Page 36 of Until The Lights Go Out

I barked out a dry laugh. “When have I ever?”

He didn’t even hesitate. “Do you want a list?”

I shook my head, already stepping back from the bar.

“Where are you going?” he called after me.

I hesitated for half a second. “I’m going to have some fun.”

“Never thought I would see the day, brother.”

“Fuck off.” I rolled my eyes. Because this was not new. I’d join the boys out on the town, to the clubs or bars or wherever they dragged me out to. I just simply wouldn’t stay too long. There was always some beautiful woman who could be a beautiful distraction—the only kind I would ever allow. I knew the media had a lot to say about it; I’d seen the headlines splashed on the daily sports gossip news. It didn’t matter that I never sought it out; it would still pop up. That, or Sebastian would dramatically read the headlines to me about my latest conquest or who I’d been seen out with. Honestly, it annoyed the fuck out of me. Was it such a crime to have a good time? I dedicated my entire life to a sport that was rather unforgiving. God forbid I had a good time occasionally.

I turned to the bartender. “Can I have one of whatever she’s drinking?” I nodded toward the woman. The bartender smiled and got the drink together quickly, handing it to me.

“There he goes! They grow up so fast!” Sebastian called out after me, making the people around us laugh. I rolled my eyes, turning my back to them and walking over to the table.

“Hey,” I said, walking up to her. She blushed, her head dipping, and I stood a little taller.

“Hey, Theo,” she smiled.

“Oh my God, Theo Bauer!” another practically squealed.

“Hi!”

“Hey!” the others chimed in. My smile grew at the table.

“Good evening, ladies,” I smirked. I couldn’t lie, the attention was nice. We chatted for some time, the redhead telling me her name was Cassie. Sebastian eventually came over, joining in and flirting with one of the brunettes. Drinks flowed between us as I bought the next two rounds, other semi-familiar Kaz Racing employees joining in on the chaos.

“What about the bartender?” I nudged Sebastian’s shoulder, speaking quietly to him. He had seemed to be flirting hard with him earlier, so I was surprised to see him joining us.

“He’s taken.” Sebastian sighed, looking back to the bar. “Deeply unfortunate,” he whispered.

“Oh, whoops!” The brunette fell into Sebastian, grabbing his bicep and blushing. “Sorry, oh my God,” she apologized profusely.

“That’s quite alright darling. Glad I could catch you,” my brother smirked.

I huffed out a quiet laugh, shaking my head as I took another sip of my drink.

Sebastian shot me a look. “Don’t mock me.”

“I’m not,” I said, completely deadpan. “I’m deeply invested in your catching skills.”

“Liar.”

“Always.”

Cassie’s laugh cut in, light and easy. “You two are…brothers?”

“Yeah, I’m stuck with this block my whole life. He got the racing gene, while I, however, have many other skills,” Sebastian said, already turning his full attention back to the brunette practically glued to his arm. I leaned back in my chair, letting my gaze drift back to Cassie. Up close, the differences were clearer. Softer features, a rounder face, she wasn’t curvy like Maisey was, no soft skin my fingers could dig into. Brown eyes instead of blue, and no freckles scattered across her nose. Not Maisey. Not even close, really.

“Cassie, right?” I said, tilting my head slightly.

She nodded, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. “You remembered.”

“I’m full of surprises.”

“Mm,” she hummed, clearly unconvinced but smiling anyway. “So they say.”