Alex's Destiny (Racing To Love)

by Amy Gregory

  “Molly, I love her. I won’t ever leave her.”

  “But—”

  “No.” He shook his head. “She told me I was hers twenty years ago. I knew she meant it then. The only thing that changed is the way we love each other. It’s always been real, but now it’s more.”

  “I’m not just worried about her. That’s what’s so unique about your situation. I love you too, and I’m worried about you getting hurt just as much as her. I don’t want her to never get back to the person you fell in love with and then you’re…you’re…”

  “Stuck?” She couldn’t say it, so he asked for her. And as it came off the tip of his tongue it stole the air from his lungs. He felt guilty for even saying it, knowing he’d never feel that way. “That won’t ever happen. I won’t let it. I couldn’t. We’re going to get her through this, and she’ll be the woman she was before. I promise.”

  “Dallas, how did we get so lucky with you?” Molly asked, wrapping her arms around him.

  He snickered. “I don’t know. I was thinking you were probably getting sick of me being there all the time and you’re the ones stuck with me.”

  “Never.”

  “All right then.” He squeezed her to his side and leaned to hug Karen as well. “Let me go talk to Dad real quick and I’ll get back over there.”

  “You mean, go back home?” she said and Dallas scrunched his face as he took in her question. “It’s your home now, too.”

  Smiling, he took a deep breath. “Thank you.”

  “You ready, Son?”

  Looking over his shoulder, Eli stood nearby, leaning on the kitchen counter. “Yeah.” His father turned and left him to follow. This was very strange. He’d never acted so secretive before, unless they were plotting a birthday or Christmas surprise for his mom. Walking into his dad’s office, Eli waited then shut the door behind Dallas.

  That had never happened. Ever.

  Now he was starting to get a little more freaked out. If his dad was going to tell him he was sick or something awful, Dallas didn’t know if he had it in him not to lose it. His nerves were stretched to the breaking point, and he had to save his all of his energy to act like his old self for Alex’s sake.

  “Have a seat.”

  “Dad. Don’t act all calm and shit. I can’t handle this. What the hell is going on?” Eli just sat there for several minutes, fidgeting in his leather chair. “Okay, well if you’re trying to break it to me that you’re dying,”—he stood up—“I need you so, well…you can’t. Looks like we’re done, so…I’ll be going now—”

  “Dallas, I’m not dying. Where the hell would you come up with an idea like that?”

  He fell back into his seat, forgetting he’d moved, and nearly missed the chair altogether. “Oh my God, Dad. You…oh my God. You scared the shit out of me. I can’t take anymore right now.” He put his fingertips to his forehead, willing the pounding to come down a couple of notches. “Oh my God. I swear…you do that to me again and I’ll kick your ass.”

  Eli chuckled for the first time since they entered the office. “First you’re scared to death I’m dying, now you’re ready to kick my ass? And you think you’re man enough for that?”

  “Dad, right now? I don’t know if I’m coming or going. All I can focus on is making sure Alex gets through the day and then through the night.”

  “That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. Especially now, after hearing you and Mol. I…you know I’d normally never butt into your personal life. Right?”

  Dallas leaned forward with his elbows on his thighs and rubbed his temples, “Dad? What are you talking about?”

  “You and Alex.”

  “And?”

  “You’re a man on the edge aren’t ya, son?”

  “And you’re about to push me over!” He said, trying really hard to make it sound like he was teasing, when in fact, he was close to choking the man he loved so dearly with his own bare hands.

  “I just want to know what you’re intentions are?”

  “My intentions? Like sex and stuff? Dad! I’m sleeping with her yes, but God, Molly and Carter are right down the damn hall. We’re not going to have sex with them nearby. And we sleep with the door open. And Alex, she’s…” He lost his steam and let out a breath. “Dad. She’s never. She’s a virgin.” He paused, shaking his head. “That’s why what that bastard did is so bad. She is completely haunted by it. It took me a long time to get her over the fact that she felt tainted and thought I wouldn’t want her after that. She’s not ready for anything. I’ve kissed her. Nothing more.”

