Chapter 57

FIFTY-SEVEN

" Y our boy sure is pretty," Mackie teases from his position opposite my desk, his boots propped up on it. As the head driver, he's a cocky fucker, but surprisingly, we get along well.

Noah laughs, taking the framed photo from him with a grin. I snatch it back without looking and place it on my desk, unable to stop my smile.

"Look at that smile. He's the only one who gets the big bastard to grin. Have you noticed that?" Noah teases, and I simply roll my eyes. In the few weeks since I started working here, I've realized I fit in far too easily. They might be a famous, multimillion-dollar racing team, but at heart, they are all car junkies, and we get each other. Besides, we have a lot in common. It's nice, and I really like working here. They were right, I fit, and everyone welcomed me, which was amazing. I still have a lot to learn, but I'm excited for it and the possibilities it holds.

"It's your boy's show tonight, isn't it?" Noah asks conversationally. I don't know why they insist on eating lunch in here when we have a kitchen, but they always seem to. Evan thinks it's because I never join them and they are trying to include me. He's been here a few times, enough to meet everyone and for me to warn them away from him. I'm not the least bit ashamed of that, and I know my smile turns goofy and proud when I meet Noah's eyes.

"Yep, five." I look at the clock, counting the hours. I need to shower and dress up before then—he's the only person I will dress up for. "He's going to kill it."

"Look how proud he is." Mackie laughs. "I don't blame you. If I had someone like that in my life, I'd brag too. You're a lucky man, Anders."

Noah shoots him a glare he doesn't seem to notice.

"I know it," I admit. "Now either get out or share your food. I need to place an order before I go," I mutter, making them both laugh.

Yes, I fit in here. I'll admit I miss my old garage sometimes, and I still join the odd race every now and again, but my future is bright, and Evan was right. I deserve to dream, and Starfire Racing is the place to do that.

By the time I shower and dress, I run to the showcase so I'm not late.

Luckily, the venue is the school, and I make it there to find a line to get in. It might only be a student showcase, but the recent attacks have everyone's eyes on this school, and before that, it was one of the only high-profile colleges to continually pump out the best of the best. Evan explained that even scouts for magazines and agents come to check out future acquisitions and keep their eye on students, so it's an honor to be involved.

Previously, I scoffed at the showcase out of fear, but now, I proudly stand in line. I see Lally waving me to the door. Some people eye me in confusion and others in anger because I'm getting in before them, but I hurry through the open door as she links her arm with mine. "Come on, he's freaking out. He needs you." She leads me through the glossy reception area, past the ticket sales table, and to the gallery beyond. "You look amazing by the way. He is going to freak. "

"What's wrong?" I ask worriedly as I hurry through the gallery, barely seeing any of the other students' submissions. My eyes land on Evan, who is pacing at the very end where a huge rectangle of the room has been cordoned off. Everything else fades, and all I see is him. Even Lally's voice disappears into the background until I know I'm just staring. "Huh?" I ask, blinking as I look down at Lally.

She snorts and pushes me his way. "Go on, Romeo, you'll figure it out." Nodding in thanks, I quicken my steps so I'm practically running to him, slipping past the rope to reach him.

He must hear me because he turns, and I get the full Evan Shaw effect. I actually stumble. His hair is wavy, with two pieces hanging down in front as usual, and his ears are exposed, stacked with piercings. His lips are rosy like his cheeks, his eyes darkened with liner, but his outfit blows me away.

He looks like a prince in an old-school fairy-tale book.

He's wearing loose, flowing white pants with a gold belt, a sheer shirt with open buttons, exposing his tan chest nearly all the way to his navel, and an oversized blazer. He looks like a goddamn knight in shining armor.

A frost prince.

If he's the white knight, the prince, then I'm the goddamn villain coming to claim his soul.

I'm dressed head to toe in black. Even my shoes are black, formal, and shiny. My suit pants are ironed, paired with a black, long-sleeved, button-up shirt. I couldn't bring myself to add a tie or coat, but my hair is styled.

I cleaned up as best as I could, wanting to impress him, and when his eyes drop to me and widen, I know I succeeded. "Jesus, Anders. You should wear that every day. I mean every day."

"Don't get ahead of yourself." I smirk as I pull him closer and lean down to steal a kiss. "Though I might make some exceptions if you dress like this." I bring my lips to his ear. "You look good enough to eat. In fact, I just might."

He smacks my chest with a bright laugh, his eyes twinkling with genuine happiness, and my heart is so full, it feels like it might burst. Cupping his handsome face, I stare into his eyes. "I love you, Evan Shaw," I declare, pushing everything I can into those words.

I'm not good with words like him, or able to capture a moment through a lens, but I want to seize every moment with him. I want to give him the words to make him understand the depths of my devotion and my love for him.

"Is that right?" Taking my hand, he steps back and gestures around us. "Then figure out how I feel for yourself."

My eyes widen as I look around at the photographs.

"I know you were worried how people would react, but they aren't tasteless. I really love them," he starts to ramble.

"Evan," I say, and he stops speaking as I bring my astonished gaze back to him. "I love them." I mean it. You can feel the need, love, and obsession pouring from every frame. Yes, I'm shirtless and posing, but it's more than that. I don't even understand photography, but it's the angles and the way he shot me. I can actually feel him through his work.

I walk around, looking at them, and he silently walks by my side as I stop at the last one. "You really love me," I murmur into the silence. His barked laugh makes me grin. Uncaring who is watching, I pull him into my arms and kiss him deeply.

"I love you, Alek Anders," he says brightly, and I swear I have never been so happy. Hearing those words heals something inside me.

Evan Shaw heals me every day.

"They are amazing. Everyone is going to love them."

"Do you think so?" he asks, looking at me for reassurance.

