Chapter 51 Regan #2
I freeze. There have been rumors all season?
I take a breath and steady myself before I answer.
“Dean and I are just friends and competitors.” As I say the words, they feel like sand on my tongue, gritty and gross.
We agreed on this, but it doesn’t stop Dean from tensing and removing his hand from me.
It’s like there is a cool draft from his lack of touch on my body.
I want to reach across and place his hand back on my thigh, but I think that will give us away, so I let it be.
“Follow up question, Dean. Why would you come to Regan’s aid when you have been rivals since you started in SCORS two years ago?” Ryan asks, taking careful note of how we react to the question.
“I was stepping in to help someone, rival or not. I would hope anyone here would do the same. Just because we weren’t the best of friends throughout most of our time racing together doesn’t mean that someone deserves to be attacked.”
Damn, good answer. Good enough to shut Ryan up as he sits back down in his chair. Relief washes over me. I was nervous for a second that Dean might spill the beans.
“What kind of decision about Ian Hicks’ recent actions would you have made if you were able?” a voice from the back shouts.
The anger I felt earlier is back, and I don’t think I can keep what I really want to say inside this time. Dean looks at me and gives me a small shake of his head, letting me know I should keep my mouth shut. I can’t do it this time.
“I wouldn’t have let Ian Hicks run this last race.
At minimum, a fine for his actions, and maximum, removal from SCORS entirely,” I say.
Murmurs once again fill the rooms. “I was nearly assaulted by a fellow driver. We are fierce competitors out on that track, but that stops as soon as we step out of our cars. Sure, talking shit is one thing, but physical violence is not the way to go about things. Which I know coming from me is the pot calling the kettle black. But I’ve learned from my mistakes with the punishment that I was given from SCORS.
Will Ian, if he’s still given a chance to compete for a title? ”
I take a look over at Dean, who is wearing a smile of pride, standing up for what is right.
It encourages me to keep going. “If Dean hadn’t stepped in when he did, we would be having a much different kind of conference right now.
I don’t think this is a suitable punishment for what Ian did, and my concern is for other women wanting to come into this sport.
If something were to happen to them, they wouldn’t have the support they need from this organization. ”
That sends everyone off, all still firing questions. This isn’t supposed to be over yet, but I’m fucking done. I’ve said what I needed to say. I stand and march out of the room without looking back or listening to any more of the questions that are being thrown at me.
I’m halfway down the hall when my name is shouted from behind me, but I don’t stop. Letting my legs carry me further from the madness behind me.
“Regan, wait!” Dean shouts again. I stop, turning to see him running to catch up to me.
“What? I’m not going back in there. I’m not wrong about what I said.” Anger still simmers in my chest.
He shakes his head. “No, you’re not. I’m glad you said it. I had to make sure you were okay. I left soon after you. Ramon is doing more damage control.”
The tension in my body starts to release.
I have the urge to wrap my arms around him, to feel the comfort of his embrace.
Suddenly, he grabs my hand and opens the closest door.
Dean shuts it and feels along the wall, flipping the light switch.
It’s a small janitor closet, full of shelves that have cleaning supplies with a stack of brooms and mops in the corner.
All of my anger comes out in tears as all the emotions rush from my body. Dean takes my face in his hands, using his thumbs to swipe my tears away.
“Hey, I’m here for you, anything you need,” he says in a soothing voice.
“I know. I wish they were taking this more seriously. I’m just so angry,” I sob.
He pulls me into his chest.
“I know, baby. I wish they were, too. I wish I had more courage to say what you did in there. We’ll get through this together.”
I’m not going to dwell on him calling me baby and how I really like how it sounds. I want him to say it again and again, but I push that down for now.
“I have a lot less to lose than you for calling out Ramon Vera, of all people.” He nods in agreement, and I pull away from him, taking in his perfect features.
I lean in and kiss him, not caring that someone could open this door any second, risking our secret being revealed.
He kisses me with such passion that it makes my heart flutter hard in my chest, as he shows me how much he craves me.
Can I love him outside of this closet, out from behind closed doors? Can I love him out in the open?
Holy shit. I love Dean Dixon, and I know he loves me.
Not only has he told me, but he shows me over and over that he does.
Every time he swipes away a tear, stands up for me, or is just there when I need him, that’s what love looks like.
Not flowers and chocolates. Being there when it’s most important.
“Let’s get out of here,” Dean says after ending our kiss.
I nod and let him lead me out of the closet, going our separate ways. Heading toward a race that will determine both of our futures.