Dirt Queen

by Nora Blake

Yeah, my stupidity level. That’s what’s up. Sky high as a matter of fact. You’d think I was twelve the way I was acting.

  “Just a lot on my mind.”

  “Like?”

  I shrugged. “Moving out and getting my own place, trying to get more clients for my photography. Life stuff,” I only sorta lied.

  He smiled as he kept his eyes on the road. “No worrying about moving out, okay? We love having you at home.”

  I nodded. “Oh, I know. For me, Dad. I need to start making these decisions for me.”

  When we got to the racetrack, knots formed in my stomach. Aaron was hurt, and that was worse than pissed. I got out of the truck after Dad parked and we walked to the front to pay the entrance fee. After we paid, we headed through the gate, and I started looking around for Aaron, Nick, and his kids.

  When I spotted them inside the track, Dad and I headed in their direction. Aaron was talking to the boys and Nick was lifting the hood of the car. This was about to be so awkward, and it was all my fault.

  I was thankful when some of Dad’s friends stopped us before reaching Aaron. I hoped the conversation would last several minutes before I had to go face Aaron. To my dismay, it didn’t, and we were headed toward him again. I put my hands in my jean pockets to keep them from shaking too bad.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Aaron

  I sat Keeton on my lap as Nick checked out the engine one more time. Kallon was standing on his tiptoes as he looked under the hood. The divorce was finalized as of yesterday, and I needed this today, especially after Sarah avoided me all week. I needed my boys. I turned my head to look in the direction Keeton was, and saw Sarah walking over with her dad. My heart did a somersault.

  “Oh, I forgot to mention, Sarah is coming. She messaged you,” Nick said before looking under the hood again.

  “I see that.”

  When Sarah and her dad reached us, I smiled a little.

  “Hey. Keeton, this is Sarah, the one I call Dirt Queen.”

  "Hey, Keeton. It's so nice to meet you," she said, shaking his little hand before putting her hand back in her pocket.

  "Daddy calls you dirty," he snickered.

  She died laughing. "It's because I'd rather play in the mud than do real grown-up things."

  I ruffled the top of Keeton’s head and looked at Kallon. “Kallon, leave Uncle Nick for a sec and come meet my friend.”

  Sarah’s dad held his hand out to me. "Good to see you again. I'm glad you kids have reconnected. Nick gave me your number, if it's okay, I'll give a call soon to plan a time to hang out. You should invite your dad, it'd be great to all get together again."

  “Sounds good.” I looked at Kallon when he came over. “This is my friend Sarah and her dad.”

  He looked up at Sarah and then at her dad. "Hi." Kallon scrunched his nose, looking confused. "The dirty one? She don't look dirty, Daddy."

  Sarah’s lips curled into a humorous grin. "That's because I haven't rolled around in any dirt yet. That's the best part about races."

  Kallon giggled. "My momma doesn't like it if I do that."

  "I'm sure it makes for nasty bath water, huh?"

  Kallon nodded and stuck his tongue out. "So gross!"

  I looked at Nick. “She ready to go?”

  Sarah's dad went over and took a look. "Wow! Everything looks great."

  Sarah stood next to him. "I told you it was impressive. Top of the line."

  I stood and held both Keeton and Kallon’s hands as I walked over to the car. “Okay, they’re all yours until I get finished,” I said, handing them off to my brother.

  "Popcorn?" Nick asked as he shut the hood and handed me the keys.

  "Popcorrrrrn!" the boys yelled in unison.

  I handed some money to them. “Get me some for later.”

  They went off with Nick who was telling them to pocket the money and he'd pay for the popcorn.

  Sarah smiled after the boys and Nick, then looked at me. "Good luck tonight."

  “Thanks. I need it. See ya after?” I’m sure I was pushing my luck asking her that, but we needed to talk.

  She nodded. “Sure.”

  After I climbed into the car, she handed me the helmet I had set on the roof of the car.

  “Thanks. And you promise we’ll hang out after the race?” I put on the helmet and strapped everything in place.

