Tough But Tender
By - TempestRaces
Chapter 38 – Flight of the Phoenix
"I think you shoulda turned there Brian!" I called as we drove right by what I knew was our exit to leave Florida for Alabama.
"No I didn't need to. We're fine."
"Were you sober when you left L.A. the first time Bri? Because we had to exit onto I-10 west and head toward Tallahassee to get home."
"I think she's right Brian." Fiona said, looking over my shoulder to read the map with me. "We definitely should have turned off there."
"I'll pull over to the next rest stop and we'll look at it then." Brian told us with a sigh and kept driving.
This rig is not the easiest thing to manoeuvre in the world either and if we had to get turned around it was going to be quite an adventure. We drove in silence until the next rest stop, Brian mad at us for thinking he didn't know where he was and us mad at Brian for not giving us at least enough credit to trust we knew how to read a map.
At the rest stop he took the map from us and looked it over. "Shit!" He exclaimed as he realized we had been right and we should have turned about 20 miles ago. Now he knew, as Fiona and I had always known, that we were going to need to back track and get back on the right road.
"Go ahead. Say it." Brian said, looking at us with a resigned look on his face. "I know you want to."
"Say what?" I asked him, fighting a big smirk.
"I told you so."
"I told you so!" Fiona and I said at the exact same time and cracked up laughing.
"Since we're here and stopped I'm gonna run in and use the bathroom and get a drink." I said as I waited for Fiona to hop out. They'd stuck me in the middle seat.
"Yeah I could go to the bathroom too." Fiona said as she got out of the truck. It was a bit of a trip to the ground, being up in what was essentially an 18 wheeler. I got down after her and stretched. There were a few kinks since we'd been in the truck for about 6 hours already. We were going to drive until eleven or twelve pm and then stop for the night. The trip from Miami to L.A. was slated to take about 43 hours. Of course we had the radar detector out of Leon's car hooked up so we were pushing the posted limits just a bit. We hoped to make it in 38 hours or so.
The cab of the truck was just a single cab though, and since we couldn't recline the chairs very far we'd agreed it didn't make sense to push straight through. We could have switched up drivers and had two people sleeping while one drove but since no one would be able to get very comfortable it wouldn't be very good sleep anyway. We figured we'd rather stop nights and rest up and arrive happy and safe then push too hard and have someone fall asleep at the wheel or just arrive home all cranky and irritable. We had enough on our minds and enough to look forward to without doing it all stressed out and tired.
I was just thinking about if I wanted a chocolate bar or not when Fiona came out of the bathroom. "Brian decided to fill up the tanks while we're here and I was thinking that we may as well just eat in the truck stop since we're here too. What'd ya think?" I asked her.
"May as well. I could eat and then we don't really need to stop again until we find a motel. It's already five pm anyway."
We left Miami at lunch time so we'd been on the road for five hours. I was ready for an hour outside of the truck. It's funny how on the way to Miami I only stopped to sleep and for necessity breaks. I didn't even care at the time. I just pushed right through.
Now that I'm not running from anything I don't want to push that hard. It's too stressful. I'm happier just taking it easier. Why kill ourselves? We have a week to make it home and it's only going to take four days. We'll be fine.
Brian came in to pay for his gas and we walked up to him at the register. "We decided to eat here before we move out. That ok with you?" Fiona asked.
"Yeah, fine. Then we can drive right through until we stop for the night."
"That's what we thought too." I tossed back over my shoulder as I walked into the diner part of the truck stop and got a booth. Fiona joined me and we were handed menus by a waitress who was a throw back to another time of waitresses. She had on cat's eye glasses on a chain around her neck and big hair in some sort of bun on top of her head. She walked away after giving us our menus and went to get our drinks.
When she came back we ordered and ate quickly. I guess even if we weren't in a rush none of us wanted to dawdle either. Brian insisted on paying the check and then we were off again. We back tracked, found our proper exit and got onto the 400 miles of I-10 we had to cover. If we kept up the same speed we had been making then we likely would cover it all before the end of the day. Then we'd look for a spot to hold up for the night in Baton Rouge.
By the time we reached Baton Rouge we were all ready to get out of the damn truck. It was all fine and good for us to all be together in one place and not have to worry about who's car could tow a trailer for the extra two cars we had to move, but damn my car would have been so much more comfortable then the cab of that truck. We walked into the motel cracking kinks out of our necks and backs.
It didn't take long to secure a double room and then we all took turns taking hot showers. I went last and then it was lights out. Brian got his own bed and Fiona and I decided to share the other one so no one had to sleep on the couch.
I've really gotten to like Fiona over the time I've known her. She can cook, she can sorta race, and she's pretty nice when she's not busy hating my guts. Since we came to an understanding we get along pretty well. Maybe she'll decide to stick around in L.A. if everything goes down according to plan. I think Mia would really like her and it would be nice for Brian to have some of his own family around.
I don't know what she's trained to do though. It never came up. She's too old to just sit around her father's house and do nothing. She can't be a student since she's been in Miami for like a month or so and she never seemed to worry about missing school or work. Of course it was summer so maybe she was on vacation. But she still should have started back by now if she was a student. I think I'll ask her about it tomorrow.
