by Penny Wylder
She hits the gas and drives up so close she almost hits the back bumper. Kelsie slams on the horn again a few times and waves her arm. I shake my head no at her, and wave as if to tell her to go back.
She shouldn't be doing this. She needs to go back to her family. I made my decision, it's time for both of us to move on. It should be easy, it shouldn't be this hard for her to just let go.
The car is so close I can see her brows drop and her lips frown angrily. She honks again. And when the taxi still doesn't stop, she looks around us, and then swerves into the other lane. She's a good driver, good at racing, good at almost everything I've ever seen her do, except sticking up for herself.
She's staying even with the taxi, and I can tell the driver is getting nervous. “Sir, I think we should pull over.”
“No, just drive. She'll give up and go away once she realizes we're not stopping.”
“I don't know, man, this lady looks really upset. You know her?”
“Yeah, I know her.”
“What the hell did you do to her?” he asks.
I'm quiet for a moment. My heart twinges with pain as I keep my eyes out the window. “I broke her heart.”
“That was a mistake,” he says, his voice shaky as her car sways close to us then drifts away. “I really think I need to pull over.”
“No,” I snap.
The driver's hands tighten around the wheel and his skin is turning ghost white. He looks petrified. She honks again, laying on the horn.
“Fine, pull over here.” I give in. This guy is in no position for some street racer action you'd see in a movie. He has the look of death on his face.
The driver slows down and pulls over, a look of relief on his face as the taxi comes to a stop. Kelsie hits her brakes and pulls up behind us.
“Give me one minute,” I say to the taxi driver.
He doesn't nod or answer. I think he's too freaked out to do anything right now. I'm sure it's not every day he gets chased down by some stranger.
I throw my door open and climb out. She does the same. Kelsie comes around to the passenger side of her car.
“What the hell are you doing?” I bark, throwing my arms out. “You could have killed yourself! Why would you do that? Why would you risk your life doing something so stupid?”
There's a shakiness in my voice. I don't want to yell at her, but I'm so angry she would do something like this, especially after seeing what happened with her brother. One wrong move and it's over.
“Me?” she yells, pointing a finger at her chest. “I'm not the crazy one! You're the crazy one!” She takes a strong step in, her mouth crooked to one side. “How can you do this? Why would you do this? Why would you choose to save Seth and abandon me?”
What? She thinks I did this for him?
The pain in my chest twists and stabs harder like a serrated blade. I didn't do this for her brother. I did this for her. Does she really think that I would pick Seth over her?
Anger floods my body. I'm not doing this for anyone else but her. Is she really this short sighted and naive that she thinks I'd give up my job to save some stupid teenager?
Can't she see it? Can't she see the truth?
“I didn't abandon you, and I didn't do this for your brother.” My voice is husky and thick. I'm trying. Lord help me, I'm trying to stay calm, but it's hard.
“Yes, you did!” she yells. “You gave up everything for him! You chose him over me! Why would you do that?” Her lids turn to slits and her pupils shrink to the size of pinpricks. “If you didn't want anything to do with me, you could have just said it. You didn't have to ride on the back of my brother's fucking stupidity.”
“You think I wanted to do this? Are you kidding me? I did this for you! I think the world of you. I saved you. You heard your brother, he was going to tell your dad everything. I couldn't let him destroy your life just so he could save his own ass. I did this for you, Kelsie, not for anyone else.”
Her lips thin, pursing tight as her eyes flick back and forth over mine. “If you really feel that way, then you'll listen to me now. I don't give a shit about what my parents think. I don't care what my brother tells them, and I don't give two fucks about what they think about you. I'm done hiding. I'm done pretending. Whether it's racing or being with you, I want to decide what's right for me.” Kelsie pauses, but it doesn't look like she's done. I stay quiet, letting her say whatever she feels she needs to. “Do you get it now?”
