by Tara Wentz
Joshlyn watched the interaction between the two before stepping forward.
“I can take you home, Kellen. I rode with Ami so I could drive your car, and I’m sure Ami wouldn’t mind picking me up later.”
Kellen’s heart raced at the thought of spending some alone time with Joshlyn.
“All…” Kellen cleared her throat. “All right, if you’re sure you don’t mind.”
Joshlyn glanced at Ami with a raised eyebrow. Seeing her nod, she said, “It’s no problem at all.”
Kellen tipped her head in acknowledgement.
Ami moved closer and placed a hand on Joshlyn’s arm. “You sure you’re okay with this?”
Joshlyn glanced at Kellen and then back to Ami. “I’m sure. We’ll be fine.”
Ami studied her for a moment before nodding. “All right, call me later and I’ll get directions to pick you up.”
“Will do.”
By this time, the crowd had dispersed and gone about their business. Joshlyn and Kellen made their way over to where Kellen’s things were sitting. Joshlyn grabbed them, turned and waved goodbye to Emerson and Ami, and led Kellen to the parking lot.
“Where are you parked?”
“Just up ahead here. You sure you don’t mind?”
Joshlyn kept pace with Kellen and smiled. “I’m sure. Why? Are you having second thoughts about me driving your car?”
“No. Not at all,” Kellen rushed to assure her.
“Ahuh, give me the keys, Sport.”
Kellen grumbled good-naturedly, but handed the keys to her. “I’m right here.”
Joshlyn eyed the sparkling, metallic blue Endeavor appreciatively. “Oh, nice.” She unlocked the passenger door and waited while Kellen got in safely before going around to the driver’s side.
Joshlyn adjusted the seat and pulled the seat belt across her to buckle it. Out of her peripheral vision, she could see that Kellen was looking in her direction. She glanced up, catching the heat in Kellen’s gaze.
Kellen couldn’t help but notice the assuredness with which Joshlyn performed each task as she prepared to drive them home. It was so different from the somewhat timid Joshlyn that Kellen had observed so far. She watched long, slender fingers as they moved about, adjusting everything. Kellen could smell the clean fragrance of Joshlyn’s cologne as she leaned her direction to buckle her seat belt. The close proximity of Joshlyn lit a fire inside Kellen’s body. Warm brown eyes captured her own a moment too soon. Kellen looked away and fastened her own seat belt.
Joshlyn cleared her throat. “So, which way?”
Kellen gave her brief instructions and she put the vehicle in gear to pull out of the parking lot. Kellen’s presence was distracting, making it very difficult for her to focus. She could feel Kellen’s eyes on her, making her mind buzz with curiosity. What is she looking at? What is she thinking? Say something, Joshlyn!
“What do you do when you’re not racing cars?” Joshlyn asked, without taking her eyes off the road.
Kellen was resting back against the headrest, but had her head rolled in Joshlyn’s direction. “I run a business out of my home.”
The low drawl that Kellen spoke with awoke an ache in Joshlyn that she thought was long gone. She took a deep breath and caught the scent of sweat and soap.
“What type of business is it?”
“Mostly graphic and software design, but a little bit of IT stuff as it pertains to my software programs.”
“That sounds interesting. Does it keep you busy?”
“I like it and yeah, it has been busier as of late.”
“That’s always a good thing,” Joshlyn said, glancing at her briefly and smiling before turning her eyes back to the road.
Kellen smiled in return, knowing that Joshlyn couldn’t see it, but not really caring. She couldn’t seem to take her eyes off of Joshlyn. When they first got into the vehicle, Kellen noticed a sheen of moisture along Joshlyn’s hairline. The longer they drove the more it faded as the air conditioner took over. Kellen, you are in trouble!
Joshlyn followed Kellen’s directions to her house with no problem. She lived in a quiet, older neighborhood with large trees lining the streets. She pulled into the driveway Kellen indicated and glanced at the house and yard. The house was a light gray bungalow with white trim. The meticulous lawn was plush and green. Joshlyn itched to take her shoes off and walk barefoot through it.
