“OfcourseI’ve jerked off to him. He’s the sexiest man in F1. His intensity, hisscowl.” Keith releases a porn star moan, and I nearly gag. “And he called you hot!” he releases a dramatic sniffle. “My little baby’s growing up.”
“I’m not that much younger than you.”
“Your body count is a fraction of mine, darling. I have eons of experience on you.So.” I hear a rustling in the background, and pray to god it won’t be followed up by the sound of a zipper coming down and Keith fondling himself. I wouldn’t put it past him—his personalityandhis profession have turned him into something of a revolutionary sexual icon. “What are you going to do about it?”
“Nothing!” I snap. “He’s dating someone, so—”
“Whatever gave youthatimpression?”
I tell Keith about theSheAsher brought up the first time we went to get a drink. “So, his affections are obviously already spoken for.”
“Affection has nothing to do with it. Stop talking like a regency author. And, even if he is spoken for, there’s nothing wrong with some victory sex.”
“Last time we spoke after a race, you were advocating for hate sex.”
“Well, circumstances change. I willalwaysadvocate for Asher Lawrence sex. If you don’t chase it, I certainly will.”
And now, I’m picturing murdering one of my best friends.Wonderful.
“Even if hewasn’ttaken and wedidn’thate each other—”
“Please. The two of you working together got him from last place to almost top ten.”
“Even ifthose things weren’t a consideration,” I go on, pointedly ignoring his interjection, “that doesn’t mean we could ever… be together. There are no-fraternization clauses in the team’s rulebook.”
“I had Delilah take a look at the employee handbook for you when you first got hired,” Keith sing-songs.
“You did what?Why?”
“There’s a loophole around that,” Keith continues, as if I hadn’t spoken. “It’s specified that superiors can’t have relations with their underlings because of power imbalance issues. Asher is not technically your superior, so it doesn’t apply to him. You’re free to fuck his brains out.”
I blink. The new tidbit of knowledge shouldnotbe as relieving as it is, because I’mnotgoing to act on it. “It doesn’t matter. He’s still in a relationship.”
“Psh. If he were dating, then why isn’t she attending races and cheering him on? How do you think the lucky lady would feel about all the time he’s been spending with you? Don’t you think she’d make her presence known and warn you off as a threat? And, if not, then she doesn’t deserve him.” Keith sniffs primly. “So, it sounds like he’s free game.”
“Your outlooks and ethics are severely skewed.”
“I take off my clothes for a living. Did you expect me to be a straight-laced goody-two-shoes like you?” I can almost hear him roll his eyes. “Where is the stunning Mr. Lawrence now?”
I check the time. “Probably at the after-party with everyone else. I saw on social media that he’s at a club—I’m assuming got dragged there after his meeting.” I pause. “Since he’s doing better, the big guys in leadership will want him to have more publicity.”
“So, put on your sexiest outfit andgo meet him!”
I gaze at my suitcase, which is still open at the foot of my bed. Thereisa nice dress in there. I’ve learned to always pack an outfit for every eventuality whenever I travel, including one in case I need to look good and go out.
“I don’t have anything to wear,” I lie.
“Please. You’re as neurotic when it comes to packing as you are with numbers. I know you brought something serviceable.”
Despite myself, Idowant to seek out Asher, and I want to look good, too. But… “It would be beyond humiliating if I tracked him down and came onto him only to get friend zoned.”
“So don’t act like you’re there for him, silly. Lethimcome toyou.And later, make sure you come hard for him.”
“Keith,” I groan.
“Okay.” His tone sobers. “You want a strategy talk from a professional?”
I squat down by my suitcase and finger the fabric of the dress. It’s velvet, sapphire-blue, and manages to be elegant while showing off skin. I got it when Delilah and I met up in New York over the summer and splurged on a shopping spree.
