Page 52 of Happy Hour

“Let me talk to the officials and see what they say.”

He acted as if this wouldn’t be a problem but I wasn’t getting my hopes up. I knew the NASCAR track officials had rules against this kind of thing. It could potentially be ahugeliability if something were to happen on the track.

Jameson went out for another practice session after the crew finished the changes, so I went with Emma and Nancy to set up his autograph session.

Emma and I talked and of course, I forgave her.

How could I not? She was the closest thing I had to a sister.

“I just want you to be careful with him.” Emma looked close to tears again. “I know that he cares for you, that’s evident. I just...he’s focused on his career right now and Jameson doesn’t knowhowto do both. He doesn’t want to get hurt either.”

I just nodded because I knew. I knew he was incapable of offering me anymore than his exclusive friend withhisdetermined benefits but at that point, I didn’t care.

My logic was so messed up it was becoming hard for me to even realize how far we were really getting into this. It had only been going for a few days now but with every touch, every kiss, every tender word spoken between us, my heart was falling deeper and deeper in love with him. Before long, there’d be no going back. Therapy would be my only answer, andlotsof ice cream.

“I can handle it, Emma.”

Walking towards a box of t-shirts, I began taking them out of the box, one-by-one, to avoid anything more details into my stupid logic.

I was screwed.

Once I had all the shirts lined up, I stepped back to examine the way they looked. Again, it was entertaining to me to see a boy I grew up with plastered all over the place, as the he was a huge star. The difference, hewasa huge star now.

“So you must be Sway Reins?” a man asked from behind as I daydreamed.

I turned to see Darrin Torres standing there with a grin.

“I...uh...yeah, I’m Sway.”

He reached his hand towards me. “It’s nice to meet you, Sway. I’m Darrin Torres.”

“I know who you are,”

“So I see you’re with Jameson’s team?” He hinted looking at the t-shirts I had arranged.

“Well, no. I’m just helping out. I’m...” my voice trailed off because I couldn’t really say “fuck buddy” in public, or could I?

“His girlfriend?” Darrin finished.

“No...we’re...I’m not his girlfriend,just friends.”

“Oh,” Darrin smiled, his eyes dropped from mine to my lips and then back. “Does that mean I can take you to dinner tonight?”

Christ he’s bold.

“No, it doesn’t mean you can take her to dinner tonight.” I heard Jameson’s furious voice from behind.

Darrin laughed darkly, his eyes focused on Jameson standing behind me. “I wouldn’t advise starting anything here with all your fans around, Jameson.” Darrin suggested motioning towards the crowds gathering around, all waiting to catch a glimpse of Jameson. “I just want Sway to know they’re...other options for her besidesfriends.”

You couldn’t miss the way he articulated the word friends, implying he knew exactly what we were doing.

Turning around, I focused on Jameson instead, pushing his chest. “Jameson, he’s right. Don’t do anything stupid.” I warned attempting to catch his gaze.

Jameson bypassed me and stood face-to-face with Darrin. “Stay away from Sway.” He snarled, his body instinctively preparing for a fight.

His voice lowered and they exchanged a few words we couldn’t hear until Darrin shook his head slowly and started to walk away. “Good luck with the...friend’sthing.”

I turned back to a fuming Jameson and hit him in the shoulder. “Stop it. You have an autograph session.”

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