Nine
Dom watched Mia walk back over to Kylie. She was standing with Angel, who had an arm around her shoulders, and was currently glaring icicles at him. If looks could kill, he'd be dead for sure. Mia said something to them and Ky nodded, then began walking away from the crowds with Mia. He hoped his sister could straighten things out. There was no way he was going to lose Kylie. He'd do whatever it took, wait as long as he had to, but he wasn't going to lose her.
"Dom asked me to talk to you," Mia told Ky as they walked together.
"He doesn't want to tell me it's over himself?" Kylie's question was so soft that Mia almost didn't hear it.
"What? No! Why'd you think that?" Mia was so surprised she stopped
"Look, Mia, I know what a loser I am. I know Dom doesn't love me. He's a good guy, and he's been great to me, buying me clothes, giving me a place to stay and a job. That's what he does, he takes care of people. So things went a bit too far between us. I understand. He doesn't love me. That's why he's so worried I'll get pregnant. He doesn't want to get stuck with me when he can have any girl he wants. That's why he didn't introduce me as his girl tonight," Kylie faced away from Mia, not wanting her to see the tears streaming over her cheeks.
Mia looked at Kylie in shock, then she grabbed her shoulders forcing the smaller girl to turn around and face her.
"Look at me, Kylie," she demanded. "You are not a loser. You have to stop putting yourself down all the time. And how do you know how Dom feels? Did he tell you that?"
"No he didn't say that. I just...I don't know. I've never been good enough for anyone, why should Dom be any different?"
"Because he is. Who weren't you good enough for Ky? Your parents? You gotta let go of that. Ask any of the team. They'll tell you the truth, and that's that you are a great person. You always jump in when there's work to be done, you're smart and pretty, and as for Dom? Ky, he's been happier since you came, than he has been in the last year. Because of you. You two need to talk to each other, about your feelings and what you want from each other. He cares about you. A lot. "
"How can you know that Mia? How do you know how Dom feels about me?"
"I know because he told me when he asked me to talk to you. He said you wouldn't talk to him and he needed my help fixing things. I couldn't believe he asked me that. Besides anyone with eyes can see it Ky. He loves you, and you love him. Dom, he used to flirt with the racer chasers, even when he was with Letty, and it hurt her a lot. When we got here tonight, Dom didn't even look at them, not once. He kept you with him the whole time, except when he was racing. That means something Kylie. And you, you tolerate the rest of us touching you, but you touch Dom on your own. You trust him enough to sleep in the same bed. Come on Ky, tell me you don't love him and I'll go tell him to take a hike."
"I-I can't, I do love him."
"Good, now go talk to him."
"I, uh, I don't know what to say," Kylie looked across the expanse to see Dom watching her and Mia.
"You don't have to say anything right now, just go to him."
Kylie nodded and began walking towards Dom. His dark chocolate eyes caught hers and drew her to him like a moth to a flame. She stopped in front of him and he opened his arms and pulled her close. As his arms closed around her he whispered apologies as she cried into his chest.