, and his fingers curled around the edge of the desk like he needed something to ground him.
Nathan sat across from him, calm as ever, sipping his beer like they weren’t talking about something that made Spencer’s blood boil.
“Tom,” Nathan said, voice steady, “served four years in the Marines. Two tours. Works for the local police department. And living in Brentwood, he’s got gobs of money.”
Spencer’s stomach turned. He already hated the guy, but hearing all that made it worse. Great! A decorated asshole with a badge and a bank account.
“Don’t tell me he’s on the list for the party,” Spencer said, already knowing the answer but praying he was wrong.
“He is,” Nathan confirmed. Then he paused, as if he were bracing for impact. “And you want to know what’s even worse?”
Spencer’s voice dropped. “Nothing is worse than that.”
Nathan looked him dead in the eye. “Jamie Butler was on the list too.”
Spencer gasped, feeling as though the air had been knocked out of him. “When did he make reservations?”
“In November.”
Spencer’s fists tightened. November. That meant Tom had planned this. Had brought Jamie here, made him feel wanted, only to leave him in the snow like trash. Spencer’s chest burned with fury.
“So that fucker planned all along to dump Jamie.” Spencer’s voice shook with rage.
Nathan nodded. “Looks that way.”
Spencer stood up, pacing the room like he couldn’t sit still anymore. His thoughts were spiraling—Jamie’s face when he talked about being left, the way he still tried to smile through it, and the way he didn’t even know he’d been set up.
“What are you going to do about it?” Nathan asked.
Spencer stopped, eyes dark. “I’m going to have a little visit with him about Jamie.”
Nathan sat up straighter, alarm flashing across his face. “That’s a crazy idea. I don’t want you in prison over some asshole.”
Spencer knew Nathan was right. He knew it. But the thought of Tom walking around like he hadn’t shattered someone—like Jamie was just another name on a list—made Spencer want to break something. He wanted to grab Tom by the collar and make him feel even a fraction of the pain he’d caused.
But then he thought of Jamie. Sweet, quiet Jamie, who didn’t even know he was on the list with Tom. Who probably still blamed himself.
Spencer sat back down, rubbing his hands over his face. “I don’t know if I should tell him,” he muttered. “Or if we should just go and see what happens.”
Nathan didn’t answer right away. Spencer could feel the weight of the decision pressing down on him. He didn’t want to hurt Jamie more. But he also couldn’t let Tom get away with it.
“I could uninvite him, and that would solve part of the problem, and Jamie wouldn’t ever have to know,” Nathan said.
“Jamie deserves the truth. But he also deserves peace. And I don’t know which one will give him what he needs.”
Nathan half-opened the desk drawer as if he didn’t know what he should do. He finally opened it and pulled an envelope out. “This has Tom and Jamie’s applications. It’s not pretty especially when I see Jamie’s side of it.”
Spencer snatched the envelope from Nathan’s hand, already bracing himself for whatever garbage was inside. This file wasn’t just paper—this was proof. Proof of what kind of man Tom really was.
He flipped open Tom’s application first. Right there at the top was a photo of him in full uniform, polished and smug, like he was posing for a recruitment poster. Chief of police. Of course he was. Spencer’s stomach turned.
Marine background. Two tours. Brentwood address.
The guy had credentials, money, and power—and he used all of it like armor.
But what really made Spencer’s blood boil was the line under “What are you looking for?” Tom had written: A young little who takes orders without complaints.
I can support him if he doesn’t have a job.
Spencer’s jaw clenched. Takes orders without complaint? What the hell was this—some kind of twisted boot camp? Littles weren’t soldiers. They were people. Vulnerable, tender, trusting people. And Tom wanted someone to control, not to care for.
Then came the kicker. Under “Last relationship,” Tom listed someone else. Not Jamie. Not even a mention. Spencer’s hands tightened around the paper. So Jamie didn’t even exist to him? Just a placeholder until the next one?
There was a cell number at the bottom. Spencer pointed to it and said, “Send this to my email.”
Nathan nodded.
Spencer flipped to the next page. Jamie’s application.
His heart sank. Spencer’s eyes lingered on the line until the words blurred. Didn’t have one right now. The sentence hit him like a shove to the chest. It made Spencer’s stomach twist. That bastard Tom had let Jamie think he had a daddy. Had let him believe he was wanted, chosen, kept.
Tom hadn’t been looking out for Jamie; he’d been shopping him around like a used car, hoping someone else would take him off his hands. And the worst part? Jamie didn’t even know it. He still thought Tom cared.
Spencer’s jaw tightened as he read on about Jamie. Bedtime stories. Bubble baths. binky. Loves to play with trains and ride them. Loves animals. Wants a pet. Wants a chocolate ice cream cone every night before bed.
It wasn’t a list—it was a map of Jamie’s heart. Sweet, simple, open. The kind of wants that said more about love than need. And right there at the bottom, the one that gutted Spencer completely: He wanted a daddy who gave him most of his time.
Spencer let out a shaky breath. Tom had known all of that.
Every soft, minute detail—and still, he hadn’t given Jamie what he deserved.
Spencer’s hands curled into fists. Fuck that man.
Someone needed to knock him down a few pegs.
Maybe then he’d finally understand what it meant to take care of someone’s heart instead of breaking it.
