11. Brayden

I've been spending a lot of time with Carson. I mean a lot of time. We went out to eat at a trendy, crowded restaurant after the race, just like Jenny ordered. Then we were booked on the same flight home—and sat next to each other.

Jenny even had us go to a restaurant in Kansas City together when we got back home, and I gotta tell you, it's getting exhausting.

Now we're at the animal shelter, surrounded by puppies, kittens, and a bunch of racers. Hell, there's even a baseball player and a rockstar here. I swear, Coop has some reach. Doesn't hurt that Jenny loves the guy.

I've never seen Jenny love anyone, but she totally dotes on him, and it's fascinating to watch. I think she'd adopt him if she could.

I watch Cooper with Maverick Adair, a motorcycle racer I've known for a while. Cooper has his arms looped around Mav's shoulders, their foreheads resting against each other's. They both look so damn calm, content, and happy. A burning sort of jealousy races through me, not for either man in particular, just at what they have, I guess.

That kind of love is something I've never experienced. I've had relationships here and there, but they all get sick of the traveling and the fame. Sometimes it's just nice to go out to dinner without having a camera in your face.

"Does it bother you?" Jesus. Fuck. I jolt when Carson's voice is suddenly right next to my ear.

"Does what bother me?" I ask with way too much bite, but the man did just about give me a heart attack.

"Seeing them together," he answers easily, nodding over at Maverick and Cooper, who've been joined by Jenny and Sebastian.

"Why would it bother me?" I narrow my eyes in Carson's direction. "You know I don't have a problem with two men together."

He grins brightly, knowing he's getting on my nerves. "Not that." His breezy tone is driving me crazy. "The fact that those two men are out and proud."

I don't know what the hell he's getting at, and I haven't had enough coffee to deal with him yet this morning. I should probably fix that before I strangle him. "Everyone should be."

"But you aren't."

I roll my eyes. "I'm not part of a couple."

He's studying me too carefully, and I don't like it. "So if you were, you would be out? You'd risk your career?" His voice is quiet, like it's a secret, even though there are four out and proud racers in the same room as us right now. But he seems to be truly interested in my answer. Like he doesn't know.

"I'd say Sebastian, Axel, Mav, and Royal are all doing just fine in their careers."

He frowns at me, looking a little frustrated, and I like when the tables are turned. He deserves to be the irritated one for a bit. "But I mean, you'd be fine with being out? If you were in a relationship?"

"Why are you asking me this?" I have to ask, though I don't know why the conversation is making me so uncomfortable.

He shrugs, and I think he's just trying to play it cool now. "Just wondering."

I sigh heavily and watch Mav and Coop, standing there, so damn in love, with the googly eyes and everything. Meanwhile, Sebastian and Axel are playing with a few puppies now and talking about taking one home—to their home they share together. Royal is hanging all over his reporter boyfriend. I've known all these racers for a long damn time, and I've never seen them all so happy.

Ever.

"Yeah. I would."

Carson raises a brow. "Really? Even if Miles was pissed off about it? The guy isn't exactly known for being understanding."

"It wouldn't be up to him," I bite out angrily. My history with Miles Tanner is complicated.

"Really?" He cocks his head to the side, and I grind my teeth together.

"Stop asking me that. Yeah. He wouldn't have a say over my love life. Not ever, okay? Now drop it."

"Interesting."

"It's really not," I say dryly.

"Boys." I don't know when Jenny started walking over to us. Somehow I missed it. But she's standing in front of us now. "Everything okay?"

She's not really asking. It's a warning. Saying we need to put on our show now. "Of course," I say, forcing a smile. "Just hoping to get out of here without adopting a pet."

She grins. "Good luck. There are a lot of cuties here." Her eyes lock on mine. "And a lot of cameras."

I nod, my eyes scanning the place and seeing the news crews everywhere. This many celebrities at one animal shelter is going to attract a hell of a lot of media attention.

I nod in understanding, and she smiles in approval. "Let's go check out the kittens," I say, and Carson dutifully follows me.

But I'm not getting a goddamn animal.