by Storm, Sloan
“Yes… and no,” she began. “Listen, Ava, I really liked you when we met. But this is business, and Dyson got suspended from the team you work for.”
Liked me? As in past tense?
“Mary, I don’t know what Dyson told you, but I had nothing to do with his suspension. It was my recommendation for him to come out of the race when he was suffering from dizziness. But the reason he got kicked off the team was…”
Mary interrupted me. “Dyson is my son, Ava. I know he’s not perfect but I love him and he’s hurting right now. All he’s ever wanted to do is drive. Without that, he’s lost.”
I swallowed hard, wondering if she’d hear me out much longer. “I understand, Mary. I want to help if I can, but I need to talk to him.”
“No, no, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Mary, please.”
Dyson’s mother fell silent for several seconds. Cars passing me on either side on the freeway were the only sounds I was aware of while I waited for her to say something, anything.
She exhaled. “Why do you care so much, Ava? Other than Marco, you’re the only person from the team that’s phoned. All of his so-called friends… When everything turned against him, where did everyone go? He’s angry and hurting. Can’t you understand that?”
As soon as she uttered those words, I realized I’d been ignoring the truth for a long time now. It may have been foolish, emotional, and above all else, a really bad idea, but I had deep feelings for Dyson.
It tore me apart to think of him in so much pain. The thought of everyone turning their backs on him angered me. But, at the same time, I didn’t feel comfortable telling Mary something I hadn’t even told Dyson.
“Mary, I don’t know what you want me to say,” I paused, searching for any words that might help to convince her, but none came.
“Okay, Ava,” she said. “I’m going to go.”
“No, Mary! Please wait…”
I heard the sound of her breathing on the other end of the line. She hadn’t hung up. I swallowed hard, not believing what I was about to say.
“I’m,” I began, clearing my throat. “In love with him. I love your son, Mary.”
Once again, she exhaled deeply into the receiver. “Ava, I already knew that. I knew that from the moment I met you. I need to know if it’s strong enough to get Dyson through this. Are you strong enough?”
Her revelation shocked me. If it was that obvious to her, it must have been to everyone else, Dyson included.
I shook my head.
“Honestly, Mary, I don’t know if I’m strong enough for anyone, anymore. But I do know I’m telling you the truth.”
“Okay,” she said, pausing for a moment. “If that’s true, you need to come here - to Pomona. If Dyson finds out that I’ve been talking to you, he’ll take off. This is the only way. Can you come?”
“I can try.” I began, hurrying to explain. “It’s just that my nephew, his school, my job, everything is terrible right now and…”
“No, Ava. That’s not good enough. I need to know. Can you come?”
After a deep exhale, I stared into the distance, into the deep orange glow of the setting sun, towards the West.
Towards Dyson.
“Yes,” I said, at last. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
AVA
Even though I hated having to put off my conversation with Simon, I knew how upset he would be. The last thing I wanted to do was leave home right after telling him. Instead, I decided to wait until I returned from Pomona. I didn’t like keeping secrets from people, least of all him, but I felt as if I had no choice.
Late the next afternoon, I arrived in California, and after picking up a rental car, I drove to Dyson’s childhood home. His mother asked me to park down the street and walk up to the house, in case Dyson happened to see.
Walking along a sidewalk that led to their home, I noticed the front door open. Mary and Dyson’s brother, Chance, exited and walked towards me. We met about halfway up the walk to their house. We hugged and exchanged greetings briefly before Mary began to speak.
“I’m so glad you could come, Ava. I know that I was short with you on the phone. I didn’t mean to be.”
I shook my head. “It’s fine. I understand. I’m not upset at all, and I’m happy to be here.”
Chance stood there with his arms crossed. “I don’t know if I’d go saying that just yet. He’s in a pretty foul mood.”
I looked up at him. “What do you mean?”
Mary also glanced in her son’s direction for turning back towards me. “You’ll see soon enough.”
I nodded and looked towards the driveway. It appeared to circle around the back of the house.
“Where’s Dyson now?”
Chance nodded and gestured with his thumb behind him. “He’s in the garage, working on one of our motorcycles.”
“Okay,” I began, smoothing out the lines of my clothes for a moment. “Can I… Should I go back there now?”
Mary and Chance looked at one another.
“Well, that’s why you’re here, right?” Chance said, winking at me, looking every bit like Dyson in that instant.
Straightening my posture, I nodded, “Yes. Well… wish me luck.”
The two of them stepped aside, and I began to walk away.
“Hey, Ava.” Chance called out.
I did half-turn over my shoulder and looked at him. “Yeah?”
“If you need me, I’ll be right inside the house.”
I frowned. “I’m not so sure I like the sound of that.”
He waved me off. “I’m sure he’ll be fine. It’s just that he can be a hothead sometimes. That’s all.”
Before I turned to walk away, I replied, “Yes I’m well aware of that. Thanks Chance.”
“Don’t mention it.”
Less than a minute later, I made my way around the back of the house. Their home sat at the end of a cul-de-sac and backed up to a large open area. Standing there, I imagined brothers Dyson and Chance riding motorcycles and getting into who knows what kind of trouble out in those wide spaces. Suddenly, a banging noise from inside the garage brought me back into awareness.
