24. Maverick

Maverick

“Goddamn, you clean up nice,” I say with a smirk as I look Cooper over. He’s wearing the black tux I got him, with the little black bowtie I thought would be cute but is incredibly too fucking hot now.

My hands smooth over his jacket, and I lean in to kiss him. He kisses me for a moment and then pulls back to look into my eyes, his nerves showing. “Are you sure?”

He’s beautiful—lean and lithe in his black tux, his hair slicked back, and his contacts in—although I’d have preferred his glasses. “You look perfect.”

He licks his bottom lip nervously, and I groan at the sight. Wanting to say fuck the fundraiser and stay here with him instead. He’s only fucked me one other time since the first time—and while I still prefer to top, loving the feeling of sinking inside him—I love the thought of him inside me too.

My cock stiffens in my tuxedo pants, just thinking about it. Yeah, I’m definitely going to be begging him to fuck me later.

“Are you sure?” He fiddles with the bowtie, walking over to the mirror by the front door of his apartment. “I know we aren’t going together, together, but I still don’t want to embarrass you.”

I wince, feeling a sharp pain in my stomach because we are together, together, damn it. But he’s going as a friend of us racers tonight. Not my date. And it kills me.

And when his reflection meets mine in the mirror, I can see it pains him too.

“Anyone, including me, would be insanely lucky to have you as their date tonight.” I grab his hips, coming up behind him and looking at our reflection in the mirror. “And we are together,” I say firmly, my eyes locked on his in the mirror, hoping he knows what I’m saying.

What I’ve wanted to say for so long now.

That I’m completely and totally in love with him. That I’m a goddamn coward, and I want to get over this and just tell everyone already.

That I’m sorry I haven’t.

He smiles and then turns around, looping his arms around my neck. “We are.” He confirms, and the weight in my chest lessens a little bit, but not enough. It will never be enough until I finally tell the world that Cooper is mine.

“You two are going to be late,” George says, coming down the hall, his eyes shimmering with glee as he takes us in.

“Oh, what a pretty couple.” He pulls out his phone. “This is a photo op if I’ve ever seen one.”

Before he can take a picture though, Cooper holds up a hand. “No. You can’t.”

“Hey.” I lower his hand, threading my fingers through his and bringing them between our bodies, smiling at George. “I’d love a picture.”

Cooper looks nervous but nods over at his friend. “Okay. Just don’t post it.”

George waves him off. “Of course. I know the rules.”

Again, my gut plummets because he’s not a goddamn secret. Why the hell am I doing this to both of us?

He takes a few pictures and then sends us on our way. When we get to the country club, we effortlessly blend in with a few couples—Cash Phillips and his wife Leslie, and Axel and Sebastian—as we make our way through the crowd.

We mingle, Cooper not missing a beat, walking around and chatting it up with the rich and the famous folks of Kansas City. The mayor is here, along with several philanthropists. Lots and lots of athletes for local sports teams and even a few musicians.

Cash has a lot of reach in this industry, and it doesn’t hurt that he knows Jenny, who’s connected to Waylon—the manager of several musicians, including the band Immoral and my ex, Phoebe.

Which reminds me to do a sweep of the room, feeling relieved when I don’t see her anywhere.

We’re having a pretty good time. I love watching Cooper work the room and talk about the charity Cash set up when he lost his daughter at a really young age. Cooper has done all his research. He knows this charity probably better than Cash himself, and people are entranced by him.

Not that I’m surprised in the slightest. But I still manage to remain close to him all night. I can’t stay away. I just gravitate to him helplessly.

At one point, we’re standing near the catered food, laughing and talking, my eyes on his, when a big, dumbass racer I know all too well comes up. Baz is a fucking loudmouth I can’t stand. A reckless type, but unfortunately, he thinks we’re friends.

He slings his arm around my shoulder and pulls me into his side roughly. “Don’t tell me you’re joining the rainbow club too, Adair.”

I grimace and shove him off me. “What are you talking about?”

He nods to Cooper, who’s standing across from us, his eyes wide and freaked-out. “You look awfully chummy.”

Now is the time. Just say it.

Say we look chummy because we’re together. That you’re crazy about this guy.

Cooper is watching carefully, and I see the hope in his eyes. The desire for me to finally speak up. But I look around the room, seeing we’ve already gained some attention. Eyes on us. Possibly some cameras.

My palms sweat, and my voice shakes as I try to play it off. “We’re friends, Baz. Not that you would know anything about having friends,” I try to tease, but my voice sounds weird.

My heart sinks into my belly when Cooper’s entire face falls, but I can tell he’s trying to keep it together.

“Just friends?” Baz doesn’t take the fucking hint and keeps going. “I don’t know, Adair. All your other friends seem to be dropping like flies. Flying high with the rainbow.” He chuckles at his own stupid joke, though I don’t know why.

“Yes, friends,” I say with an edge that makes him raise his hands in the air and back up, but he’s still smirking.

“Okay. Okay. I was just kidding anyway.”

“Yes. Well, um. It’s nice to meet you, Baz,” Cooper says, his voice trembling and his chin quivering.

Shit. I fucked up.

Bad.

I know I did. I can feel it when he puts down his glass of champagne. “I should go. I’m not feeling too well. Please excuse me.”

“Coop.” I start to go after him as he heads for the exit, but Baz stops me, grabbing my arm.

“What?” I growl at Baz, watching Cooper leave the country club.

“Jenny sent me. We have a few photos to take.”

“What?” I try to look through the crowd, as if I can somehow spot him after he left.

“Jenny. We have pictures to take. Hands to shake. Come on.” He wraps his arm around my shoulders again and drags me away from the exit and into the crowd of way too rich people.

“Stop. I need to go check on Cooper.”

“What, your friend?” he asks, sounding totally confused. “No way you want to risk facing Jenny’s wrath for him. I’m sure he’s fine.” He continues to guide me toward Jenny and the group of people she’s with.

My stomach and heart are aching as I think about the way his face fell. What the hell is wrong with me? How could I do that to him?

Please let him forgive me for this.