by Nora Blake
I nodded and looked back at the track.
Come on, baby …
I jumped and yelled when he made it past a black car that had been holding the lead. I was just about to high five Nick when one of the cars rammed into the side of Aaron's, making him lose control. The sound of squealing tires filled the air, and as badly as I wanted to close my eyes, I couldn’t. I grabbed Nick’s arm, gripping it tightly as the black car dug deeper into the driver side of Aaron’s car and the door crumpled with force. Aaron’s car flew onto its side before it started to roll. All I could hear was the thud of my heart beating. After what felt like eternity, everything stopped. Smoke engulfed Aaron’s car. I stopped paying attention to the other car and focused solely on Aaron’s. I went to run onto the track, but Nick grabbed my arm, stopping me.
I started fighting against him. “Let me go!”
"Sarah, stop it! Dammit! You can't go out there!" Dad yelled as he grabbed me, relieving Nick from the almost impossible task. Once he had a strong hold on me, Nick took off onto the track.
I couldn't cry. I couldn't do anything but watch at that point. I watched them pull Aaron from the car and saw medics running out onto the track. A group of men hurried over to his car, putting out the flames.
"Dad, the flames are out! Let me go!"
Dad let go of me and hurried onto the track with me.
The medics and Nick were helping Aaron to his feet. When I saw him walking on his own, I finally let out the breath I was holding. By the time I made it to him, I was bawling.
He was coughing from the smoke, and his eyes were red and raw.
"Are you okay?" I asked through my sobs as I looked him over.
Nick helped him out of his helmet.
“I think so,” he said breathlessly, wincing as they helped him sit.
I watched as the medics looked him over and asked him questions.
Dad rubbed my back telling me everything would be fine and how lucky he was. Nick was over at the car looking at the damage. I didn't want to look at it. I couldn't.
"I think we should bring him in just to be sure," a female medic said to her partner. “And the other driver.”
Aaron shook his head. “I’m fine, just sore.”
"Baby, let them take you in, please," I begged.
He looked at me. “Will it make you feel better?”
I nodded.
He sighed. “I’ll go then.”
The medics helped him to the ambulance.
"They're taking him in," I said as I took the helmet from Nick. I looked at my dad and handed the helmet to him. "Can you help Nick load up the car and get it back to Aaron's? I'm gonna follow them to the hospital."
Dad hugged me and kissed my head. "Of course."
"Call me as soon as you find anything out," Nick said before hugging me.
I nodded and watched as Nick carefully hugged Aaron. Dad and he then walked off together.
I fluffed the pillows behind Aaron's back. We had been home from the hospital for about an hour and just got done eating. "Stop looking at me like that. They may have said you're fine, but they also said you're gonna be very sore for the next several days, so let me take care of you."
“Baby, come here,” he said as he tugged on my hand.
I sat on the bed next to him. His forehead got the worse of the damage. A cut where his helmet had dug into his skin was starting to scab over. Other than that and his bones aching, he was perfectly fine. However, I couldn't stand it. I hated seeing him all sore and moving slow. I hated knowing all of this could've been worse.
He wrapped an arm around me. “I’m fine, baby. Sore, but fine.”
I relaxed against his chest. "I know. It scared the shit out of me, though."
The cats came and laid on my pillow next to him.
“I’m sorry about that. I never wanted to scare you.”
His phone started ringing, and I saw it was his mom calling.
"You better answer that."
He grabbed the phone and answered. “Hey, Lisa.” He chuckled. “Mom.”
I kissed his cheek and left the room to go clean up the house while he talked to her. I had just started straightening Aaron’s boots by the door when the door opened and Nick came in.
Nick kicked off his shoes. "How is he?"
"Resting and talking to your mom." I picked up Nick’s shoes and set them neatly next to Aaron’s.
I headed to the sink to start on the dishes. "Did you and my dad get the car here okay?"
