Page 69 of Animal Instincts
“You’re in a bit of a mess today. Just like that cake.” Declan, working the shiny chrome coffee machine, looked over his shoulder. “One more mishap, and it’ll be a hat trick. Perhaps I should send you home as I’d rather like this café to survive the day.”
“Sorry. Deduct it from my wages if you like,” Joss mumbled as he began to clear up.
“What’s the matter?” Declan asked, a couple of minutes later when all the evidence had been cleaned away and a fresh slice of cake delivered to the customer.
Joss slumped against the counter. He’d been in a state since Spencer and Donald’s reappearance the evening before. Donald had barely featured, it had been Spencer who’d shaken him to his core.
“Joss? There isn’t a problem with you and Oliver, is there? Tell me to mind my own business, if you want, but…” Declan placed his hand on Joss’ shoulder, and gave a gentle squeeze.
Joss shook his head.
“Then what—?”
“Oliver’s exes, I guess you could call them. The friend and business partner, and—and the ex boyfriend, from London. They turned up out of the blue at the practice yesterday.”
“Fucking hell. Why? What did they want?”
Joss barked out a humourless laugh.
“Looking at business opportunities. And to make friends with Oliver again.”
Joss told Declan what had happened, keeping it short and sweet.
“Sounds like you and Oliver dealt with them. Didn’t realise you could be so fierce.” Declan slung his arm around Joss’ shoulders and pulled him into him. Joss sank into his friend, glad of his strength and support.
“I didn’t feel very fierce.”
He hadn’t been fierce when Spencer and Donald had left.
As soon as the door had been closed on them, he’d started to shake, and only Oliver’s strong arms had stopped him from melting to the floor. They’d cancelled their plans to order in a tasty dinner from Dante’s, neither able to face food. Oliver had been by turns angry, indignant and confused. When they’d finally crawled into bed, neither of them had been able to sleep as they’d stared up at the ceiling, and watched night turn to day.
“He — Spencer, the ex boyfriend — was so confident.”
“Cocky, you mean?”
Joss shook his head. “No. He had a kind of presence, I suppose. It was more like he’s very sure about who he is. But it looks like he’s got a lot to be sure about. I can see why somebody would be impressed by him.” Joss bit at his thumb nail. He could feel Declan’s eyes on him, and he didn’t want to meet them.
“What exactly are you saying, Joss?” Declan’s quiet voice held a hint of steel. His friend wasn’t going to let him dodge the answer.
Joss exhaled a long, and tired, breath.
“He just had this air about him, the way some people do, you know? As if they’re all sorted. And to be honest, even though I don’t want to think it, it looked like he had every reason to be. You could tell straight off he’s the one who holds the whip hand. And he’s very good looking. Even though I was angry he was there, it was impossible not to be struck by it. He looks like a bloody model, Dec.”
The expensive, stylish clothes had drawn attention to Spencer’s long legs, washboard stomach and narrow waist, his height and build in perfect harmony. Thick glossy hair, and the shadow of dark stubble on his lightly tanned skin. Full lips, high cheekbones, and large and slightly slanted dark blue eyes had completed the look. No wonder Oliver had fallen for him, and no wonder Donald had wanted him for himself.
Yes, he’d stood his ground, but the ground beneath his feet had been quicksand and the more he thought about Spencer, the more the ground seemed to shift.
Joss staggered as he was spun around. Declan clamped both hands to his shoulders and squeezed so tight Joss winced.
“You’re comparing yourself to this Spencer guy? I don’t believe it. It doesn’t matter how good he looks on the outside, it’s what’s inside that counts. Just believe me on that. You can’t think Oliver would ever be taken in by him again, do you?”
Joss bit down on his lip, unable to answer.
Declan’s short, sharp shake was so strong, Joss’ head snapped back.
“Oliver’s chosen you, just as you’ve chosen him. The two of you go together like… A scone with jam and cream.”
“Spoken like a true Devonian.”
