Chapter 53 Regan
FIFTY-THREE
REGAN
This race was grueling, and after leading for most of the day, I fell short of the championship and the Cup spot. I thought I would be mad seeing someone else win that chance in Cup. I don’t feel that way at all. I feel happy and proud that Dean won. Mostly, I’m glad it stayed out of Ian’s hands.
I climb out of the car on pit road, and take off my helmet and gloves. I turn to face the track where Dean is celebrating, standing on top of his car and pumping his fist into the air as the crowd cheers. I find myself smiling, happy for him. He’s earned this.
So many emotions flood me taking in the scene before me. Katarina catches up to me for a post-race interview, and after a loss like this, I would be storming away, not wanting to talk to anyone, but I’m ready to congratulate Dean.
“Regan, what a race to the finish. How are you feeling about the outcome today?” I break my gaze from Dean and his team’s celebrations and turn to Katarina.
“It was a well fought race. But no one deserves this more than Dean does.”
She blinks, shocked at my answer. It’s the truth. She recovers with another question.
“How do you feel about the news of Sampson Racing closing their doors at the end of this season?”
I shift from foot to foot. I wish Dean had told me himself about that, but I’m guessing he wasn’t allowed to talk about it. “I’m sad that they are closing their doors, but at least Dean gets his chance to continue his racing career in Cup next year.”
“Thank you, Regan.” She sets her sights on Ian, who looks furious. Serves him right. After today, I don’t know if he will change, but I hope he thinks twice about how he handles things from now on. But by the glare he’s giving me right now, I’m not holding my breath on that.
Dean’s crew has made it to where Dean is stopped on the track, hugging him and lifting him up. I don’t know what comes over me, I just know I need to be there, by his side. I break out into a run to get across the field.
As I get closer, all I can hear is my heart pounding in my ears, my focus only on him. Only focused on getting to him and telling him how I feel. How I’ve felt for a while now, but I was too stubborn to admit it to myself.
I get to him, and he’s still hugging some of his teammates when one nods in my direction, and he turns and sees me, out of breath and ready to spill my soul to him. A grin grows across his face as he takes me in.
“Regan? What—” I don’t give him time to ask his question. I grab the front of his racing suit and pull him down for a kiss. After the shock of it, he pulls me in close and wraps his arms around me. We both smell like sweat, fuel, and tire rubber, but that doesn’t stop us from consuming each other.
The sound of the crowds’ cheers floods back to my senses. I don’t care that everyone can see or that this will be plastered everywhere by tomorrow morning. All I care about, all I want, is him.
“Regan, what are you doing? People can see.”
“Let them see. I’m so proud of you. You’ve earned this, I can’t wait to cheer you on as you race in the Cup Series.” He cups my face and brings me in for another kiss, resting his forehead against mine.
“Thank you, baby. But you’re sure you’re okay with everyone seeing?” he asks, though it's a bit late to be double checking.
“Yes, I’m sure. I love you. I couldn’t wait to tell you. I know that I haven’t been clear with how I feel. I think I was mostly scared to admit it to myself. I love you, Dean Dixon. Here out in the open for everyone to see.”
Dean stares, taking it all in. His crew and everyone in the stands listening in. “I love you, too, Regan Brady, and I can’t wait to show you off to the world.” He scoops me up and kisses me again, and the happiness I feel is unmatched by anything else I’ve experienced up until now.
He pulls into victory lane with me sitting on the ledge of the driver’s side window.
I climb out and step to the side to allow Dean to climb out and celebrate.
As soon as he is out, all the confetti falls, and champagne is sprayed.
Ramon Vera is standing to the side waiting to hand him the championship trophy, and it is almost as tall as I am.
Ramon hands Dean the trophy and they shake hands.
Somehow, he lifts the large trophy over his head and another round of cheers and sprays of bubbly follows.
I gladly watch from the side as he places the trophy back down. He strides over to me, pulling me to him so that I can stand next to him, like I’m supposed to be here, like this spot next to him was made for me.
After all the interviews and mostly everyone has cleared out of victory lane to head to the after party, Dean turns, and as he sees them, he stops short and his face falls.
I turn in the direction he is looking. Two people are left from the large crowd.
