Page 53 of Wrapped in Red

Shit. “I mean, he’s my best friend. We’ve been friends for a long time.” This was going fucking great. Why did Watts have to pick up on that?

Ezra shrugged out from beneath my grip. “Relax, CC,” he murmured softly.

“CC?” Killian smirked.

I shook my head as I tried to pull Ezra closer. Was it warm in here? I could feel sweat breaking out over my skin. “It’s just what he calls me.”

“It makes sense.” Killian grinned. “That’s your dad?” He jutted his chin behind me. “You look like him.”

Oh, thank God. I needed an actual adult here to help. “Dad?” I gestured for him to come over. “Guys, this is my father, Carson Carey, Senior.”

“Please call me Senior.” He shook everyone’s hand. “Thanks for coming up to the Tavern. I know with the holidays and all, it was probably not the best timing, but I want to help my son in every way possible. He deserves this.”

Watts nodded. “You’ve done the sponsor thing before?”

“When he was racing late models in high school,” Dad told him. “Let’s go over to a booth and talk. Seth worked up some graphics.”

I had reminded my father that Killian was sober and talking at the bar was not the best idea, so we had spread everything out in the back corner.

Once we were all settled down, Dad pushed a folder toward them. I chewed nervously on my lip as Watts flipped through the printouts.

“Seth, you just did these as a mockup?” Watts asked. “These are fucking amazing.”

He shrugged. “Yeah, I mean, I just went with the Tavern’s logo and tried to spice it up a bit. See, I moved a few things around, made these a little more practical, and then I added some nautical themes in hopes that maybe Senior would want to do that, too.”

Ezra shot a look at me as I squeezed his thigh. I was so proud of him for thinking up all this for me.

I smiled as I watched my best friend talking to my boss, the way Killian had leaned closer to get a better look, and the way they seemed to be interested. Maybe this could work out for at least one race. I glanced at Holt, who smiled at me before he leaned his head over Watts’s shoulder.

“This looks good, but what about the actual sponsorship, Senior,” Watts asked. “Is there somewhere the four of us can talk? Like an office or something?”

Dad nodded. “Sure, follow me.”

Once Watts, Holt, Killian, and Dad had left, I felt myself relax a little. Ezra climbed out of the booth, bouncing happily on his feet. “This is so exciting.”

“What’s the deal with the two of you?” Matthias asked softly, as he looked between us.

Ezra tilted his head. “What do you mean?”

“He called you his friend earlier, but at the banquet, Carson couldn’t stop touching you. You’re together, right?” Matthias blushed as he met my eyes. “I mean, if I’m stepping over a line, please tell me.”

Seth rolled his eyes. “Is the sky blue?”

I reached for Ezra’s hand to tug him closer. “No, we’re together. I just haven’t told my parents.”

“I’m sorry, this isn’t any of my business.” Matthias waved a hand at me.

Ezra leaned into me. “Can I see your ring?”

“My engagement ring?” Matthias asked, and when Ezra nodded, he held out his left hand to show off the black band on his finger.

“God, I’m so jealous.” Ezra pouted before he moved to sit next to him. “I mean, honestly, I was so obsessed with Mulligan Downtown when I was in high school. Is that weird that I told you that?”

Matthias shook his head. “You’re not the first person, nor will you be the last. People say the strangest things when they find out I’m with Killian Hampton, the lead singer of Mulligan Downtown. To me, he’s just Killian. Not the rockstar. I knew him before he was famous.”

“That man loves you. I mean, look at this gorgeous thing.” Ezra beamed happily at me. “Did you know? I mean, when you first met Killian, that you were going to marry him?”

Matthias laughed. “Are you kidding? He hated me. Okay, maybe hate is a strong word, but he pretended like I didn’t exist.” His hazel eyes grew all dreamy. “He told me he didn’t understand what those feelings were, so he just tried to ignore me.”