A/n: I'm sorry! School makes it so hard to update, but I told you that once I got back on track that I'd start updating more frequently, I hope. So, please read and review if your interested in another chapter… ok?
Chapter 5
Dean wrapped his arm around Andi, trying to keep her from shaking due to the cold. Their group of friend's approached the two and sent them deathglares. Obviously Tory wasn't really a huge fan of Dean, for whatever reason that may have been. Instead, they just continued to gawk at Dean and Andi.
"What are you doing Andrea Carson?" Tory screeched. "Can you imagine what Mr. Carson is going to do to both of you?"
Andi laughed; Tory was taking things a little too seriously. The kiss was meant to be fun, it didn't mean that they were a couple or anything. Once again, a few of the group started to walk off, leaving the two behind, including Tory. Surely nothing good was going to come out of this.
"Um, Dean … why don't we go to my house and practice our racing strategy for tomorrow?" Andi asked shyly.
"Sure, we have to make Mr. Carson look good. Plus, I still have some unfinished business to take care of. And you need all the tips you can get," Dean teased.
"Hey," she retorted, lightly tapping him on the arm. "That's low. I'm a girl, shouldn't you respect me and not tease me," she pouted.
"I guess so. Let's go." The two walked off, knowing that they had a lot of practice to get done. Also, Andrea knew she was going to be bombarded with questions; she was sure that Tory would spill the beans and tell Mr. Carson. It was a flaws of Tory's; but the girl was Andi's best cheerleader friend. She had no reason to betray her, right? Well, that's what Andi kept telling herself. Grabbing Dean's hand, they quietly walked together down the street, afraid to ask anything at all. Their friendship had had a rocky start, but maybe they could build their friendship.
Once they arrived at the house, Andi and Dean entered the side door so that they could walk straight through the kitchen and get some water and snack before they pulled an all-nighter working on the bikes and figuring out new strategies. Walking through the door, Andi froze in her tracks. Her father was sitting at the table talking to Jason and Andy about racing. There was obviously no way they could avoid each other without getting caught.
"Oh, Andrea. Have a good night?" Mr. Carson asked his daughter.
"Yeah, could have been better."
"Excuse me guys. Need to use the bathroom." Dean headed up the stairs. Well, he didn't have to go to the bathroom but he figured Mr. Carson was going to make him exit the room sooner or later.
AndiI looked at my father apprehensively, glaring at him. Once again, he just had to embarrass me in front of Dean. It was like he was actually trying to keep me away from Dean. I mean, it would be very unprofessional if I got into a serious relationship with Dean, but my father wouldn't even understand friendship. What happened to the father who had that talk with me?
I just couldn't hack it anymore; a few tears slid down my cheeks. "Daddy, can we please talk in the living room?"
He looked at me, annoyed and frazzled. "Sure darling."
I cringed at how different he had been acting. Was I missing something?
Once in the living room, I sat down on the couch and decided that I would start questioning him before he started getting all worked up for nothing. "So, are you going to inform me why you're acting so strange, dad?" He stared at me awkwardly,
"No. Honey, I don't think I'm acting strange. Protective, maybe … but never strange. I know Dean's a great rider but I really don't think you should get involved with someone at his age, Andrea."
I cringed at the way he said my whole name. It was as if he truly despised me for liking Dean beyond the friendship barrier. After all, it wasn't like there was a contract that I had to sign about that. And as far as I was concerned, my father wasn't going to change that.
"So…" I trailed. "How about if you start acting like the same guy from the race track that day and trust your daughter. Daddy, I know I'm only a teenager and I'm no adult … but you must respect that if you don't allow me to make mistakes, I'm never going to learn anything."
He glared at me angrily. One point for me! I had made a point he couldn't retort about. "And," I added. "Dean and I are only friends."
Oh that did it. He stormed out of the room, surprising myself and Jason who had just happened to pass the living room, convenient, huh? I laughed and walked towards my brother. "You don't have to mind daddy's strange behavior. I think the three of us are driving him insane," I chuckled.
"Probably; after all, I am the youngest." I slapped him playfully on the arm and he gave me the puppy dog eyes and pouted.
"Aww, how about you come and help Dean and myself out with our bikes and plans? We could use your intelligence Jas," I asked, sweetly, pouting back at him.
"Ah, so that's how it goes. You use me for my brain."
