by Storm, Sloan
“Mmm hmm.”
She turned and faced me. “All right, come on. Out with it.”
I spent the next several minutes telling her about the offer I’d received from Dieter to travel with the team, including how much I was going to be paid and how long I’d probably be gone.
A huge smile came to her face. “That’s such great news! You must be thrilled.”
“I am,” I grumbled. “Sort of.”
“What do you mean? Why wouldn’t you be excited? With that kind of money, you can take care of Simon and maybe even get yourself back into school, and…”
I nodded, interrupting her. “I know, but I can’t do it alone.”
“What are you saying?” she asked, pausing for just a moment. “Oooh, you mean Simon? You don’t have to worry about that, Ava. I don’t mind taking care of him. Not one bit.”
I felt a lump gather in my throat. While I looked at my best friend, my vision blurred with the beginnings of tears.
“Oh honey,” she began, moving towards me for a hug. “Please don’t do that. You’re going to make me cry also.”
I nodded, wrapping my arms around her and embracing her. “I don’t know how to thank you.”
We hugged for a few more moments before separating.
“You don’t need to thank me for anything, Ava. I love Simon like he was my own family. And of course, you know I love you too.”
Even though I tried my best, several streaks of tears escaped from my eyes. Over the next minute or so, I managed to get myself under control. After I did, Jillian congratulated me once more before returning to finish with the dishes.
“So I suppose you’ll be spending more time with Dyson, won’t you?”
Dyson…
I furrowed my brow at the mention of his name. Taking notice of my silence, Jillian glanced at me. “What’s wrong? Did something happen with Dyson?”
I shook my head. “I’m not sure, but something he said made me feel uneasy.”
“That doesn’t sound good. What happened?”
“Well, after the race ended, we saw each other, and he asked me if I was going to accept the position.”
Jillian shrugged, frowning at the same time “So. What’s wrong with that?”
“I hadn’t told him about it yet. It was like he knew about it beforehand.”
Jillian’s head drifted backward. Her mouth opened a fraction. The realization dawned on her. “Ah, I see. What did you say to him?”
“You mean, did I confront him about it?”
“Yeah.”
“No. I didn’t.”
My friend leaned against the counter, pinching her chin between her thumb and forefinger. “Do you really think he was behind the whole thing?”
“Where Dyson is concerned,” I began, shaking my head. “Anything is possible.”
Jillian looked at me in silence for a moment or so. “Well, I suppose all you can do is keep your guard up. This opportunity is too important for you. You can handle Dyson Vix. You have no choice.”
Staring into her eyes, I nodded my head in agreement.
AVA
I hadn’t slept well.
Although I really had no choice but to accept the offer, I still struggled with the notion Dyson was somehow manipulating the situation to his benefit. Even so, I had to find a way to deal with him and not risk losing the money I’d receive from the job.
I moved through my work day that Monday mindlessly. With the deadline for my decision looming, I had to first tell Dr. Wilcox what I’d decided to do.
And so it was later that afternoon I knocked on the door to his office. He sat there behind his oversized oak desk, flanked on either side by stacks of patient paperwork.
Glancing up at me, he smiled.
“Ava, please come in.”
I smiled in return and walked inside his office. “Thank you.”
He watched me while I approached until I took a seat in a chair across from his desk. Dr. Wilcox had been in medicine for more than twenty years by the time I came to work for him. If there was ever someone I wanted to be like, emulate, should I ever actually graduate from medical school, it would be him. The wall and credenza behind him were filled with awards and plaques, all recognizing his exceptional ability. Equally important, if not more so though, he was a genuinely caring person.
I eased into the leather chair, crossing my legs at the knee.
Dr. Wilcox placed his pen down on top of his desk and looked at me. “I assume you’re here to tell me what you decided to do?”
I nodded. “Yes.”
He smiled and interlaced his fingers, placing them flat on the desk in front of him. “Well? Don’t keep me in suspense.”
I swallowed and moistened my lips for a split second. “Okay, um, so if you’re absolutely certain you don’t mind… I think I’m going to do it.”
“Ava, if you’ll recall, I’m the one who recommended you for the position. Why on Earth would I mind?”
I nodded my head. “Right, no, I know, it’s just…”
Dr. Wilcox leaned forward in his chair. The springs in the seat creaked. “Ava, I know how important this opportunity is for you. With the kind of money you’re going to make, I see no reason why you can’t be back in medical school in no time.”
I’d always been a private person around the office. Of course, everyone knew Simon and treated him like he was my son whenever he visited, but I never felt comfortable sharing the private struggles I had with him. And now, as I sat across from Dr. Wilcox, I regretted the decision. I knew that in his heart, Dr. Wilcox wanted me to return to medical school and finish my degree, almost as much as I did. If nothing else, I felt that I owed him the truth about what I intended to do with the money.
“I would love to return to school,” I began, placing my hand on my chest. “But I’ve got an even more important use for the money in mind.”
Dr. Wilcox frowned. “Oh?”
“Yes, it’s for my nephew, Simon.”
“I see,” he began, tilting his head to one side. “Is he all right? Is he having health problems?”