  “Well, damn.” Eli rubbed his palm over his shaven head. “That’s not exactly what I meant, but it brings to light why she’s struggling so much.”

  “You mean I just told you all that for nothing? Heaven help me, this isn’t my fucking night.”

  “I know Molly feels like you’re in a position where you could at some point feel trapped or stuck. I know you better than that, and I know you love her. I wanted to know if you had given any thought to marrying her?”

  “Of course.”

  “Of course you’ve thought about it?”

  “No, I mean yes, I am going to marry her. I just need to get her through this first.”

  Eli opened his top desk drawer. “Well then I want to offer you this, but if you’d rather find something different or new, that’s okay. My feelings won’t be hurt at all, son.”

  His dad pushed the blue velvet box toward him. Timidly, he snaked his hand out to reach for it. Tucked in the satin inside was a cushion cut diamond solitaire. “Dad?”

  “It was your great-grandma’s. She’d want you to have it.”

  “But...” The words caught in his throat.

  “Young man, if you finish that sentence, so help me God, I’ll be the one beating your ass tonight. There may be no blood between us, like there is with your brother Marc, but by God, you are my son. I was a teenager when Grandma Hunter passed away, so you never got the chance to meet her, but I know she would have loved you dearly. I am the oldest grandson, and I inherited that. You are my oldest son—that belongs to you now.”

  “It’s beautiful. Thank you,” Dallas said, blinking back the tears. That was Eli’s fault too. And maybe James’s a little as well. They were both a couple of softies. Manly men and all, but big moments tripped them up. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”

  “Nope. No apologies. I understand what you were trying to ask, and you wanted to be sure. I loved you before I adopted you, and I’ll love you even after I’m gone, son. I also wanted to tell you something else. You always made me so proud when you raced, understanding the hard work and dedication it took to make it to the top. I can appreciate that. But nothing makes me prouder than watching the man you’ve become and seeing you stand by Alex. That makes me feel successful in life just knowing I had even a tiny part in raising you.”

  Both men stood at the same time. “Dad, everything I am is because of you. Thank you.”

  “Love you, Son,” Eli choked out, hugging him hard.

  Taking the strength he needed from his father, Dallas nodded. “Love you too, Dad.”

  “You better go get our girl. Sounds like she needs you.”

  He tried to smile, but it didn’t work out. Dallas was too concerned to hide it in front of his dad. “Yeah. I’ll be back.” Swiftly he passed through the kitchen, not taking the time to sneak any extra taste tests, or say where he was going. He had a clear destination and no time for any detours.

  Levi was on roll. Luckily, he said he needed to go make a couple of phone calls before he headed to Tasia’s for dinner. Alex was happy for the two of them, and listening to each of them, she was starting to see the pieces of a puzzle fall into place.

  She needed to get up, and at least put her hair in a bun and put on her shoes. Instead, after he left, Alex closed her eyes and wrapped her arm around Ruby’s body. It was frustrating to know Levi’s words about Dallas made sense, but she couldn’t seem to get back to normal. F
or every two steps forward she made, the progress slipped and she’d fall back again. There were too many little things to focus on, making the big picture impossible to see. She couldn’t even really remember normal anymore.

  A tear escaped, rolling down her cheek.

  “Ah, baby. I’m right here. Shh.”

  Opening her eyes, Dallas’s hand neared her, wiping her tear away. She didn’t want to be that girl, but she sat up and threw her arms around him. “I’m sorry. I can’t. I’m sorry. I try, but I can’t help it.”

  Dallas sat on the bed and gathered her into his arms. Even though she was relieved to have him back home, another tear managed to drop. He cradled her head, kissing her forehead.

  “Get some shoes on. I need to do something.”

  “Aren’t you frustrated with me. I...God, I hate being this way. You’ve got to be sick of me.”

  With a thousand watt smile, he shook his head, jerking it in the direction of her closet. “Shoes. Ruby, you too, girl. Let’s go.”