My heart pounds hard and fast. Of course, I get it. I can see it and feel it and smell it from where I'm standing. I'm a fucking idiot. I thought I was saving her, but in reality, I'm the one ruining her.
I hook my arm around her waist and pull her in. She bumps against my chest with a small gasp, her eyes looking up at me. Crushing my lips against hers, I kiss her. I kiss the woman who gives me life. I kiss the woman who makes me feel whole. I kiss the woman who belongs in my arms and in my bed at night.
Kelsie's lips are soft and warm. She licks my mouth and slips her tongue inside. Her body is tense, but then I feel her relax. She falls against me, allowing me to hold her so close I can feel her heart beating against my chest.
I walk her backwards and push her against the car. She coos, exhaling a single breath against my lips. Her eyes meet mine. They're so full, so big and bold, but still, I see brokenness.
My fingertips softly move against her hair, pushing it back behind her ear. My lips are hovering over hers, barely touching. I let my eyes sweep back and forth between hers, making sure she's listening.
“I get it, Kelsie, trust me, I fucking get it.” I kiss her harder and more frenzied. My tongue slips between her lips, dancing around hers.
I'm giving myself to her, and I want her to know it, to feel it, to believe it with every ounce of her body. Because I feel it. I feel her all over. She's in my thoughts, in my dreams, and in my heart.
Her arms fly up around my neck and she kisses me with so much passion there's no denying what she feels. Our lips break apart, and we're both breathing heavy. I can't stop looking at her.
The shattered pieces in her eyes are gone, replaced with a small smile as she runs the tips of her fingers down her throat.
Tires crackle against pavement, and as I look to my right, I see the taxi pulling away and back onto the road.
“Well, it looks like my ride just left.”
“I'll give you a ride. Where were you going?” She places her hands on my chest and plays with the collar of my shirt. “I'll take you anywhere, as long as it's not away from me.”
“Your parents need their car, and I know your dad doesn't want to see me.”
“I told him the truth, you know. I told them both the truth. My brother is getting chewed out right now. It doesn't matter to me anymore what they think, all I need is you.”
“You really did that?”
“I did.” She bites her bottom lip and grins. “So, where can I bring you?”
“How about you just bring me back to the hotel. I can rent a car and come pick you up from the show later. I really want to give your dad some time to cool off. Even if he knows the truth, and he knows I'm not the one who crashed his car, I still don't think I'm getting my job back.”
“No, you're definitely fired. Dating his daughter didn't get a better reaction.”
“I figured that.”
She lets her hand move down my chest and curls her fingers in mine. “You ready?” she asks.
“I'm ready.”
“Your chariot awaits.” Kelsie holds out her arm toward the door.
“You want me to drive?” I ask.
“Nope, I'm driving.” She winks and walks around to the front of the car. As she waits for the traffic to pass, I'm struck by just how lucky I am.
She's strong, she's funny, she can drive a fucking car like no tomorrow. She can drive a car better than a few racers I know. It's impressive, to say the least.
The wind ruffles her hair around her face, and the sun is kissing her skin, maki
ng her glow. She's so damn beautiful she takes my breath away. I've never felt like this before.
And I never want to stop feeling this way.
Kelsie is everything I could ever ask for in a woman.
I'll never walk away again.
9
Kelsie
“Stop being a pain in the ass and just get in,” I say out loud with a hard grunt as I throw my shoulder against the suitcase.
The suitcase shifts, budging just enough that I think I can finally close the door. I grab the edge of the door, giving it a hard shove with open palms, slamming it shut. The handle finally clicks closed after twenty minutes of struggling.
My car is jammed packed, stuffed from floor to roof and the trunk is loaded. I took everything I can. Every piece of clothing. Every shoe. Right down to the last pillowcase. The dresser in my room is empty, the closet barren except for the dangling hangers.
Wow, I didn't realize I have this much stuff.