“You can pull on around back. I usually go in that way.”
As Joshlyn pulled around back, Kellen hit the remote, opening one side of the two car detached garage. After parking, Joshlyn handed Kellen her keys back after they walked out of the garage. The back yard was large in comparison to the front and had a privacy fence surrounding it. While waiting for Kellen to close and latch the gate, Joshlyn looked around the yard. The lot had several trees providing shade over most of the yard. Between two trees, a large hammock swung lightly in the miniscule breeze. Off the back of the house was a good-sized wooden deck, which was beautifully stained in a rich redwood. A patio set complete with umbrella sat in one corner while a grill and smoker sat in the other.
“C’mon in.”
Joshlyn followed Kellen up the two short steps of the deck to the sliding glass doors. “This deck is beautiful.”
Kellen hesitated only briefly, but it was long enough for Joshlyn to see the pain that flickered in her eyes. “Thank you. It took a whole summer to do, but it was more than worth it.”
Joshlyn was astonished. “You did this all by yourself?”
“Um, yeah, I did.” Kellen opened the sliding doors and entered the kitchen with Joshlyn following. Joshlyn recognized when a topic was closed for discussion and this was definitely one of those topics.
Joshlyn only managed a couple steps into the house when a small, but well-fed dog approached her.
“This is Chigger,” Kellen said, squatting slowly to pet him. “He won’t bite. He’s afraid of his own shadow.”
Joshlyn chuckled and bent down to pet the dog whose wagging tail made his whole body wiggle.
“He’s cute. What breed of dog is he?”
“A Welsh Corgi. I got him three years ago from the shelter. He’s been a great companion and doesn’t complain…much,” Kellen added while watching Chigger’s antics.
Kellen grinned as she watched the silly dog turn into a puddle under Joshlyn’s ministrations. She also took notice of the fine muscle tone of Joshlyn’s thighs. The lightly tanned skin looked so soft. Kellen watched the muscles flex in Joshlyn’s forearm as she reached up to push a lock of hair behind her ear. A small ear displayed a single diamond stud that twinkled in the light. Kellen followed Joshlyn’s slender neck down to the open collar of her shirt. She knew if she leaned forward just a little, she’d probably be able to see right down Joshlyn’s shirt.
Flustered, Kellen turned towards the cabinet to get a glass down.
“Would you like something to drink?”
Joshlyn jumped back to her feet and moved in next to Kellen, placing a hand on the small of her back. “Hey, why don’t you let me get that?”
Kellen pulled her hand back at the same time Joshlyn reached for the glass. The slight brush of Joshlyn’s hand against hers sent a warm sensation down her spine. “I can get it.”
“I know you can, but humor me, will you?”
Kellen acquiesced and stepped back.
Joshlyn smiled sympathetically and asked, “What would you like?”
“Water would be fine, thanks,” Kellen responded, knowing that Joshlyn had no idea what prompted her flustered reply and probably mistook it for the head injury.
Joshlyn fixed them both a glass of ice water and then Kellen motioned them into the living room.
“Have a seat.”
Joshlyn settled comfortably into the plush sofa and sipped her water.
“Would you mind if I took a quick shower and got out of these sweaty clothes?” Kellen asked, plucking at her T-shirt.
“No, of course not, but please lea
ve the door cracked a little so I can hear you should you need something, okay?”
“Okay. I’ll only be a moment. Please help yourself. There are plenty of things to snack on in the kitchen if you’d like.”
Joshlyn clasped her hand and squeezed gently. “I’ll be fine, Kellen. Go ahead.”
Kellen looked like she was going to say something else before nodding slightly and heading off down the hall. Joshlyn watched her retreat and then sat back to relax. Being around Kellen and getting to know her was easier than Joshlyn thought it would be, although she had not anticipated being alone with her in her home. Hearing the shower start, Joshlyn stood up to look around.
