Chapter 47 Dean
FORTY-SEVEN
DEAN
Back at my apartment, I’m still trying to wrack my brain as to what to do with this Instagram post. I’m no closer to a solution than when I left the track. I’m making the final trip out to my truck to finish unpacking when I see Tom approaching me.
This can’t be good.
“Hey, Tom, what’s u—?” I don’t even have time to finish my question before Tom starts speaking.
“Office! Now!” His voice is stern and not welcoming, which is unusual for him. Even when angry, Tom is still a bit nice. It seems that’s not the case right now.
I follow him into the team office building that’s next to the shop, my heart hammering in my chest every step that I take. The only time I’ve ever been this nervous was when I originally signed onto the team.
There isn’t much in his office, just a few pictures of him with his wife and two daughters, a laptop, and a monitor. My mind is reeling. I know this has to be about Ian’s post. I’m just not sure how exactly this will all play out.
“Close the door and take a seat, Dean,” he instructs.
I do what I’m told, trying to keep as calm as possible, but my leg is bouncing as soon as I sit down.
“By now, you’ve seen the photo that Ian Hicks posted on his Instagram.
” He steeples his fingers and leans forward, placing his forearms on his desk.
I nod, and I do my best to force out, “Yes, sir.” Sounding a bit shakier than I planned.
“I want to know what happened. I don’t care what Hicks said happened. I need to hear it from you.”
I take a breath and push it out to clear the knot in my throat.
“I did punch him.” I pick my next words carefully, not wanting to drag Regan further in with me.
I would much rather take most of the heat than have her chances in this series or the next ruined because of a decision I made.
“But, it isn’t for the reason he stated in the post. He was being inappropriate with another driver, and I stepped in when he didn’t get the hint to leave. ”
Tom sits back in the chair, the creak the only sound in the room except my racing heartbeat. I still can’t read his face about what he’s thinking or what he might say.
“Did this involve Regan Brady at all?” he asks.
“It’s not my place to say, sir,” I say plainly.
He nods like he knows what I’m trying to say. “I see. Well, until this is resolved, I have to suspend you next week. I’m sorry, Dixon.” The look on his face tells me he doesn’t want to, but he has to. Not taking action would look worse for the team.
I don’t even remember walking out of his office.
The warm air of the evening hits me, and that’s when the reality of what Tom said truly sinks in.
I’m suspended from the second to last race of the season.
That means no points and putting my chances for the Cup right into Regan or Ian’s hands.
The thought of Ian getting a chance at this makes me want to scream, and my only hope is that Regan can keep her lead.
At the beginning of the season, the thought of anyone, but especially Regan, getting that championship and the Cup Series spot would have made my blood boil.
That was before everything that’s happened this season, before my growing feelings for her.
Thinking about Regan winning makes me happy for her.
Proud, even. She’s worthy of that spot, and if nothing else, I hope she keeps it out of Hicks’ grumpy hands.
I shove my hands into my pockets as I get to the stairs that lead to my apartment. A figure steps out of the shadows, and I’m startled for a moment until I realize who it is.
“Regan? Why are you here?” I ask. She’s here. My stomach twists with excitement, just seeing her, knowing that she’s here for me…us.
“I needed to see you. I needed to be sure you were okay after everything.” She strides over to me and takes my hand, lacing our fingers together. My face must not convey how happy I am to see her, because her brows knit together. “Did something happen?”
“I’m…suspended for the next race. Tom just told me,” I say in almost a whisper.
“What? That’s bullshit. You didn’t do anything wrong,” she bellows. She squeezes my hand, making me look up at her. “I know you’ll probably say no, but I’m going to ask anyway. Do you want me to talk to my dad to see if he can help with the suspension?”
I shake my head. There’s nothing anyone can do. It’s no one else’s fault but mine, and I don’t think even Karsen Brady can swoop in and save the day.
“No, but thank you for trying to help.”
