Chapter Three

Leo

The sound of Ezra giggling with Seth Hill, one of my brother's fiancés, filled the air. It was nice to be able to spend this time with everyone, but my heart just wasn't into it. I stared down at the chicken salad I had picked out for lunch. It had looked so appetizing when I saw it, but my hunger had disappeared. I pushed the poultry around the bowl with my fork before I sighed and looked up. RJ was watching me with worry etched into his handsome face as he slid into the seat across from me.

"You know, there's a good chance that Andy thinks we're a couple." His lips pulled into a smile. "Bet he really hates that."

The thought had never even crossed my mind. "Well, obviously, that's not true. I'm queer as hell, and you're straight as an arrow."

Surprise flickered across RJ's face. Interesting .

I quirked an eyebrow. "Is there something you need to tell me, boo? Because this is a safe place. I would never judge you."

"What are you going to do about Andy? Are you going to get back together with him?" RJ murmured as a blush crept up his neck and over his cheeks.

He was an exact copy of his father, minus the scowl and tattoos. All broad shoulders and bulky muscles. He had midnight-black hair that curled around his ears and the kindest blue eyes I had ever seen. His parents were great, but Rand was kind of scary.

I raised my chin. Had my gaydar faltered on me? "Don't try to change the subject." I speared a piece of chicken with my fork and pointed it at him before I popped it into my mouth.

"We were talking about you first," RJ shot back.

I raised my chin. "How's Frankie?" She had been his on-again-off-again girlfriend since he was in middle school. She was pretty awesome, but I hadn't seen her around much lately.

"We broke up."

"Right, and then you'll get back together. It's sort of your thing, boo."

RJ shrugged. "I'm not so sure this time. She said she needed space, whatever the hell that means, and that was two weeks ago." He glanced at me for a second before he dropped his gaze to his empty plate.

"Again, this is not the first time she's said that to you. This is just foreplay for the two of you," I reminded him, but when RJ didn't answer me, I leaned forward. "What aren't you telling me right now? You know you can trust me."

RJ's cheeks flushed pink. "I sort of met someone else."

"When did this happen?" I exclaimed loud enough for Ezra's giggling to stop. I waved him off when he put a hand on my arm.

RJ turned a darker shade of red. "I mean, it's not that new. We've been in the same circle for a few years." His voice was so low I almost couldn't hear him.

"Who?" I popped a brow. "Who, RJ? Because you and Frankie were supposed to get married and have twenty kids."

He narrowed his eyes. "So were you and Andy." He sighed. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean that. I'm just...I'm having some sort of crisis of sexuality or whatever."

"It's not a girl." I could see it written all over my closest friend's face. "Rand Shepard Junior, are you telling me you're into men?"

"I don't know what I am," RJ muttered, his eyes darting to Ezra and Seth before he met my eyes like he was warning me to keep my voice down. "How did you know?"

I smiled. "Oh, hon, I knew I was gay by the time I was ten years old. I liked dolls, dresses, and makeup more than I should have. I mean, yeah, I like racing cars and getting my hands dirty but feeling pretty is nicer than being a grease monkey."

I was dying to ask him who this guy was, but I knew RJ would tell me when the time was right.

"I'm afraid to tell my dad."

"Your father loves you. Being queer isn't going to change that."

RJ shrugged. "What if it does? What if he hates me for being different? What if he kicks me out of the house, won't share an RV with me? Then what do I do?"

"We'll sic Ezra on him," I teased. "Is that what this is really about? You want your father's approval? RJ..." I stood up and walked over to sit next to him. "He's not going to stop loving you for who you love."

He gave me a small smile. "Will you come with me when I tell them for moral support? That way, he has to be nice to me."

"I would be honored." I reached down to lace our fingers together.

RJ squeezed my hand. "I think he's coming to the race."

"Does that mean I get to meet him?" I winked and wiggled my brows. The way he flushed was incredibly adorable.

RJ's eyes widened. "Uh, you already have."

"Wait, what? Is it another driver?" I tilted my head. "Or maybe it's a rival pit crew member. Oh, Junior, that's so scandalous. I'm here for it, though."

RJ turned so red I thought his head might pop off. He dropped my hand and kept his blue eyes glued to something behind me. I had no choice but to turn around. Headed toward us was Andy, Ford, and Felix.

I couldn't stop the thrill of seeing Andy again that raced through me. Like my heart was just going to burst out of my chest. Why did he still get to me?

"Hide me." I jumped up to stand behind RJ's massive body as he got to his feet. I peeked around his arm to see what happened next.