The living room was very cozy. The walls were a light vanilla color and had many seascape prints adorning them. Joshlyn glanced at all the walls and noticed there were no personal pictures hanging anywhere. How odd. The solid oak entertainment center housed a large flat screen television and a stereo system. To the right of the entertainment center was another hallway opposite the one that Kellen had gone down. She didn’t want to be too nosey so she didn’t go down that hall. She peered back down the hall Kellen went. There were three doors visible from where she stood. Joshlyn studied the CDs that were stacked on the shelf closest to her. Lying partially under one of them was a picture Joshlyn had almost missed. She reached over and tugged the picture free, bringing it closer to study. The picture appeared to have been taken in a heavily treed area with lots of rocks for climbing. Next to one of the large boulders, Kellen was standing beside another woman with her arm around the woman’s shoulders. They were both smiling.
“What are you doing?”
Chapter Four
Kellen stood under the hot water, letting it pelt against her, hoping the steady rhythm would loosen her already tensing neck muscles. She washed her hair, lathering it gently around the large goose egg rising above her right ear. She hissed when coming across a rather sensitive spot.
“Damn, Emerson, you clocked me a good one.”
Kellen knew it was an accident, but that didn’t make it hurt any less. Feeling the nausea start to surge up again, she finished rinsing, turned the water off, and pushed the shower curtain open. When she reached for the towel, she took a quick glance in the mirror. Her face was washed out and there were dark smudges starting to form under her eyes, attesting to the growing need to either vomit or fall into a deep slumber until her headache subsided.
“I look like hell. Probably going to send Joshlyn running,” Kellen mumbled.
Kellen dried off and slipped into a comfortable pair of natural colored cotton lounge pants and matching button down shirt. She hung her towel and ran her fingers lightly through her hair. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door and headed back down the hall to Joshlyn.
She pulled up short of the living room when she saw Joshlyn reach for something on the entertainment center. Kellen watched the emotions play over Joshlyn’s features as she studied the picture. Her headache momentarily forgotten, Kellen’s heart beat a little faster when she remembered what picture it was.
“What are you doing?” Kellen asked harshly as she stepped further into the living room.
Joshlyn jerked her head around, dropping the picture in the process.
“Uh…” Joshlyn trailed off. Shit! “I was just, um…” Joshlyn bent to retrieve the picture as Kellen stepped around the couch and in front of her.
Joshlyn handed the picture to her. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be nosey.”
Kellen took the picture and placed it back on the shelf without even a cursory glance at it. The motion was not lost on Joshlyn.
The momentary silence was almost deafening. Joshlyn’s racing pulse finally started to slow. She hadn’t meant to upset Kellen, but it was very apparent that was exactly what she had done. She took a moment to observe this woman who puzzled her at every turn. Manicured toes peeked out from under comfortable looking pants that were tied loosely at the waist. A portion of tanned stomach peeked out from the gap left by the minimally buttoned shirt. By the time Joshlyn made it to the pale features of her face, it seemed as though Kellen had visibly relaxed.
“Listen, are you…”
“Would you like…” Joshlyn said in unison with Kellen.
Joshlyn gave a nervous laugh. “Go ahead.”
Kellen smiled and tilted her head. “I was just going to ask if you were hungry. I really didn’t get a chance to eat before the accident. We could order something in if you’d like.”
“Mmm.” Joshlyn was hedging when her stomach grumbled loud enough to be heard. Laughing, she said, “I could eat.”
“All right then, follow me.” Kellen headed to the kitchen and opened a drawer. “Here are a bunch of menus. Pick anything that sounds good to you because I like them all.”
Joshlyn perused the menus and grabbed one that delivered. “How does this one sound?” she asked, handing the menu to Kellen.
“They have some great food. Sounds good.”
Kellen called in their order and they headed back to the living room to wait. Kellen knew her behavior earlier was inappropriate, but she really didn’t want to rehash anything about that picture. She felt like shit for jumping all over Joshlyn about it. Damn it. Bite the bullet, Reynolds.
“I want to apologize for yelling at you earlier,” Kellen started.
“No, I’m sorry for messing with something that wasn’t mine.”