“What?” I shook my head and raised my palms towards him. “Oh no, it’s nothing like that. He’s fine. Well, his health is fine.”
“Um, okay.” he began. “Well I have to say that I’m a bit confused. If he’s not having any health issues, what would you be using the money for? I don’t mean to pry, Ava. Don’t feel as if you have to tell me.”
I shook my head. “I don’t mind. Really, I’d feel much better if you did know.”
Dr. Wilcox nodded and gestured for me to continue. I spent the next several minutes explaining the situation with Simon and his school. I told him about the incessant bullying he’d been subjected to when he was in public school and how the change to private education made all the difference for him. Lastly, I explained how we’d lost the money he needed to stay enrolled there.
“So you see, I really have no choice. If I don’t do this and earn enough money, I’ll be forced to put him back into public school. I can’t do that Dr. Wilcox. I won’t.”
Dr. Wilcox paused after I finished, considering what he’d say.
“Well, Ava, in all candor, I can’t say I’m surprised in the least. The fact that you go to such lengths to sacrifice for your nephew speaks volumes about your character.”
“Thank you, that’s very kind of you to say.”
“It’s the truth,” he added. “And, considering the closeness of your relationship, I’m sure the decision to leave him has also not been an easy one.”
I shook my head and pinched my lower lip between my teeth for a moment. “No, it hasn’t been. However, my roommate, Jillian, offered to take care of him.”
Dr. Wilcox smiled again. “Another blessing. It appears as though the universe wants you to take this opportunity. Doesn’t it?”
I nodded and folded my hands in my lap. Only one last thing bothered me about going on the road with the team. I worried about how it might change my re
lationship with my coworkers. Sensing that this might be my only opportunity to discuss it, I decided to bring it up to Dr. Wilcox.
But before I could say a word, he looked at me, narrowing his eyes in doubt. “Is there… something else you want to tell me, Ava?”
I swallowed and adjusted my position in my seat. “Yes. There is.”
“Please.”
“Well it’s just, it’s the other girls.”
Dr. Wilcox frowned. “What about them?”
“I don’t want them to be upset with me for leaving like this. We all have such a great working relationship that I don’t want to do anything to screw it up.”
A warm smile spread across his face.
“Ava, you have absolutely nothing to worry about. Listen to me. You are a very special person and opportunities like this don’t come along often. You have my word I won’t allow your choice to travel with the team, if that is indeed what you choose to do, affect your role here. As soon as you come back, your old position will be waiting for you. Okay?”
I smiled at him in return. “Thank you for that, Dr. Wilcox. You have no idea how much better that makes me feel.”
“Excellent, I’m glad to hear it.”
With that, he pressed his palms flat on the surface of his desk and eased himself out of his chair. I stood at the same time. He walked around his desk towards me and extended his hand in my direction.
“I’m assuming that congratulations are in order?”
I nodded, smiling as he drew close.
“Thank you, yes.” Before raising my hand to meet his, I paused. “Could I have a hug instead?”
Dr. Wilcox chuckled. “Of course.”
Later that afternoon, I got in my car after work and pulled out my cell phone from my purse.
I dialed Dieter’s number.
He answered.
AVA
It had been more than two weeks since I’d left Austin and followed the tour to its next stop in Miami.
At first, I enjoyed the excitement of going somewhere different and being part of something unique. However, it wasn’t long before I began to realize that the day- to-day things that went on with the team rarely required my involvement.
I wasn’t discouraged from visiting with the team while they were testing and working on the cars, getting ready for qualifying and later, race day. But after spending some time around them the first week we arrived, I felt more like I was in the way than anything else.
To make matters worse, I missed Simon.
Even though I believed I’d prepared myself to be away from him, the truth was I hadn’t. I called home every day to talk to him. Still, I felt worse and worse about what I’d done. Not only leaving him, but dumping the responsibility for taking care of him on my best friend. During one particular call from my hotel room, I asked him to put Jillian on the phone.
“Hey,” she said, taking the phone from Simon. “How’s everything going? Are you having a great time in Miami? What’s it like?”
I scoffed. “No, far from it.”
“Oh no, has something happened? What did Dyson do?”
I exhaled and laid down on top of my bed. “He didn’t do anything.”
“Okay, if you’re not upset with him, what’s wrong?”
I felt ashamed to admit what was really on my mind. I hesitated. Jillian stepped in, filling the silence once again.
“Whatever it is, Ava, you can tell me.”
I swallowed hard, exhaling while I confessed. “I-I think I’m homesick.”
Jillian giggled at me for a few seconds.
“Uh, why are you laughing?” I groaned. “It’s not funny.”
She quieted down. “I’m sorry, honey. I didn’t mean to. It’s just that you telling me you’re homesick was the last thing I expected to hear from you. You’ve always wanted to travel and see the world. It just seemed funny to me.”
“I do. But, they don’t need me here. I mean, yeah, every once in a while I have to go to the track during testing, but otherwise I’m all by myself.”
Jillian listened to me in silence for a moment.
“What can I do to help you feel better, Ava?”