  As big as she was, it was like she knew it was work time. She was instantly in the doorway in a perfect sit position waiting on her next command. With Dallas holding his hand out for hers, Alex hopped on one foot while trying to pull on her second shoe. He wasn’t even giving her time to untie them first as she continued to sniff, the tears not completely finished yet. “I’m coming. Geez.”

  The television was off and Jack, Uncle Mike and her dad were both gone when they reached the bottom of the stairs. “Did they already leave?”

  “Yeah, I told them we’d meet them there in a little bit.”

  “Oh,” she replied, relaxing a bit after realizing she hadn’t been alone in the house after all.

  Dallas pulled her along behind him, through the garage and to ‘the’ Jeep. She didn’t even refer to it as hers anymore. She was tugging her seatbelt across her chest, but he reached over and finished latching it for her as if she wasn’t moving fast enough to please him. Pulling away, he didn’t head to his parent‘s house where dinner was being served. Instead, he went through the grass. Not flying through the field for fun, but easing toward the tree line that marked the property line between the whole Noland land and her Aunt Erin’s parent‘s acreage. Alex glanced at her driver, but he didn’t catch her. He continued to stare, eyes on the field with a weird grin across his face.

  Ruby moved forward, resting her head on Alex’s shoulder and blocking her view of Dallas. They hadn’t taken her this far out on the land yet, and she could sense the dog was hesitant to have Alex this far away in the open and out of her control. Her second mother placed a large paw on her thigh as if she was holding her in place. Alex couldn’t help but feel loved and hugged Ruby tighter.

  “We’re here. Come on, girls.”

  “The stream?” Dallas winked to answer. “But? It’s almost time for dinner. Don’t we need to get to your parent‘s house?”

  “They’ll wait. I promise.”

  Once again, she didn’t seem to move fast enough for him. Taking his hand, she let him help her out of the Jeep and lead her to the place where water was the only thing dividing the two properties. The water was crystal clear as it ran over the smooth rocks on the bottom. It was narrow where they were, but every summer they would make their way up to a larger pool on the other side of the invisible line and swim. They’d spend hours on rafts, drinking beer, splashing, and even jumping off the rope swing. It had become a summer tradition that even Erin’s parents and all their family joined together for.

  “Careful, Lex.”

  Her shoe slid on the wet rock. Dallas helped her get to the large flat rock that was known as the make-out spot. It was a family secret, not mentioned to anyone visiting the academy. But she knew by the smirks, jokes and teasing that her parents and aunts and uncles had all visited it at various times over the years…more than once.

  “So, hey. You never said, is everything okay with Eli? You have me kind of worried.”

  “Oh, yeah. I’ll tell you here in a minute. I need to talk to you first.”

  Raising her eyebrow, she noticed he fidgeted, and his smile tugged at his mouth. He seemed nervous. “Okay?”

  Grabbing both her hands, Dallas turned to face her. “Alex. Sweetie. I need to talk to you, but I need to make sure you are absolutely clear on something.”

  She thought her anxiety had reached the ceiling already, but he just shot her through the roof. Her heart pounded, and although she was trying to concentrate on his words and him…nothing made sense.

  “I love you.”

  Alex couldn’t respond…she stared hard at him, watching his every movement, studying his face.

  “I want this more than anything, and have for years. And so we’re clear, it’s not because I think I have to. I would have probably waited until I thought it was the right time, but today I realized, we both need it. Now.”

  She furrowed her brow, swallowing hard, and she was breathing harder than if she’d run laps on the track. Tipping her head, she couldn’t bear to ask the question. He stood and her eyes followed.

  Then her life went into slow motion. Dragging a velvet box from his pocket, he slowly kneeled in front of her.

  “Alexandra Noland Sterling. You took me by the hand twenty years ago and you’ve been by my side every day since. You know me better than I know myself. I have always loved you…and I always will. You stole my heart before I knew what that meant, and you’ve held it in your hands since then. I need you.

  We’ve always had a life together, but separate. Now, let’s make it our life together, forever. Will you please grant me the one thing I need in life? Will you marry me?”

