Chapter Thirty-Three

Andy

I stared at the twins while they bounced around Leo's RV like lunatics. I assumed that they were most likely hyped on Monster energy, their caffeine drink of choice, and whatever had happened last night. Part of me wanted to know, while the other part... Well, they were my foster brothers and two of my closest friends, who also happened to help drive our band to the top of the charts. Felix grabbed Ford's hands and danced him around the small kitchen area before they both stopped to stare at me.

"Don't act like you're not happy." Felix spoke first. "You got to be with your boyfriend all night, and from the glow surrounding you, you probably got laid, too."

My eyes went wide at his admission. "The two of you. And RJ?"

"Mm." Ford coughed as his face flushed pink before he met his brother's gaze.

I wasn't sure if I should push for more information, but I knew that if I didn't, Leo would. Especially since this concerned RJ.

Felix tilted his head, smiled, and then looked straight at me. "Yes, and RJ."

"Hey, so I thought I would..." Lucas's voice trailed off as he walked in from the bathroom. A smile pulled at his lips as he stared at the twins, his dark eyes sparkling with mischief. "You two looked positively fucked. And I mean, fucked ." He made a gesture with his hands as he wiggled his brows. Classy.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" Ford snapped and then dropped his eyes to his feet.

He hadn't been like Felix when we were on the road. He didn't have a different man in his bed every night or hanging off his arm when we went to award shows or movie premiers. Posing for pictures and smiling like the cat that got the cream. Ford would pretend to be this fuck boy, while Felix was the one who was always dressed to walk the red carpet, but he put more of an effort in when we had to put on a show. Ford and me? That wasn't who we were. We liked to make music. The rest of it just came with fame. We took dates when required, but it was nothing more than a marketing tool.

Lucas smirked. "I would, bro, but you can keep that to yourself. I had a busy night, too. Made myself a new friend."

"Oh, that's sweet. Little Lucas is making—Hey!" Ford exclaimed when Lucas lunged forward and pinned him against the wall. "Don't manhandle me, dickhead."

Lucas growled. "And don't make fun of me. I'm an adult, too, Ford. Stop treating me like a child."

"Boo." Felix playfully batted his lashes. "We love you and we would never, ever do that. But do you think you could let go of my brother before I slice off you from balls to taint?"

"Try it and see what happens," Lucas shot back.

"Boys!" The sound of Ezra clapping his hands caused them all to break apart. "That's much better. Twins, go sit down. And, our hero, next to Andy." He waited until they did as he instructed. "Much better. Now we're going to behave like civilized humans today, right? No fighting, flirting, or name calling? Nod your heads yes." Ezra winked at me. "Good, now, I assume the twins are sitting in RJ's pit box, so that leaves Andy, who we know will sit in Leo's, and Lucas, who may or may not be sitting in Parker's. I'll be in Carson's with your father, because I guilted him into it."

Felix tapped his finger against his chin. "Why would Lucas be sitting in Parker's box? He doesn't even know them that well."

"We're friends," Lucas insisted.

Felix smirked. "Friends. You and Parker." He pursed his lips. "Why do I feel like there's something more to this story? Something you're not telling me." He let his hazel eyes roam over Lucas's face, but his expression was absolute stone. Not a smile or muscle movement.

"Our Lucas here happened to be in the right place at the right time last night." Ezra beamed. "Be impressed, boys, because your brother is a hero."

My jaw might have dropped open. Did Ezra have the opportunity to gossip and didn't? Was the world coming to an end now?

Lucas shrugged. "Nothing that any decent person wouldn't have done."

Was that all this was for him, or was there something more going on with Parker? It seemed that way last night, but maybe Lucas was just being a good guy.

"Sweet." Ezra's lips curved into a big smile that lit up his entire face.

Was being that happy and sparkly exhausting, or was he just made to be that way? I used to be that carefree. Until my mother ruined it all.

I pushed that thought out of my head. Today was not a day for terrible, depressing thoughts about that horrible woman. She might have given birth to me, but she had never been a parental figure. My parents were Maverick and Jackson Olson.

"You okay, boo??" Ezra's voice interrupted my thoughts. His dark eyes were full of worry. When I didn't answer, he reached up to squeeze my arm. "Do you want to wait here for a bit? Go down to the track together when you're ready? We can talk or just sit in silence."

I realized that my brothers were gone. Had I spaced out that long and not even realized they were leaving? Did they not want me with them?

"I..." I pulled my legs up onto the couch in front of me and wrapped my arms around them. I had to get my shit together before I ruined everything. Again.

"Hey." Ezra folded his hands through my hair. "Whatever you're going through, I'm here for you. Your parents, your friends, and your brothers, they love you. Leo loves you."

I nodded.

