Chapter Eight

The next day came and went and before anyone ever realized a week had passed and Ashton and Antoinette were working in the café while Mia was away at school. Antoinette had promised to keep things up and running while she was gone, but what she hadn't told Mia was that she was throwing out anything that she had made with mayonnaise was being thrown away and remade. She wasn't going to serve that to some poor unsuspecting customer who didn't know what to expect, that would be wrong on so many levels it was unreal. One of the major things that had made her agree to take over was the fact that Thalia could be there with her while she worked and wouldn't be in the way. It also meant it would keep her from feeling bad about leaving her daughter at a strange daycare center where she didn't know anyone, she was only two and the world could be a scary place. In all the time since they'd moved the only person who'd actually seen Brian was Rome and that was only while he was working at the garage. He'd told Antoinette and Ashton both, when he'd stopped in to pick up lunch for the team that everyone was wondering why he kept his distance from the café and how whenever anyone brought up Antoinette he'd get quiet and try and change the subject. Rome also told them that everyone was starting to get suspicious of it and had started questioning him about it. Anni's reaction had been the only that could be expected and that was 'Shit looks like I'ma have to tell em all sooner than I wanted to.' She was going to have to talk to Brian soon and hopefully talk him into going for a little 'vacation' for a week or so. She didn't want Thalia to end up fatherless and she knew that's what would happen if Dom found out while Brian was around. She was still thankful that Dom hadn't been around when they first started dating to give the 'You break her heart I break your neck' speech, that might have ended disastrously.
Soon another week had come and it was Friday. That meant that for Antoinette, Ashton and Rome the weekend would be filled with painting the living room and kitchen. They had already finished Thalia's bedroom which was now a pale lavender color with white trim and since she like butterflies they'd painted little pink ones on the walls making it look like they were flying from wall to wall. She'd stayed at Dom's with Mia and Letty for the weekend until they finished so that she wouldn't be tempted to play in the paint and they could actually get work done. When she'd finally seen it she'd squealed in excitement and hugged each one of them multiple times making all the work they'd done seem even more worth while. This particular Friday was extremely hot and even though they were all dressed in shorts and thin tank tops the three of them were dying in the café. Looking at her daughter and best friend suffering just as much as she was, Antoinette was suddenly struck with and idea and said,
"Ash I'll be right back I gotta go do something real quick. Tals you wanna come with me or stay with Aunt Ashton?"
"I wanna go wit you Mommy." She answered.
"Okay, c'mon then. We'll be back soon Ash."
"Alright, see ya in a bit Cheer One."
"Later Cheer Two." And saying that, Antoinette put Thalia in her car seat and they left. Staring at her car driving off, Ashton wondered what the hell her best friend was doing. Watching the car until it disappeared from sight she walked over to a magazine rack and picked one up not bothering to even see what it was. About five minutes later she was flipping through the pages and heard the engine of a car coming closer. Looking up she expected to see Antoinette's car pull up but was surprised to see a car that she didn't recognize. As the guy got out of his car she couldn't help thinking 'Damn he's hot! Wonder what's bringing him here?' As he walked towards her she kept her head down as if she was reading it but was her eyes were looking up and she was watching him approach. Soon he was at the counter and she stood up straight and asked,
"Can I help you with something?"
"I here to pick up lunch for the team." He answered her.
"Who are you? I don't remember seeing you."
"Brian. You look sorta familiar, have we met?" As soon as he'd said his name she'd recognized him with his wavy blonde hair and the same blue eyes she saw every time she looked at Thalia. She felt a little bit awful for finding him attractive but it wasn't something she could help. Plus she figured if Anni and him could get a long then there was no reason for the two of them not to. As he looked at her she realized that he'd asked her a question and, blushing a little bit for getting caught up in her own thoughts, answered,
"Umm yeah a couple times but you probably know me better by name. I'm Ashton."
"Oh you're Anni's friend that went away to college in Florida."
"Yeah that'd be me. So you got everyone's orders?"
"Yeah right here." And he handed over the list of what everyone wanted. Reading it over Ashton began saying what everyone wanted out loud.
"Okay so I got two turkeys, a club two hams, a chicken salad, and tuna. This should be ready in like fifteen minutes. It'd be quicker but Anni just up and left to go do something."
