Chapter 2
“Before Sebastian met you, he was in a very serious relationship.”
Caleb nodded. “I know. He told me.”
“Did Sebastian tell you that his ex, David, also proposed marriage and that they had set a date?”
Caleb’s face flushed. Sebastian had told Caleb that his ex and Sebastian had talked marriage but Sebastian had never said they had been engaged. Or had set a wedding date. “No. He never told me that.”
Ginny came closer and put her hand on one of Caleb’s shoulders. “You’re a good man, Caleb. I know Sebastian loves you. I just think you need to let your engagement run a little longer.”
“Because of his ex?”
“Yes, because of David. It’s for your sake as well as Sebastian’s.”
* * * *
Caleb took Highway 27 up to the Four Corners area, where traffic from four counties blended, encountering traffic lights in the sprawl. When he finally hit the interstate, he headed east for downtown Orlando, passing through the tourist traffic near Disney and then the ever-present construction traffic that snarled around the Universal Studios exit. As he passed the next string of exits, he saw the small cluster of high rises that announced Orlando proper. It marketed itself as the City Beautiful and from the distance, it appeared that way.
Sebastian had texted earlier that he was working at the station until six. Since it was five-thirty when Caleb arrived at the television channel, he pulled into the parking lot and debated if he should walk in the building. After a couple of minutes had passed, he turned off the engine, and locked the truck.
The station receptionist greeted him as he walked in the building. “Hello, may I help you?”
Caleb guessed the woman, who remained seated, was twenty-one or twenty-two. “Yeah, I’m meeting Sebastian Rush.”
Her left eyebrow arched before she continued. “Sebastian Rush?”
“He’s one of the cameramen.”
“Oh. Let me see what I can do. Is Sebastian expecting you?”
Caleb crossed his arms. “Yes. He knows I was going to meet him here at six.”
She picked up the phone. “Hi, there’s a gentleman here to see Sebastian, one of the cameramen.” The young woman looked at Caleb and then spoke. “What’s your name, sir?”
Her eyes grew wide as she repeated Caleb’s name over the phone and when she finished the call, and took her headset off, she then stood up. “I thought you looked familiar!”
Caleb smiled and shook her hand once she offered it. “Nice to meet you.”
“I’m Isabel My whole family’s into NASCAR. I’m sorry I didn’t recognize you.”
Caleb noted how the pink clingy sundress she wore showed off a small bosom. She had light brown hair that could easily turn blonde. “No worries. It’s all about the context. I’m sure if we were in Daytona and I was dressed in my safety suit you’d recognize me.”
Isabel giggled, her hands clasped together in front of her. “You’re right. You know I’m not supposed to do this, but could I get your autograph?”
Caleb smiled. “Sure.”
Isabel tore off a page from her yellow pad and handed it to him with a pen. Caleb placed the paper on the counter and started signing his name and wishing her the best.
“Do you mind if I ask you a question?” asked Isabel.
Caleb looked up and handed the autographed note to her. She accepted it without even looking at the regards he wrote out for her.
“What’s Jeff Gordon like?”
Caleb caught his half-smirk before it formed, and he cleared his throat before he spoke. “Jeff? Nice guy. Very smart, too.”
“Yeah, he’s my favorite. He’s soooo hot.” Her face then turned red. “Obviously, you’re one of my favorites as well.”
Caleb laughed. “No worries.” He glanced over to the waiting area, hoping not to miss Sebastian.
“I read thePeople magazine article. I guess you’re out and off the market.”
“I am. I’m out and proud now.”
Isabel smiled. “I’m glad. I know a lot of people in NASCAR aren’t ready for gay drivers. But I’m okay with it and I know some of my friends don’t care. Will you ever go back to driving? Do you miss it?”
“Yeah. I do. I do a lot, but it’s for the better. And I wish a lot of people thought like you, Isabel.”
“It’s a shame,” said Isabel. “Last year’s race was pretty good. I was there and I saw the photo finish. Dammit. I wish I had my program with me instead of this office paper.” Isabel looked down at his autograph and smiled. “Thank you for this. I can’t wait to tell my friends how nice you are. And hot.”
Caleb blushed, and before he had a chance to say anything further, he saw Sebastian.