He nodded. “Let me help.” He opened the dishwasher. I rinsed, and he put them in. "The car is totally fucked, Sarah. We're gonna have to rebuild it, and it'll take months. He's out for the rest of the racing season unless we can work some sort of miracle."
I was selfishly relieved. I hoped it took forever. I didn't want him back in that car ever again. I've seen many wrecks being around the racetrack growing up, but this was different. It was Aaron.
I hated feeling the way I did when I watched the wreck happen. I was completely helpless. I couldn't do anything but wait for his car to stop rolling, the flames to be put out, and him to be dragged out. Not knowing if he was okay or not wasn't something I ever wanted to experience again. Tears filled my eyes as I handed Nick a bowl.
"It was scary, huh?" he asked quietly.
I handed him a handful of silverware. "Worse than scary. Absolutely terrifying.”
Nick nodded, and we finished up the dishes. After starting the dishwasher, we went into the bedroom with Aaron. He was just finishing up his phone call.
He hung up and looked at us. “You two look like you’re at a funeral. Cheer up. I’m fine.”
I sat down on the bed next to him and held his hand.
Nick leaned back against the wall across from the bed. "Sarah’s dad and I got your car back here. Well, what's left of it. He said he’d come help with repairs and give you some pointers when you practice to, hopefully, keep that from happening again. Some shit you can't control, like that jackass who hit you."
I started to play with his fingers. I wanted to put my foot down and ban racing forever.
Aaron smiled a little. “Yeah, he has never been a good loser. I’m sure he did it on purpose. I’m glad he’s okay, though.”
“I would’ve kicked his ass if he didn’t leave so damn fast in the other ambulance,” Nick mumbled.
Aaron chuckled. “It wouldn’t have mattered. He’s an asshole and has never raced fair.”
I didn't say anything because neither of them would like what I had to say.
"Did Mom freak out?" Nick asked.
“Yep. She said she’s cookin’ all my favorites and coming over. So, this should be fun.”
"Tomorrow, I hope. It's late.” Nick laughed.
“Yeah, she said tomorrow for lunch. She and Dad were about to come over tonight, but I told them with all the pain medicine the doctor gave me, I’m drained.”
I looked at Aaron. "Get some sleep."
Nick yawned. "Yeah, I'm gonna head home and get some rest myself. If you need me, holler."
Aaron held onto my hand. “Night, bro.” He looked at me after Nick left the room. “Are you staying here with me?”
"Forever if you'll let me." I laughed a little.
“You sayin’ you’re moving in with me, Dirt Queen?” he asked as he looked at me seriously.
"I think so. Especially now.” I grinned.
“About damn time. Too bad it took me almost dying to get you to. ” He kissed the side of my head.
I cracked up when Foxy climbed on his stomach and laid down. “She loves you.”
“Yeah, I guess I love her too, even if the little shit tore into the cat food and made it spill everywhere this morning.”
"They get cranky if they aren’t fed right away.” I chuckled. “And if you really think it's okay, then I'd love to move in. I hate being apart, and after tonight, I don't want to ever let you out of my sight again."
“I think it’s more than okay, baby. I’ve a
lready told you that.” He pet Foxy’s head.
I leaned forward and pressed my lips softly against his. "I love you.”
“I love you, too.” He moved so he was lying down more, wincing before pulling me down next to him.
I laughed when Charlie started pawing at my hair. I swatted back and that just made it a game. Aaron reached over and grabbed Charlie, putting her on his chest next to her sister. She turned a full circle twice before lying down.
"I picked up a pile of mail you had on the counter they knocked down. I guess that's one of their new games, too." I laughed as I looked at Aaron. I needed to talk about anything other than what happened tonight. If I didn't, I was going to cry again. I could feel it.
“Yeah, they’re definitely a handful. Have you realized that if you take each of the first letters of their name it spells fuck?”
I burst into laughter. “I didn’t even think of that!”
“Yeah, Nick pointed it out to me earlier. It suits them.”
“I’d say so.”