"Its fine take your time. There's really not a rush."
"With Rome hungry? There's always a rush the boy never stops eating. I've often wondered if he even chews his food or just swallows it."
"You got a point there I remember when we were in Miami the boy never stopped eating." Brian said laughing and remembering the time when Markham had pissed him off and he'd eaten his lunch. After that the fell into a comfortable silence with Ashton making the sandwiches while he studied her. Her blonde hair was pulled back in a French braid and tucked under to keep it off her neck. Her blue eyes were bright and seemed to shine naturally making them see like the clear blue waters of the ocean. Looking at her he thought that she was truly beautiful, but couldn't imagine her going for him. Firstly he'd hurt her best friend and no matter how she was treating him now it didn't mean she was that likely to forgive and forget and secondly he couldn't imagine anyone as gorgeous as her giving him the time of day. Soon, as Ashton was finishing up with the sandwiches, they heard the roar of an engine and looked out towards the road to see who was coming. As they saw the hot pink RX-7 moving closer they both knew who it was, and before either one knew it the car was sitting in front of the café. As Antoinette opened her car door, balancing a drink carrier and a few bags in her hands she looked at them and said,
"Can a girl get some assistance over here?" Both went over to her quickly and took the things from her. "Thanks," she said and then noticing that Brian was the other person at the café said, "Oh hey Brian. Do you guys got that?"
"Yeah we got it, but what the hell did you go to Sonic for? And what did you buy?"
"You'll see in a minute. Now I'ma go get the slushie queen outta her car seat before it gets all over my car. Now that's a mess I don't wanna clean or have on my seats in the first place." Saying that she went to the passenger side door, opened it, and grabbed both Thalia and her slushie at the same time. Then walking into the café set her on one of the stools by the counter handing back her slushie. Then she walked back behind the counter and put the bags in the freezer.
"Why'd you just put that in the freezer? Cause I'm guessing that that was food in those bags." Ashton said looking at her friend a bit oddly.
"See my dear Cheer Two that's where you would be wrong. It's ice from Sonic." Antoinette answered smiling.
"You just ordered ice?" Brian asked, "I thought you'd gotten out of that habit."
"No that's one of my many quirks that I have yet to over come. And no I didn't order just ice. I got me a strawberry limeade and my darling friend Ash a cherry limeade so ha."
"Well Bri here's lunch for the crew. Try not to make Anni sound too insane when ya tell them she went to Sonic just order ice." Ashton told him handing over the bag with the sandwiches in it.
"Don't know if I can make her sound sane when I tell them that." Then receiving a glare from Antoinette, corrected himself, "But I'll try."
"Ha ha, you two are soo hilarious. I think I might just die from amusement." She answered the two of them, her tone full of sarcasm.
"Well I gotta go, the team's probably wondering where the hell their lunch is."
"See ya later Brian." Ashton said, giving a short wave. Antoinette also said her goodbye and started cleaning up around the kitchen counter and watching Brian walk to his car. She knew that she needed to talk to him and the sooner the better. Plus she'd noticed the looks he and Ashton had been giving each other. They liked one another and she was going to do whatever she could to get them together. Then looking at his retreating back she decided that she might as well get this over with for their sake as well as their daughter's. Hopping over the counter, something she'd been doing since this place had opened, she jogged over to his car and leaning on the driver's side door said,
"We've gotta talk."
"So you wanna talk now." Brian said more a statement than a question. "Where the hell was this Antoinette when I wanted to talk a month ago?"
"Yeah I didn't wanna talk then but I did now didn't I? So guess what now it's your turn to talk even thought you don't wanna." Saying that she let go of his door and walked to the passenger side getting in. After closing the door she turned and looked at him. "We can't hide the fact that you're Thalia's father forever. Eventually we're going to have to tell my brother and when we do it ain't gonna be pretty."
"Yeah no kidding. I've been on the receiving end of his temper and I'd rather not return." Brian said looking at her.
"You haven't seen anything yet, trust me. I don't know how he's going to react but I can tell you now that wondering isn't doing anything to help my nerves."
"I'm the one that should be worried. I'm the one in danger of having my ass kicked not only by your brother but Vince and Leon too."
