Chapter 22 Back On Tour
Everyone had packed their bags before the race, and the bus ride back to the airport was full of lively conversation.
Molly was regaling everyone with her story of getting to ‘run the pit crew,’ during the first stop of the race for Ben’s Bama-Mark racing team.
Cassie was spending as much time alone with Ben as possible.
Keith was never very far away from Cassie, almost like her shadow.
He was sat back in his seat when Greg approached him.
“Have a seat, boss,” Keith said.
“That sixth sense of yours makes it almost impossible to surprise you,” Greg said taking a seat. “I can see you are still a little troubled.”
“Yeah. Cassie and Ben had a long deep conversation last night about who she really is. What gets me is that he doesn’t care who her family is. He only sees her. He only sees the woman he loves, not the danger that comes with loving her.”
“How did Cassie explain this to Wendy?”
“Oh, that was simple. Cassie told Wendy that would give them even more opportunities to expand as Bama-Mark expands.” Keith smiled. “She’s quite shrewd for a twenty-two year old.”
“Remember the environment that she grew up in. Are you sure Ben really understands what’s at stake here?”
“Oh, he understands. He just doesn’t care. He’s so wrapped up in being loved by her that he’d ride an icicle through hell just to be with her.” Keith shook his head. “Meanwhile the woman I’ve loved doesn’t even know I exist,” he mumbled.
“Keith,” Greg said softly. “If I’m wrong, I apologize, but if I’m right, I just want to say I’m sorry for being in your way.”
“What?” Keith said and snapped his head toward Greg. He looked intently at Greg, reading his facial expression and realizing that Greg had pieced it all together.
“You love Erica, don’t you my friend?”
“How in the world did you learn that? I’ve stayed out of the way for years.”
“I’ve got eyes, my friend. And for the first time in a very long time, they aren’t for Erica.” He placed his left hand on Keiths right shoulder. “I’m sorry I didn’t see this sooner.”
“Yeah, well that doesn’t matter. Erica doesn’t even know I exist.”
“Part of that is my fault,” he said sadly. “But I’m going to make this right by you and by her. Both of you deserve some happiness, and I think you’d make a great couple. You know her well enough to know that challenging her dad brings her a thrill like no other,” Greg said slowly.
“What are you thinking?”
“I’m thinking that you need to tell her how you feel. We’ll invite her over to my house, and when the moment’s right, I’ll excuse myself so you two can finally have the conversation you’ve avoided. At least let her know how you feel, and find out if there’s any chance for the two of you.”
“You’d really do that?” Keith shook his head. “Every time I think I know exactly what you’re going to do you switch up the play and bounce pass me the ball.”
“Does this sound like something you want to pursue?”
“You’re completely serious?” Keith said with a dumbfounded look on his face. Greg just smiled and nodded in assentation. “If you are serious, then I’m in.”
“So, what about Ben and Cassie?”
“Ben’s going to visit her when his schedule allows, and he has authorized Cassie to bring the news to the Matriarch that he’s power hungry and looking for allies in the Midwest.”
“This is all part of your K-1 plan, but I think it’s risky.”
“The girls are the ones who are accepting the risks, Greg. All we have to do is support them. How are things with you and Carry?”
“Honestly? Keep this a secret.” Greg looked around to ensure nobody was listening.
“Carry kissed Billy.” Keith slammed his hand to his mouth as his eyebrows shot up and eyes widened.
“So, I’ve told Carry to go ahead and date Billy.
Veronica is right about one thing; if there’s any chance of someone else,,,”
The shudder of the bus crossing the speed bump as it entered the gate drop off area of the airport interrupted the conversation.
Keith gave Greg a nod, letting him know that they’d continue the conversation later, and Greg quickly moved back to his seat.
As he got up, he saw Ben and Cassie kissing so deeply they were oblivious to everything else around them.
‘I used to know that kind of love with Erica. Now I’m hoping that Keith can find that with her.
Isn’t that just a kick in the pants?’ he thought to himself and let out a small laugh.
‘It’d be worth it though. That man’s been through enough in his life.
It’s time he settled down and raised a family.
’ The thought was finishing right as he was passing Veronica.
‘Maybe I should listen to my own advice.’
“Greg?” Veronica said with a wave of her hand. “Sit with me please?”
“Sure,” he replied and sat down beside her.
