“Lies, lies, lies!” I dropped my hands to his sides and began to tickle him. “Tell me all the juicy details. I need to know. How cute is he? What does he look like? Do you talk to him?”
Leo laughed until he was wheezing. “Stop...can’t breathe.” He grabbed at his stomach. He leaned back against the wall, and I realized I would have to fix his makeup a bit. I tapped my finger against my chin, waiting for him to talk. “He’s just a kid in school.”
“And? There has to be more if you want him to notice you.” I pushed for more. “I need to fix your liner. Sorry, that’s all on me.”
He sighed dramatically. “He’s the son of Maverick and Jackson Olson.” My expression must have said something I didn’t because he dropped his chin down. “I’m so fucked. Sorry.”
“For swearing? I don’t care. You’re not my kid or my brother. You just didn’t learn that from me.” I grabbed some makeup remover to help with the liner before I started over. “He’s cute?”
“The cutest. He’s so tall, has these amazing hazel eyes and dark blond hair. God, he’s so hot.”
I smiled at the look on his face. “Does he talk to you? Is he one of those kids who makes fun of you?”
“Oh, no. Not at all.” Leo leaned closer to me as I started to fix his makeup. “He was the reason I wore nail polish. Because he did it first. Someone made fun of him, and he punched them. His dad had to come pick him up from school. He was furious.”
Someone had a big crush. “Which dad?” I asked as I reapplied the liner.
“Maverick. He came in screaming and yelling about how his son should be able to wear whatever he wanted without kids making fun of him. He said if Andy got suspended for sticking up for himself, he would pull him out and homeschool him. Not to mention, he would rant about it on social media, because did they not know who he was?” Leo gave me a shy smile. “It was kind of cool.”
I chuckled softly. “I bet it was. Imagine having a dad who loves you like that.” I wouldn’t know.
“It must be awesome,” Leo whispered, and his eyes welled up.
“Hey.” I grabbed him in a hug. “You have Noel. He loves you. And I kind of like you little,” I teased. I didn’t know about their parents, nor was I about to ask. I had my own shitstorm of family problems to deal with.
He sniffed. “Yeah.”
“You two doing okay in—What happened?” Noel asked.
Leo pulled away. “Nothing., We’re fine. Just having a moment,” he assured his brother as he hopped off the counter. “How do I look? I mean, I have to get dressed, but do you like my makeup? You can say you hate it, Noel. I won’t be offended.”
“You look beautiful.” Noel’s eyes softened as he took in his brother.
Leo ducked his head. “You mean that?”
“Of course. Come here. Look, I know I’m a shitty brother, but you’re not. You’re great, and I’m going to try to be better.” Noel looked at me for a second before he opened his arms. Leo immediately rushed into them. “Thank you,” he mouthed to me, and I nodded. “Now, show me the whole thing. The outfit and everything before we go to this party.”
***
Whoever did the Christmasdecorations for the Brooks Racing party did a heck of a job. There were green and red lights everywhere. Plus, all the garlands hung up. I loved it. I craned my neck, trying to get a look at every little thing as I followed behind CC into the shop. I didn’t want to miss anything. I had never been to a proper Christmas party before, and I was more than excited about it. The sound of holiday music filtered through my ears, the smell of pine filled the air, and it made me feel all warm and fuzzy. This was the most wonderful time of the year.
“You are absolutely beaming right now,” CC murmured into my ear as he wrapped his arm around my waist.
I craned my neck, hoping I didn’t trip with these heels on. I had almost changed my clothes at the last minute. Thinking that maybe I should wear something a little less flashy. Self-doubt could be a horrible bitch sometimes, and the last thing I wanted was to embarrass CC in front of his friends and coworkers. Make him reconsider me, us, everything we had become over the past couple of weeks. It didn’t matter how high my self-esteem was. Sometimes the things people said to you hurt. Sticks and stones, right?
I swallowed nervously. “Do you think I should have worn something else?” I had never been so unsure of myself before. Not untilheruined everything and made me rethink how I thought about myself.
“Ez, what’s going on? Did someone say something or look at you funny, because you know I’ll fix that shit quick. These are my friends.” CC stopped to stare at me with fire in his amber eyes.
I shook my head. “No, I—”
“LD!” Killian exclaimed from across the room, and I felt a blush shoot up my neck and over my ears. I could hear him chuckle loudly as he leaned forward to press his lips to Matthias’s mouth. I fought the urge to give him the finger because, duh, he was Killian Hampton. Plus, I was classy. Sometimes.
I gave him a little nod before I moved closer to CC. “Do you think they have a shirt I could put on? Like a Brooks Racing one? I feel like this top is too much.”
“What?” CC growled as he searched my face. “You’re not changing. You look fucking perfect. Like my princess.” He dropped my hand and put his arm around me again.
His words did little to comfort me. I swear everyone was staring at me. Like all these eyes just digging into me. Why was he wearing that? He was a man, after all. Why would he wear that shirt exposing his stomach? It looks like a woman’s top—duh, because it is—and was he wearing heels?