A man and a woman stand hand in hand. Slowly, I think I’m piecing the puzzle together.
The man has Dean’s same brown hair, and the woman has the same emerald eyes.
“Mom? Dad? What—?” He stops, stunned into silence.
I’m also confused because from the way Dean made things sound, they haven’t spoken in literal years.
I wonder what has changed. I try to step away to give them some privacy, as I’m sure this is a family matter that they don’t want disturbed, but Dean’s grip tightens on my hand.
“Stay. Please,” he says, his eyes pleading.
I dip my chin, and we walk forward together. I wasn’t sure if I’d meet Dean’s parents, and I didn’t think it would be like this.
“Dean,” his mom says in a sweet southern accent.
“Mom…How? Why are you both here?” he stammers.
“After our phone call, Dad and I talked about things. We wanted to be here to see your final race. I’m glad we did. We are so proud of you, sweetie.”
His mom’s eyes are shining with tears, and I’m about to follow suit behind her. She seems so proud of her son and that she got to witness this moment in person.
“Both of us are proud of you, son,” his dad follows up with. “I know we all said things we can’t take back, and we’ve already lost so much time. Do you think you have it in you to forgive us?”
Okay, now I’m the one who’s about to cry. I look up at Dean and his face still shows the shock of them being here in the first place. I give him a little nudge so that he can respond.
“You came to support me? After everything? After Daniel?”
“We can see how much racing means to you, and it still makes me nervous every time you climb into that car.” She takes a breath. “But this is what you were meant to do. And Daniel would want us to stay together as a family.”
Dean sniffs and wipes the tears that have fallen onto his cheeks with the sleeve of his racing suit. “I’d like that.”
Quickly, he pulls his mom in for a hug, holding tight as cries from both continue.
His dad joins in, and it’s amazing to see his family come back together after they have all been through so much.
He pulls back and faces me. “Mom, Dad, this is Regan, my girlfriend. These are my parents, Edward and Jane.”
Girlfriend? Well, when you tell someone you love them in front of an audience, I guess that label is appropriate. Stepping forward, I stretch out my hand to shake theirs and introduce myself. Jane completely ignores it, pulling me in for a hug instead.
“It’s so wonderful to meet you, dear,” she says. Edward also pulls me in for a hug, skipping the handshake. I never expected his family to be so touchy-feely.
“It’s nice to meet you both. Will you be staying for the after party?” I ask.
“Not tonight. How about we all meet up for dinner when you’ve returned to Charlotte?” Jane suggests.
“That would be lovely, Mrs. Dixon.”
She laughs. “Please, call me Jane.”
“Okay, we would love to, Jane.” She smiles wide and they each give us another hug before they leave.
“They seem nice,” I say after they are gone.
“They are. I’m glad they came.”
“Me too, baby.”
The term of endearment slipping through my lips has him grinning from ear to ear.
“Baby, huh?” he teases.
“If you’re okay with that,” I reply shyly. He lifts my chin to meet his gaze. Those emerald pools are filled with such adoration that it makes my heart melt into a puddle on the floor.
“Of course. I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
Tonight, the entire infield is a party, celebrating Dean’s win and the end of another season.
As much as I love the racing season, having some time off will be nice.
I plan to spend as much time with Dean as I can before his schedule becomes too hectic, being in Cup next year.
I’m still so fucking proud of him, even if we won’t see each other like we’d like.
Throughout the night, Dean keeps me at his side, barely letting me get a drink by myself. It’s like he wants to make sure that I’m actually here. It’s cute, actually.
“Why do you keep looking at me like that?” I ask as he stares down at me.
“I just love seeing you by my side.” He leans down to kiss me on my cheek.
“Alright, you two, not too much PDA,” Cindy teases. Cindy came to surprise me. She was in the RV when I returned from victory lane. After a bit of screaming and excitement for her being there, she just gave me a knowing look after what happened so publicly between Dean and me.
“Sorry,” I reply, my tone laced in sarcasm. Cindy laughs as she scans the party around us.
“Maybe I should pick up one of these racer guys. Why didn’t you tell me they were so hot?” she asks, shoving my shoulder.
“Good luck. Most are too focused on their careers or just do grid girls.”