“Joshlyn, you didn’t do anything wrong. I told you to make yourself at home. That picture…” Kellen stopped long enough to look down into her hands that were resting on her lap. She fidgeted for a moment and felt a warm hand on her arm. Looking back up into Joshlyn’s eyes, she saw something akin to understanding and continued. “That picture brings back some memories that aren’t so happy.”
“It’s okay. Really.”
“All right. Thanks.”
“So, tell me how you got into race car driving,” Joshlyn asked, changing the subject.
“You know, I’ve been driving for as long as I can remember. When I was younger, I always used to sit on my granddad’s lap. He lived on this piece of land in a small town. He farmed for a living so there were always tractors and trucks that needed a driver.” Kellen smiled as the memories filled her mind. That time in her life was probably the happiest she had ever been.
“Naturally you just took over when he needed it, huh?” Joshlyn teased.
Kellen grinned. “Something like that, yeah. That farm was hard work, but I never minded it. Granddaddy never seemed to mind showing me things either, even when it took away from getting the work done.”
“He sounds like a really neat guy.”
“He was and I needed that positive role model since my own father was never anywhere to be found.”
Joshlyn detected a touch of bitterness in that statement and waited to see if Kellen would elaborate.
“My father was…is a horrible alcoholic. He never really acted like I was an important person in his life. You know, you try really hard to please the people who are supposed to mean something to you and eventually you give up when it goes unnoticed.”
For so long Kellen had buried these feelings of animosity. It was strange to feel them bubble to the surface so easily. It shouldn’t matter. That’s what you keep telling yourself. It shouldn’t, but it does.
Kellen shook her head, trying to rid herself of unwanted memories and feelings. “Anyhow, that spurred me on to bigger and better things. I was obsessed with reading as a child and once I started helping on the farm, I couldn’t get my hands on enough books about women race car drivers. Women like Janet Guthrie and Lyn St. James really pioneered the way for women in the world of racing.”
“Were they the first women to race?”
“Actually, the first woman driver in NASCAR history was Sara Christian.”
“How long ago was that?” Joshlyn asked.
“That was in 1949. She actually didn’t get to finish the race because another driver’s car had engine trou
ble so he took over her car, but that was just the start of it. Janet Guthrie was the first woman to compete in the Indy 500.”
Kellen really enjoyed discussing all facts of racing, but the women really garnered her attention. “Am I boring you yet?”
Joshlyn tipped her head slightly and smiled. “Actually just the opposite. I don’t really know much about it, so this is refreshing.”
“Well then, I will give you one more little fun bit of info. There was also a transgendered driver in the early ‘90’s but she did go on to get the sex reassignment surgery by the mid ‘90’s.”
“Really?”
“Yep…fascinating, huh?”
“Definitely. So, all of this made you want to drive?”
“Just before my granddaddy died, he introduced me to his really good friend, Mason. Mason owned an auto shop and had been diligently working on this car that he wanted to get into the races. I raced with him for a while until his health failed. When he passed away his brother, Bob, approached me about driving and from there I was completely hooked. One thing led to another and here I am today.”
“And that’s the same company that you drive for now?”
“Yes and no. That little shop ended up getting sold after Mason passed away. This group was a part of the garage but went off on its own when the garage sold. I got involved with them about four years ago so Bob is my crew chief now.”
Joshlyn nodded in understanding. “How was your relationship with your mom?”
“Apparently she died when I was six. I don’t remember to be honest.” Kellen cleared her throat before continuing. “I get pieces here and there that I think are memories, but who do I have that I can ask about them?”
“I’m sorry, Kellen.” Joshlyn placed her hand over Kellen’s and gave it gentle squeeze.
Kellen smiled. “Thanks. Are you close to your parents?”
“My father passed away and my mother, um, at one time I used to be, but now…” Joshlyn ducked her head and finished the sentence in a voice that was barely audible. “…no, not at all.”
Kellen sat quietly, giving Joshlyn a moment to collect herself. As soon as she asked the question, she wished she could have taken it back. She couldn’t really explain the change in Joshlyn. It was as if a wall emerged and put her on guard. The cold intonation of her voice alone made the topic unapproachable.