"You can't forget Letty. She'll be right there with them. I'm like the little sister she never had."
"Great, just what I needed to hear. I might've had a chance taking on Leon and V but with Let and her temper I have no chance."
"Poor you," Antoinette said laughing slightly, "I'd really hate to be in your shoes right about now. Oh and to make sure you understand you would never have a chance against Vice or Leon."
"How do you figure that?"

"Dom would get to you first and then they'd be there to finish it up."
"Good point. So is this all you wanted to talk to me about?"
"No it isn't. I haven't seen you for a month; you should come around the house sometime. Hell maybe tomorrow, you can help us paint."
"Paint?"
"Yes paint; I'm basically decorating the house. We're getting the kitchen and living room done this weekend."
"I guess that'd be alright. See ya tomorrow?"
"Of course you will. Come by around eleven and wear old clothes, paint doesn't tend to wash out."
"Well no shit Sherlock. Why the hell would you think I didn't know that?"
"Ya never know with you Bri, ya never know. Plus with all that blonde hair what they say bout blondes might apply to you."
"You're one to talk Miss I can trip on thin air."
"That was once! And I haven't done it since!"
"Okay well I should probably get this to the team before they die of hunger, especially Rome." He said indicating to the bag of sandwiches he had.
"Alright, I'll see you tomorrow and good luck."
"What do you mean 'good luck'?"
"Rome told me you were racing tonight."
"Oh thanks."
"Bye Brian!" She said laughing at his clueless ness.
"Later Anni." And with that she got out of the car and watched him drive away. Walking back to where Ashton and Thalia were she grabbed her limeade and took a drink. The rest of the day flew by and before wither one of then realized it was six o'clock and they were closing up the café for the weekend. As soon as the girls had gotten home Antoinette had started on dinner letting Ashton take a shower. As she cut up bell peppers for the salad she was making she thought about her talk with Brian. She couldn't help thinking that they were much better as friends. Sure they'd been happy when they were together but they'd also fought quite a bit and no matter how much she wanted to try and deny it she couldn't, they were getting along much better now in the short time they'd been around each other lately then they usually were two and a half years ago. As she continued on with her preparation of dinner she couldn't help the thought that passed through her mind, 'Maybe Brian leaving wasn't such a bad thing after all. Who knows what would have happened if we'd stayed together' but deep down she was beginning to realize that their relationship wouldn't have lasted and if it did it would have been for all the wrong reasons. Soon Ashton was out of the shower and helping her with dinner. At about seven Rome walked into the house and was greeted by Thalia throwing herself into his arms. Carrying her into the kitchen he talked to Ashton and Antoinette before heading into the bathroom to take a shower. By seven-thirty he was back downstairs and at seven forty-five dinner was ready and they were all sitting down to eat. At dinner Rome told them that he was planning on going to the races tonight.
"God I haven't been to the races in ages." Antoinette said looking quite envious of him.
"Tell me about it." Ashton added, "I think the last time we went was to that really shitty one in Barstow bout six months ago, remember?"
"How could I forget it, we cleaned up at that race. How much did we end up making that night?"
"About six or seven thousand I think."
"Damn how much racing did ya'll do?" Rome asked. He knew the Barstow racing scene and knew that you didn't make that kind of money with one race.
"We both raced bout three times each. Unfortunately as we all know, the Barstow scene ain't willing to cough up the money that they do here."
"No shit. I remember down in Miami Bri could make up to twenty G's with one race." Rome said.
"Who ran the races down there?" Ashton asked curious to see if anyone new was running things down there.
"A guy named Tej."
"Glad to know my boy still is handling his shit down there."
"You know Tej?"
"Hell yeah I know Tej. I went to school with Suki." Dinner went much the same way, with them talking about racing. Antoinette had shocked both her friends when she told them she'd invited Brian over to help them paint the next day, neither one protested to it though. Soon enough dinner was over and Ashton was doing the dishes, while Rome sat in the living room watching TV until he left for the races and Anni was upstairs with Thalia getting her ready to go to bed. It was about nine-thirty when she finally came down the stairs, hair falling out of her ponytail and dragging her feet across the carpet. She looked completely exhausted as she plopped down on the couch next to Rome. Leaning on him she closed her eyes half way and said,
"God I'm so tired. How was your day Ro'?"
