Chapter 35
LENNON
“Dillan wants to visit,” Dad says from the chair in the corner of this hospital room.
If I never see another hospital room after this, it’ll be too soon for me.
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea. I broke his eye socket and gave him a gash that will leave a scar he’ll never be able to hide. I scarred him for life. I don’t know why he’d want to see me,” I say.
Dad smiles. “He’s a good guy, Lennon. He just wants to make sure you’re okay.”
“We thought Jackson was a good guy too. He was our friend…he was my friend,” I say as my chin wobbles.
I’ve run through all the emotions since our showdown. But oddly enough, anger has taken a back seat to the sadness and the sense of betrayal. It’d be easier to be angry and hate someone I didn’t really know.
Jealousy is an ugly emotion which makes people do abhorrent things. Once he’s out of this hospital, he’ll be going to jail to await trial. Nothing about this is quiet now.
There have been reporters and press trying to get in here for days now. The world knows about my amnesia, and they’ve heard rumors about why I was originally declared dead. They know London was the twin who was killed and that Lennon…that I’m still alive. Physically anyway.
Dash was here apparently, but no one has seen or heard from him since the first night I was here.
Which was almost a week ago now. I’m set to go home tomorrow.
My shoulder surgery went well, but they kept me to monitor my progress since Jackson did such a number on it.
I’m sure Hendrix had some say in keeping me here a bit longer too.
He’s been here every day along with my parents, unlike Dash.
“Well, you don’t have to see him right now, but I had a private investigator do some digging and the only person who turned up anything suspicious was Jackson.”
He sighs and stands before coming over to my bed and he kisses my head. “I’m sorry, baby girl. I can’t imagine the betrayal you’re feeling.”
“I’m not sure I can trust anyone again,” I admit.
“Oh, Lennon. You don’t mean that,” my mom chimes in from the door.
“Don’t I?”
Dad smooths my hair back gently.
“Give it time, baby girl.”
“Where is he, Dad? You said he was here. Why hasn’t he been back?” I ask.
Mom’s gaze connects with Dad’s and he drops his to the floor like he can’t handle telling me the truth.
“What? What aren’t you telling me?” I ask adamantly.
“Honey, I’m not sure he’ll be back,” my mom says.
“Why do you think that?”
“He was hell-bent on finding you. So much so that I finally gave him my blessing to be with you. But…” Dad hesitates.
“He thinks everything is because of him. Jackson used Dash’s car to cause your accident.
He wanted you to think Dash was your stalker to drive an irreversible wedge between you.
And as your memories came back, he sort of achieved that goal. ”
My chin wobbles as I try my best not to cry, but it’s no use.
“Then, he saw you pull the handbrake drift to stop Jackson, putting yourself in harm’s way to keep him from getting hurt,” he says.
“That’s dumb. We’ve always done crazy things for each other. It’s called doing anything for the person you love,” I say angrily.
“I saw the look in his eyes, baby girl. He’s blaming himself, and because of that, he seems to have decided to stay away to keep you safe. Like you said, he’s doing something crazy because he loves you,” Dad says gently.
“What do I do?” I ask.
“I’m not sure there’s anything you can do, Lennon. Once someone makes their mind up about something this big, it’s not easy to change it,” Dad says.
“Well, I guess it’s a good thing neither of us have ever taken the easy way out,” I say, still angry, but determined.
A week later…
“Thank you for coming with me, Hendrix. Physical therapy is harder this time around,” I tell him as he parks at Tyler Motorsports.
Dad wanted me to come and let everyone there officially welcome me back. Hendrix opens his passenger door for me and takes my hand to let me out before helping me get my shoulder back in the sling. I left it off after therapy on the way over and held an ice pack to it.
He walks by my side closely, and when we reach the door, he holds it open for me. I’m instantly surprised.
The lobby is full of so many people there’s hardly standing room and black and green balloons take up what space is left.
Mom and Dad walk out of the crowd front and center with teary-eyed smiles.
“Welcome back home, Lennon. This is your legacy,” Dad says as he and Mom pull me in for a hug that steals my breath.
When they release me, I turn and look at Hendrix and he stares at me with a kind smile. I’m overwhelmed and I can’t stop the tears that fall.
