CHAPTER SEVEN
HONEY
Trying to ignore Gavin was like trying to do things like disprove the world was round and to prove that whatever scandal had happened to me was all just a horrible nightmare that I would wake up from anytime now—in other words, it was next to impossible to ignore him.
I tried my best to pay attention to my friend, Annie, as she told me all about her boyfriend’s proposal and their plan to move to Los Angeles to open up a coffee shop there. But my mind kept wandering, and so did my eyes as I glanced in Gavin’s direction every now and then.
While I was having dinner, he sat at the long bar and ordered a sandwich, then nursed a drink as he waited for me. It made me feel guilty, but I fought against it and refused to cower. After my long conversation with Sara over the phone, I’d finally agreed to have Gavin follow me around—but that didn’t mean he’d be in on every aspect of my life, including dinner with friends.
Other than refusing to cower, the reason I kept glancing at him was…well, because he was such a presence, for lack of a better word. I could tell I wasn’t the only one getting distracted, too, as several women kept glancing in his direction as well and even trying to make eye contact. He ignored each and every one of them, even the one hot woman who came up to the bar in an attempt to converse with him. It made me wonder if they weren’t his type, or if he just wasn’t interested in women at the moment.
Maybe he was interested in men?
The image of our almost-kiss flashed in my mind, making me inwardly scoff. Interested in men, my ass. I knew desire when I saw it, even when it was banked and a so-called mistake.
When dinner was done and Annie and I parted ways, I found Gavin waiting for me in the parking lot and already ready with the spare car keys. He offered to drive, and I let him, and what followed was an almost companionable silence on the way home. I figured it was an extension of our beach house moment, considering how we already got used to each other’s presence there. Coupled with the tension of the new situation, it balanced everything out and just made me more hyperaware of him.
I decided that it was best to be polite at best and wished him a good night before heading to my apartment.
Then I crashed into bed, feeling exhausted but revved up over the next few practices before the competition.
I was going to win, and not a single scandal was going to stop me from that goal.
*****
The next few days became a routine for me, and in turn, for Gavin—race practices, mini races and trying to dodge the reporters who still wouldn’t leave me alone. We worked up a rhythm that didn’t annoy us both, and I had to admit that Gavin was pretty respectful of my space when needed—something that I knew was deliberate because he was probably aware that I was ready to jump his throat if he made one wrong move on me.
If there was one thing that his presence contributed to, it was driving most of the paparazzi away, leaving behind only the more aggressive ones whom he drove away, too. It soon became known that I had a bodyguard around with me, though Gavin was inconspicuous and usually only showed up to surprise them and scare them off.
Before I knew it, my first major race of the season was up, and nerves encompassed me as I entered the track. The crowd was bigger than ever, which gave way for plenty of press to create a sensation and plenty more cheers—and plenty more boos for those who obviously switched from liking me to hating me. I tried to ignore it all and concentrate on my crew, who were the best in their field and almost my family here. They never did let the scandal affect their interaction with me, and I was grateful.
It was only when I was behind the wheel and the race started that the nerves eased, as they usually did. Racing always did that to me—made me forget all my problems, my mind going blank and adrenaline rushing through every bone in my body and pumping me up. I focused on that moment, staying in the middle for the first half before I steadily gained speed and inserted myself into the lead. I maintained that lead with surprising ease, though two race cars tried their best to snatch it. But they didn’t make it as I got to the finish line first, then slowed down my car as a huge wave of relief went through me.
Just like before, I took my time savoring my moment inside the car before I got out, where I was met with a deafening roar of cheers. I already anticipated the other half of the crowd’s boos, but that didn’t mean it was any easier hearing them. I refused to let it bring me down, even when my heart ached a bit at the sound of it. My hand almost trembled, so I fisted it to steady it as I met the ones congratulating me with a smile on my face, then headed back to the garage.
Because the press conference wasn’t until the weekend and I survived the initial wave of congratulations—and some choice insults—I decided to linger in the garage, more out of stubbornness as I wanted to prove to everyone that I wasn’t affected by the jeers nor the not-so-innocent looks shot my way. My crew were some of the last to leave, and they told me to take it easy and that they’d see to the car on the next fix-up. Just as I was about to leave, a tap on my shoulder stopped me in my tracks, and my first thought was a reporter had snuck in and was about to bombard me with questions all over again.