"If not, then they are morons, and I'll hit them for you. Evan, they are so good. You are a goddamn rock star. They'll see it," I promise as I take his hand. The last one along the back wall is large, the first and last photograph you see.

It's not me—well not just me, and I smile when I realize where it's from.

It's us, our little family, from the night of the attack before everything went to shit. We are smiling at the camera, and in the center, smiling goofily, is Tommy .

"I figured everyone could remember him for the way he was. I know it's probably not a good thing right now, but when I look at this, I remember how happy we were, and I wanted to replace the last image I have of him with this—his smile and his love for us all."

"It's perfection. The perfect tribute," I assure him as we stand before it, staring up at our smiling faces, red from alcohol and laughter.

"I miss him," Evan admits. "I wish he were here."

"He is," I reply, lifting his hand to kiss the back, "and he would be so proud." I turn to him and encourage him to look at me. "I am so proud of you. Screw your parents." He jerks, and I know I hit the nail on the head. He invited them, I know he did, but they didn't even bother to respond. I want to throttle them for that and for missing out on this. "It's their loss. They are missing out on seeing your talent and meeting the incredible man you have grown to be. Fuck them, pretty boy, you don't need them. You have us." I turn him to see Lally, Alice, Sky, and Bones, who are waiting on the other side. When we glance their way, they wave, and Evan smiles so broadly I know he's going to be okay.

"Fuck them," he whispers as he looks at me. "Blood isn't family, this is."

"So true, pretty boy, now let's go meet your fans."

This is Evan's night, and I'm happy to be at his side, watching him dazzle the room like he dazzled me. He works his way into their lives, stealing their smiles and laughter. It's what he's best at, and he does it so well. He's so genuine, loving, and passionate, you can't do anything but adore him.

I answer some questions, but mostly, I just stand proudly at his side as he talks to everyone and shows off me and his photos. How could I ever think this would be something bad? Seeing his pride and love as he explains them steals my soul one inch at a time, and there's something about the acceptance in everyone's faces that just makes me happy.

It's the way he introduces me. "Yep, that's Alek, my boyfriend, and these are our friends—" He speaks as if presenting me as his boyfriend isn't a big deal, as if us being gay isn't a spectacle like I thought it would be. It's not a conversation, just a fact.

I couldn't love this man more.

"How are you doing, pretty boy?" I ask, handing him a glass of water when there's a lull. Everyone is amazed by his photos, so I steal him for a moment, blocking people so he can breathe.

His smile is so wide, it must hurt as he looks at me. "They like them. They really like them."

"When are you going to stop doubting yourself?" I grin. "Of course they love them. They are of me."

He laughs as he smacks my side, and then someone clears their throat. "Mr. Shaw?" We both turn to see a man wearing thick-rimmed glasses smiling at us. It's a kind smile, the type that makes you want to smile back. Wearing loose, camel-colored pants and a sweater, he looks sophisticated and rich, the watch on his wrist screaming money. "I'm?—"

"You're Conan, the Conan White," Evan exclaims, staring at him in shock. "You won the Arbel Photography Prize recently, and you worked with nearly every publication."

Conan laughs. "I guess you know me." He seems almost embarrassed. "I apologize for being late tonight. I was on a shoot, but when I heard of the rising star of Pine Valley, I had to come. I went to this school, you see, and I know us Pine Valley boys are the best." He looks around before grinning at Evan and handing over a card. "You have real potential, Evan. I mean it. It's been a long time since I've seen talent like this. Give me a call tomorrow. I'd love to speak to you more. For now, enjoy your night. You deserve it." He nods and wanders away to another group, and Evan just stares down at the card like it's the holy grail.

"That's good, right?" I ask nervously.

"Good?" He looks up at me, whispering in awe. "He makes careers. You don't become a photographer without his stamp of approval. He's a recluse, a total genius?—"

Laughing, I kiss his cheek. "And he likes your work. I told you, pretty boy, you're so fucking talented. He's right, though. Enjoy your night. Want me to look after the card?" He tends to drop things after all.

He nods, handing it over carefully, and I add it to my wallet next to his picture so it doesn't get lost, knowing how important this is to him.

Eventually, he gets over his shock, and Lally drags him into a group to discuss his work. I find myself standing before one of the photos of me, a rare one where I'm smiling for him. Suddenly, I feel a presence at my side, and I glance over to find Conan there, looking at the photo.

"He has the rare ability to capture people's souls. That's not something you can teach," he murmurs.

"You think? You can see my soul?" I ask, not doubting Evan's talent but the sincerity of my soul.

"I can, and it's beautiful," he tells me with a smile. "I see why he loves you and you him. I can feel the love through these photos. He will go far, so be prepared because it won't be easy."

"We have handled worse," I say truthfully. "But how do I support him? I don't know all the ins and outs of the photography world?—"

"Just be there. Listen to him, hold him, and trust him. That's all he needs." We both glance over at Evan as his laughter reaches us. "Don't let anyone steal that spark. It isn't something you get back, trust me."

I regard him carefully, sensing the truth between his words. "I won't. I'll protect him no matter what."

"Good, he's lucky to have you." He claps my shoulder. "I would offer to photograph you, since you have the perfect face for it, but I have a feeling you are exclusive to him, no?" He smiles, putting me at ease, and I know he meant no harm.

"Definitely."

"Good. Had to check." He winks as he waves at Evan and looks back at the photo. "Love, it's a magnificent thing, isn't it?" He wanders away .

I can see why he's a recluse, but when I look at the photo again, I understand what he means. Evan captured something in my eyes, something even I didn't see but he did.

He always saw it in me, and he waited for me to see it too.

I watch my boy, and I know I will love this man until the day we are entombed together, the earth taking us back.