"Whatever you're going through, just know that we all love you very much, kiddo. The past doesn't matter because it's the past. And..." He leaned closer. "I'm sorry for treating you the way I did when you came back. I nearly ruined my relationship with CC, so I have no right to judge you. But do know that I love you, Andy."

Tears stung my eyes. "Thank you," I croaked and then buried my head against my knees.

"Tell you what," Ezra murmured, his fingers still in my hair. "Why don't I run back to my RV and grab some cookies? Those are my favorite when I'm not feeling my best."

I huffed out a laugh. "With frosting?"

"Always with frosting, boo."

***

Ezra practically force fed me those amazing cookies he always had around. I managed to stop him at four, because my stomach was starting to hurt, and I figured they weren't the best idea for breakfast. But when we left for the track, I felt a little better and Ezra's arm was hooked through mine. He giggled happily as we walked through the crowds of crew and family members as he babbled on about how he knew that Carson was going to win today. He said that he could feel it in his bones.

I saw Noel standing by Leo's pit box, and my stomach twisted. Was he going to yell at me? Push me around and tell me he didn't want me anywhere near his brother. When Noel saw me, he let his multicolored eyes roam over my body before he jutted his chin at me.

"Andy. Good to see you."

What was happening right now?

"Uh, yeah, it's good to see you, too." I dragged a hand through my hair and gripped the back of my neck. "Good luck today." I had no idea what else to say.

"Thanks." Noel patted Ezra's shoulder as he walked away toward where Seth was waiting.

Ezra clapped his hands happily. "That's progress right there. Noel's already halfway to—Baby!" He squealed as he threw himself at Carson, who easily lifted his husband up as he pressed a kiss to his mouth. That's when I felt someone press themselves against my side and wrap their arms around me.

"Hey, hon." Leo's smile was so wide it nearly split his face. But it quickly disappeared. "What's wrong? Did someone say something to you, because—"

I silenced Leo with a kiss, crushing my mouth against his and trying to taste all he had to offer. The soft sigh he released as he relaxed against me had me wrapping my arms around him to pull him closer.

"Everything's prefect, Ricky," I whispered and held him tighter when he tried to pull away. "I missed you."

Leo nodded. "You sure that's all it is? You're not lying to me? Noel and Ezra haven't been total bitches or anything?"

"Nah, baby, they've been great." Which wasn't a lie. Ezra was treating me like nothing had ever happened, and Noel, well, at least he hadn't punched me. If I were in Noel's shoes, I would have made my brother's boyfriend pay for breaking his heart.

Leo narrowed his eyes before he broke into a smile again. "Good." He rose onto his toes. "Give me a good luck kiss."

He didn't have to ask me twice. This time, there was more behind our kiss. Leo's tongue twisted together with mine, his fingers clutched at my shirt, and for one brief second, I forgot about everything but him. His baby-blue eyes, his ink-colored hair, and that damn bellybutton ring. I wanted to kiss it. Rub my tongue over the cool metal and feel Leo tremble beneath me.

"I love you so much, Ricky."

"I love you more."

I chuckled. "Pretty sure that I will win this one if you want to fight about it." I brushed the hair from his forehead. "We can just call it a tie."

Leo preened. "That sounds perfect to me." He grabbed my hand. "I'm so excited that you're going to get to watch me race today. I've been telling everyone how my boyfriend is here for the first time to watch me in a Cup race. I didn't tell them you were super famous, but some people have already figured out who you are."

"What?" I glanced over my shoulder to look around. Sure enough, some of the drivers and crew members were watching me. "Oh, I guess I hadn't thought about that." It wasn't like I didn't want everyone to know Leo was mine. Or that I wasn't used to people staring at me when I went out in public.

Leo's face fell. "Did you not want people to know about us? That you're dating a NASCAR driver?"

"No, Ricky, I want the world to know." I quickly clasped both of his hands between mine. "I'm so proud to be your boyfriend. But the press might not be so kind. Things will come up that you don't want the world to know."

Leo stared down at our hands and then dragged his gaze up to mine. "I don't care."

"You might say that now, but when they dig into your past, your parents and your brother, you might change your mind." I didn't want anyone saying horrible things about Leo. Not ever.

He shook his head. "I. Don't. Care, Andy. Fuck them. I've been living under a microscope since I started racing as a gay man. If they bring up shit like that, they're complete and total assholes. I only care about you. Us. I want to be with you, and no one is going to stop that from happening. Now." Leo gave me a smile. "Come stand with me at my car. The pre-race is about to start, and I want everyone to know you're here with me."

"I would be honored."

Cameras were flashing, cell phones were out, and I knew that by the end of the day today, Leo's face would be plastered all over social media right next to mine.

I wasn't sure I was ready for the world to pry into every part of Leo's life. He was too important to me.