  “Only if you win.” I loved her playful grin.

  “Yes, ma’am.” I grinned and cranked the engine as I watched her walk toward the bleachers.

  I won! I actually won. I climbed out of the car as Nick and the boys came running over. Winning was great for the simple fact that I won, but I also won money, and more importantly, Sarah agreed to hang out and talk after if I did. I looked around for Sarah and noticed her talking to my parents near the bleachers.

  I hugged both of my boys before looking at my brother. “I won!”

  Nick hugged me and held his hand out. "I want some of that big ol' check!"

  The owner of the track came over with a trophy and an envelope. "Great job out there! I knew you'd get your groove back."

  Two of the other racers, the ones who came in second and third, came over and shook my hand. After accepting the prize money in front of several cameras, we all headed over to Sarah and my parents.

  “We’re so glad Sarah is showing her face around here again!” Mom said as she put her arm around Sarah’s shoulders, giving her a squeeze.

  “Me too,” I said as I winked at Sarah.

  “It’s like old times, seeing you two together again,” Dad said as he held onto the boys’ hands. “We’re gonna take them to look at all the cars. They’ve been begging the entire race. We’ll catch up with you guys later.”

  I nodded and watched Dad, Mom, and the boys walk over to the track.

  Sarah hugged me. "Great job! It was a flawless race. The other guys didn't stand a chance." Her arms slowly left from around me, almost as though she was hesitating letting go.

  “Thanks! It’s time to get the boys and car home. What are you and your dad up to now?”

  "Heading by Los Ranchitos for some takeout, then home."

  "We don't have to get takeout if you two want to hang out. I can just head home," her dad offered. I had forgotten he was even standing there.

  Sarah looked over at my parents and the kids before looking at me. "I don't want to intrude on family time."

  I wasn’t letting her get out of talking to me that easy.

  “Mom and Dad are heading home. Nick and I were going to watch a movie with the boys. You want to come watch a movie?”

  Her dad gave her a slight nod and then went over to the cars with the boys and my parents.

  "Are you sure that's a good idea?”

  “What do you mean?”

  She bit her lip nervously. “Aaron, we have stuff to talk about and your kids are there—”

  “And they have a bedtime. I’m not letting you avoid me anymore.”

  "Okay, then." She looked at her dad. "I rode with my dad."

  “I can run you home later tonight.”

  She looked conflicted, barely making eye contact. “It’s a bit out of the way. Are you sure?”

  “Positive. You’re not getting out of this.”

  "What are you positive about?" Nick asked as he walked over.

  “I invited Sarah over to watch a movie. Just telling her I can take her home after.”

  Nick grinned at us both. “Oh, good! So, did you two kiss and make up?”

  I elbowed him in the ribs. “Oh, I’m sorry. Did I hit you?”

  Nick burst into laughter and rubbed his side. "What the hell, dude.”

  Sarah looked at me. "Want help loading up the car?”

  I nodded. “That’d be great.”

  “I’m gonna go tell my dad what’s going on, then I’ll meet you back here.”

  After she walked off, I looked at Nick. “Not a single word.”

  “I didn’t say anything that bad!” he snapped in de
fense.

  “I need to talk to her, and more kiss and make up comments might make her bolt again.”

  “I’ll be a good boy, Daddy.”

  I chuckled. “Thank you, idiot.”

  After Sarah came back over, we got the car onto the trailer, the boys loaded in the truck, and we all headed to my house. Sarah rode in the front with me, while Nick sat in the back with the boys. She fidgeted with a teal and yellow braided bracelet on her right wrist.

  “Friendship bracelet?”

  She looked down at her bracelet and stopped fidgeting. She looked at me, chewing on her bottom lip. “Something like that.”

  “Now I'm intrigued about your something-like-that bracelet.”

  She shook her head laughing. “You’re so weird, Aaron.”

  “That’s not a nice thing to say,” Keeton said from the back.

  “She’s just joking, stupid,” Kallon said with an annoyed sigh. “Right, Sarah, you’re joking?”