I watched his eyes get heavier. I sat up long enough to turn off the lamp, then laid back down.
“I love you so much, Sarah,” he said with a slight slur. “I’m sorry I scared you tonight. I never want to upset you or make you worry. If Melany returns my call to let the boys know what happened, please tell her I’m okay and that she tells Keeton and Kallon.”
“As long as she’ll talk to me, I will. I’ll make sure they know one way or another.”
“Thank you.” He was trying so hard to stay awake and struggling to keep his eyes open.
"Love you, always. Now, stop fighting sleep."
He nodded and allowed his eyes to close. It wasn't long and he was out. I got out of bed quietly and headed into the bathroom to take a shower.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Aaron
I slowly walked around the kitchen trying to make breakfast. I was sore as hell.
It was even worse than it had been the night before. I grabbed the eggs out of the fridge just as I heard footsteps coming into the kitchen.
“Morning, baby.”
"Get your sexy ass back in bed right now." She crossed her arms in front of her.
“I was going to cook you breakfast.”
"Obviously, but you're in pain. You can barely walk without gritting your teeth. I'll cook." She came over, grabbed my arm, and carefully led me to the couch. After I was seated, she kissed my cheek, handed me the remote, and then went into the kitchen.
I turned on the TV and started flipping through the channels. “Do you have to work today?”
"Stacey let me off." I heard grease popping and soon could smell bacon. "No!" Sarah yelled, and I heard something hit the floor and a cat meow.
I jumped up and hurried to the kitchen. I was gritting my teeth and sweating by the time I made it to her. Moving quickly fuckin’ hurt. “You okay?”
Sarah looked at me like I had lost my mind. "Yesss, but Charlie is pissed at me. I had to knock her ass off the counter. Bitch tried to take bacon from the hot pan!" She laughed. "Go sit down."
I nodded and walked back to the couch. I slowly sat down and played with Foxy as I flipped through the channels again. I looked at the front door as it opened and Nick walked in.
“Morning.”
His eyes went straight to Sarah in the kitchen. "Hell, yes! I'm starving." He was carrying coffee from one of our favorite coffee shops. He came over and handed me a cup. "I see you're alive."
“I feel like hell.”
"I imagine so." He went into the kitchen. "Hi, honey number two."
“Waaatch it,” I teased.
Sarah laughed. "Thanks for the coffee, Nick."
“Stop flirting with my girlfriend, Nick.”
"But she's so pretty," he said in a small voice.
"He's pinching my cheeks, Aaron!" Sarah said, laughing.
“I may be sore, Nick, but I’ll still kick your ass.” I tried to turn to look at them in the kitchen but it hurt too much.
I could hear my brother laughing. A few seconds later he came and sat next to me on the couch. He laid his head on my shoulder. "Hi, honey number one."
“You’re such an idiot.”
He picked his head up and put his feet on the coffee table. "But you love me."
“I do.” I chuckled. “You up for a movie night? Sarah has sentenced me to the couch or bed.”
"Yeah, sure. Mom still bringing over food later?"
“Yeah. She said she knew Sarah would make me behave so promised not to hover and just bring food.”
"Did you tell Melany yet?"
“She hasn’t returned my calls. I text her but still nothing.”
"Bitch."
“I’m will try again later.
"Breakfast is ready," Sarah called out. "Aaron, your ass stays on the couch. I'll bring you a plate."
"So sassy," Nick teased.
My lips curled. “Very.”
Nick stood and went into the kitchen.
Sarah came in with a plate for me. She set a glass of water down on the coffee table and kissed me before going back into the kitchen. It wasn't long before she came and sat next to me with a plate of her own.
Nick came and sat on the floor, resting his back against the couch by me.
"So, as soon as you're better, we start on the car," Nick said before taking a bite.
I noticed Sarah tense a little. She kept her eyes on her plate.
“Plan on it.” I looked at her. “You okay, baby?”
She nodded and smiled, but it was very forced.