“I can be a grid girl,” Cindy counters.
I roll my eyes.
“Hey,” Dean chimes in. “I changed, didn't I?”
“Very true, baby,” I say, giving him a peck on the lips.
“Ugh, gross. Too much love is coming from you two.” She walks off to refill her drink.
Leslie steps in to take her place. “Congrats, Dixon, you’ve earned it.”
“Thanks, Leslie. Sorry you got caught up in that crash today,” Dean says.
She shrugs. “It happens, it’s Talladega. Just glad you won the title and not Ian.” She laughs until Ian’s voice fills the space. Leslie stops laughing almost instantly.
“Someone say my name?” Ian sneers. It seems like he’s still as greasy as ever. You’d think he’d learn to not cause a scene. Leslie quickly makes herself scarce, and Dean just tightens his hold on my waist.
“Is there something we can help you with, Hicks? Didn’t think you’d show your face tonight,” Dean taunts.
Ian narrows his eyes. “I came to congratulate you, of course, and not to worry,” Ian baits.
“Not to worry about what?” I ask before Dean can respond.
“Not to worry about being apart next season. I’ll take good care of your girl.”
Dean attempts to go after him, but Chase and Taylor step in and pull him back.
“You stay the fuck away from her,” Dean growls out.
Ian just laughs. He got the reaction he wanted. “Already risking your Cup career over a girl, yet again,” Ian tsks.
Ian leaves with Chase and Taylor still holding him back. Chase tells him something I can’t hear, and he stops fighting them.
“God, I hate that guy,” Dean says.
“I can handle myself. If anything happens, you’ll be the first to know.”
“And you’ll have us,” Taylor says, gesturing to himself and Chase.
“And me,” a woman says, coming to stand next to Chase. She looks familiar, but I can’t place her. Her strawberry blonde hair cascades down her back, almost to her waist, freckles adorning a good portion of her face.
“Karla, I’m Chase’s sister. We met at the gala.” She juts out her hand with her introduction.
“That’s right.” I take her hand. “How are you? Having fun at the track?”
“It’s been a great time.” Karla beams, giving a quick look at Taylor that Chase doesn’t seem to notice. The tips of Taylor’s ears turn a shade of pink.
“I brought her in for the last race. She just finished school.” Chase beams with pride at his sister.
“Yep. Graduated and now looking for my next adventure.”
“What did you go to school for?” I ask.
“Business Administration with a concentration in Digital Business,” she explains.
“Wow, that sounds interesting. Maybe you could work for Chase’s team doing social media stuff,” I suggest.
She taps her chin, pondering the idea. It would be nice to have another woman to hang out with. A girl can only take so much testosterone at a time.
“She doesn’t want to hang out around with us all the time, right, Karla?” Taylor asks her. He seems to be joking. There’s something that tells me that something else may be going on here. And Chase doesn’t seem to be picking up on the same vibe as I am. I side eye Dean, who just shrugs.
“That’s a great idea, Regan. I’m going to text Paul now.” Karla takes out her phone and her thumbs begin to move swiftly across the screen.
“You have Paul’s number?” Chase asks. I’m guessing it’s Paul Woodward, the owner of Chase and Taylor’s team.
“Of course. Don’t you?” she questions, her eyes never leaving her phone.
“Of course I do,” Chase exclaims. “He’s not gonna let you—”
“And done,” Karla says, cutting Chase off. “Get ready to see me a lot more next season, brother.” Karla leaves to grab a drink, and Taylor heads in the same direction she does. Chase nervously rubs the back of his neck and walks away from the party.
The party is starting to dwindle down, and Dean walks me back to my RV. I wish he could come in and stay, but we have a long drive in the morning to get back home. He leans down to give me a kiss. It’s slow and longing, like he doesn’t want this moment to end.
Neither do I.
Once we break apart, he leans his forehead against mine. “I’ll see you back in town, then?” he asks.
“Of course. Now that it’s off season, we can see each other as often as we like, and out in the open.”
“We’ll need to figure out how we can see each other with my new Cup schedule…”
I place a hand on his chest to stop him from thinking so much. “We’ll figure it out when we get there,” I assure him. I give him one final kiss and go inside.