I ran my fingers through my hair and tried to prepare myself for whatever might happen. My steps came slowly at first, but I reminded myself of what had to be done. Before long, I began to march in the direction of the garage.
As I circled around the rear of it, the inside came into view. Everywhere I looked, there were parts to bikes, motorcycles, cars. Almost anything that you could ride or drive looked to be there. In the background, loud music thumped. And then, right in the middle of all of it, I saw Dyson. I entered, staring at him.
Wearing only a pair of beat up old jeans, Dyson hovered over a motorcycle chassis. Tugging at the end of a long wrench, he flexed his bicep with each crank. His muscles glimmered with a sheen of grease, sweat and effort. While I watched him, I remembered the feel of his powerful hands on my body. Amid all the craziness, I’d buried the need he’d awoken within me. I felt the most inopportune sensation between my thighs.
Focus, Ava. Focus.
Just then, Dyson lifted his head and looked right at me. Reaching around his backside, he produced a rag and swiped it across his forehead. I stood there, looking at him, without saying a word.
He began to walk in my direction, wiping his hands with the same rag. Just before he reached me, Dyson picked up the remote control to the stereo and turned it down.
“What are you doing here, Ava?”
Every cell in my body yearned to reach out and consume him. Overcome with lust, I barely managed a response.
“I, um, I came here because…” I began, trying to keep my mind clear.
Dyson sensed my discomfort. He took the opportunity to lean against the doorway of the garage. “Because…?”
I summoned the last bit of determination I had. “I came here for you. I came here because I believe in you, and I want you to race again. I want you
back out there doing what you love.”
He nodded and tucked the rag in the front pocket of his jeans.
“Okay,” he began, crossing his arms at his chest. “That sounds good. Now how about you tell me why you’re really here? If someone from the team sent you, I’m not interested.”
Whatever attraction I felt dissipated after his comment. In its place, the frustration I’d experienced with him in recent days returned.
“Why do you say things like that to me? I’m being honest with you. No one sent me.”
Dyson looked at me for a second and nodded.
“You’re right, Ava. I shouldn’t have said that.”
After he finished speaking, Dyson shoved himself away from the wall and turned his back on me, walking in the direction of his motorcycle. For a second or two, I watched him before speaking.
“So what? So that’s it? You’re just going to quit? Just like that?”
Without turning to face me, he replied, “Yep. Just like that.”
When he finished speaking, he reached for his wrench and resumed work on the motorcycle. Biting my lip, I marched towards him, moving as quickly as my legs would carry me. I walked around the other side of the motorcycle and stopped, snapping my hands to my hips and scowling down at him.
Sensing my presence, Dyson stopped mid-twist and looked up at me.
“What?”
“What do you mean ‘what’?” I began, glaring at him. “You are second in the points race behind Gunter. You have a chance to become the Formula One champion. Doesn’t that mean anything? What the hell has happened to you? Why are you… ”
Dyson slammed the wrench on the ground. It sparked on impact. “Just shut up, Ava! Shut the hell up right now! Don’t talk to me about what’s at stake! Fuck!”
I recoiled from him. I happened to glance up for a fraction of a second and see Chance standing in the entrance of the garage. Dyson hadn’t noticed. I shook my head, and he stepped out of view. Eventually, Dyson’s rage began to dissipate. Leaning against the chassis, he looked at me.
“It’s not what you think it is, Ava. All I ever wanted to do, my entire life, was to be the fastest man out there.”
He paused, looking away from me. Shaking his head, Dyson reached down and grabbed hold of the throttle on the motorcycle before he continued.
“I love the cars. I love being part of the team. I love winning. But, the sport isn’t about speed. It’s about weak men controlling what men with ability can do.”
He glanced at me. I returned his stare but didn’t speak, content to listen instead.
“They’re all too petrified of the consequences that come with pushing the envelope. They don’t care about racing, they care about the next race, the sponsors, and the money. It’s just not my world anymore, Ava. I’m done, and you’re wasting your time.”
AVA
I stood there listening to him, trying to understand.
But he was someone who had nothing to lose and everything to gain. I didn’t. I never had. All he had to do was get out there and do what he did best. At least he didn’t have to rely on anyone else. In spite of everything I tried, I’d failed.
Glaring at him, I decided I’d had enough of his self-pity.
I closed the distance between us right around the time he picked up the wrench again. He turned, I’m sure to begin working on the motorcycle once more. But before he could take a single step, I snatched the wrench from his grasp and threw it aside.
“You’re going to listen to what I have to say, Dyson.”
He scoffed. “Or what?”
Without thinking, the response came to my lips, somewhere from deep inside. “Or you’ll never see me again! Okay? You asshole!”
Dyson nodded and leaned against the motorcycle chassis.
Taking that as my cue, I began, “You’ve been sabotaging yourself.”
He frowned and looked at me like I was insane.
“You know how I know? Once you were close enough in the points race to beat Gunter, you started redlining it in practice and qualifying. Didn’t you? If they kick you off the team, then you have a built-in excuse for why you keep losing to him.”
