Laura and Dom made their way into the café and over to the team who were truly making a mess of their burgers and chips. Letty was in the process of making a mountain with hers. She looked more than relieved to see the two of them appear at the table. So did Brian for that matter.
Laura and Dom managed to squeeze in beside them all and the table quietened down as if they were expecting some revelation. Laura looked at Dom and she burst out laughing. The team, realising whatever had been causing the tension between the two of them was sorted, seemed to lighten up and actually began to enjoy themselves. Brian put his arm round Laura and pulled her close. She looked at him as if to say 'I'll tell you later'.
Within half an hour the whole team were outside getting ready to leave. Dom, Letty and Laura were looking in the trunk of Laura's Skyline at the six disc CD player to try and get it working again. It turned out that one of the discs had just been jammed and that the CD player was fine. A weight actually lifted from Laura's chest. The drive wouldn't be so bad after all.
"Ok," Dom said as he put the disc back in the player and closed it all up, "looks like we're ready to roll."
The team all got back in their cars but Brian made a point of waiting until they were all gone before making his way over to Laura.
"So you and Dom seem happy around each other again…"
"We talked, sorted stuff out. It's ok between us now. He apologised…so did I for the whole punchin' him thing. I told him you were mad so he's ready to deal with whatever you want to say or do to him. But Brian, it's seriously been sorted. I don't want a big scene in Monterrey. Will you do me a favour and just forget about it?"
Brian sighed and frowned, "Laura what makes you so sure he won't try it again?"
"Because it wasn't like that. He's not into me…it was just a mistake. Ever heard of getting caught up in the moment? Seriously it's all ok…"
"Ok. I'll leave it," he leaned over and kissed her, "See you in Monterrey babe."
"Yep."
She watched as Brian got into his car. Dom, being aware they had needed to talk, started up his engine after Laura gave him a nod. Everything seemed so much better now they had cleared the air. She had expected him to have killed her in the bar because she had punched him but no, he was cool about everything. Maybe he was having a change of heart…
The team all pulled out of the car park and Laura turned on her stereo. She loaded her old Linkin Park album and turned it up almost full blast. Even her headache had disappeared! Everything seemed ok…although she still had Leon to deal with in Monterrey…
The four hours seemed to pass a lot quicker than Laura had anticipated. Monterrey was a lot bigger than she had expected too. Obviously not as big as LA but big enough. They arrived outside a car garage at 10pm. Laura got out of her Skyline, leaving her stereo on and her door open. She sat on her hood and waited as Dom talked to some Latino guy. So this was were they'd stay for the next two months or so…it looked pretty cool. As long as they had a steady inflow of cars to be worked on she'd live.
"Hey." Brian said as he sat on the hood beside her, "Finally we're here. Looks great doesn't it?"
She had to admit the garage looked impressive. There were shelves of tools, some she didn't even recognise and there was the most amazing supra she had ever seen sitting on the garage floor. What she'd wouldn't do to get her hands on it…
"This is Laura…the newest addition to the team…and a whizz when it comes to engines." Dom said interrupting her thoughts.
She smiled at the Latino guy, rolling her eyes as he shamelessly checked her out, "Nice to meet you chica. I'm Sonny. It'll be nice to have another girl getting her hands dirty in my garage…"
What exactly was he getting at! His expression told her he wasn't talking about engines…
"Uh thanks…I think." She laughed and felt Brian tense a little beside her.
"Brian." Brian lent forward and grabbed the guys' hand unexpectantly, "Nice to meet you." Dom gave him a look.
Laura's breath caught in her throat as Leon stepped up from behind Sonny.
"Hey Laura. Brian." Leon nodded a hello.
Laura couldn't help herself, it may have been inappropriate but before she could stop herself she jumped of the hood of the car and hugged him, "Hey Le. How've you been? We've missed you."
Leon laughed a little nervously, not sure whether to put his arm round her. He decided it was fine for them to hug, "Uh… things have been good…well great actually. Nothing like some Mexican air to clear your head."
She nodded, not even trying to hide her huge smile. It felt great to see him…and there was no tension in the air. Well… hardly any. Dom watched with curiosity to see how Brian would react to the whole hug thing. Brian stood up and put a protective arm around Laura,
"Yeah Leon, it's really great to see you again man!" he said shaking Leon's hand.
Laura flinched at Brian's less than enthusiastic tone.
