Up to Speed

I slowly rolled over and propped my head up with my left hand, unable to sleep.  A small ray of sunlight was shinning through the space between the curtain and the window onto his beautiful brown face. He slept so soundly, so peaceful.

I don't even really remember a time without him. Dom is one of those people that once you know them, it's like there was never a time you didn't. No distinct beginning, no thought to an end.

Sometimes when I woke up with him laying next to me, I'd feel feelings rushing through me like someone had opened a flood gate. How to me he was so perfect, even though Dom and I were the definition of "clashing", it somehow worked. He was a go-getter, I was a 'take-it-as-it-comes' type of person.  I wanted to reach over and softly stroke his face, but didn't.

The clock was showing 6:32 AM. I knew Dom would be waking up in an hour or so to get ready to head into the shop. I sat up and slid off the edge of the bed, bending down to pick up my clothes that were piled next to it. Pulling on my clothes, my eyes never left Dom.

********

I had been working for Harry for almost 2 years now. Seems like just yesterday. I loved working there...the cars, the people, the culture. The racers are my family, my friends...my life.  I loved Harry. Because my real family lived on the East Coast, Harry became my West Coast dad. He did everything for me...gave me a job, trained me on all the racing know-how, helped me lease my first apartment. I'm only 22 and this was my first time living out on my own.

*********

Ashley slowly rolled into Harry's in her baby blue 1967 Camaro SS. That was the car she had dreamed of owning since she was 16 and Harry had surprised her with it on her 21st birthday.

"Big daddy!" she called as she strolled through the door.

"Ay! My little girl!" Harry called back as he walked around the counter with his arms in the air. The two embraced.

Ashley leaned against the counter and slyly moved her sunglasses down to the edge of her nose. "So dad, whatcha got for me today?"

"There's a big shipment coming in today...you know how Monday's are! You and Seth are in charge of getting it all taken care of and put in it's proper place."

Seth was a very attractive man. Baby blue eyes, spiked blonde hair, with an incredible body. He was bronzed from surfing at the beach and very toned with arms that danced with tattoos. His grin was so deviously charming... He and Ashley resembled a couple..more so than Dom and Ashley. She was also painted with tattoos. She had one on each arm that stretched from her shoulder down to almost her elbows. Her back was decorated by a tribute to the racing community..it had a skull and crossbones with the checkered flags, two black cats, and a piston on each side that stretched up past the tops of her shoulder blades.

"Hey girl," a scruffy voice coming from the back room said. It was Seth...he came strolling to where Ashley stood, grinning all the way.

Ashley smiled. "Hey Seth. Hope you had a nice weekend, cause it looks like we're gonna be knee deep in shit all day with these deliveries coming in."

"Nah, actually, I spent all weekend wishing that Monday would come...since I only see you when we're at work." 

Ashley could feel her face changing to a bright pink color.

"Alright you two...enough small talk! Get your asses in the back and get to work!" Harry said, half-teasing.

Ashley never really paid attention to Seth's passes. Seth wasn't Dom.

As Seth passed her boxes to open, Ashley's thoughts started to wonder. She started thinking of the particulars of her meeting Dom, and the whole crew...Mia, Letty, Brian, Leon, Vince...Jesse. Two years ago when she moved to Los Angeles the first place she saw that was hiring was Harry's shop. She had figured that a car shop wouldn't be interested in hiring a woman, but she took the chance. Harry took to her immediately and put her to work. That's where it started...Brian was there. Brian Spilner. Who could've imagined all the events that were going to occur after meeting Brian. He was the one who watched over Ashley at the shop, basically her trainer. They quickly striked up a friendship and had become inseperable. To this day, her and Brian were best friends. They would go to Toretto's everyday at lunch.

******

I remember how badly Vince and Leon hated Brian. They were always trying to stir up shit with him, only because Vince felt threatened by Brian. Afterall, Mia had feelings for Brian...not Vince..and Vince knew that. It killed him, but eventually he just accepted the fact, even though he still acts bitterly towards Brian.

It always made me laugh when I saw Brians "subtle" attempts at showing interest in Mia. The tuna fish sandwich with no crust...day after day. I think he thought that was the way to make Mia think he was sweet...by eating the terrible sandwich that even a dog couldn't choke down.

Dom's presence at the shop was almost ghostly. He only left the confines of the garage to come in and check on Mia and grab a drink. Seeing him walk in the restaurant would make my stomach sink. I guess it was obvious, because from the moment Letty and I crossed paths, she despised me. Other than Mia, Letty was the only one knew every thought and feeling Dom ever had.

After a race one weekend, Brian talked me into going to the Toretto house to a party they were having. Walking through the door...seeing Dom standing among a group of people-they were hypnotised by his enthusiasm of the story he told. His face was lit up as he talked. Everyone was captivated by Dom...especially me. Mia saw us and came over, quickly grabbing me by the arm.

"It's time you officially met Dom. Come on!" she said.

She pulled me over to him, and as he looked over at me, his grin turned to a look of interest on my behalf. "Who's this, Mia?"

"This is a friend of mine that comes to the restaurant with Brian. She works for Harry, too."

Dom smiled and stretched out his hand to me. "Nice to meet you...what's your name?"

"Ashley. It's Ashley." I squeeked.

Dom put his arm around my shoulder and led me to the kitchen. I kept thinking how beautiful his body was...so strong, so perfect. He reached into the fridge and pulled out a bottle of Corona. "Here ya go. Sip on this and enjoy the party." Dom said, still giving me that captivating smile.

I told him thank you as he walked back into the living room. And that was it...I was hooked. That was when my history began with Dom.

*******

"Alright kids, you can go to lunch now." Harry said, poking his head through the door.

Ashley couldn't believe that 3 hours had gone by so quickly. She often found herself losing track of time when she thought about Dom. The memory trip would have to wait. Lunchtime meant going to see Dom...and the rest of the crew.