Vawn covered his daughter’s ears. “I don’t know what will make my brother want to fuck you, and I don’t want to. But I know Genj has seen you at some of your best and worst moments. And none of those times has made him stop crushing on you. He’s completely enamored. Never looks at anyone the way he looks at you.”
“Then why has he never confessed to me?” I plopped down on the floor. “Never kissed me or made any indication he was even interested? The most action I ever got was him holding my hand, but I initiated that.”
Vawn laughed. “You’ve known him for how long? And yet you haven’t figured out he’s not the type to confess?”
“What about all the one-night stands he’s had because he’s a space racer?” I leaned back, holding myself up with my hand. “I don’t care that he’s slept with a lot of people, but why has he never tried to get me in bed when I’ve been to see him race? Do I have to drag him into my hotel room, tie him to the bed, and get naked to make him see me as a sexual being?”
Vawn chuckled. “I don’t think you need to be that drastic, but it is Genj. From what Ojo told me, my brother never picks anyone up like Ret does. He only hooks up with someone who approached him first. And that’s all I want to know about either of my brothers’ sex lives.” Vawn handed Gitta to me. “Now, hold my daughter while I pack your suitcase based solely on fashion.”
I giggled as the little girl blew bubbles between her lips, her cheeks flushed. “Where is Enif? Is she with your parents?”
“No, Ojo took her to the training center today.” Vawn picked out a black low-neck top with barely any material on the back, and a pair of jeans I knew fit snug. He rolled them together then tucked them into my suitcase. “It’s simulator day, and he only has three students in this class. So, she flies with them.”
I laughed. “That girl is going to be the youngest and best on the circuit in a few years.”
“You can count on it.” He beamed proudly. “As soon as she gets her permit to fly, she’ll likely take off to Eurebly without saying goodbye.”
I didn’t doubt that. Flying was all she ever talked about. Vawn said she refused to read any of her books for school but had read the flight manuals Ojokun used in training many times over.
After thirty minutes and rolling together several more outfits, Vawn closed my suitcase and set it by the door. “Okay, now get going before you miss your flight.”
After cooing at Gitta, I hugged my best friend and handed his daughter to him. “Wish me luck.” I had a feeling I was going to need it.
“Luck? I wish you a good fuck.” Vawn winked at me with a sly smile. “I hope you and my brother finally get together, but please spare me the details. That is information about him I do not want to know.”
I rolled my eyes. “As you’ve told me many times. But we’re still not there yet.” No matter how many years I’d been dreaming about being mated to Genj. Though I would settle for even a kiss. Something to let me know he really did want me.
At my hovercar, I said a final goodbye to my best friend and his daughter before making a quick stop into my bakery. I wanted to be sure Gugait and Toufan didn’t need anything before I left. Plus, I wanted to pack up some goodies to take to the members of ORIXA.
Then I was off to the spaceport. And I would not return without knowing how Genj saw me. Hopefully this trip would be the beginning of all my dreams coming true.
Chapter Three
Genj
With a deep breath, I tried to control my nerves. The shuttle had finally landed. I’d been rocking on my heels and twirling my thumbs for the last thirty minutes. No race had ever made me as nervous as I was at this moment. Most of the other racers waiting for the flight from quadrant one sat on the benches while scrolling through their comm units. Likely waiting for those with whom they had well-established relationships. Family and longtime friends.
Not me. I couldn’t keep still. Utahn, my childhood, teenage, and adult crush, was coming to Eurebly for the weekend. To see me. It was a dream come true. As long as he actually came. What if he’d changed his mind, decided I wasn’t worth the trip?
A loud commotion had everyone looking up toward the arrival area. Suddenly, a throng of beings burst through the door, all of them having disembarked from the shuttle Utahn was supposed to be on. It felt like the yaflats were trying to make their way out of my stomach as I peered around, hoping to catch sight of my guest.
Beings weaved and dodged around me to find the racer they were there to visit. As the crowd thinned out, dread clenched around my heart. My worst suspicions had come true. Utahn hadn’t come. Whatever I’d thought we’d had was only a fantasy. Not real. Probably why he’d refused to video chat with me the other day. Instead of telling me he wasn’t coming, he simply eased his guilt by refusing to see how much I was looking forward to his visit. It would have been nice if Vawn had told me, but maybe he didn’t know.
With heavy, slow steps, I turned around and headed for the exit. I guess we weren’t meant to be the way I’d fantasized for most of my life.
“Hey!”
I stopped immediately, recognizing Utahn’s voice. But before I had a chance to turn around, hands slapped on my shoulders and a body leaped onto my back. I stumbled forward, trying to remain standing and to catch the being at the same time.
When I was finally steady on my feet, I let go, but the being only clung tighter.
They leaned over my shoulder, giving me a view of a mop of blond hair. “Were you really about to leave without me?”
“No, I, uh…” I didn’t understand how that voice could belong to the person on my back. Until I breathed in his scent. Fresh baked goods. The reason I’d found it fitting when I’d learned he’d opened a bakery. “Utahn?”
He slid off my back then darted around in front of me. “How did you not see me?”
“I, um…” Stars, this weekend was not starting out the way I’d planned. “You changed your hair.”
