Chapter Thirty-Two

Leo

Ezra was at my RV the next morning like usual, ready for coffee and gossip. Only this time I dragged him over to Parker's RV, made him promise not to tell a soul—a pinky promise, so it was legal—and then I asked if Ezra could help do Parker's makeup. I could see the questions in Ezra's eyes as he took in their appearance. The bruising around Parker's neck, the scratches on their skin. It was obvious that hands were what caused them. Part of me wanted to know if Parker knew who did this to them. Were they covering for someone? And why?

"Babe, you don't have to tell me anything. But if you ever need to talk, just know that I'm here for you," Ezra murmured as he spread concealer on the over Parker's bruised and battered skin. "And if you need help—"

"They don't." Lucas appeared out of nowhere, his thick arms crossed over his chest. "They've got me now to protect them. Nothing bad will happen to Parker ever again."

Ezra nodded. "Well, that's great to hear." He gave a little smile as he titled Parker's head up. "I had a similar problem once. An ex who liked to knock me around. And I went along with it until he put me in the hospital." He sighed. "Promise me that won't be you, Parker."

"I promise." Their dark eyes welled with tears. "It wasn't a boyfriend or anything. Just some ignorant assholes who thought they were being funny."

A deep growl came from Lucas, his dark eyes narrowing into angry slits. "If you see them again, you'd better warn me so I can knock their asses into next week. I won't tolerate that shit from anyone."

"Yes, Lucas, I will." Parker tried to dip their chin, but Ezra held them in place. "You're good with makeup. I usually just do a little liner and mascara. Nothing too fancy."

Ezra hummed. "You don't need much makeup. You're beautiful like Leo. Perfect skin and everything." He pulled away to examine his work. "You're good to go, boo. No one will ever know the wiser."

"Thank you," Parker whispered. "I was terrified of what I was going to have to say. What my parents would think, and my mother..." They grimaced. "Don't tell her. Please, Ezra, I know you and her talk from time to time. This will break her heart, and I can't bear that."

Ezra held up his hand. "Pinky promise."

But instead of hooking their fingers together, Parker lunged forward and wrapped Ezra in a tight hug. Ezra's eyes went wide and a little gasp escaped his mouth before his arms went around them. That was one way to make Ezra your friend. There wasn't much he loved more than cuddles. Well, maybe Carson.

"Well..." Parker looked around the room. "Leo and I probably need to think about heading down to the drivers' meeting."

Lucas stepped forward. "I'll walk with you."

"Easy, Killer. I'll be fine," Parker assured him, but Lucas only shook his head. "Leo, tell him. We do this all the time."

"Doesn't matter. The one time I'm not with you, you'll end up hurt again." Lucas grunted. "Or worse."

Ezra patted Lucas's arm. "You can't be with them all the time, boo. You have school and a life."

"Fuck school." He gritted his teeth.

Parker moved closer and placed their hands on Lucas's arms. "You need to graduate. You have a huge career ahead of yourself. Soon you'll be flying all over the world making music with your brothers. You won't have time to worry about little old me."

"Not going to happen, Park." Lucas huffed and then rolled his eyes.

Ezra's eyes were wide with wonder. He tilted his head at me and smirked. Should we leave them alone? he mouthed.

"Come on, Parker." I hooked my arm through theirs. "Lucas, Ezra, we'll see you two later, okay?"

I didn't give either of them time to say anything as I guided Parker out the door and into the warm sun. It was a nice contrast to the wild weather we'd had the past couple of days. I expected them to pull away from me, but Parker tugged on my arm. I glanced at them in surprise.

They only smiled and rolled their eyes. "You know, I was always a bit jealous of you."

"Jealous... What?" I came to an abrupt stop.

Parker shrugged. "You're pretty. You have this sexy as fuck rockstar boyfriend and this happy family thing going on. Your brother, his boyfriends—which is bad ass, by the way—Andy's dads, and I just... I wanted that."