“I’d like to talk to you on the plane alone if we could,” she said slowly. “There’s something I’ve wanted to say for a very long time, and I’m feeling that now is the right time to bring it to the light of day.”
“Alright,” he said slowly then leaned in and kissed her. “I know you agreed not to kiss me in front of her, but I didn’t agree to that at dinner.”
“Please Greg,” she said leaning back. “Don’t tempt me right now. I’m too close to the line and after this weekend, my resolve is worn down.” She looked at him with desire in her eyes. “We’re so close now, I don’t want to make the mistake that ruins everything.”
“Okay,” he said quietly. “But, when we are alone, I’m going to kiss you as deeply as I ever have.
” She looked at him in surprise. “I’ve got to know now if what we have been experiencing is just physical or if there’s something even deeper that I’m just starting to realize has been there all this time. ”
“You sense it too?” she said.
“Yes, Veronica. I think I do. But I have to know if what I’m feeling is as deep as it feels like it goes.” He shook his head. “Besides, Carry has issues of her own to deal with also.” He looked deep into her eyes. “Maybe I can finally start to know my own heart in a way that I never have before.”
“I just hope that there’s room in there for me,” she replied longingly. “Alone.”
“That’s the Billion Dollar question, isn’t it?
” Greg asked in response. “That’s what I’m trying to figure out.
I know that I’ve loved Erica completely.
” He paused, “But I have loved you and Carry incompletely.” He shook his head.
“I realize that now. I’ve been holding back because both of you are incredible women and I let an asshole define my worth for more than a decade.
It’s time I let the man who stepped in as my surrogate father after I lost mine help me determine my worth.
And if Devon Michaels could be proud of me, then my own dad Robert Garrelson would be proud of me. ”
“Wow, Greg,” she said slightly shocked. “I never realized that you doubted yourself over the value some man put on you.”
“Michael Stamson,” Greg admitted. “I’ve tried to live up to his expectations and standards, and it was never good enough.” He shook his head. “Not any more. From now on, I’m relying on the judgement of one of the toughest men I’ve ever known. I just wish he was here to talk to one last time.”
“Your father?”
“Devon Michaels,” Greg admitted somberly.
“He filled in after my father died, and I forgot to look at myself through his eyes. David told me how he felt about me before he died, and it just finally sank in through this thick skull of mine,” he said with a tap of his knuckles to his head. “I’m just a little bit stubborn.”
“And very loving and giving and kind, Greg. I just want to be worthy of the love of a man like you.”
“You want to be worthy of me?” he said with a shock and a soft laugh as the bus finally stopped.
“I’m trying to be worthy of either of you,” he said and laughed.
“What a mess we all are.” He smiled at her.
“Maybe we can finally be fully open and honest about everything together, and let the chips land where they may. Shall we find a seat together on the jet so we can continue this conversation?” He asked as he got up from his aisle seat, extending his hand to her.
She took his hand and gently kissed it, then stood up.
“Yes, Greg. I’d really like to continue this conversation.
It’s time to let the chips land where they may.
” She followed Greg off the bus and watched as a team from Ben’s Bama-Mark loaded their luggage onto a cart for the plane.
“This has been an extraordinary weekend.”
They had all boarded the plane. Cassie had kissed Ben one last time at the door before moving to the back beside Carry and the girls.
As she took her seat by Carry she looked over at Billy, then looked a Carry for a long moment.
Carry smiled back then looked across the table at Wendy and Katie and smiled brightly.
Tina looked at everyone, feeling like an outsider, and then looked longingly over at Mark on the other side of the cabin.
She noticed then that Wendy was twirling her finger in her hair and Katie was looking into her compact vanity mirror.
She looked over at Carry and could see a look on her face that made her curious.
“Carry,” she began and waited as Carry turned toward her. “Why are you smiling at Billy so much?” That got Wendy and Katie’s attention. They stopped ignoring things and suddenly were very interested in what was going on.
“Yeah, Carry. Why are you smiling at Billy so much?” Wendy probed.
“Go ahead, cousin. Tell them what happened this weekend,” Cassie urged.
“Well,” she said trying to stop smiling so much. “Greg and I had a long talk about where things stand and he said something that surprised me deeply.”
“What did he say?” Katie said with bated breath.
“He said that I should test my heart. He doesn’t want any ghosts of regret bringing up issues later on.”
“What does that mean?” Wendy asked almost rudely.