You never can contemplate how much shit you hoard until you have to pack it all up. I thought better of packing my old stuffed animals and the costume jewelry I had collected along the way as a kid. All of that is packed up to be donated to the homeless shelter downtown.
There are plenty of little girls who will enjoy it as much as I did. Maybe even more, because for me there was an endless supply of stuff, for those kids, there isn't.
Garlits jumps up on his back feet, and scratches at my thighs as he whines. “Hey, buddy, you excited too?” I ask, bending down to pick him up.
He licks my face over and over, and I have to pull him away. “Okay, boy, that's enough. I get it. I love you, too.” Placing him through the window, I sit him on the passenger seat, finally wiping the sweat off my forehead.
It's another hot day. The sun is beating down on my face, and there isn't even so much as a hint of a breeze. The trees and clouds are so still they look like a painting. As if Bob Ross just brushed the sky behind the hills in the distance. Happy little trees stand motionless, and the clouds are like white balls of cotton.
I take a step back, just soaking this view in one last time. I wasn't sure how I was going to feel this morning. I wondered if I was going to be sad, maybe even shed a tear or two as I packed up my things and stood in an empty room.
And you know what? I don't feel sad at all. I'm happy. I feel lighter than air. I don't think I've ever felt this free. The weight on my shoulders is gone. I'm standing straighter. I'm standing taller. I'm standing on my own two feet for the first time in my life.
Garlits pokes his head out the window and barks. “I know, I'm coming,” I say.
I squeeze my hand around the keys and pull the sunglasses down off my head to cover my eyes. I'm ready.
I hear the door in the garage open and close. Pulling up my sunglasses, I see my dad standing with his hands hanging at his side. He gives me a weak smile, slowly walking to my side. His heels scuff across the floor, leaving small black streaks on the clean gray cement.
“You, uh, you got everything in, I see.”
“Yeah, it was a pain, but I got it.”
“I didn't think you'd be able to fit it all.” He folds his arms across his chest and rocks back on his feet. Clearing his throat, he points at the dog. “You sure Garlits won't be a problem?”
“No, he'll be fine. Besides, he's like my shadow. I can't imagine not having him with me.”
“And you're sure this is what you want to do?” my father asks. I can hear it in his voice. He doesn't want me to go, but he knows I need to do this. Not for him, not out of retaliation or anger, but for me.
“Yeah, Dad, I'm sure. It's time.”
“What about money? What are you going to do for money? Your mother says you won't take the check she wrote you.”
“This isn't about money. You know that, right?” He nods a half nod. “Brand is going to help me with my racing career. I'm good at it, Dad, and with his help, I just know I'll go places.”
My father is quiet. He's staring at me with a million words running through his head. I'm waiting for it. I know he's going to tell me I'm wrong, that I don't know how hard the real world is, and I'm going to be back before dinner tomorrow night.
“I know you will, honey. You're right, you were made for this.”
“What?” I ask. I almost can't register what he's saying. Is he agreeing with me?
“I never told you this before, but I know John was take you driving, and showing you things in the shop. I told him to do it.”
“Wait, you told him to? What do you mean you told him to?”
“You had a spark when you were around a car, and John's great at what he does. I love my cars, but I knew you needed more than just that. You needed a real teacher.”
“Dad, I—”
“Nope, don't. I know I've said things over the years, but I can see you better now. You're going to go out there and kick ass.”
“Thanks, Dad,” I say. My eyes well up, filling to the rims. Blinking quickly, I look all around trying to stop myself from crying.
He's never said anything so nice or so real to me before. He's always had this hard shell, and maybe that's been his protection. Protection from watching his kids grow up. Protection from feeling left behind. Protection from failing.
If he didn't allow himself to feel, he didn't have to face us at our weakest. My father might not have always been a loving, huggy, tuck you in at night kind of parent, but it's good to know he cares. Even if it took him all these years to show it.
“All right,” he says, flipping his hand in the air and then tucking it back under his armpit. “Go on, get out of here.”