"Not that bad, worked on an Evo and changed the oil on a couple cars." He answered, putting his arm on the back of the couch so she could get more comfortable.
"Sounds exciting."
"Oh yeah never knew what was gonna happen next." He said jokingly.
"I went to Sonic and got ice then I was told I was insane."
"Yeah I heard about that. It's alright though, I know you ain't crazy."
"At least someone believes that." She said with a grin. "What time are you supposed to be at my brother's house to go to the races?"
"He said that they start at midnight so to be there by eleven- thirty."
"So basically you've got a hour and a half to kill til you've gotta leave."
"Yeah pretty much. Why what do you got in your head?" At that moment Ashton walked into the living room.
"Good now I don't have to go in the kitchen. Ash you've got a little over a hour to get ready for the races before Rome leaves you're ass here."
"What are you talking about?" Ashton asked looking from Antoinette to Rome and back.
"You're gonna go to the races with Rome. So hurry up and get ready alright?"
"Fine I'll start getting ready see ya in a bit." And she ran upstairs. As the two of them sat there watching Monster Garage about twenty minutes later, Antoinette still cuddled up next to Rome, they heard a frustrated growl which was soon followed by Ashton standing at the top of the stairs and calling the stairs,
"Cheer One a little help up here." And disappearing back into her room. Shaking her head at her friend, she sat up and said,
"I better go help her before she has a coronary. Can't let that happen to my girl." And walked up the stairs. When she walked into Ashton's room she saw her friend sitting in front of her mirror brushing her hair out. "What's the problem girly?"
"My hair. It's being a pain in the ass and won't do what I want it to." Ashton answered still brushing her hair. "Well we're just gonna have to do something about that then." Walking over to where Ashton was Antoinette started to fiddle with her hair, trying to decide what she was going to do with it. Moving the hair a around for a few more minutes before getting to work and beginning to braid and curl various pieces of hair. About ten minutes later she was spritzing Ashton's hair with a light coast of hairspray, which was followed by a spray that made her hair shiny. "So how do you like it?"
Examining her hair Ashton looked at the handiwork her friend had just pulled off with the hair she'd been having so much trouble with. She also noted how much you could dress up a regular ponytail. Antoinette had put her hair in a high ponytail, using her fingers to pull some of it back, so it looked a slightly messy. She'd also taken tiny sections of hair all over her head, braided them, and pulled them through the hair tie. She'd then mingled wide spiral curls with small sections of hair that had been teased to make the hair hanging down a little poufy, and curled the ends of her hair out and under. Antoinette had also taken out bangs and bobby pinned them at the nape of her neck. As she continued to check it in the mirror for any hairs that might be out of place she said,
"Anni it looks great! I completely love it and it's perfect for the races! It'll keep the hair out of my face while we're driving but still looks good."
"I'm glad you like it. So what are you wearing to the races anyways?" Antoinette asked.
"I'm gonna wear my leather pants with the silver dragon on the right leg. Oh that reminds me before I forget, can I borrow your black leather halter top?"
"Yeah sure. I'll go get right now." As she answered Ashton's question she headed towards the door, so as soon as she'd finished answering her friend she'd left. A few minutes later she'd returned with the shirt and a pair of earrings in her hands. Sitting the shirt on the bed she walked back over to Ashton and handed her the earrings. "Here I got these for you a while ago. I was gonna give them to ya as part of your birthday present but they go with your outfit too well for you not to wear them." Looking at the earrings she noticed that they were small silver studs with dragons dangling from them. She also noticed that for eyes they had small black stones.
"Anni these are so kick ass! And you're totally right, they'll go with the outfit perfectly. Thanks soo much!"
"It's no problem Cheer Two. Ya know I love shopping so honestly it benefited us both. I filled my need to buy something and you got a pair of as you so beautifully put it 'kick ass earrings'."
"Yeah I do have a way with words don't I?"
"You sure do. Now I'ma go and let you finish getting ready. Do you need any help zipping that shirt up?"
"Actually yeah, I think I'm gonna."
"Alright let's get that done real quick then." As soon as she'd zipped the back of the shirt for her friend, she started to walk out of the room. She made to the door frame before she turned around and asked, "Ash?" with an uncertainty in he voice.
