Chapter Three
Cole
Ileft Reed at his parents’ house with the promise to meet him six o’clock, so we could go to the race together.
I still had no clue why he thought I would want to go with him to watch another guy.
Why would that even be remotely fun for me?
Maybe I should make up an excuse? Tell him I was going to spend time with family.
Maverick had texted me. If I had to watch Reed kiss some dude after he won, I might have to punch him.
Even if they were boyfriends. I wasn’t afraid to admit that I liked him.
And I wasn’t sure I could handle just being friends with him.
As I stepped out of the shower, I stared at myself in the mirror.
Reed had said he thought I was cute. Did he still like what he saw?
I wasn’t that sixteen-year-old boy anymore, unsure of myself and scared of showing the world who I really was.
I had worked hard to become the man I was.
The muscles I had were more defined from the hours I put in at the gym and on the ice, and even though I hadn’t dated a guy other than Bryant, I wasn’t terrified to admit I was bisexual.
People at school knew. My teammates and friends accepted me for who I was.
I had just never found another man I was into until now.
I finished getting ready in the bathroom, then moved into my bedroom.
I picked out a pair of clean black jeans and another Boston University shirt.
I grabbed my hat, putting it on backwards, the way I always wore it, then grabbed my phone from where I had left it to charge.
I noticed a text from my father, and I quickly unlocked my phone. I was eager to hear from him.
Dad: Hey, kiddo. Just wanted to check in. We’ve landed for the night in California for our layover. Love you. Be safe.
My throat grew tight. I missed him. Growing up, it had just been the two of us until Dean, and I loved that he was happy now and had found that special someone.
I loved Dean like he was my father, too, but time was going by so fast. I hated to even think about that.
Sometimes I wished I could just press pause for a week.
To soak it all in. Spend time with them like I did when I was in high school.
Cole: I love you, too. I can’t wait to see pictures. Give Dean my love. Have fun. And I promise I’m being safe.
A notification went off on my phone just as I hit send, letting me know now someone was outside the front door, and sure enough, the doorbell rang, echoing through the kitchen.
When I looked at the app, I was surprised to find Maverick standing on the porch.
He grinned at the camera, waving happily like he knew I was watching him.
He gave me a quick hug when I opened the door, his emerald eyes sparkling.
“I know it’s not cool to just show up unannounced, but I wanted to invite you over for dinner tonight.
And I was just out running a few errands.
” He tugged nervously on the sleeve of his sweater.
Same old Maverick. Still wearing heavy clothing even when it was ninety degrees outside in North Carolina.
“That sounds like fun, Mav, but I already have plans tonight.”
The Olson house was always so loud and bursting with people. It would be fun to hang out with everyone, my family—because that’s what they officially were now. And Jackson was an NHL coach. I might be able to pick his brain and ask him about my hopes for the future.
“Oh, right, of course. I should have just texted. I’m sorry.” Maverick waved his hand at me.
I shook my head. “Mav, you can come by whenever you want. I just... Reed asked me to go the races with him tonight, and I couldn’t say no.”
“Is this a date?” Maverick’s face lit up like a Christmas tree. “Reed Kelly? Hutch’s son?”
I wanted to shut that idea down really fast. “It’s not a date. We’re just friends. But I could come by tomorrow. If you want. I would love to see everyone. It feels like it’s been forever.”
“And bring your boyfriend,” Mav teased. “I’m so happy for you.” He threw his arms around me in a tight hug. “You’re all grown up now, going to college and chasing your dreams.”
I started to remind him that Reed wasn’t my boyfriend but decided against it. “Thanks,” I told him.
Maverick pulled away and smoothed down the front of his sweater.
“What about Andy? He’ll probably be going off to college soon, right?”
“Nope.” Maverick slapped his hands over both ears. “We don’t talk about that. He’s still my little boy. Even if he has a live-in boyfriend and a band that is growing more popular every day. He’ll always be the kid who wouldn’t let me leave him alone during thunderstorms.”
I chuckled softly. “He and Leo are still going pretty strong.”
“They’re going to get married someday,” Maverick assured me.
I wanted to find that kind of love. Andy was a couple of years younger than I was, and he had already found the love of his life. Why was that so hard for me? “That’s great.” Did that sound condescending? That’s not what I had meant.
“Hey.” Maverick grabbed my hands, his cool skin making me break out in goosebumps. “Are you sure you’re doing okay? Do you need anything or want to talk? I’m here for you.”
And this was the drummer of Mulligan Downtown, the one that everyone was supposed to be scared of. All he wanted was to be with his husband and raise his family.