Hendrix notices and pulls me into his embrace. He knows who I’m thinking about in this moment. It’s the same person he’s thinking of—London.
I may be back, but she never gets to come back home, and I’ll never be able to accept it. Even if I knew how, I wouldn’t. But as it turns out, I have no clue how anyway.
My parents walk closer, and Dad pulls me back into his arms.
“How did this many people hide their cars? I didn’t see any extra out front. And who all did you invite?” I ask.
He names off two other racing teams from nearby towns, and when he names Full Tilt Racing, I freeze.
“Is he here?” I ask immediately.
He nods in response.
My hungry gaze searches for him but I don’t see him anywhere, not in the lobby anyway.
I start to make my way through the crowd without seeming rude. All these people are here for me after all, and I appreciate it more than they’ll ever know. It’s something I know I’ll never forget.
Dillan and Troy are standing at the entrance to the garage, and they both wear looks on their faces I can’t decipher.
Troy speaks first. “Hey, Lennon. Welcome back. I’m sorry I didn’t put it together sooner, but I should have. If I’d known what Jackson was doing, I would’ve done everything in my power to stop him. I hope you know that,” he says.
I nod. “Thanks for saying that.”
“Can’t wait to watch you race again for real. You’ll be back on the racetrack before you know it,” he says. He hugs me gently before leaving me to face Dillan.
“I don’t know what to say, Dillan. I owe you an apology, but I know sorry doesn’t make up for leaving you with a life-long scar,” I tell him.
He grins. His eye is still swollen and bruised. And he had some plastic surgery so he’s sporting a bandage over the surgery site right now under his eye.
“You have nothing to be sorry for, Lennon. If the roles were reversed, I would’ve done the same. I still don’t know the whole situation, but it would’ve made anyone react the way you did, given I was here when you were supposed to meet your stalker for a confrontation. It was a logical conclusion.”
He takes my right hand and squeezes it. He’s always been quite the comedian, so it’s weird to see him so serious.
“I’m just glad you’re all right. And I’m so sorry about London,” he says.
I suck in a shaky breath. “Me too.”
“How is your eye, by the way?” I ask.
This makes him grin like I’m used to seeing from him.
“It’s looking good. Once I heal from surgery, my doctor says the scar will be minimal. It’ll make for an interesting story though with the ladies.” He chuckles.
I guffaw and then laugh with him.
“Seriously though, welcome home, Lennon. I look forward to being there like always when you race again,” he says.
“Thanks, Dillan. Me too.”
There are a few more people milling about and I’ve yet to see Dash. Maybe he left after making an appearance. If he doesn’t want to see me, it’ll make things a hell of a lot harder.
I’m about to give up when movement catches my eye toward the back. It’s where my race car was parked after it was wrecked.
Dash is there. He’s been watching from a distance, and when he sees I’m headed his way, he straightens and shoves his hands in his pockets.
He has more scruff on his face than I’ve ever seen on him, but anything looks sexy on him.
My heart recognizes his presence and warmth spreads through my veins.
“Dash…” I pause, unsure how to start this conversation.
“It’s good to see you, Lennon,” he says.
“Dash, we need to talk,” I start.
Something flashes across his face, like for a minute he thinks about giving in, but then he stonewalls me. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. It won’t change the fact there’s not a future for us. We need to—”
I cut him off.
“What? Forget each other? Move on?”
“Move on, yes. Forget you? Never.”
I step closer to him, but he steps back and glances over my head. I turn and see Hendrix there. I know he’s just checking on me, but his timing is terrible.
“Welcome back, Lennon. Can’t wait to see you chase that checkered flag again. And don’t worry, I won’t go easy on you,” he says as he steps around me.
“Catch me if you can, Dash. We’re down to the wire.”
He stares at me, his gaze pings from my eyes to my lips and back again and I hope he understood what I was trying to say. The race for our love is still undecided. I’d say it’s neck and neck. He may think he’s won by default, but I’m just getting started.
“Your sure thing is waiting for you. You don’t need another dark horse at play in your life, Valkyrie.”
With that, he walks past me and leaves me standing alone.
He knew what I was saying before, and he countered.
A dark horse in racing is an underestimated racer, someone who could surprise you by winning.
He thinks he’s all lined up to have his way and the home stretch is in sight.
But I hate to tell him, I’ll be the one surprising him.