She pulls me into her, enveloping me in her scent, arms wrapping around my waist, and I hold her tight against me. I breathe in her vanilla shampoo before kissing the top of her head.
“We’ll figure this out together,” she says into my chest. We stay like this for I don’t know how long.
It seems like we both need it. Just being together, knowing that we are in this mess together, no matter what happens after.
Knowing that she has my back when I’ve been on my own for so long has a weight lifting off my shoulders as she helps carry some of the load.
I never imagined I’d have someone in my corner like this, much less Regan Brady.
Leading her back into my apartment, she sits on the futon as I grab beers from the fridge and sit next to her. She gladly takes the beer and takes a sip.
“What did your dad say about all this?”
She fiddles with the label on the bottle. “I didn’t tell him anything,” she admits. “I know he knows something is up, but I just couldn’t do it.”
I can understand that this subject could be awkward to bring up with her dad. There is a beat of silence before she says, “I visited my mom today.”
I perk my head up. She doesn’t talk about her mom too much. I know it still hurts for her to talk about. Just as it still hurts to talk about Daniel. But with Regan, talking about him hurts less, so maybe it’ll be the same for her and her mom.
“Yeah? How was that?”
“It was good. Healing. I filled her in on the whole situation. It really felt like she was there with me while I talked to her. It’s been a few years since I’ve gone to visit. It was just too sad. Now…”
“Now what?” I coax.
She shrugs. “Now, I feel like it’s all still sad, but I truly know she’s still with me. I know I must sound crazy.” She huffs a laugh.
I scoot closer to her, taking her hand in mine. “It’s not crazy. I’m glad you felt your mom’s support today.”
She smiles, and I really want to kiss her, but it’s not the time for that. “Did you want to stay for dinner? I can order pizza.”
“Pizza sounds amazing.”
I call and place the order, and while we wait, we play Mario Kart with Regan kicking my ass the entire time. It’s nice to just hang out and be in each other's company. No expectations—just us.
When the pizza arrives, I open the box on the coffee table and grab plates and more beers from the fridge.
“You know, this isn’t bad considering it isn’t Modelo,” she jokes.
I clutch my hand to my heart in feigned shock. “Regan Brady enjoys a beer that isn’t Modelo, the horror.” I put the back of hand on my forehead, pretending to faint like a damsel in distress.
She hits my shoulder playfully. “Har-har. Stop being a jackass,” she giggles.
Damn, I love that sound.
“Ow! Watch it. I need these arms.”
“For what? Flexing for grid girls?” I can tell she’s joking, but I hear a bit of insecurity around the question. Though I’ve already told her how I feel, she is still working through her own. I won’t rush her to tell me. I have a feeling I’ll like it when she does.
“Oh, you know it. But mostly,” I lean over, wrapping an arm around her waist and lifting her up into my lap, “for holding you as close as possible.”
She takes in a sharp breath and flushes. She stares down at me with hooded eyes and licks her lips. “Yeah, that too.”
It comes out breathy and sexy, and my dick stiffens even more in my jeans. With Regan in my lap, I know she can feel it.
I push some silky blonde hair behind her ear and brush my fingertips down the side of her neck and down her back. She shivers at my touch. Damn, I love her. I can’t believe that I’ve fallen head over heels for her, but I wouldn’t change it for anything.
“Dean…” she says, her eyes already full of need.
I grab the nape of her neck and pull her in for a searing kiss. It’s not gentle, and I can tell that’s the way she wants it. I pull at the hem of her shirt, pulling it off and pulling the cups of her bra down, exposing her perfect breasts.
Fuck, her tits are perfect.
I take a nipple into my mouth and suck and play, and listening to the sounds that Regan makes under my touch as she starts to squirm makes me want to throw her over my shoulder and toss her on the bed.
I keep teasing her instead until I know she can’t stand it anymore, then she stands in front of me, dropping to her knees.
Holy fuck.