ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴏʏs (Book 1)

ix. tiptoe

There were some memories Spencer wouldn't allow himself to remember. Some he refused to even recall. He always had to force himself to think of other things—to busy himself with other activities.

Sometimes he wished he could be the type of person that could think of their childhood with fond memories. But he wasn't. And he knew this.

If it were up to him, he'd wipe his mind clean. It'd probably save a lot of people. But Clyde says that people's memories are what makes them who they are.

Only problem was, Spencer didn't want to be who he was . . .

As he sat on the edge of the bed by a sleeping Sutton, his knife spun anxiously in his hand. Her dark hair fanned out, her head ever so turned. She looked so peaceful in her sleep. Her lips were parted and pink. Her long lashes kissing her high cheekbones. His gaze slowly raked over her petite form. He could watch her for hours. Listening to the steady sounds of her calm breaths, watching the way her frail hand—that lay, limp over her slim stomach—rose and fell with each breath.

When he became painfully aware of her exposed thigh—the skin smooth and silk—he swallowed.

With a steady hand, he carefully reached out.

At the distant sound of crunching gravel, he stiffened. He held his breath and listened carefully. His hand still reaching for Sutton. His head jerked when he realized a car was pulling up. No one else knew about this place except for a selective few—and Spencer had a pretty good idea who was pulling up. He quickly grabbed the rope from the nightstand.

Colton led the others through the front door of their secret family cabin. They came in, one by one, as Spencer casually descended down the stairs. A bored expression behind his icy gaze.

"Where is she?" Colton demanded without hesitation.

Spencer sighed.

In a bored tone, he asked, "Who?"

"Come on, Spencer," Kaleb muttered as he sat on the armrest of the couch.

"Yeah," Tyler joined in, "cut the crap."

Spencer frowned and gave an innocent shrug. A thinly veiled grin wavered on his lips. Colton's eyes narrowed. "Taylor knows you took her," he bit.

Spencer sneered with a scoff as he shoved his hands in his pockets and stepped down two more steps. "Of course you would take the stupid cunts word over mine."

"Don't call her that."

Spencer leaned his tall frame against the wall, utterly nonchalant. "Oh, defending her honor are we now?" he jeered.

Ignoring his comment, Colton repeated, "Where. Is. She?"

"I have no idea what you are talking about, brother," Spencer sneered. His smile a cruel twist of his lips.