I smile, then dart to him and give him a hug. He throws his arms out in surprise and grunts as I hit his chest. Letting him go, I look up at him and see him smiling. That's enough for me. That look right there on his face.
I turn and start to climb in my car when he calls out, “Oh, and your mother wanted me to remind you about dinner Saturday night. She said don't forget.”
“Got it, I'll be here.”
He gives me a wave as I back down the driveway. I honk the horn before pulling away. As I look in my rear-view mirror, my dad stays right where he is, watching me go. The house shrinks smaller and smaller, until it eventually disappears, blending in with the trees.
The wind whips through my hair from the window, and this overwhelming sense of freedom and excitement fills my body. This is it. My new start. My new career. My new life.
It's going to be incredible.
Smiling to myself, I reach over and pet Garlits. He's sitting beside me, his tongue hanging out of his mouth, and a happy grin on his face.
“We're doing this, Gar, we're really doing this.”
I drive to Brand's house, and just like I expect, he's halfway under a car on his creeper. He must hear my car, because he pushes himself out from underneath, and looks up with squinted eyes and a smile.
His hands and forearms are covered in grease, there are black grease smears all over his face. The mop on his head is tangled and messy, and there's a sheen of sweat coating his skin. He sits up, resting his arms on his knees as he wipes his hands with a rag.
I get out of my car, leaving my door open for Garlits. He leaps out, running at full speed to Brand. I'm not far behind him, laughing as my dog and my boyfriend have a reunion like you see in the movies.
Brand holds out his arms and Garlits jumps into them, licking him happily all over his face. “All right, come on. I don't want to make out with you, I want to make out with her.” He gently pushes Garlits down and stands up.
“Hey there,” I say. “I see you got some tongue already.”
“Not by choice.” Brand laughs and wipes his mouth with the back of his wrist. “But he's a good kisser, I can say that much.”
I wrap my arms around his waist, leaning back to look up. “I think it's my turn now.”
“Well, I do need to welcome you home. Maybe we can even christen the place, too.” He waggles his brow
s playfully.
“Ooh, I like the sound of that. But I think you might need a bath first.”
“A bath?”
“Yeah, look at you, you're filthy.”
“Hold on, I can fix this.” Brand steps out of my embrace and walks to the side of the garage. He comes out a few seconds later, holding the hose and spraying it in my direction.
“Hey!” I yell as I get hit with a blast of cold water.
“What? I thought you wanted a bath?”
“No, I was talking about you!” I'm laughing and trying to block the water.
“Oh, I'm the dirty one?”
“Yes, you are,” I say, launching forward and grabbing the hose from his hands. I spray him back, soaking him in icy cold water.
Brand turns his back to me, then spins fast and charges. He grabs me in his arms, causing me to drop the hose. Lifting me off my feet, he kisses me. Water is dripping off the ends of my hair and down his face.
But he doesn't care. He kisses me and carries me inside the house. Garlits follows us closely, darting inside between his feet. Brand kicks the door closed and carries me through the house to his bedroom—to our bedroom.
He slowly lowers me down. My hands start pulling off his clothes as he works to peel the wet shirt over my head, and my soaking shorts down my legs. The jean fabric sticks to my skin, making it even more difficult to get them off.
My skin is covered in goosebumps, and the hair on the back of my neck bristles as he runs his fingertips down the outside of my arms. Brand's eyes pierce mine, making it hard to breathe. I hold my breath as he caresses across my belly and up between my breasts.
My nipples harden and more goosebumps roll down my body like a tidal wave. He smirks lightly. He likes watching me react to his touch. He takes pleasure in seeing my body shake and shiver. He enjoys making me wet and knowing he controls every ounce of it.
The very edges of his fingers tickle across my nipples, moving from one breast to the other. My lungs finally suck in a deep breath of air. I can smell the scent of exhaust and grease, and hidden beneath is his cologne, mandarin and a hint of ginger.
