Page 19 of Unfinished Noise

Jamie finally said it. “I got jealous tonight.”

Spencer’s eyebrows lifted. “Yeah? When?”

Jamie gave him a look. “When Billy kept trying to stand too close to you. And when the girls lined up for pictures. Basically, the entire night.”

Spencer leaned back on his hands. “Good. Because I was jealous too.”

Jamie blinked. “Of who?”

“Everyone,” Spencer said simply. “Anyone who looked at you too long. Anyone who made you laugh. Anyone who thought they had a chance.”

Jamie’s chest warmed. “Daddy Spence…”

Spencer shrugged as if it weren’t a big deal. “I’m not proud of it. But I’m not gonna pretend it’s not there.”

Jamie scooted closer until their knees touched. “I love you, you know.”

Spencer’s breath hitched a little. “Yeah. I know. I love you too.”

Jamie smiled. “Then why were you so jealous?”

“Because you’re… you,” Spencer said, gesturing vaguely at him. “And I’m me. And sometimes my brain is stupid.”

Jamie laughed softly. “Same.”

Spencer hesitated, then said, “I have a secret plan to fix it.”

Jamie perked up immediately. “What plan?”

“Nope,” Spencer said, shaking his head. “It’s a secret.”

Jamie nudged him. “Tell me.”

“No.”

“Please?”

“Nope.”

Jamie groaned dramatically and flopped back onto the pillows. “You can’t say you have a plan and then not tell me.”

Spencer stretched out beside him, propping his head on his hand. “Sure I can. I just did.”

Jamie covered his face with a pillow. “You’re impossible.”

Spencer tugged the pillow away and kissed his forehead. “You’ll find out soon.”

Jamie narrowed his eyes. “Is it a good plan?”

“The best,” Spencer said, smug.

Jamie sighed, but he couldn’t stop smiling. The jealousy, the tension, the noise of the night—it all turned smaller now. Manageable. Because Spencer was here, warm beside him, stubborn and steady and his.

Jamie was still stretched across the bed, hair damp, Spencer sitting beside him, when a sharp knock rattled the hotel door.

Spencer sat up fast. “Stay here,” he said automatically, already sliding off the bed.

Spencer grabbed the nearest pair of jeans and stepped into them in a hurry, hopping once when the fabric caught on his heel. He didn’t bother with a shirt just ran a hand through his hair and crossed the room.