  Sarah looked over her shoulder at him. “Being weird can be a compliment. Being weird is fun, and the only people I genuinely like are weird.”

  “Do you wike Daddy?” Keeton asked with a giggle.

  She nodded and looked at me with a gorgeous smile. “I do. I’ve known your dad a long time, and he’s one of my most favorite people ever.”

  Nick gasped. “And what about me?”

  Sarah looked toward the backseat again. “Nick, you know you’re at the top of my list. That is supposed to be our secret.”

  My mouth fell open. “Hey, now, that’s not fair.”

  “I hate to break it to ya, Aaron, but life isn’t always fair,” she teased, smiling bigger now.

  Nick burst into laughter.

  When we pulled into the driveway, I opened Sarah’s door to let her out, which she told me was weird. I told her to get used to it. She didn’t argue. Nick got out and helped Kallon, while I got Keeton out of his booster seat. We all headed inside, and the boys immediately took off to their bedroom.

  Nick started to mention pizza for dinner but Sarah stopped him.

  “I can cook something. I love pizza and all, but I swear it’s all you boys eat. Plus, Keeton and Kallon are here. I’d love to cook for everyone.”

  I set my keys and the boys’ bags on the table. “Since when did you start cooking? It used to be a disaster.”

  “I had to learn. I lived on my own for a while when I was in college and going out to eat was expensive.” She started looking through the fridge and cabinets, pulling things out she thought would go good together.

  Watching her move around the kitchen, I imagined every single day being like this. Coming home to her, making a life with her. Maybe it was too soon, and I had no doubt I was crazy, but, in the moment, it felt like it was meant to be this way from here on out.

  She looked over her shoulder at me as she started washing potatoes off in the sink. “Stop staring at me and you and Nick go hang out with the boys. I’m good in here. I’ll come get you guys when everything is ready.”

  I smirked at the bossy tone to her voice. “Okay.” I walked over to her and kissed her cheek. “Thank you, Sarah.”

  Her cheeks reddened. “It’s no problem. I’m glad to do it.”

  Nick looked at me as we walked out of the kitchen toward the hall that led to the boys’ room. I could hear laughter and what sounded like Legos being dumped out onto the wood floor. The sound of that used to make me cringe, but you start realizing those are the things you miss when you’re at home alone. You start appreciating all the things you once took for granted. Tiny messes and all.

  “The way you look at Sarah is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. You really do love her, don’t you?” Nick stopped walking in the middle of the hall causing me to stop.

  “I do, Nick. As crazy as that sounds. I don’t think I ever stopped loving her.”

  He cuffed my shoulder. “Then don’t screw it up.”

  “I just hope she feels the same. We never talked about what I said to her.”

  “If she doesn’t, then work hard to accept it and continue to be her best friend.”

  I nodded. “I will.”

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Sarah

  Nick fell asleep on the loveseat halfway through the Guardians of the Galaxy 2, and so did Keeton and Kallon on their pile of blankets Aaron and I put on the floor upon their request. Aaron stretched and stood.

  “I need to put them in their beds.”

  I sat up smoothed the wrinkles out of my shirt. “Need my help?”

  “If you can get Keeton, that’d be great.”

  He bent down and picked up Kallon, grabbing his favorite Spider Man blanket and draping it over him. Watching him with his boys made me love him more. Watching him be a dad was one of my new favorite things about him.

  I bent down and took Keeton’s Hulk blanket and picked him up. Aaron came over, holding Kallon with one arm and helped me straighten the blanket around Keeton with his free hand. I melted when Keeton laid his head on my shoulder.

  “They like you,” he whispered.

  “I hope so,” I whispered back.

  I followed Aaron down the hall to their room. After we laid them down in their beds, Aaron made sure their covers were perfect and kissed both their heads. He left their door slightly cracked and we headed back down the hall and into the living room.

  We worked silently to get the living room and kitchen back in order. There was so much to talk about, and I don’t think either of us knew where to begin. Maybe he was waiting on me to speak, since I was the one who freaked out.

