Chapter Nine #2
A weight lifted from Scout’s chest. Clouds parted in his mind, showing him everything he had missed. Clay had been waiting for Scout to see it was them. They were a they. Clay hadn’t been entertaining the idea of choosing anyone else. They were real, and Scout had been too blind to see it.
Clay had expected the wait for Scout to come to him would be absolute hell, but—oddly—it wasn’t.
Not only was he half-dead after being pulled from his drunken sleep, but the adrenaline caught him.
Clay went home, showered, brushed his teeth, and then died.
He had gone dead to the world for fifteen hours with no interruptions.
While he had been a little bummed Scout wasn’t in bed with him when his eyes opened, he was okay.
Clay understood the emotional turmoil Scout and his family were enduring under the circumstances.
Any discussion Scout and Clay needed to have would still be there when Scout finished closing the book on his past.
Clay ate alone in the dining room. After sleeping the day away, he had missed all major meals. Thankfully, there were leftovers in the fridge. All the kitchen staff had finished for the night. All Clay had was food and silence.
“You’re avoiding me.”
Fabrice’s voice nearly made Clay jump out of his skin. Clay had been too lost in thought to notice his appearance.
He cleared his throat. “Why would you think that?”
A sad smile touched Fabrice’s lips as he pulled out a chair at the table and sat. “Because I deserve it and you never miss breakfast two days in a row, much less lunch and dinner.”
Clay wouldn’t deny him deserving it, but the rest wasn’t what Fabrice thought. “I spent the day with Zeus yesterday. Today, I slept the whole day.”
Fabrice’s light blue stare moved over Clay’s face, as if weighing Clay’s honesty. “I guess being the talk of the household probably is exhausting.”
Clay’s eyebrows rose. “What’s that supposed to mean?” He hadn’t meant the question to sound so accusatory. They just weren’t in a good place, and Fabrice’s mixed accent made it hard for Clay to decipher his tone.
A tiny smile popped to Fabrice’s lips. “Apparently, you really have been training these last few months. Word is you’re a real badass now.”
Great. Everyone was talking about him. “I’ve always been a badass.”
Fabrice’s grin grew. He chuckled. “I thought that one would get a rise out of you. Seriously, though. It sounds as though you saved the day last night. Beau hasn’t stopped bragging and saying he knew he had been right to hinge his plans on you.
Apparently, even plastered, you’re easily one of the best out there. ”
Clay shook his head. That was twice Clay couldn’t picture Beau singing his praises. At this point, Fabrice had to be making things up. “I’m not special. Scout is just a good teacher.”
The happiness left Fabrice’s expression. “Speaking of Scout, I should’ve stayed out of that. You’re my best friend. For me, there’s nothing worth losing that. Can we pretend I didn’t say anything? The last two days have been hell, knowing you don’t want to be my friend anymore.”
Everything inside Clay softened. “You’re my best friend. I’ll always want you in my life. Tormenting you while you work is one of my favorite parts of the day.”
They shared a smile. At the same moment, they leaned toward each other and reached for the other.
Their hug felt like a healing embrace. Spending the day with Zeus, soul-searching, had Clay making several self-discoveries.
It helped that Zeus was a master deprogrammer.
Apparently, breaking through inner barriers was more like breaking spies' triggers than one would think.
Truthfully, it was no wonder Zeus was such a sought-after dom at that kink club of his.
He saw people. Clay had spent his life scared of losing the only love he had: Fabrice.
But Clay had never loved him in a way that kept a couple together forever.
Until now, Clay had nothing to compare types of love. He felt the difference now.
Fabrice sat back and swiped his eyes. “Are you eating that cold?”
Clay shrugged. “I had to drag myself out of bed. I didn’t have the energy to heat it. But I’m almost done now. It’s fine.”
Fabrice shook his head. “At least let me get you some dessert.”
Clay’s stomach growled in epic timing at the mention of something sweet. “There’s dessert?” Cooking was Fabrice’s love language. Clay didn’t mind reaching for this particular olive branch.
Fabrice stood. “There’s always dessert.”
Scout strolled into the dining room. He looked fresh from the shower.
Fabrice held out his chair for Scout. “I’ll bring two plates.”
Clay flashed Fabrice a grateful smile. He understood what that cost. But there was no time like the present to accept they would never be more than friends.
Scout nodded his appreciation. “Thanks. You going to join us?”
Fabrice looked between them. Clay practically felt him searching for an excuse.
