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“You’re very welcome,” Jesse said quietly before taking Lake’s free hand. “Let’s get you to your room.”

“Okay!” Lake swung their arms as they headed out of the room and down the hall.

Chapter Three

Lake

Placing Zeb carefully on the bench in front of his locker, Lake turned so he could get ready for his shift. Zeb had become a regular at the security desk for the club and everyone loved him. Not as much as Lake loved Zeb, but Lake was happy that Zeb had lots of new friends.

“Hey, Lake,” Carter one of the servers and pups said quietly as he entered the locker room.

“Hey, Carter!” Lake greeted. “Are you having a good day?”

Carter stopped and shook his head.

“Do you need a hug?” Lake offered.

Carter, like Lake, had family troubles. They both struggled with family members that didn’t accept them.

Lake opened his arms wide.

Carter made a soft sound before he dove for Lake. Lake wrapped his arms carefully but firmly around his friend. He rocked slightly as he held Carter. No words were needed. Lake understood that sometimes a hug could fix the cracks that family could cause.

Carter clung to him hard.

“Hey, Lake!” Jesse called as he entered the locker room. He froze when he spotted Lake and Carter hugging.

Carter yanked away from Lake.

“I’m sorry for interrupting,” Jesse told them.

“No, sir,” Carter said, shaking his head. “I shouldn’t have—”

“Hey.” Jesse walked forward with long, sure strides. He paused beside them. “Never apologizing for needing a hug or even taking a quiet moment.”

Carter shifted from foot to foot. With his gaze on the ground.

“And I have it on good authority that Lake gives the best hugs,” Jesse said with a wink.

Lake flushed, remembering the long hug that he and Jesse had shared after Jesse had walked Lake to his room the night that he’d been gifted Zeb.

“He does,” Carter agreed, looking up.

“I’m not too bad at hugs either,” Jesse said. “Or if you need someone to talk to.”

Carter nodded. “Thanks.”

Lake shook his head. He'd had a long talk with Remi and Dom about Jesse and Lake’s concerns about him. It had been Remi who had given Lake the most to think about. Dom’s advice was to go for it no matter what. That had not been helpful. Remi had shared some of the struggles that he’d seen for Jesse.

Having money didn’t mean Jesse’s life was easy, according to Remi.

Also, Lake was surprised to find out that Jesse hadn’t always had money. He and his twin had struggled their entire lives. Neither man had even been able to afford college. Jesse had made his money from determination and hard work.

But having money now meant that Jesse found it hard to make real friends or even connect with people.

Lake had been watching Jesse interact with those around them. Jesse was amazing but his position made everyone else around him nervous. He stepped closer to Jesse to rest his cheek on Jesse’s arm. “Jesse does give good hugs too.” He wanted his friends to see how great Jesse truly was.

Carter’s eyes widened. “Yeah? But he’s the boss!”