"You wanted what, exactly?" Worry niggled its way into my brain. Was I going to be terrified of someone coming along and stealing Andy for the rest of my life? It wasn't a nice feeling.

They shook their head. "No, nothing like that. I think Andy is cute, but he's not...no, you're so carefree and open. Not afraid to be yourself. The first time in a long time I decide to be like that, be who I want to be, and some jerks attacked me." Parker grimaced. "My parents are great. My siblings, too, but sometimes I just feel like a disappointment. That I'm not the child they wanted. I like racing, but I'm not the champion that Dad was. And I never will be."

"They love you," I assured him, and I knew that was true. Mason and London Pelletier were their biggest cheerleaders. "You've won races."

"But I don't have a championship. You have one, RJ does, too, and I'm just not sure I'm cut out for this career. I know my parents would support me if I decided not to race anymore, but it's all I've ever known. The first time I got behind the wheel of a car, I felt powerful and untouchable. Like a completely different person who could achieve all their hopes and dreams."

I reached for their hands. "You can still achieve that. If racing isn't your thing anymore, you can find something else. What do you like to do in your spare time?"

"Write."

"Like books?"

Parker nodded. "Yeah, I like to write romance novels. Queer ones with lots of spice and always a happily ever after."

"Jesus, you and Maverick would get along great." I nudged them gently. "The Olsons have this library in their house full of all the romance books he's read and hasn't read. I'll invite you over sometime. You two would have so much to talk about."

They gave me a gentle smile. "Maybe. I wouldn't want to intrude. I met both Maverick and Jackson once at my dad's retirement party. I have to admit that Maverick is more than intimidating. He's a little guy, but he scowls a lot."

"Mav?" My brows shot up as I stared at Parker. They were shorter than my five-ten, lanky and lean. It was almost like they were describing themselves. "I mean, he's fierce, but he's kind. And sweet. And..." I swallowed. "Like a father to me."

Parker grinned. "That's great, Leo."

"And, if you and Lucas start dating, be prepared for lots of home-cooked meals, hugs, and the WAGs chat," I teased them.

Their cheeks flushed, and they shook their head. "It's not like that with Lucas."

"Okay, boo, whatever you say." I jutted my chin. "We should go find seats."

We made our way inside the building, found a couple of chairs, and sat down. Two seconds later, RJ appeared out of nowhere, his face flushed and lips swollen. Someone had a busy morning. He narrowed his eyes when he spotted us.

"What's going on here?" He waved his hand between us. "You're friends now?"

I smiled. "Besties." I hooked my arm around Parker's shoulders, fully prepared for them to shrug me off. They giggled and touched my leg. "Sit down. Tell me all about your weekend. You're glowing."

"Oh, fuck off, Leo." He sank onto the seat, but when he glanced at me, he was smiling. "You know I don't mean that."

I squeezed his arm. "I know."

"What's happening? What did you do over the weekend, RJ?" Parker paused, and I could nearly see their mind working. "The twins," he whispered, and that only made RJ flush and look away. "Oh, sweetpea, this is exciting. The baby bi is getting his grove on."

RJ grunted. "Stop it. Both of you. God, now you're going to gang up on me, and I'll never hear the end of this. Fucking hell."

"Boo." I shook my head. "I'm sorry. We shouldn't tease you like this. You're discovering your sexuality."

RJ rolled his eyes and leaned back in the chair. When he didn't say anything, Parker stood up and moved to sit on the other side of him. They leaned toward RJ and whispered something I couldn't hear, but RJ relaxed and nodded. I knew they were close, but I hadn't realized how close until right now.

Parker tended to keep to themselves, even on the road with racing, and they didn't mingle much with the rest of the drivers unless they absolutely had to. Like right now. They continued to talk quietly to one another, and I looked away, trying to give them some privacy. RJ would talk to me when he was ready. He knew he could trust me, even if I gave him crap. I only wanted him to be happy.