Once they’re both collected by their respective press officers, they’re guided into the lions’ den.
The broadcasters quickly spot the rookies, and most of their hands fly into the air as they clamor for attention.
Is it better for Julien to silently watch his own chat tear him apart without realizing he’s there? Or for reporters to look him in the eye and say the same cutting remarks with a peppy demeanor?
It’s like choosing between a splinter in his dick or his eyeball.
He loves to race. He loves to race. Helovestorace.
Julien returns to the garage relatively unscathed. While everyone is busy packing up the car and corralling the tires, he manages to slip by unnoticed and duck into his driver’s room.
“Thought you’d be longer.” Rafael groans as he pushes himself up to sitting, his arm still tightly bound to his chest.
Despite Julien’s lingering annoyance from breakfast, he can’t help but ask, “You sleep in your sling?”
“Have to keep it immobilized, even while sleeping.” Rafael stretches his neck, reaching from side to side. The movement emphasizes how thick it is, how muscular. “Is it picture time?”
“Thomas is still at the press conference.”
Julien has very little shame, especially in front of someone already so familiar with his dick. He ignores Rafael’s presence as he rolls his sweat-soaked fireproof shirt up and over his head, dropping it in with a plop to the ground. He steps out of his pooled race suit next, kicking it over to the growing pile.
The air is sharp against Julien’s uncovered skin, and it finally feels like he can breathe again.
“You should take it easy on Thomas.”
“Weird time to bring up my brother—my ass is out and everything.” Julien turns in his fireproof long johns, but the point still stands. “What’d you think of the race?”
“He’s trying his best, just like you are.”
Great, they’re still talking about Thomas. Guess Rafael never wants that blowjob.
Julien crosses his arms, putting a barrier between the injured driver and his naked flesh. “Respectfully, you don’t know anything about us or our history.”
“I understand more than you think. I know my father retired before I started racing, but?—”
Not this again. “Then you agree. Your situation is different, so your opinion about my life doesn’t matter.”
Disrespectfully.
Rafael stands with a huff. It’d be more dramatic if the injury didn’t make him so graceless.
“I’m trying to help you out.” The stance is still intimidating. It’s hard to feel powerful when Rafael uses his full height to his advantage. “Family is the most important?—”
But Julien doesn’t need to be talked down to. Literally or figuratively. “Y’know what? Get out of my fucking driver’s room. I’m changing.” Julien throws open the door and gestures for the older driver to leave.
“Don’t have to tell me twice.” Before he actually exits, Rafael freezes in place.
“Rafael?” Thomas’s voice rings out from the hallway. His wide eyes glide over Rafael’s face and land on Julien’s mostly undressed body. “What are you doing with my naked baby brother?”
Julien scoffs. “I’m not ababy,Thomas.”
But Rafael is stark still. His face is pale as he quickly says, “It’s not what it looks like.”
“Is it not? Then what am I looking at?”
Julien is too exhausted to deal with his brother’s stupid tough guy act. “Rafael only woke up to defend you, so lay off him.” Speaking of defending Thomas, Julien points to the door again. “And now he’sleaving.”
After Rafael shuffles out, Thomas turns his anger to Julien. “He was here and you took off your clothes?!”