"What's up Anni?" Ashton asked wondering what was wrong with her friend.
"Can you do me a favor and keep the entire chaser off of and away from Rome?"
"Of course Anni and girly I'ma tell you right now. The next time Rome goes to the races I'm staying here with Talli and you're going with him. You deserve it. Oh and if you try to argue with me when that time comes I'll have him carry yo' ass out to the damn car."
"What would I do without you around?"
"Shrivel up and die?" Ashton supplied.
"The sad truth is I prolly would. Now finish getting ready and thanks." Saying that she went back downstairs and started looking at their DVDs. She knew Ashton would be down in about twenty minutes and wanted to watch a movie. Rome was still sitting on the couch watching TV as she scanned through the monstrous collection of movies they had. After going through them about twice she decided on 'Scooby-Doo 2: Monster's Unleashed'. She needed to watch something to take her mind off things and this was the perfect movie for that. As she waited for Ashton to come down so she could start the movie she went into the kitchen and grabbed a Wild Cherry Pepsi. Opening it she went back into the living room and sat down next to Rome. Looking at the TV she realized that he was watching the food channel. 'Go figure.' She thought to herself, 'When is Rome not thinking bout food.' At eleven on the dot Ashton walked down the stairs and announced that she was ready to go. Walking them to the door Antoinette hugged then both goodbye and said,
"You guys have fun, and if ya'll decide to race be careful cuz if one of you get hurt I'ma kick the others ass. Are we clear on that?"
"Yes mother." The two of them said at the same time before laughing.
"Don't worry Cheer One we'll be fine, and I haven't forgotten my promise that I made earlier."
"Thanks Cheer Two. I guess I'll see you guys later."
"Of course you will. Later Anni." Rome said and gave her one last hug before they left.
"Later Ann and sweet dreams." Ashton said.
"See you guys later and in case I'm asleep by the time you get home sleep tight. If you ain't up partying all night." Waving one last time as they pulled away, she shut the door and settled herself in for about an hour and a half of a movie filled with monsters and a talking dog.
As soon as they'd gotten to Dom's they'd left for the races. Ashton checked out the scene and realized how different it was from Miami and at the same time how similar it was. She couldn't help but think that Tej organized things a lot better than they did here, and she told Rome this. He'd agreed with her saying that their chances of being reported were a lot less in Miami than they seemed to be here. After a few races the cops had showed up and everyone took off heading back to Dom's. From there they'd partied some and Ashton had to knock quite a few racer skanks off of Rome. At first he'd looked at her a little odd, until she'd made him realize that this was Antoinette's brother's house and anything like that he did was likely to get back to her. From then on out he'd kept the chasers off by himself. She was just glad she'd been able to keep her promise without spilling anything about that promise to Rome. Ashton spent most of the night talking to various members of the team, and even though she'd never admit it she was trying to locate Brian. At about three a.m. she'd decided that it was time for them to get going and since she had drank less than Rome, she drove home. Walking into the house as quietly as they could the each went to their respective rooms, Ashton's right next to Anni's and Rome's in the basement. They both knew they were going to need their sleep if Antoinette was planning on working them like she'd done last weekend. With mumbled 'goodnights' the poured themselves into bed and slept wait for whatever Anni was going to have them do later that day.

A/N: Hey everyone!! What's up?? Not too much here... just really tired... but that could be cuz it's like 3:30 in the morning. But what can I say. I was in a good mood today... or yesterday I guess cuz I got two reviews!! God I'm addicted to reviews. Cheer looks like you're not the only one who's gonna need Reviews Anonymous. Lol. So anyways umm... yeah... I didn't actually write the races in this chappy cuz I'm waiting til Anni goes for that. So it's prolly gonna be by the eleventh or twelfth chappy... cuz lets face it she's a single mom and I'm sorry but even tho I don't have kid I just wouldn't leave them alone on the weekends, especially at that age. I've gotta ask ya'll to forgive any grammar errors (not spelling I hope cuz I've been using spell check) cuz again like I said it's 3:30 in the mornin'. Wellz I hope ya'll liked the chappy. Read and review. Much luv to all of ya!!

Jess