I didn’t want to burden anyone with my issues. “I’m great, Mav. No need to worry about me. And I really am happy for Andy and Leo. They’re a cute couple.” I squeezed his fingers lightly.
“They are pretty adorable.” He stared at me, his catlike eyes searching my face like he could read my mind. “Tomorrow then. Come over whenever you like. We’ll be happy to have you.”
I followed Maverick out to his car and waved goodbye to him as he left, his stark white hair blowing in the wind with the windows down.
Sometimes I couldn’t believe this was my life.
That Dean Frost, guitar player for Mulligan Downtown, was my stepfather, and Maverick Frost, now Olson, was my uncle.
They were the world’s biggest rock band, yet they were all normal guys who liked to have fun, hang out, and give one another a hard time.
And they all loved their husbands and families.
Even though I wanted to find my soulmate, I knew I was lucky to have the life I did.
And I didn’t want to take that for granted.
I went back inside, grabbed my phone, locked up the house, and headed across the lawn to Reed’s.
THE PARKING LOT OF the racetrack was packed.
I already knew that North Carolina was the racing capital of the world, but apparently people couldn’t get enough of it.
Reed giggled, grabbed my hand, and tugged me toward the entrance where we were waved inside without a second glance.
They obviously knew him here. How often did Reed watch Silas race?
How long had they known one another? I couldn’t get over the jealousy that bubbled up inside of me, the urge to grab Reed and carry him out of here.
It was absurd. We were hardly even friends.
More like acquaintances. As he dragged me behind him, my eyes dropped to the pair of dark shorts he was wearing, and I couldn’t help but admire the curves of his ass.
Shit, maybe this was a bad idea. We walked through the garage area, where people were busy getting their cars ready, most of them laughing and having a good time.
“It’s right this way.” Reed was still holding my hand, and I liked it. I liked the way his slim fingers felt wrapped around mine. Warm and soft. And then his touch was gone; his arms wrapped around someone else in a tight hug, and I was left standing alone.
“I can’t believe you’re here!” the blond guy exclaimed when they pulled apart. “It feels like forever since you’ve come to one of my races.”
Reed ruffled his hair playfully. “I told you I’d be here, Si. And I’ll be at every single one this summer.” So that was Silas. He was tall, taller than Reed, and his dark eyes sparkled with happiness.
Silas batted his hand away before his gaze darted over to me, his dark eyes widening. “You brought a date?”
“It’s not a date. This is Cole,” Reed introduced me, his cheeks bright pink. “And this is my brother, Silas.”
Wait. Brother? Silas was Reed’s brother? I couldn’t stop the huge smile that spread over my face. “It’s nice to meet you.” I remembered my manners and stuck out my fist, which Silas bumped gently with his own.
“Silas, have you seen...”
Hutch Kelly appeared from behind the blue car and stopped to stare at me. He tilted his head as his dark eyes scanned me, then he nodded. “Beau’s son.” He grunted more than he spoke, but that was okay.
I was a little scared he might not want me here, that he would tell me to hit the road and stay away from his son.
He was kind of scary looking. He was about the same height as Reed, so he was a little shorter than I was, but he had a grumpy look about him.
One that almost said don’t mess with me.
But he looked at his boys, and a smile tugged at his lips for just a moment.
I nodded. “Yes, sir. Cole Whitaker.” Sweat trickled down my back. This was more awkward than when I picked up my prom date in senior year of high school. And I had known her for years.
“All right.” Hutch glanced between his two sons. “Reed, are you two sitting with your mother and Mia? If so, she’s already secured seats.” And just like that, I guess I passed his inspection.
Reed nudged my side. “That was the plan.” He glanced over at me. “Unless you want to sit alone? I didn’t even think to ask you that.”
“I’d like to sit with your family.” Even though I didn’t think his mother liked me very much, and I was terrified about what she might say to me. But Reed’s dark eyes were so happy, and his smile was so big that I didn’t want to disappoint him.
He grabbed my hat to slip over his own head, blond hair sticking out over his ears. “We should get something to eat before we sit down.”
“Did you... You can’t just steal a man’s hat, Kelly.”
“Looks like I just did, Whitaker.”
I started to object until he took my hand again and the soft, smooth feel of his palm against mine had me closing my mouth.
If this wasn’t a date, why was Reed flirting with me?
Holding my hand and teasing me the way he was.
I liked the feeling of his skin against mine and the way he squeezed my fingers lightly to let me know he was there.
“I could really go for a greasy burger right about now.” He tugged on my hand. “Good luck, Silas.” He waved goodbye to his brother with his free hand, while still holding mine with the other.
I faithfully followed behind Reed as he led me back into the crowd of people, willing this to turn into something more. More than friendship. Something that I had been craving for a long time. Something like love.