Page 80 of Wrapped in Red

Chapter Twenty-Five

Carson

Last night had notgone the way I had expected. Walking into Ezra’s apartment, finding Ty here. Yeah, not at all the way I planned. Yes, I was going to lay into him the second that prick left. I was going to scream, yell, and call him out. Until I saw the way he was reacting. Ezra had always told me he didn’t want the happily ever after. Clearly, he had been lying to me. He wanted someone to love him just the way I did. He was so scared I was going to push him away; tell him I was done with him and leave him for good. So instead, I gave him what he needed.

Love and affection.

When I woke, he was still sleeping, so I took a quick shower, unlocked Ezra’s phone, and asked Seth to come over so I could find out more about this Ty situation. Because if there was one person who knew about it who wasn’t me? It would be his other best friend. And I didn’t mean the fifteen-year-old boy who thought Ezra was the best thing since sliced bread.

“I’m honestly surprised you called me.” Seth whisked into the apartment in a cloud of something flowery and a bit overpowering. He dropped his coat on the kitchen chair and turned to look at me, his curls pushed back from his face with a bandana. “You said it was important.”

I nodded. “Coffee?” I jutted my chin at the mug I left on the counter.

“Is it safe to drink?” He cocked a perfectly sculpted brow at me. “I’m kidding, babe, relax.”

I sighed as I slid into my seat. “Ty was here last night.” I watched the way his body stiffened. “I figured you knew about him.”

Seth tried to gather himself together, but it was too late. He dumped a couple packets of sugar into his cup, mixed it, and took a sip before he sat across from me. “I’m not telling you anything about him.”

“Why? Because Ty’s such a standup guy?”

“No, because Ezra’s my friend.”

I drummed my fingers against the table. “He slapped Ezra across the face.”

“He did what?” Seth gasped, his blue eyes going wide. He leaned forward. “What did you do? Tell me you roughed him a bit. That guy is a dick, and that’s being nice.”

I smirked. “I’m pretty sure I broke his nose. Which, if we’re keeping track, would be the second time.” I wasn’t a violent man, but the moment I heard that slap, I wanted to murder Ty. “Look, I’m not asking you to divulge all of Ezra’s darkest secrets. I just want to know when this shit started and when it ended.”

“Nope, still can’t do it.” Seth reached for one of the cinnamon rolls I had baked this morning. I was an early riser. It came with my career. “You’re going to have to ask him—holy mother of God, these are good. Did you get these at the Ocean View Bakery? I’ve been meaning to stop there. This town is amazing. Like out of a Hallmark movie. Maybe if I hang around long enough, I can find some businessman who’s come home for the holiday looking for love.” He moaned as he chewed the pastry.

Visions of licking the frosting from Ezra’s body flashed in my head, and I had to will my dick to behave. “I made them.”

“You made them?” Seth tilted his head. “So, you’re not only hot, but you bake? Do have a brother you could set me up with me?”

“Sorry. I’m an only child, but...” I wiggled my brows. “I might be able to set you up with one of my fellow drivers if you talk.”

Seth frowned. “You’re not playing fair. Which driver?”

“Tell me what I need to know, and then we’ll talk about my friends.” I didn’t have a lot of gay NASCAR friends, but there was Noel. He hadn’t seemed excited about Seth when I mentioned him, but I might be able to change his mind. And Jones Matthews, who had recently come out at the end of the season, which I think had everything to do with Watts.

“Hmmm...” Seth twisted his lips. “Yeah, no, still can’t do it.”

“What do you mean, you can’t do it?” I huffed.

He shrugged as he took another sip of his coffee. “Sorry, bestie code or whatever. Don’t look at me like that. You wouldn’t rat Ezra out either, babe.”

“Fine.” I glanced up to find Ezra standing in the kitchen doorway. Shit. He was still wearing his pajama bottoms and a wrinkled t-shirt that saidI’m the Bossacross the front of it. “Good morning, princess.”

Seth’s twisted around. “Hey, babe.”