by Storm, Sloan
Exhaling, I sat down on the corner of my bed. Jillian appeared in my doorway, leaning against the frame. I looked up at her, shaking my head for a moment before I returned my attention to the call.
“Why are you calling me, Marco? I’m not with the team anymore. I mean, I like you, and I don’t want to be rude. But what do you want?”
Marco spent the next few minutes explaining to me how he’d talked to Gunter after the fight they had with him at the bar. He’d managed to talk some sense into Dyson’s rival, but now everyone needed my help.
“Marco,” I began, dropping my head into the palm of my hand. “You aren’t making any sense. Dyson told me that he’s done with racing. Even if he wasn’t, there is nothing I can do. If you’ll recall, Gunter is the one who got Dyson suspended in the first place for accusing him of fighting.”
“Yes, I know that,” he replied. “But Gunter can only do so much in the situation. The only one that can get Dyson back on the race track is you, Ava.”
I stood from the bed and immediately began to pace.
“Give me one good reason why I should do that, Marco. Go ahead, just one. I’d like to hear it. Dyson is determined to never race Formula One again. I’ll say it one more time. The person you need to get involved before even talking to me is Gunter. Without him, the suspension doesn’t get lifted, no matter what I say.”
Marco fell silent for a moment. “So, if Gunter agrees to help, will you talk to Dyson?”
I stopped in place, dropping my head backward in frustration.
“Jesus, Marco, I don’t know anymore.”
“Ava, please!” Marco exclaimed. “This is important. If Gunter is willing to help, will you?”
I exhaled, knowing full well that the chances of getting Dyson’s rival to agree to help him were right around zero.
“Okay,” I said, dropping my hand and slapping it against the outside of my thigh in frustration. “Sure, if you can somehow pull off that miracle, I’ll do it.”
Even as I said the words, I closed my eyes and cursed myself.
Why should I agreed to help Dyson? What was I doing? After the way he treated me? Jillian was right—he didn’t deserve anything from me except my anger.
In fact, the longer I thought about it, the less I wanted to do it. Almost before I’d agreed, I cleared my throat and decided against it.
“Marco, wait,” I began. “I’ve changed my mind. I don’t care if Gunter helps or not. I’m not interested.”
“That’s a shame.” A new voice replied.
“Gunter?”
AVA
“Hello, Ava.”
“Hang on a second,” I began, covering the receiver and looking at Jillian. “I’ll be done in just a minute. Can you close the door? I just need some privacy.”
Jillian eased herself away from the door frame. “Sure. If you need me for anything, just let me know.”
With that, I nodded and Jillian left my room, closing the door behind her. Afterward, I moved my hand away from the receiver and turned my attention back to the phone call.
“What do you want, Gunter?”
Gunter cleared his throat. “Obviously you’ve heard the news about what happened to Dyson.”
“Yes, of course. Is that what you want to talk about? His crash? Because if it is, I don’t know anything about it. If you really want to know what happened, you’ll need to…”
He interrupted me. “Ava, I’m not trying to get information from you about the crash. I just wanted to know if you were okay.”
I frowned, glancing at the phone for a moment in confusion before returning it to my ear.
“Gunter, I really don’t have time for this. I’m exhausted, and if you don’t get to the point, I’m going to hang up.”
“Okay, okay,” he began. “I’ll keep it short. Formula One needs Dyson. The races are better when he’s involved. I’m better when he’s involved.”
I walked over to the only window in my room. Looking out over the parking lot in our apartment complex, I replied, “Well, you should’ve thought about that before you got him suspended.”
“No,” Gunter said. “The suspension was needed. Dyson had to be taught a lesson, for his own good. But now, it’s clear to me that not only does the sport need him, but if he doesn’t have the sport, the consequences could be deadly.”
I placed one hand on my hip. Chewing my lip, I considered how to reply.
“Why are you telling me all of this, Gunter? Dyson and I aren’t speaking, and at this point, that’s fine with me.”
“I’m telling you all of this because you’re the only one that can help.”
I looked up towards the ceiling, closing my eyes and shaking my head.
“Why does everyone keep saying that? He doesn’t listen to me. I’ve tried everything I can to get through to him, but it doesn’t matter. He doesn’t want to drive Formula One anymore, Gunter. There’s nothing that you or I or anyone can do about it.”
“I disagree, Ava.” he replied. “Everyone knows what is going on between you. I know you may not believe it, but you are the only one who can talk him into coming back.”
I let out a deep exhale. I didn’t know what else to say to him. None of this made any sense to me.
“Even if you are right, Gunter, Dyson is still suspended. And now, after this latest crash on his motorcycle, I don’t see that changing.”
“That’s the news I was just about to tell you.”
I turned away from the window and started to walk to the other side of my room.
“What news? What are you talking about now, Gunter?”
“I’ve already talked to Dieter. I’ve withdrawn my complaint against Dyson. If you are able to convince him to come back, they will allow him to race. The simple truth is that the team needs him.”
I stopped in place, shaking my head, more confused about things than ever.
“I don’t know what you want me to say, Gunter.”