I turned around, already dreading it but also ready to snap. All defensiveness disappeared at the sight of a familiar person with a very friendly grin on his face.
“Cooper!”
Without hesitation, I launched myself at him, hugging him tight as I did so. Cooper chuckled and hugged me back, and I was immediately comforted by that gesture alone. He did that—comforted me without him realizing it, and I knew it had a lot to do with his protective instincts more than anything. I remembered it was partly the reason I had this huge crush on him back then, misinterpreting his sweet ways as him being interested in me. The disappointment had been sharp when I found out he merely thought of me as a sister, but the way he looked at Sara made me realize that what I had with him was fleeting and would never amount to the connection they obviously had. Those two were so in love, it was charming and sweet.
I stepped back from the hug and eyed him, pleased to see that he looked the same as he always did—all those easygoing good looks, along with the same sparkle in his eyes. He never stopped treating me differently after he and Sara got married, and he was the type of loyal friend that you’d be grateful to have. He eyed me back, studying me.
“How have you been feeling?”
There was an underlying tone to the casual question, and I knew exactly what he was asking. If it was any other person, I would have easily put on a smile and brushed the question off to happier topics. But because it was Cooper, and he was genuinely concerned, I didn’t hesitate in my response.
“Like a piece of shit, but I’m coping.”
“Ah, as expected. And have you knocked some reporters out yet?”
A reluctant grin slid out of my mouth, which was his intention. He put his arm around my shoulders and pulled me in.
“Not yet,” I said grudgingly. “Although I came very, very close.”
“Don’t hold yourself back,” he said solemnly, his thick Texan accent coming through. “You know Sara would be secretly pleased.”
Sara would have a meltdown, considering she’d be handling more damage control. But I hadn’t been kidding when I said I was close to knocking a few people out. I was normally a pretty chill person who didn’t lose her patience much, but what had been happening these past few weeks had been taking its toll on me.
“Sara would kill me,” I muttered. “Where is she? Wanna have early dinner?”
He shook his head. “She’s on overtime. But we can get a head start, and I’ll let her know to catch up. What do you say to that?”
I tilted my head, considering. “How about we head to my place and I cook you some really good dish? I know Sara loves the biscuits as much as you do.”
“She loves the biscuits more than I do, and she’s not even Southern.”
I laughed. Then I linked my arm through his, my voice turning flirtatious. My crush on Cooper? That was all gone now, it felt like he was an older brother.
Before he could respond, another voice interrupted.
“Hey, Cooper.”
Cooper and I turned to look at Gavin, though Gavin was only looking at Cooper. Cooper gave him the same pleasant grin that he gave me. “Hey, Gav. How’s the new job?”
“Tedious,” Gavin responded calmly, making my brows rise. “I think Sara mentioned something about you guys having some romantic dinner?”
Now it was Cooper’s brows that rose, and I watched in confusion as he and Gavin had some kind of stare down. Some kind of communication went on in that silent moment, baffling me.
Then Cooper broke the gaze, nodding his head and grinning at me. “You know what? I think he’s right. Can I take a rain check right now and shall we do this later when Sara’s actually available?”
I nodded my head, a bit disappointed. But I tried not to let it show. “Okay. I’ll send her some biscuits, anyway.”
“That’s awesome. Thanks, Honey.”
He hugged me again, and I watched as Gavin glared daggers at me. It was only when Cooper was gone and we were the only two left there that it all clicked into place. I whirled on Gavin.
“Was that you trying to drive him away?”
He didn’t even hesitate. “Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because you’ve just invited yourself more scandal by inviting a married guy over to your apartment when his wife is busy.”
Disbelief slid through me, followed by indignation. “What on earth are you implying?”
“I’m implying nothing.”
“Then why did you even do that?”
“Because the reporters could be anywhere, and you’re being irresponsible by flirting with him in a public place. Have you no consideration?”
He railed on at me, shocking me to my core. I responded the only way I could—with hostility. “I do have consideration. You’re the one being unreasonable. Don’t ever do that again.”
“You like him, don’t you?”
The question took me aback, and I stared at him. “What?”
“Did you like him before?”
I didn’t know how he’d come to that conclusion, but I couldn’t exactly lie. I sputtered. The truth must have shown in my eyes because suddenly his gaze grew cold.
“I see. Next time, if you feel the need to flirt, walk away. It will just add to this mess.”
And with that parting statement, he was walking away, leaving me torn between shock and outrage.
Worst of all, humiliation.