"Hi." Felix beamed up at him with shiny hazel eyes.

RJ ducked his chin. "Hey."

What was happening... "No." I shook my head. "RJ, please, not Felix. Anyone but Felix."

"What's wrong with Felix?" Ford sounded hurt.

I ignored him as I moved to stand in front of RJ and glared up at him. "He's friends with him, Junior. You know how hard I worked to get my life back together after the breakup. You were there. You saw how devastated I was, how depressed I got and how much I hated myself. You helped me. RJ, please, anyone but Felix."

"If I didn't know better, I might start thinking you don't like me, Leo," Felix murmured.

I spun around. "Because I don't, not anymore. You two were supposed to be my friends, too. I was the one who suggested that you start a band with Andy. I brought you into my circle, and how did you repay me? By stabbing me in the back."

"That's kind of harsh, isn't it?" Felix narrowed his eyes at me. "We knew Andy first. You were just the boyfriend who was always around, Yoko. Always there and doing nothing, being in the way."

I opened my mouth, only to immediately slam it shut. Was that how they had seen me back then? Just someone who was in the way all the time when they were trying to practice.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. "I see."

"Ricky, don't listen to them." Andy took a step toward me, glaring at his bandmates. "I wanted you with me. These two are just being dicks."

I could see Ezra out of the corner of my eye as he climbed to his feet. He looked ready to go to war for me. "Maybe I was." I raised my chin despite the sick feeling that curled in my belly.

"What are you three doing here?" My brother's voice felt like a safety net as he stalked over to where I stood. "I think it's best that you leave."

Felix and Ford cringed, but not Andy. No, the son of Maverick Olson raised his chin and met Noel head on. It made my heart thump loudly in my ears as my stomach swooped. He had always been so brazen, not afraid to tell anyone how he felt about us or who he was. It was one of the things I loved the most about him. He towered over Noel, who stood six feet tall.

"I'm trying to talk to Leo, that's all. We have things to fix," he dared to answer.

Noel huffed. "There's nothing to fix, Andrew. If you think that I'm going to let you back into my brother's life so you can break his heart again, you've got another think coming." He swung his arm over my shoulders and tucked me against his side.

"But what about what Leo wants?" Andy kept his hazel orbs glued to me. "What if he wants to talk to me, work things out? Then what? We're not teenage boys anymore. You couldn't stop us from being together then or now."

Noel grunted. "I would have back then if I had known what would happen."

What if I wanted Andy back? I shook my head as I tried to push those thoughts away. "I don't want to talk to you."

"You're lying. Did you forget how well I know you, Ricky?" Andy asked.

Noel glanced down at me. "You want them gone, Leo? I'll be glad to have security remove them from the track. I'm sure it would make for great headlines."

"No, I—" I couldn't do that to Andy or the twins. Despite everything, I still cared for them. Even if they didn't feel the same. We had been thick as thieves once. "They can stay."

Andy's lips curved up into a smile, and I saw the boy I'd fallen in love with. The dirty-blond hair, hazel eyes, and that face that made my knees weak. "Do you have a few minutes?"

"I have interviews, photographs and a couple of fan things planned for the day," I answered, but I wanted to talk to him again. Maybe later he could come back to my RV and—

That was a horrible idea.

Andy tilted his head. "And after that? Tonight?"

"I'm not busy tonight," I whispered. A flash of triumph flitted across his perfect face. I could practically feel Ezra's angry glare digging into me, but I ignored him. "We could get together."

Andy nodded. "I'd like that, Ricky."

"Can we stay and watch practice?" Felix beamed as he looked up at RJ, who only nodded as his neck and cheeks flushed pink. And not because of the warm sun.

Ford rolled his eyes. "This again," he muttered, only for Felix to elbow him. "Hey, we both know RJ isn't going to leave his girlfriend for you."

"Please, it's always been your dream to turn a straight guy, too." Felix's eyes went wide when he realized he said that aloud. "RJ, I didn't—"

RJ popped his jaw. "No, it's fine. I get it. I have to go. Leo, I'll catch up with you later." He gathered his things at the table, then hurried away.

"Thanks for that." Felix sighed and dropped his chin. Ford started talking to him in hushed whispers, and I turned my attention back to my ex.

"Can I come by your RV later? Say around seven o'clock?" Andy asked softly. "I promise to be on my best behavior.

I nodded. "I'd like that."

"See you then, Ricky." Andy winked, then motioned for the twins to follow him.

I watched the three of them walked away.

Yeah, see you later.