Gunter remained quiet for a moment. “Just say that you are going to talk to him. Just say that you are going to try.”
“I can’t promise anything. I need time to clear my head. Not that it’s any of your business, but Dyson really hurt me.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, Ava. We haven’t spoken much, but you strike me as a goodhearted person, not to mention beautiful. Dyson can be an asshole, but I don’t think he is a bad person. If I did, I wouldn’t be going to these lengths.”
I sighed. “Gunter, I-I’ve got to go.”
With that, he thanked me for my time and wished me luck if I talked to Dyson again. After I hung up, I stood there for a moment. I really didn’t know what to do. The only person I could rely on right now was Jillian. I exited my bedroom and walked into Jillian’s a few seconds later, closing the door behind me.
“I really need to talk. Do you have a few minutes?”
Sitting at her desk, she turned and looked at me. “Of course. What was that call about?”
Over the next couple of minutes, I told her what Gunter had asked me to do. I explained that he’d managed to get Dyson’s suspension lifted. The only thing that remained now was to convince Dyson to return to Formula One.
After I finished speaking, Jillian looked at me in silence for a few moments. “Well, I’ve already told you how I feel, what I think. I don’t like the way Dyson has been treating you, Ava. Just because he’s upset with racing, it doesn’t give him the right to treat you the way he has. Don’t you see where I’m coming from?”
I nodded. “I do, yes. I’ve told myself the same thing. Believe me. But until he had his first crash, things were good between us—great. In my heart, I think he’s just hurting.”
Jillian waved me off. “Ava, sweetie, you can tell yourself whatever you want to justify it. I understand you want to help him. It also says something about what a good person you are that Dyson’s main rival called you to help him.”
By now, I’d sat down at the foot of Jillian’s bed. She stood from her chair
and walked over towards me.
“And I guess that I have to take your word about how he’s been behaving since he wrecked. The thing that bothers me is how he’s taken out his emotions on you.”
I looked up at her. “I know. It bothers me too. So much so that I almost told Gunter that I didn’t want to help anymore.”
“Mmm hmm,” she began, staring down at me. “Does that mean that you decided to help after all?”
I shrugged, dropping my hands in my lap and looking down at them. “I still don’t know. I have to decide soon though. Time is running out before the next race in New York.”
AVA
I spent the next day or two disconnected from everything related to Formula One. I hadn’t made any promises to anyone, and the more I thought about Jillian’s point of view, the more I began to feel like she was right.
I had enough to deal with in my own life. Now that Simon’s school situation looked to be set in stone, I had to do what I could to get him in the best public school possible.
In addition, I went in and spoke to Dr. Wilcox about getting my old position back. He’d hired some temporary help and was still under contract with them.
Originally, he hadn’t planned on my return until after the conclusion of the race in New York. He offered to break the contract and bring me back early, but to do so would’ve been very expensive for him. I didn’t feel right about it. I’d manage to get by until then, so I told him not to worry.
The downside to having this unexpected bit of free time on my hands was that I found it difficult to put Dyson out of my thoughts for long.
Making matters worse, Marco called and messaged me multiple times a day. The team was already in New York, testing and getting the cars ready for the final race.
It was about midmorning when I left home, heading out to run a couple of errands before picking Simon up at school later that day. Exiting my apartment, I walked in the direction of my car, squinting and fumbling around in my purse looking for my sunglasses.
“Oh,” I groaned, looking down inside my bag. “Come on, where the hell are they?”
I stopped in place, searching for another second or so, until at last, I found them. I pulled them out, looked both ways and then took a single step towards my car before freezing in my tracks.
Less than twenty feet away, leaning against the side of my vehicle, stood Dyson. Even from a distance, he looked like hell. Bruises and cuts covered his arms and face.
We stood there in silence, just looking at one another. I felt torn between wanting to hug him, thrilled to see him alive, and wanting to kick him in the balls for treating me like he did the last time we were together. After another moment or so, I swallowed hard, whipped my purse strap across my shoulder and marched in his direction.
He eased himself away from the side of my car, wincing at the same time. At that point, I really wasn’t interested in hearing about his pain or injuries, only telling him what was on my mind, once and for all.
“What are you doing here, Dyson?” I began, pointing my index finger in his direction. “Do you have any idea, any, how mad I am with you? Because if you don’t, you need to. You owe me an apology, and it better be a damn good one, or otherwise you can just get the hell out of here. Do I make myself clear?”
Dyson never took his eyes off me. He slid his hands into the front pockets of his jeans.
“You’re right, Ava,” he began, shaking his head and looking down at the ground. He kicked at a piece of loose gravel on the pavement. “Everything you said, you’re right. I was a piece of shit. I didn’t mean what I said. I’ve missed you, and I was a fucking idiot. I don’t expect you to accept that from me, but it’s true.”
He paused for a moment, looking up at me once again.
“But I did mean what I said about racing. I’m done with Formula One for good.”
I’d crossed my arms at my chest while I listened to him.
“Are you finished, Dyson?”
He nodded. “Yeah.”