  She felt him falling. The next thing she knew they were both in the stream soaking wet.

  He held her to him in the water, not quite a foot deep, but cold from the trees blocking the sun. She didn’t care. Alex kissed his neck, his cheeks, and then laid her lips over his. Chills covered her from head-to-toe, but it wasn’t the breeze or the water. It was his tongue seeking hers. She was kneeling over his lap, holding his face in her hands, but he took over, kissing her with a demanding need she could sense coiling inside of him. Dallas ran his hands over her. Each touch left a scorching trail of fire that had her squeezing her thighs on either side of his. He groaned into her mouth, and she felt him grow hard underneath her as she sat straddling him.

  Gasping for air, she pulled away and his mouth trailed down her jaw. Tipping her head skyward, he ran his tongue over the sensitive skin of her neck.

  “Oh, God, Lex,” he breathed against her. Laying his head against her chest, she wrapped her arms around him, holding him tightly to her pounding heart. “Is that a yes, baby?”

  “Oh my God! Yes! I forgot to tell you yes!” Still needing air to breathe after the most passionate kiss of the century, she struggled as she started to laugh. So happy, tears started to pool in her eyes as she continued to laugh and kiss on him.

  There was splashing behind them, and she turned in his lap to see Ruby walking their way through the water.

  “Now that’s above and beyond the call of duty, Ruby. What a good girl, your mama owes you a really special treat.” Dallas chuckled as he took the box from Ruby’s mouth and winked at her. “You’re so lucky I dropped this before you jumped on me, pushing me into the stream.”

  “Shit. I didn’t even realize it. Everything went from zero-to-sixty. The next thing I knew you dropped me in the water.”

  “Don’t you even try to tell that story, girl. You jumped me.”

  “I didn’t jump you. I jumped on you. There’s a big difference.” She laughed.

  “Not when I repeat how it happened, there won’t be.” He teased back. “I will say, this will be a memorable proposal, right?”

  “Yeah. I think you’re absolutely right on that.”

  Opening the box, the smile fell away from her face and her jaw dropped. It wasn’t the biggest diamond in the world, but it didn’t need to be because it was the most beautiful. The setting and
band almost looked antique. “Oh my God…Dallas. It’s beautiful.” Glancing up at him, her head fell to the side. “But when? You’ve been with me all the time?”

  “This is what Dad wanted to talk to me about. Like he always does, he just knew I would be proposing soon, and before I bought anything, he wanted to give me this. It was his grandmother’s.”

  Alex screwed her eyes tight, but the tears welled up quickly. It was so perfect. She had heard how much Eli adored his grandmother, and although she passed way too early, he held onto her stories and memories, sharing them often. The fact that he loved Dallas and her enough to share her wedding ring with them meant the world. There was no brand new ring, no diamond in the world, more valuable than that.

  When her eyes opened, the tears rolled down her cheeks. “I love it. It couldn’t be more perfect.”

  Dallas removed it and tossed the velvet keepsake box gently to the grass and rocks at the side of the stream. Sliding it on her left hand forced more tears to pour down her face. The words he’d prefaced the moment with, now made sense, and she wouldn’t question him. Alex knew him too well. He would never have asked her if he didn’t feel it in his heart.

  There in the middle of the cold creek water, still straddling the man she’d loved a lifetime already, a weight suddenly fell away from her shoulders. She was complete. She was whole. She was herself. There would always be the haunting memories. There would be the trial to get through. There would be some moments she would struggle with but for the first time in weeks, she felt like her old self.

  Joy overtook her. Smiling brightly and laughing uncontrollably, she fell off his lap and deeper into the water. Realizing she wasn’t many layers above a wet t-shirt contest only made her laugh harder. She slipped and splashed Dallas. Alex hadn’t meant to, but he splashed her back, starting a war.

  “Hey!” Standing, she kicked water at him, then bent over to use both hands, cupping as much as she could. Ruby jumped in further, until she was as soaked as both of them.