Page 107 of Wrapped in Red

“I made taco casserole.” Maverick beamed happily as Jackson smiled at him. “It’s his favorite.”

“You’re my favorite, sweetheart.” Jackson leaned forward to see something on the laptop, and Watts pointed to something on the screen.

CC glanced over at me. “You okay, princess? You look tired. We can go any time you want.”

“I’m fine.” I was, too. I didn’t want to leave. I was more comfortable than I had been in a long time.

“Can I ask a question?” Wyatt waved his hand in the air. “Are you always like this? I mean, super close or whatever?” A flush began to creep up his neck and over his cheeks when everyone turned to look at him.

I giggled. “Why? You want in?” I teased. “It’s okay if you’re straight. We don’t bite.”

His blue eyes went wide. “I’d like to be included in whatever this is.” He waved his hand around the room. “And I’m very gay.”

“No.” Jackson shook his head as he stood up. “Wy, I love you like a brother, but you need to get your shit together before you go cuddling with my husband and his friends. You were a mess when you called me.”

Maverick nudged me. “Ask him,” he whispered.

“You ask,” I hissed.

I shook my head. “Why? Because I’m the big gossip here? I don’t even know him. He’s your husband’s friend.”

Matthias let out a sigh. “What happened to bring you here to North Carolina, Wyatt? This seems to be the place everyone ends up when they need to get their shit together. Kill and I moved here for a fresh start. Mav needed to get himself together so he could come out and fix his relationship. What about you?”

“I don’t...I can’t talk about it.” Wyatt’s chin began to quiver. “Excuse me for a minute.” He rushed from the room, and I heard the sound of the door as it slammed behind him.

“Hey, WAGs, what happened?” Killian teased. “You just broke poor Wyatt.”

Jackson smacked his shoulder. “He was already broken when he got here.”

“What’s his deal?” Watts asked as he stood up and stretched his arms over his head. “Don’t start with me, H. I’m fine. I’ve been sitting on the floor. We’re staying for dinner.”

Holt looked back at me before he climbed to his feet. “I didn’t say anything. Must be your guilty conscience.”

“I’m not spilling Wyatt’s secrets. That’s his story to tell,” Jackson answered.

I patted Maverick’s knee before I got up and followed Wyatt outside. He was standing on the porch, just staring at the front yard. He didn’t move or turn around when the door closed behind me.

“I’m sorry. We had no right to ask you about your personal life,” I murmured.

“You didn’t know. You were just being friendly.” Wyatt raised a hand to wipe his cheek. “Have you...” He turned to look at me. “Have you ever dated someone who wasn’t out? Someone you were in love with but wasn’t gay?”

Oh, you sweet man.

“I have, yes.”

“Is that what happened with this Ty person?”

I twisted my lips. “Sort of. He would take me out to places where no one knew him. His family wouldn’t have allowed Ty to marry a man. Deep down, I knew that. He might have said things I wanted to hear, spoiled me with money, and lavished me with gifts and things, but I was never in love with him.”

“I was in love with Asher. I’mstillin love with him,” Wyatt admitted. “I think I fell in love with him the moment I laid eyes on the man. The second he said hello to me. Is that possible?”

I nodded. “I think so, yes.”

“He never said he loved me. He never promised me anything, but I thought...I don’t even know what I thought.” Wyatt’s shoulders slumped forward.

I touched his arm. “You thought maybe he could learn to love you, too, in time.”

“Yeah, I did.”