But Tom had paid for Jamie’s application. He’d set this up. Made Jamie look single, made himself look like the hero. All while planning to dump him in the snow.
Spencer’s chest burned. When was he going to tell Jamie? After the party? Never?
“Jamie deserves the truth,” Spencer muttered, voice low and tight. “But he also deserves peace. And I don’t know which one will give him what he needs.”
Spencer stood beside the window, watching the snow drift lazily through the trees
Laughter echoed faintly from the party room, and Spencer could hear Jamie’s voice, soft and bright, mixing with Alfie’s. That sound alone made something settle in his chest.
Nathan stepped up beside him, beer in hand, grinning like he knew exactly what Spencer was thinking. “Let’s take the boys on the merry-go-round, then head to the hill for some sleigh riding,” he said, nudging Spencer’s shoulder.
Spencer smiled, the image already forming in his mind—Jamie bundled up, cheeks pink from the cold, laughing as they spun around or flew down the hill. “That might be fun,” he said. “We can get the double sleds so we can be with our boys.”
Nathan raised an eyebrow, smirking. “Our boys? Damn! You’re way in, my friend.”
Spencer chuckled, but his heart thudded a little harder. He didn’t even hesitate in calling Jamie his. It felt natural. Right.
Nathan’s tone softened. “I fucking love seeing you involved again with someone. Jamie is so sweet, and he deserves someone like you. I hope this works out for you guys.”
Spencer looked through the window at the snow-covered ground, then back toward the hallway where Jamie was.
His Jamie. The boy who’d been left behind, who still flinched when someone raised their voice, who didn’t know how to ask for what he needed—but who was trying.
Who trusted Spencer enough to lean in, even when he was scared.
“I’m keeping Jamie,” Spencer said quietly, but with conviction. “And he’s coming home with me.”
Nathan didn’t say anything right away, just gave him a look—one of those deep, knowing looks only best friends could share.
They’d been through hell together, and Nathan had seen Spencer at his worst. He’d watched him shut down, walk away from love, bury himself in work and silence.
But now? Spencer was choosing differently. Choosing Jamie.
And Nathan got it. He wanted this for Spencer. Wanted him happy. Wanted him whole. And Spencer knew this about his friend.
Spencer felt the weight of that support, and it made him stand a little taller. He wasn’t just fighting for Jamie—he was building something with him. Something real. Something lasting.
And he would not let anyone take that away.
Nathan and Spencer were in awe of the decorations.
“Wow! You two did a great job,” Spencer said.
Nathan clapped.
Spencer made his way to Jamie. “Hey, would you like to go to the town square?”
“Are you going too?” Jamie wore a look of insecurity, as if he expected a change that would leave him in the dust.
“Of course, with me. Nathan and Alfie too. Nathan is going to drive us.” He bent his body in order to stand with Jamie and then kissed him on the lips. Poor Jamie turned bright red.
“What color was that kiss?”
“Green, awesome green.”
The town square was lit up like something out of a snow globe—twinkling lights strung between lampposts, garlands wrapped around railings, and the merry-go-round spinning slowly in the center, its painted horses gleaming under the winter sky.
Spencer could hear the faint jingle of carousel music and the laughter of bundled-up kids echoing through the crisp air.
He made his way to Jamie, who was standing near a bench, watching the ride with wide eyes. Spencer’s heart tugged at the sight—Jamie looked like he wanted to join in but wasn’t sure if he could want something so simple.
“You deserve this,” Spencer said, stepping beside him. “Would you like to ride the merry-go-round, then go sleigh riding?”
Jamie blinked up at him, pulling out his binky and popping it into his mouth like it was his shield. “With you?”
Spencer smiled, brushing a bit of snow off Jamie’s shoulder. “Of course, with me. I’m the one asking, silly.”
Jamie’s face lit up, and Spencer felt something warm in his chest. That smile—soft, shy, but real—was everything.
Soon, they were all climbing onto the carousel. Nathan helped Alfie onto a golden lion, while Spencer guided Jamie to a white horse with a silver mane. Jamie hesitated for a second, then climbed up, gripping the pole with his hands. Spencer stood beside him, one hand on Jamie’s back to steady him.
As the ride started, the music picked up, cheerful and nostalgic. Alfie whooped from his perch, calling out to Nathan, who laughed and spun in place like a kid himself. Jamie giggled, cheeks pink from the cold, and looked at Spencer with wide, sparkling eyes.
“This is fun,” Jamie said, voice muffled around his binky.
Spencer chuckled. “You look like you’re having the time of your life.”
“I kinda am,” Jamie admitted, and Spencer’s heart swelled.
He hadn’t seen Jamie this relaxed ever. There was something magical about the moment, about the way Jamie leaned into joy without second-guessing it. Spencer felt closer to him than ever, like the carousel wasn’t just spinning them in circles but pulling them into something deeper.
Nathan caught Spencer’s eye and gave him a thumbs-up, mouthing, “He’s glowing.”
Spencer nodded, eyes still on Jamie. Yeah, he is.
And Spencer knew right then that this wasn’t just a festive outing. It was a memory in the making. One Jamie would hold on to. One he would hold on to. Because this laughter, this closeness, this warmth was the beginning of something real.