Beau chose that moment to appear with Henry right behind him. He focused on Clay as he pulled out a chair and sat. “Good. You’re up.” His gaze flickered Fabrice’s way. “Grab that cake and some plates. You’ll be joining us too.”
Fabrice dipped his chin. “Oui, Monsieur.” He backed from the room with the grace of a professional.
Beau’s light brown eyes focused on Clay again. “I didn’t get a chance to talk to you last night.” Beau chuckled. “Not that I’m sure you would’ve remembered anything said.”
Clay smiled. It was a genuine gesture. He cared about Beau. “You’re probably right.”
Fabrice reappeared with the cake. While he cut, Scout stood and passed around silverware and empty plates until everyone was settled.
Beau waited until they had enjoyed a few bites of Fabrice’s flawless ganache-covered cake before speaking again. “As you know, I’ve delegated a majority of my work to others over the last year, attempting to be semi-retired.”
Clay nodded. “You’ve been surprisingly still. I didn’t think you would ever get this much free time.”
An expression overcame Beau’s features that showed more and more: a man in love. “Kylo is worth it.”
“He’s perfect for you.” Clay hadn’t found a chance to say that until now.
A fatherly smile Clay had only ever seen Beau use for his sons stretched his lips. There was never a moment when Beau wasn’t terrifying. Sometimes, he looked a little closer to human. This was one of those times. “I got lucky when he found me. But we’re here about you now.”
Oh, that couldn’t be good.
Beau must have seen something in his expression. He held up his hand briefly. “I don’t know what you’re thinking, but it’s likely wrong. Even I didn’t see this decision coming before this trip.”
Clay breathed easier.
Beau kept talking. “I’ve always been proud as hell of you. You grew up at my feet every bit as my sons.” Beau glanced Fabrice’s way. “Both of you.”
A huge grin split Fabrice’s face. Considering Fabrice’s grandfather was one of those screaming, angry chefs, Clay didn’t imagine anyone had ever told Fabrice they were proud of him.
“I said that to say this: you can say no to this plan. This isn’t me giving you an order. It’s an offer.”
Clay really hoped he wasn’t about to get asked to kill anyone else this week. He was kind of tired.
Unaware of the storm he caused inside Clay, Beau pushed on.
“Kylo is happy here, but my living here full time isn’t an option at this time.
However, I’m always at his mercy, so we’ll be here more often.
Likely, we’ll rotate months or go with six months at a time.
Either way, things will run smoother if we have a skeleton crew here on a permanent basis.
” Beau’s gaze grew more intense. “You’ve proven yourself to be the best of our chosen family. Under Henry, of course.”
Henry laughed as if there was never any doubt on that matter.
“I’d like you to stay here and run the crew. You’ll be equal to Henry in terms of position and pay.”
Clay sat frozen. He wasn’t sure he even blinked. This was Beau handing Clay his biggest dream. Except he had finally won Scout, and Scout would want to stay with his family.
Oblivious to his inner turmoil, Beau continued to lay out his future. “Pierre has decided he is bored with retirement and would like to return part time.”
Fabrice immediately looked devastated. He had held the head chef position for only a little over a year. Now he would be forced to step aside.
Beau didn’t give him time to simmer. “You’ll stay here, Fabrice. That is, if you’d like to keep your current position. If not, I can send Pierre, and you can keep the kitchen back home. But with a crew here, they’ll need a full-time head chef, and you’re the only one I trust.”
Fabrice looked shell-shocked.
Without permission from his brain, Clay’s gaze slid Scout’s way. Not only would Scout not be here, but Clay would be here with someone who Scout had already shown some jealousy toward.
Scout took his hand under the table and squeezed. He didn’t look at Clay.
Beau’s gaze bounced between them. “Obviously, your man can stay as well. I’m not one to split a set.”
Clay smiled, but he didn’t feel it. He shouldn’t be surprised that his dream job might be a nightmare. Life didn’t believe in pity.
“You’ll have time to think about it. We still have several weeks before we head back to California.”
Henry jumped in. “I’d appreciate it if you let me know at least a couple of weeks ahead of time. If we need to choose someone else, we need time to discuss our options.”
Clay nodded along, as if he wasn’t completely floored by the massive decision he needed to make. He could have his dream, or he could have Scout. Clay seriously doubted he would have both.
By the time they finally got a minute alone, Scout was ready to scream. He needed time with Clay. The last—at least—forty-eight hours had been such a rollercoaster of emotions, Scout wanted to drop. He couldn’t do that until they talked.