40. Harden #2
Caden is the first to spot me of course, offering me only the tip of his chin in greeting, before going back to his conversation with Bobby.
Casper sits on his other side, chatting away to Knox and Beckett, who have a girl between them, while Wilder flirts with some poor unsuspecting fool who looks like he’s hanging on the racer’s every word.
There are gaggles of girls all around them, just waiting for any scrap of attention from them, and I’m sure they’ll get it once the party winds down later and they have nothing better to do.
Wilder is the first to greet me, pulling his gaze from the guy he will no doubt bed at some point during the night. “Damn, Fireball, you trying to break my heart?” He clutches his chest dramatically, taking in Aurora’s presence at my side, bringing all the other guys’ attention to me too.
“Don’t tell me, Haze finally got himself a girl.” Bobby grins, letting his eyes trail over Aurora in appreciation, and I cut him a warning glare.
“Stop staring at her, you dick.” Caden grunts, smacking the back of his head, before nodding at two of the younger racers I vaguely recognize to clear off two of the chairs so we can sit down.
We good? He signs, considering this is the first time I have seen him since I accosted him at the gym, and I nod, guiding Aurora onto one of the chairs and moving my own so it can be closer to her.
“What’s your name, beautiful?” Casper purrs, turning that racer prince charm on for her, and Aurora to my surprise, eats it right up.
“Aurora Gray,” she tells him, with that same air of confidence she’s always had, and his face drops.
“Oh shit,” he gasps in disbelief, making her frown as his stare pans between us. “You certainly grew up well, didn’t you?” He tells her, before focusing on me. “Does Monroe know you’ve got his little sister here?”
It’s her turn to frown now, no doubt wondering how he knows her. “Stepsister,” she replies on autopilot, as if she has been reminding herself of that fact on repeat lately, and I hide my smirk, as the meaning isn’t lost on any of them.
“Stepsister, hey,” Knox purrs, becoming more interested in the conversation than the girl half-draped on his lap. “I’ve seen that porno before,” he laughs, waggling his eyebrows.
“Haven’t we all?” Beckett adds with a smirk, inhaling deeply on his cigarette and then blowing it into the mouth of the girl on Knox’s lap.
I use their distraction to make my introductions.
Aurora, that’s Casper and Caden Miles, they were two years above you at Vander, with their friend Bobby there, and that’s their cousin, Wilder, he was a senior while you were a freshman.
I sign, introducing them, and I see some vague recollection of them float into her mind before she tenses slightly.
It’s what has me leaning in and whispering, “Wilder is Jason’s brother, but he never comes here.
” She’s too panicked to be shocked at the sound of my voice, and I see the guys watching us closely, wondering what I just said.
Ignoring them, I shift my attention to the other two.
Those two there are Beckett Ford and Knox Walker, they went to Hallows Prep, but you may have seen them around at parties.
At the movement of my hands again, Beckett grunts. “You better not be shit talking us there, Haze.”
I roll my eyes, knowing they don’t understand sign language, since they didn’t grow up around me or the twins' Aunt Carol.
“Nah, he’s just telling his girl how small your dicks are,” Wilder cuts in, tossing me a wink.
“Come on now, Wild, we both know you’ve seen me in the shower.” Knox’s words are meant to be playful, but Wilder cuts him a knowing glare.
“The shower, huh? Is that what we are calling it?” Wilder muses, making Knox’s stare darken.
“Alright, keep your tiny dicks in your pants,” Casper grunts, more than used to all their bullshit.
“Wait, you guys attend the Academy right? Your dad is Camden Miles?” Aurora asks in confirmation, looking between all of them, before bringing her focus to rest on the twins.
I’m not sure how much she knows about the racing, but the Academy is well known on the East Coast for molding racers to make them ready for PRI.
I have no doubt that Casper, Wilder, Knox, and Beckett will all go pro next year.
They already have sponsors and managers, and a bunch of brand deals, it will just be a matter of signing the contract and making it official at the start of the season.
Casper is the one to nod and respond. “Sure do, beautiful. Why? Do you like fast cars and men?”
Her blush is instant, much to his amusement, and I’m sure he’s used to girls falling at his feet considering his good looks, charm, and last name.
My reaction however, is the opposite of amused.
My hand lands on her thigh firmly, for once she doesn’t jump in surprise from my touch, as I set a fierce glare on him.
“Careful there, Cas,” I grunt quietly, stunning him into silence, and making his twin smirk widely at my veiled threat.
I’m probably the only person who could get away with doing such a thing, especially in front of Caden.
“I already have enough of both,” Aurora adds, replying to him at the same time she leans into my side, and my hand flexes around her.
“Well, shit, I guess they’re both whipped,” Bobby laughs, signaling to one of the bottle girls they hire for nights like this. “You better get them both a drink.”
Aurora was right, what’s the worst that can happen?