The whole team got ushered into the garage and sat around while Sonny introduced some guys who lived near by and worked in the garage. There was Miguel who was small and shy and Ovidio who, yet again, seemed very interested in Mia, Letty and Laura. Where they all like this?
"So, how long you been into engines?" Sonny asked as the rest of the team listened to Ovidio tell some story on how some guys tried to shot at him during a bar-be-que.
"Uh, ever since I was about 12 or 13. My dad was really into them."
"Cool. So you'll be up for workin' on anythin' then."
"Yeah…I'm good with any car I think."
He nodded, grinning. He had a capped tooth and looked like a right criminal… although he wasn't bad to look at.
"Hey baby," Brain said, sitting beside her and eyeing Sonny suspiciously, "Thanks again Sonny for settin' us up. You've saved our asses."
"No problem homes, I'll find some way you can make it up to me." He winked at Laura before making his way over to Dom.
"Oh God, he's not even subtle is he?" Laura laughed, but Brian looked worried.
"No he isn't…"
"Awww Brian you look so jealous." She couldn't stop laughing at the expression on his face, "Don't tell me you feel threatened by him!"
Brian grinned stupidly, "Well not really…"
He laughed when he realised how paranoid he was being; "Ok no I don't feel threatened by him…I don't need to, right?"
Laura doubled over, clutching her stomach, "Oh Brian…of course you don't!"
He watched as she finally stopped laughing and wiped her tear stained cheeks. She stared into his eyes. She knew exactly what was running through his mind… she wanted him as bad as he wanted her. He grinned and leant in to kiss her…they hadn't been like this in a while… the intensity of his expression and the flutter in her chest… the kiss actually surprised her. Brian seemed nervous, as if he was scared to hurt her. His lips were soft but she could feel the need behind his façade. When would they finally get time alone again? Would they be expected to share a room? The thought made her smile…
"Hey sorry to interrupt you two but we're all pretty beat so Sonny'll show you where you're sleeping and I guess we'll meet up again in the mornin'" Dom said yawning.
"K," Laura said smiling as the whole group split.
"Well the rest of them know where to go cuz they've been here before but I guess you two don't have a clue so follow me. You OK sharin' I take it?" Sonny asked while taking them up some stairs to an apartment above the garage.
"Yeah, that's fine," Laura said quickly.
"Ok, well these rooms never really get used unless we have extra guests. There's no more room in my place for you two but it's only across the street so we're not far away. It just means you have to run across the street for food. But there is a bathroom up here. This Ok?" he asked as he showed them a bedroom, a small bathroom and a small living room type place. It even had a tiny TV.
"This is great! Probably even better than a room in your place…no offence."
"None taken I'm glad you like it. Well, there's a set of keys for the door at the top of the stairs there and I guess I'll see you in the mornin'. Come over whenever you want."
"Ok thanks Sonny." Laura called out as he waved and made his way down the stairs.
"We need to get our stuff…do you wanna un-pack and all now?" Brian asked looking around the rooms, "You know this is practically an apartment! We were lucky to get it."
Laura laughed, "Yeah, Ill go get my bags but I'm not haulin' yours up!"
Brian grinned, "That's ok, you'll need your energy for when we're done…"
"Ha…oh really?" She laughed again. It felt good to be able to act normal again.
They carried all their bags up from the trunk of their cars. Laura had two bags; Brian only had one, so it didn't take them long. Laura had also thought to bring a portable stereo/CD player and as she set it on the table in the tiny living room Brian smiled,
"Nice thinking…I was wondering how we'd live without music."
"Ah, you see…brains and beauty!" Laura said in a sexy voice as she closed and locked the door, making sure Brian heard the click of the lock.
He grinned at her, "All alone. Whatever will we do?"
"Oh I dunno," she said as she walked slowly over to him and put her arms around his neck, "we could unpack all our shit…"
"I have a better idea…" Brian said as he lifted her up and carried her to the bedroom.
She giggled with pure ecstasy. His arms felt sturdy and safe and the grin that was permanently planted on his face showed her he wasn't planning on letting her go any time soon. He dropped her on the double bed and carefully lay on top of her. The weight of his body on hers made her gasp for breath. He kissed her, first the nervous kiss she had experienced downstairs and then the kiss she knew only too well. They rolled over so she was on top of him. She sat up, one leg each side of him and took her top off. She saw the glint in his eye as she lent down and kissed him again. As her hands wandered to his belt and his fingers dug into her back she knew neither of them would sleep much tonight…