I felt so pathetic. With the phone pressed against my ear, I rolled my head to one side and exhaled.
“Nothing… I’ll be fine. I just… I miss you both so much.”
“Awww,” Jillian began, clearly choking back some emotion in her voice. “Don’t do that. I’m going to get upset.”
Just hearing her say those words triggered me as well. I sensed a sudden rush of heat come to my eyes but before the tears could start to flow, I sat up. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have even brought this up.”
Jillian sniffled and after a hard swallow, she said, “Don’t. I know how important all of this is to you and Simon.”
I swiped at my eyes with the back of my palm. “Everything is going to be fine. I’ll be okay.”
“I should be the one telling you that! I don’t mean to be such a hot mess over here.”
Just then, I stood from the mattress and began to walk around my hotel room, eventually making my way towards its only window.
“Ava, are you still there?”
I couldn’t even see the ocean from the window.
“Mmm hmm,” I began, glancing up towards the puffy white clouds overhead. “I think I’m going to take a drive down to the beach. Believe it or not I still haven’t been there.”
“That sounds like a good idea to me.” Jillian said. “And you know you can call anytime, right? I promise I don’t mind.”
“Yeah, I know,” I began. “But I’ve got to get out of this funk I’m in. I’ve still got a couple of months ahead of me, and at the rate I’m going, I’m never going to make it.”
Jillian exhaled a sympathetic breath. “You’ll be fine, Ava. If anybody can handle this, it’s you.”
I thanked her, and then a few seconds later we said our goodbyes and hung up. Soon after, I grabbed my purse and headed out of the hotel to get in my car and drive to the beach.
It was midafternoon by the time I reached the lobby. Walking across it, I happened to glance in the direction of the bar. Dyson and Marco were in there with a few of their mechanics and the team manager, Darren.
From the looks of things, they were kicking back and having a good time together. I stood there for a few seconds looking at them and wishing I could join in on the fun. But it was clear that my role on the team meant I didn’t get included in such things.
Repositioning the strap of my purse across my shoulder, I turned to continue out of the hotel. But just as I did, Dyson looked straight at me. He nodded and smiled. It was the first time I’d seen him away from the track since we arrived in Miami.
I didn’t return his gesture, but instead continued to walk away.
DYSON
With qualifying fast approaching, I’d been putting all my effort into race prep. After finishing second in Austin, I liked my chances. Gunter was running well, but I loved the layout of the course and figured if we could get the setup right on the car, I had a great chance to win.
Things were mostly business as usual, the only difference now being Ava’s presence. We’d only spoken a couple of times since arriving in Miami, but I didn’t see it as unusual. The days leading up to qualifying were always pretty damn busy. As much as I tried to be friendly with her, she seemed distant. I wouldn’t say she was pissed at me, but something was different about her. In fact, when I’d seen her the day before in the hotel lobby, she seemed cold as ice.
Anyway, we were at the track the next afternoon when I’d just come out of the garage headed to one of the team trailers. Emerging into the bright sunlight, I hooded my eyes with my hand and spotted a familiar figure walking in the opposite direction.
“Ava!” I called out.
She stopped and looked at me. Taking that as my cue, I walked over towards her. She looked sexy as hell standing there. The sun’s rays reflected in her long, dark red hair, causing it
to shine. She wore a tight T-shirt and a pair of jeans that hugged her feminine curves like the tires on my car did in a tight turn. Even though she still eluded me until now, I had no intention of letting that continue. I slid my tongue across my lips as I approached.
“What’s up?” I said.
She shook her head as I neared.
“Oh nothing,” she said, patting her hand against a manila folder tucked under her arm. “I just have to get some signatures from Darren.”
“Okay,” I replied, tilting my chin up at her. “I, um, haven’t seen you around. What have you been up to?”
She shrugged. “I’m just trying to do my job and stay out of the way as much as possible.”
Before I could say anything, she continued. “What about you? How’s everything going with the car? Are you going to be ready?”
I nodded and slid my fingers through my hair. “Yeah, we should be good to go. Gunter needs to watch his ass this time.”
Just then, a trace of a smile came to the edge of Ava’s mouth.
“Ahhh,” I began, winking at her. “So you do remember how to do that?”
“What are you talking about? Do what?”
I pointed at her. “Smile. Every time I see you around here now you look like you’re not having much fun, depressed even.”
Ava looked away from me. “It’s not intentional. I’ve just had a hard time adjusting. That’s all.”
“I understand.” I said. “It’s a lot to take in all at once. You only got to see the tail end of things in Austin. I suppose from your point of view it hasn’t been real exciting here in Miami yet, has it?”
She shook her head. “Not really, no.”
I leaned against a nearby retaining wall. “Have you had a chance to get out? See the sights? Go to the beach?”
“Yes,” she began. “I finally made it to the beach yesterday. I wish I’d gone sooner. It was just what I needed.”
While I listened to her, something still didn’t seem right.
“Hey,” I said, snapping my fingers. “Why don’t we go out and grab a bite to eat later? We haven’t hung out for a while. It will give us a chance to catch up.”
“I really don’t think that’s a good idea, Dyson. Thank you, though.”