I scolded him. "Of course not." I smiled and wrapped my brother in a hug. "Let's head out now."
DeanI splashed water on my face and looked up at the mirror. The person staring back at me wasn't Dean Talon. I looked like the effect of a burned out and old Dean Talon and let me tell you, I was not enjoying it. Sure, I wasn't a teenager anymore, but being in the Carson household a lot lately makes me feel somewhat irresponsible … Her father isn't very understanding and seems to dislike me. It's not like I would give Mr. Carson a reason to hate me… except.
Well, except, for dating Andrea Carson. If it was possible, I'd love to date her and take her out all the time. But, that wasn't possible and there were so many reasons popping into my head and telling me that I couldn't be with her. If I could at least have frienship, then I'd settle for friendship.
Sucking it up, I noticed that the house had grown silent. I walked into the kitchen to see Andy reading a dirt bike magazine. And then, he looked up at me sympatheticially. With all the arguing I heard upstairs, I was sure Andi and her father had reached a disagreement. "Where'd Andi go?" I asked hesitantly. I didn't want Andrew to hate me. He was actually growing on me, almost as if he was the little brother I never had.
"In the garage with Jason. They're waiting for you." He winked at me and gave me two heads up. Okay, like I was supposed to know what that meant? I just shrugged it off and thanked him as I arrived at the garage… Jason and Andi sounded as if they were bonding and she was talking all giddy. And folks, Andrea Carson never acted like a giddy girl. I stopped by the door and listened.
Yeah, shoot me. I was eavesdropping on her, but I needed to know what was on her mind. Suddenly, a twinge a guilt flooded my heart and I couldn't go on with it. I don't think she'd enjoy if I'd do that to her. Feeling childish, I entered the room and they suddenly grew quiet.
Yep, they had been talking about me. That much was clear from how quickly they stopped talking. "What are you two doing?"
"Just working on Andi's training schedule with school and everything," Jason answered. "Of course you will be practicing many times without her, but I think it'll be a learning experience to see how well you mesh and work together now."
I sat down beside Andi. She flinched. Alright, way to go Dean! I scared the poor girl to death already. Scooting in the other direction, I mumbled 'sorry' and listened as Jason began working on our schedules.
A few hours later, Jason had left the garage and was sound asleep in bed. Meanwhile, Andrea and Dean were starting to work on their bikes. "So, Dean, why don't you tell me something about yourself?" Andi asked curiously.
"What would you like to know?" he asked, hesitantly.
"I don't know. Maybe something like your favorite color or your favorite childhood memory," she suggested.
Dean sat there quietly. "Alright. Well, my favorite color is green and my favorite childhood memory is when my younger brother and I were out practicing together. It had been his first time operating a dirt bike and he was apprehensive about it. Soon, after I coxed him into it; he started riding like a pro. It was really the first time my brother and I had bonded until…"
He suddenly stopped. He was obviously hiding something. "Dean, what is it?" Andi pried gently.
"How about we keep this a happy memory for now? I don't want to remember the past."
Andi nodded her head. She wanted Dean to be happy and not upset with her; he was so sweet when he had that look on his face. Andi was sure he had to be a ladies man; what lady would refuse?
As Andi fixed one of the problems with her practice bike, she wiped the sweat pouring off her face. Little did she know that Dean had begun laughing at that act. Surely, he didn't think it was strange or unsanitary did he? "Dean Talon: You better tell me right now what you're laughing about," Andi demanded.
"Fine." He slowly approached her, grabbing a napkin off one of the work tables. "You have grease smeared on your face," he said in a low seductive voice.
Andi gulped. "Thank you," she whispered as he slowly touched her clean and soft skin with his pointer finger.
"You're welcome." There was something different in his eyes, something that Andi couldn't figure out until he quickly leaned in and brushed his lips against hers. It was his first real kiss with that amount of passion. He couldn't even believe he could feel so strongly for a girl. But, all of that changed as they heard a voice clear his throat behind them. Uh oh.
A/n: Wow! So sorry for taking so long. I almost would have taken a day or two longer to get this chapter up, but I figured that since all of you were asking nicely, that you deserved a longer chapter since I haven't really gotten anything productive done. After chapter ten, things will drastically pick up and I'll even try and make LONGER chapters. So, please review and don't kill me for the cliffhanger. It seems to be the only times that you guys actually review.
P.S. Sorry for changing my pen name again. I'm trying to find something I really, really like.