AllFreeNovel
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I stare at the picture. The one he hasn’t posted yet. He has an eye for taking a really great picture. The black-and-white marble floor stands out with our clothes on it. It’s obvious we took a bath together, but the scene is elegant as hell. It definitely tells the world we’re together, which is all I really care about.
I don’t care what it could do to my career. I do love it, don’t get me wrong, but I love Soren more. I love being free to be who I am, more than anything. And if my career crashes, I’ll find something else. But something tells me it won’t.
From what Jenny has told me, most people seem to be excited about our possible love affair. They have no details, but apparently, they’ve been sharing posts from Soren over the last few months and analyzing every single one.
The bumper cars at Worlds of Fun. The track. The animal shelter. They watched us fall in love, even though we didn’t know we were in love yet. And I kind of like that, for some reason.
“I like it,” I say happily as I hand him his phone. “Post it.”
“You’re sure?” he asks, and I like that he asks. That he cares. I know he’s not like the reporters and social-media people who have hounded me relentlessly in the past. I know he cares about getting a story, but he has more integrity and kindness than anyone I’ve ever met.
“Post it,” I say with certainty. “Let the world know you’re mine.”
He shakes his head at that and then hits a button—I’m assuming to post it—before tossing his phone on the table and snuggling up to my side. I hear the notifications on his phone going crazy, but he doesn’t look.
He picks up Annie instead, who’s a very annoyed-looking puppy because she’s wearing a black hoodie Cooper got her for Christmas, and she was not thrilled when we put it on her. He pulls the hood back a bit to look at her. “You’re fine. It’s too cold for you not to wear it.”
I laugh as Oscar climbs onto my lap, his sweater on too, which doesn’t seem to bug him in the slightest. “You ever think it could be like this?” I ask him as Annie fidgets, still trying to get the hoodie off.
“No,” he says with a smile. “I never thought I’d fall for the Hotshot of racing and be sitting on my couch with his adorable little dogs after fucking in my bathroom.”
I pinch his side and make him laugh. “Regrets?”
His eyes meet mine. “Absolutely none.”
I smile because I know he means it. I don’t think it’s going to be easy. Apparently, the internet has blown up with the news ofanother gay racer—their words and definitely not mine.
I don’t really need a label. I’ve had plenty of those throughout my life.
I’m more than happy to be the lucky guy with Soren Adams and leave it at that.
Because he’s all I need.
And our dogs. And this quiet, cozy home. And kittens. And my asshole friends and Jenny.
Jesus. When the hell did I get all this family around me without even realizing it?
Because that’s exactly what they all are. When I thought we were going to lose Sebastian, I felt like part of me was going to die. The Pretty Boy. Who the hell knew he’s now just as much my brother as Axel is?
Jenny—she cares. She did all this because she cares. Not for the paycheck. She makes plenty. If my career tanks, she can easily find another racer to swoop right in and take my place.
She set this all up to help me out.
Because she cares.
You’re a fighter, my boy.
I smile at Dorris’s words playing in my mind. I am. I fought for everything in my life. I fought to get here to my little makeshift family. And I fought like hell to wind up in the arms of the man who makes me realize I can be me—strong and capable—but also care about others.
That I don’t have to win all the damn time.
That if my parents ever did actually see who I was now, they’d know I’m okay—but not because I have money or fame. Because I have this man in my arms who loves me and who I love so fiercely, I know I’ll never run away from him.
I’ll never leave him, and he’ll never leave me.
My past is a part of me, but it doesn’t define me. I’m not that sick kid in bed, waiting for my parents to come back. I’m not that angry child, pushing everyone away. I’m not that cocky shithead racer, who would do anything to win because I can’t stand the thought of looking weak.
I am strong.