  “What time is it?” I asked after noticing my Apple watch was dead.

  He looked at his phone. “Almost ten-fifteen.”

  “Uh oh. Past my curfew.”

  He looked genuinely concerned. “What?”

  I giggled. “I’m kidding, Aaron. You honestly think I have a curfew?”

  “Your dad has always been on the protective side.”

  “True. But, seriously, I should probably head home. You have your boys, and I shouldn’t stay too late. It might confuse them. Plus, you look exhausted.”

  “I’m fine, Sarah.”

  I raised both brows.

  His mouth parted, and his eyes narrowed like he might argue, but he didn’t. He grabbed his keys, and I followed him out to his truck. He opened the door for me, and I got in. I checked for text messages as he backed out of the driveway.

  I watched him drive and noticed dark circles under his eyes. As if to confirm my suspicions of how tired he was, he yawned. “Are you okay? You sure you can drive? You look exhausted, Aaron.”

  “Yeah. Just been a long week.”

  I frowned. “That’s partly my fault.”

  “Yeah, it is.”

  “Okay, so tell me how shitty of a friend I am. I can take it.”

  He laughed. “Give me a second to gather my thoughts.”

  As we were stopped at a stop sign, the radio started playing “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey. Aaron started singing with everything in him. It just so happened this was our favorite song to jam out to while working in my dad’s shop together.

  I burst into laughter and was so relieved to have this moment with him. It helped lighten the mood. His singing was awful, but so perfect because it was Aaron just being himself. He grabbed my hand and started using it as a microphone. When it was over, he turned down the radio but didn’t let go of my hand. I shocked myself when I didn’t pull away in protest. I liked the feeling of his rough, calloused hand engulfing mine. It felt safe.

  “Have I mentioned how happy I am to have you back?” he asked.

  I continued to stare at our hands. “Aaron, what are you doing? Aren’t we supposed to be talking about what happened?”

  He looked at me for a brief moment, then back at the road. “I’m getting there.”

  “You’re holding my hand.”

  He smirked. “Is that not okay? I mean, considering what I told you.”

  “Uh,
is it? I’m confused.” My heart felt like it was about to explode. I almost pinched myself to see if I was dreaming. I needed to just tell him my feelings matched his instead of playing the hard-to-get bullshit.

  “I have a confession to make, Sarah.” Before I could respond, he started talking again. “If I thought I could hide it, I would, but it’s damn difficult. There’s something more here, Sarah. More than just friends reconnecting. Yeah, I had a crush on you for the longest time, but it became more than that over the years.”

  That was it. I was going to have a heart attack. I didn’t respond. I was at a loss for words.

  “Don’t leave me hangin’,” he chuckled. “I just admitted out loud what I should have all those years ago. Officially, and not by accident. That night you were telling me you were leaving … you know that night at the park?”

  I nodded a little. When his thumb started gently caressing the top of my hand, I got chills.

  “I promised myself I’d never tell you this, but if we keep hanging out like this and you keep being this amazing, I wouldn’t be able to keep it in any longer. I think I proved that the other night. I thought seeing you again would tell me the feelings I had back then were just us being teens—all hormonal—but, Sarah, I still feel that connection, and it’s completely taken me over.”

  I sat there, staring at the road ahead of us.

  Say something.

  You’ve dreamed of this happening.

  Dammit, say something!

  “Tell me you don’t feel it too. Or tell me I’m crazy, and I’ll never mention it again.”

  “Yes,” I whispered. I swallowed hard and looked at him.

  He grinned. “Yes? So, you do?”

  “I did back then, and I still do. But … this is scary, Aaron. That’s why I left the other night and avoided you. I was about to tell you how I really felt, and I freaked. There’s so much to consider …”

  “Like what?” He pulled into my driveway and parked.

  “I know the divorce was just recently final. Are you okay? I mean, are you over it?” I barely took a breath between words. This was something I thought I always wanted, but now I was kind of scared. I let go of his hand. “We really need to think this through. What if—”