Without hesitating, I uncrossed my arms and slapped him as hard as I could, once on each cheek. Stunned, Dyson reached up and touched the side of his face.
“Okay,” he said, nodding. “I deserved that and…”
“Shut up, Dyson,” I replied, cutting him off mid-sentence. “Just shut up and listen to me.”
He raised his hands in front of his body in a gesture of mock surrender.
“I slapped you twice for a reason. The first one is for treating me like you did, and the second one is for giving up on yourself.”
He slid his hands back in his pockets once more. I continued.
“You know how I feel about you. I’ve made that clear. Do you want to be with me? Just tell me right now. I don’t have time for any more games.”
He nodded at me. “Yeah, of course I do.”
Once he’d finished, I took another step towards him, poking him in the chest.
“Okay then,” I began, licking my lips for an instant. “You need to get back on that racetrack. Because I’ll tell you right now, the last thing I’m going to do is come and pick your body up from the morgue because you pull another ridiculous stunt like that motorcycle crash the other day.”
I paused for a fraction of a second. Dyson tried to say something, but I put my hand up in front of his face.
“I’m not finished.” I began, increasing the volume of my voice. “This is how it’s going to be. You either go back to racing, or don’t bother coming back here for me because I’m not interested.”
Done with what I wanted to say, I stepped back and crossed my arms, feeling liberated. Dyson just stood there, his mouth hanging open a fraction, with a look of disbelief on his face.
“Well, don’t you have anything you want to say to me?” I asked.
“No,” he began, reaching up towards his mouth and sliding the back of his palm across his lips. The muscles in his forearm and bicep flexed.
“But there is something I want to do.”
Just then, he reached for me, thrusting his hands around the back of my head, sliding his fingers into my hair. Dyson curled his fingers under and pulled my mouth towards his, crushing our lips together. I resisted at first, caught off guard by his sudden movement. But soon, my hesitation melted away in the heat of his embrace.
Dyson inhaled, groaning as he thrust his tongue inside of my mouth. I consumed him, overcome with the need to be with him again. For what seemed like several minutes, we continued to embrace under the warmth of the late morning sun. I’d almost slipped away entirely under his spell, were it not for a familiar voice calling out from across the parking lot.
“Get a room!”
We separated from each other and I snapped my head in the direction of the voice. Jillian had just come home and was walking towards the apartment. She gave us a casual wave and a smile and then continued inside. If she was displeased, I’d hear about it later. For now though, I laughed a little and turned to look at Dyson.
His full lips, still wet from our kiss, curled upwards in a wry smile.
“Well, at least that wasn’t embarrassing,” he said, winking at me.
I shook my head and smiled in return.
“So,” he began. “Am I forgiven?”
I shrugged. “That all depends on you. Are you going to race again?”
He glanced at me for a moment before reaching up and running his hand through his hair. “I wish it was that simple, Ava. I’m still suspended, remember?”
“So you never heard from Marco or Dieter?”
Dyson shook his head. “I, um, broke my phone before I wrecked. I told my family I didn’t want to talk to anyone right now, so I haven’t been answering calls coming to the house. Is there something I need to know?”
I told him about the conversation I’d had with Gunter. It probably goes without saying that Dyson was shocked by the turn of events. If he was ready, nothing stood between him and getting back in the car. The suspension was lifted and he was free to return to
the team.
“Wow,” he said, leaning against my car once more. “So they came to you to try and convince me to come back?”
I nodded. “Yes.”
“Hmm, well, I gotta say I’m more than a little surprised.”
“So does that mean that you’re going to race?”
Without speaking, Dyson raised his hand and motioned for me to approach with his index finger. I narrowed my eyes at him for a moment.
“Come on,” he said. “Come here.”
I stepped towards him, stopping between his feet. “I’m here.”
He reached for my hands, wrapping his fingers around mine. “I’ll go back out there on one condition.”
I leaned away from him a bit, arching an eyebrow. “What’s that?”
“That you go with me. I won’t do it without you.”
DYSON
When I rejoined the team in New York, the first thing I did was sit down with Dieter, Darren and Marco. Things weren’t ever going to be perfect between us, but we still had a shot to take the championship from Gunter.
More than anything, I wanted to put aside our differences for the time being. After the season ended, there’d be plenty of time to talk. The thing about winning though, it cuts through a lot of the bullshit. And now that I was back, winning was the only thing on my mind.
I won’t lie. The first couple of runs on the track weren’t my best. Soon however, the feel started to come back and it wasn’t long before I was running about as well as I ever had. My speed didn’t go unnoticed, and between runs one day, Gunter approached me in the pits.
“Dyson.”
I looked at him, raising my eyebrows. “Gunter?”
If there was one thing you could be certain of where Gunter was concerned, it’s that he loved trying to get under the skin of other drivers. I always thought those kinds of tactics were unnecessary.
My driving spoke for itself.
I guess it was just another one of those things that ticked me off about the guy. I still didn’t like him. But, after Ava told me what he did and I figured he’d approach me sooner or later. I guess today was sooner.
“Walk with me for a few minutes?” he asked, gesturing away from pit row with his chin.