“Spence, it’s me,” Max called through the door.

“Max?” He unlocked and opened the front door to find Max standing there smiling apologetically.

“Can I come in?”

“Of course.” He stepped aside to let Max inside. “Everything okay?”

“I had it out with that Pete guy.”

Spencer nodded and shut the door. “Didn’t go well I bet.”

“He denied it and said you were lying to get rid of him.”

He stared at Max. “What? Why would I do that?”

Max seemed to be studying him, as though trying to make up his mind about something. “He said you wanted to get rid of him because you want me for yourself.” Max laughed rather nervously.

Spencer’s heart stuttered. “I ... what?”

“Is it true?” Max whispered.

“Max, Pete grabbed my ass. I would never lie to you about that.” Spencer walked away from that penetrating stare and went back into the kitchen for his tea. He knew without turning around Max had followed him. He never expected Max to ask him about his feelings. What the hell was he supposed to say?

Nothing.

“Spence.”

He turned to face his friend. “What do you want me to say, Max? I told you I’m not lying about Pete.”

“I believe you. I’ve always believed you.”

“Then, I’m not sure what else you want from me.”

“Is there some truth to what Pete said? Not about your ass but about you wanting me.” Max didn’t look happy about the idea of Spencer wanting him, either. And why would he?

“Fuck, the guy met me for thirty damn seconds, how the hell would he know anything about me?”

Max nodded. “Okay. I thought he was wrong. You would have said something before now. We’ve been friends for too long.”

Spencer turned away and closed his eyes, his throat clogging. “Yeah, I ... right.” He would just fall back on the lies. Pretend none of it was true and his feeling for Max didn’t go beyond friendship.

“He just seemed so certain, I guess I just wondered, you know.”

“Uh-huh.” Spencer forced himself to face Max again, but his friend still stared hard at him as though he was trying to read his mind. He shifted. “Want some tea or something?”

“No.” Max ran his fingers through his hair and tugged his bottom lip with his teeth. “I’m sorry I barged over like this. I should have just gone home. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

“It’s no big deal, Max. You’re always welcome.”

Max stepped closer. “Are you --”

His heart slamming hard, Spencer stepped back, but he backed into the counter and could go no further to get away from Max and his damn probing. “What?”

“I have a feeling I’m missing something here,” Max said softly.

“Like what?”

“I don’t know. Pete seemed so positive you had deeper feelings for me.”

“Who cares what he says?” He was starting to panic and he knew it. Why wouldn’t Max let it go? “Just drop it.”

Max leaned down and pressed his lips to Spencer’s. At first Spencer forced himself not to react. He could fake this. Convince Max he didn’t want him. But as Max’s kiss deepened and his tongue slipped inside Spencer’s mouth, he was lost and he couldn’t prevent a moan from escaping.

Max broke the kiss and looked into Spencer’s eyes. “Nothing?”

Spencer laughed, he knew it was a hysterical laugh, but he couldn’t prevent it. “I have wanted you. It’s true. For a long time.”

“What? Why?”

“Why? Because you’re hot and the best guy I’ve ever known and I’ve been in love with you since we met years ago in college.”

Max stared, but didn’t say anything. Spencer felt his heart cracking and he wished he could take back the words. Max didn’t feel the same and he knew that. The very reason he’d never told Max anything.