“I understand,” Luke said, but his voice was significantly cooler now, his disappointment obvious. “Sorry for wasting your time. It was nice to meet you. Let’s go, Roma—”
“Wait,” Scott said. “Can I come to your party? I know my presence obviously wouldn’t mean as much as a two-time world champion’s, but I think your idea is great, and I’d love to support the cause.”
Luke flashed him a smile. “Sure! Just give me your number, I’ll send you the address.”
They said their goodbyes after exchanging numbers. Scott saved Luke’s contact and sent a quick thumbs-up when Luke sent him the address and time.
Then he headed toward the bar.
A hand on his arm stopped him. “Scotty.”
Scott’s jaw tightened. “Don’t. I’m pretty angry with you right now, and I don’t want to fight with you. Not in public at least.”
“I don’t want to fight, either.” Cam’s voice was lower and much warmer now than it had been when he’d talked to Luke. “I didn’t mean any offense. I just—I don’t want to be a poster boy for anything. I hate PR of any kind, you know that.”
Scott drew in a deep, slow breath. “Come with me,” he said at last. He walked out of the paddock club and headed to the McLaren motorhome, for the first time aware that Cam wasn’t the only one being taken pictures of as they walked together. Luke seemed to be right: he was a well-known person in the paddock these days. It still seemed so bizarre to him.
“Look,” Scott said once the door to Cam’s driver’s room closed behind them. “I know you hate PR bullshit. I do believe you when you say you didn’t mean any offense by refusing to associate with the LGBT crowd.”
“But?”
Grimacing, Scott met Cam’s dark eyes. “But your support would have meant a lot to young Formula One fans all over the world who are struggling with their sexuality and identity.”
A muscle twitched in Cam’s jaw. “Sorry, I just don’t buy it. How would me attending a party change anything? It just seems like a PR gimmick to me.”
Scott sighed. Taking Cam’s hand, he pulled him toward the armchair, made him sit down, before dropping himself to the floor in front of him. Propping his cheek on Cam’s knee, he looked at Cam’s hand in his. “When I was a kid, I was a big football fan. Have I told you that? I actually dreamed of being a professional player.” He gave a wistful smile, stroking Cam’s fingers absently. “Obviously it was just a stupid childish dream, but. I was a huge Jets fan.”
“Was?” Cam said quietly.
“Yeah,” Scott said. “I stopped being a fan when the Jets captain, my favorite player, called another player a faggot.”
Silence fell over the room.
Scott smiled crookedly. “You can probably imagine what it does to a young boy’s psyche when his idol talks about people like him as if they’re dirt. I… it sucked.” Looking down at Cam’s fingers in his hand, he played with them absently. “And I was actually lucky to have supportive enough parents. There are kids who aren’t as lucky as I was, who use sports and pop culture as an escape from the harsh reality of their home lives.” He pulled a face. “I can’t imagine if—”
“Supportive enough?” Cam cut him off. “I thought your parents didn’t have an issue with your sexuality?”
His brows furrowed, Scott looked up at him and shrugged. “It… it took them time to accept it. But they were fine with it eventually.” He gave a wry smile. “I’ve never met anyone whose parentswanteda gay kid. Some just got used to the idea better. I know my dad was disappointed, but…” He shrugged again, putting on another smile. “It could have been much worse, really. I’m lucky. Anyway, it’s not about me. I know it’s hard tobelieve, but you attending an LGBT-friendly party would mean a lot to your young fans.”
Cam’s dark eyes roamed over his face, searching and intent.
“Fine,” he said at last. “I’ll go to that party.”
Scott grinned. “I knew you’d do the right thing,” he said, nuzzling against Cam’s knee. “You’re actually a big softie underneath that tough dudebro exterior.”
Cam’s expression tightened. “I hate to disappoint you, but I’m not agreeing to this because it’s the right thing to do.”
“Aww, are you saying you’re doing it because of little ol’ me?” Scott said, batting his eyelashes dramatically.
Cam just looked at him for a moment, his gaze steady.
“Yes,” he said at last. “You’re probably my closest friend these days, Scotty.”
Scott blinked up at him, his chest suddenly very warm. He knew he shouldn’t have been so pleased. Frankly, itwasn’tgood that Cam didn’t really feel like doing it for his fans, that he was doing it only for Scott. But that changed nothing about how he felt. Selfishly, he was happy that Cam was willing to do it for him.Onlyfor him.
It probably made him a self-absorbed asshole, but he’d never felt so special. Like he was someone important. Not because of his name or money—Cam didn’t give a fuck about those things—but because he wasScott. As if he weren’t just an empty-headed rich boy but someone worth changing an opinion for. Someone precious. He felt—he wanted—
Before his mind caught up to him, he leaned forward and mouthed Cam’s cock through the fabric of his pants.