“Talk to me, love. Something’s bothering you.”
Nick looked up at her.
"I'll be fine. Don't worry about it." Sarah smiled at the both of us.
“What do you guys want to do today?”
"I planned on helping out around here, so Sarah didn't have to do everything."
"That'd be awesome. I'm gonna run to my parents’ to grab some of my things, then I'll be back. I need to do Aaron's laundry, too."
Nick looked at me and then at her. "Get your things?" He started grinning like a fool. "Does this mean what I think it means?" He looked at me.
“She’s moving in with me.” I couldn’t help grinning just like my brother.
"Well, I'll be damned. That's awesome! So happy for you both." Nick started eating again.
I put my arm around her after I finished eating. “Thanks for cooking. It was great.”
She took the last bite of hers and took my plate. She reached out her hand and took Nick's, too. "I'm gonna go clean up and start a load of your work clothes. Nick, make sure he stays put." She eyeballed me seriously.
“Yes, ma’am.” I smiled at her.
She got up and went into the kitchen.
Nick came and sat next to me. "I think I know what's wrong with her and she isn't saying," he whispered.
“What?”
"Last night, when she called me to tell me what the ER doc said, I mentioned something about you being more careful the next time you raced. She didn't even comment. Then you mention working on the car, and she got quiet. Man, she is gonna ask you to quit. Watch."
I looked toward the kitchen the best I could then back to Nick. “I scared her pretty bad, didn’t I?”
"She was freaking the hell out. I mean, it did look really bad. I panicked, too."
“I’ll talk to her about it later tonight.” I leaned back against the couch. “How much work will have to go into the car?”
"Total rebuild. The engine caught fire.”
I nodded. “I figured. Dammit.” I ran my hands down my face and sighed heavily.
“We’ll get it fixed.” He stretched. "I'm gonna go help her out," he said as he stood.
“I guess I’ll just stay here,” I said in annoyance.
"She'll bring out the chains if you don't." He ruffled my hair as he walked past me.
I heard a loud hiss and Nick cracking up. He loved terrorizing the cats. I rolled my eyes and start
ed watching TV.
I waited at the gas station for Melany to show up with the boys. I couldn’t wait to see them. I smiled when I saw her pull up next to me.
She got out and opened the back door for the boys but wouldn't make eye contact with me. She came over to my truck and helped the boys in and told them bye.
She handed me a bag. "They wanted to bring these toys to your house. They are for the cats."
“Thank you, Melany.”
She nodded and finally looked at me. I hated that we were like this with each other. I wished we could just get along.
"I'm glad you're okay."
“Thank you. I’m still sore, but I’ll live. My car on the other hand, is dead.”
"That sucks. I bet you'll get it back up and running in no time. I know the boys are excited to help you rebuild. It's all they talked about all week."
“They’ll be a big help. I enjoy letting them help.”
She nodded. "I'm gonna head out. I'll see you Sunday night." She got in her car and left. I was shocked she was being so civil.
I got into my truck and looked at my boys. “You boys all buckled?”
They both nodded.
“Good.” I started the truck. “Sarah is making us dinner. You ready to see her?”
"And the titty tats," Keeton said, and Kallon giggled.
"Keeton said titty!"
“Kallon, you know he was trying to say kitty.” I was trying to stay stern instead of laughing, but these boys were always giving me a run for my money.
Kallon was still giggling so hard making Keeton say titty over and over.
I chuckled, wondering where the hell they heard about titties. Nick. This had his name written all over it. I was gonna kill him. “Okay, okay. Enough, boys.” I pulled into a florist and parked. I turned to look at my boys. “You want to help me pick out something for Sarah?”
They both nodded excitedly.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Sarah
I leaned against the door frame to the room the boys shared. Foxy was sleeping with Keeton and Charlie with Kallon. I smiled when Aaron came up behind me and wrapped his arms around me.
"One day I want kids of my own," I said quietly. "Do you want more?"