No sooner had the words tumbled from my lips than Dyson stood upright, nearly launching himself from his lean against the bike.
“You don’t know what the hell you’re talking about, Ava! You have no idea what it’s like to live life on the edge.”
I stepped towards him, reaching up and poking my finger in the center of his chest.
“Oh, oh…Oh, I have no idea what it’s like to live life on the edge? Is that what you just said to me? I want to be real clear about the fact that that’s what you just said to me.”
I paused, glaring at him for emphasis before continuing.
“I’ve lost everything in life, Dyson. You still have a family - a mother, a father, a sister, and brother who all love you.”
The thoughts and words came to me quickly, but almost as fast came the emotion behind it. I felt the sickening swell of sadness build in my throat. But, I was determined to see it through.
“I don’t have anything. The only thing I have is Simon. My family? They’re all gone, killed or dead, and as far as my job with the team goes? Well, here’s a newsflash for you, I lost that as well. So don’t talk to me about living life on the edge, I know exactly what that’s like, you selfish prick.”
I finished speaking, crossed my arms at my chest and took several steps away from him. Fighting back the onslaught of tears, I did my best to stay calm. The garage was completely silent for a few seconds. At last, I heard Dyson get to his feet and begin to walk in my direction. I could sense his presence behind me, but I didn’t turn around to look at him.
“Ava,” he said, pausing and touching my lower back with his fingertips. “I didn’t mean…”
I pulled away from Dyson, spinning around and glaring in his direction.
“Don’t touch me.”
Dyson lifted both of his hands in mock surrender. “Don’t worry, I won’t.”
Biting my lip, I shook my head but didn’t speak.
“So now what?” he asked. “Look, I feel bad for you, okay? You haven’t deserved the way I’ve been acting. But this has nothing to do with you.”
I raised my hand, signaling for him to stop.
“First of all, I don’t want your pity, Dyson. That’s not why I’m here.”
He shook his head, “That’s not what I…”
“No!” I exclaimed. “Let me finish.”
“I took the job with the team for one reason and one reason only—Simon. You know that. You, more than anyone.”
Dyson looked at me and nodded.
“I never had any intention of…” I stopped myself, turning away from him. I’d come so close to telling him I had to cover my mouth with my hand.
“Any intention of what? Ava, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
I swallowed hard, closed my eyes and turned around to face him.
“It doesn’t matter, Dyson. The only thing that matters is that you do what you were born to do. Get out there and win.”
Dyson moved a couple of feet away and leaned against the chassis of the motorcycle one last time. “It’s time for you to go, Ava. There’s nothing for us to discuss.”
I clenched my jaw, gritting my teeth as hard as possible.
“You’re unbelievable, Dyson.” I turned and started to walk away, throwing an unconscious thought behind me. “I don’t know how I could have ever thought I was in love with you.”
I only managed to take a couple of more steps.
“What the hell did you just say, Ava?”
I continued looking down, quickening my pace.
“Ava!” Dyson yelled. “Stop!”
I froze in place. From behind, I heard Dyson make his way across the garage towards me. I turned and our eyes met. Dyson closed the distance between us until he stood less than a foot away.
Wordless, he reached up towards my
cheek.
When he touched it, I closed my eyes and turned my face in the direction of his caress. The feel of his skin against mine sent a shock through my body. I was powerless to resist the urge it stirred within me. After a moment or two, I opened my eyes once again to see him looking straight into them.
“Dyson, I shouldn’t have…”
Before I could get the words out of my mouth, Dyson crashed his lips into mine. The force of the impact sent my momentum backwards and before I realized it he’d pinned me against the wall.
For several seconds we kissed, his tongue exploring.
I moaned, wrapping my hands around his sweaty, chiseled torso. Soon, I lost all will to do anything but be with him. The intensity of our kissing increased with each second that passed. At last, he broke free from me and dragged his hand across his mouth, wiping away the remnants of our affection.
“You’re better off without me, Ava,” he began, taking a couple of steps back. “You should go.”
I stood there, my mouth hanging open. Dyson turned and began to walk away from me. Disbelief turned to disgust.
“Never contact me again.” I snapped. “Never again.”
Without turning back to face me, Dyson bent over and picked up the same wrench he’d been using a few minutes earlier.
“Don’t worry.”
My mouth filled with a sickening taste, like I might be ill. I turned, tears flowing beyond my ability to stop them. I ran out of the garage. While I crossed the property, Chance emerged from the back of the house.
“Ava!” he called out.
I never stopped.
“Ava!”
DYSON
Ava had been gone for a few hours. Hell, it could’ve been ten for all I knew.
I’d finished working on my bike. I walked over to my tool cabinet and grabbed what remained of my vodka. Tilting the bottle up to my mouth, I hammered the last few swigs back. After wiping my mouth with my rag, I walked back over to my bike and got on.
Before I could fire it up, a voice caught my attention.
“What are you doing, bro?”
I turned and looked at Chance. He stood there with my mom, the both of them scowling at me.
“What’s it look like? I’m going for a ride.”