I got comfortable in the bed and tried to get some sleep. It wasn't coming to me. I was so excited. I'm almost home. Two more days and I'm going to be home. I'll be seeing Mia and Jesse and Leon and Vince again. Not to mention Edwin and Hector and Harry. I'll be seeing Dom again. I'll be home.
Home. I like the sound of that. Home truly is where the heart is and my heart belongs to L.A. You can move away but eventually most people will come home to their roots and it was time for me to go home to mine.
I have so many questions about what I missed while I was gone. Did my team go to race wars? How did they do? Is the garage busy? What about the café? Did Dom ever get any competition worthy of his time racing them? Will someone point out which skank is the skank who cheated on Leon?
Someone will because I'ma find her. I can't wait to show her a few things. Namely how it feels to have a broken nose.
Will Leon like his car? What will Dom think of the Acura? How are we going to tell the team we're home? So many questions that don't have answers. But they will, in a few short days. The only thing to do is play it by ear and let it play out. Things are gonna be how they're gonna be. I didn't even tell Vince we left Miami so no one is expecting us.
Next thing I knew Fiona was waking me up and it was broad daylight out. "Time to go get some breakfast Letty."
"What time is it?" I groaned. Too damn early was my personal answer.
"Nine am. Brian wants to head out as soon as we can."
"Ok, ok, I'm up." I crawled out of bed and dragged into the bathroom. I hadn't gotten to sleep until like three am. I wasn't ready to be awake yet but I see Brian's point. It's time to get going and the sooner we get moving the sooner we get home and the sooner I get to sleep in my own bed for the night. My own bed that I share with Dom. At least I hope I still share it with Dom. I haven't talked to him in awhile and I'm just hoping he still wants me back.
I got out of the bathroom dressed for the day and headed out of the room pushing my shades onto my face with my bag over my shoulder. "You guys ready?"
"Yeah, we're just gonna go eat at the diner attached to the motel and then head out. That cool?" Brian asked as he adjusted his own bag on his shoulder.
"That's fine by me." I answered him and walked over to the truck. I climbed up the side and tossed my bag into the Nissan. There wasn't room for all our stuff in the back of the truck so we had to store our bags in our cars. "You wanna toss me up your bags and I'll just chuck them in my car while I'm up here?"
Brian and Fiona tossed me their bags and I locked them in my car before climbing down. I fell in step between Brian and his sister. "Let's go eat some grub!" I said in a voice happier then I felt as I slapped Brian on the back heartily.
"Sounds good." Brian grinned. "I want French toast, eggs, bacon, sausage, and hash browns."
"You're starting to sound like Rome." I chuckled.
"No, I'll never be able to eat like Rome."
"Don't count on it. You can pack it in white boy."
"Yeah. But not like Roman, and not like Vince."
"No body eats like my Coyote." I grinned.
"He didn't seem like he could out eat Rome while he stayed with us." Fiona mused.
"Wait until you see him at a barbeque at home. You'll see a boy who can eat then. He's always hungry."
"Letty?" Brian asked as we pulled the door of the restaurant open.
"Yeah?" I replied absentmindedly as I scoped the place out for a seat for us.
"Is Vince gonna kill me? And is Dominic gonna help?" Brian seemed honestly worried. I picked a seat and we sat in it. Fiona looked uncomfortable.
"No Vince and Dom are not going to kill you. But you might need the fighting skills you showed us the day you and Vince clashed the first time. I don't think it'll last long but Vince might start any conversations you two have with his fists. But he won't kill you."
"That's comforting." Brian smiled sarcastically.
"It's gonna be ok Brian. I mean if you hadn't run off then you wouldn't have gotten caught in Miami to do the job with Rome. And if you hadn't done the job with Rome the boys would all still be wanted felons." I shrugged. "They might be pissed at first but in the end they're going to see that it's because'a you they're home working not locked up wearing orange jump suits."
"I sure hope this realization comes without me needing false teeth." Brian said, smile looking a bit forced.
"Stop worrying so much." I told him as the waitress came back and we ordered. It wasn't too long later we were back in the truck and headed toward home again.
After another long day pushing the truck to the limit of the speed we were willing to push it to we found another motel and stopped for the night. Sleep was long coming for me again but I found it eventually.
I woke up the next day to a ringing cell phone which after looking at the display Brian tossed to me with a grimace. I flipped it open after checking out who was calling. It was the team. Why'd they have to call now? We'll be home tonight. Why couldn't they just have let it slide another day? "Hello."
"Hey Letty." Vince started as I answered.
"What the hell are you doin up this early V?"
"It's kinda complicated."
"Ok, how?"
"It's Mia. You know it's her birthday soon and she's sorta flippin out that you're not here and she's back to cryin about the buster."
Great. I sighed. "Well there's not a lot I can do about that right now Vince." I didn't want anyone to know we were coming. Not even Vince. I have an idea for how I'm going to get reintroduced to my team and none of it involves them knowing I'm in town before I show up.
"I know, but is there any chance you could fly home for awhile? I promise that I'll make sure he lets you go back again. I'll find a way."
"I might be able to work something like that out V. Let me work on it and I'll call you back tomorrow ok?"
It was Vince's turn to sigh. He didn't like my noncommittal answer. "I guess. Try hard Lett."
"Ok, ok. I get it V. I'll call you soon." I couldn't help my grin. I was really pulling one over on them. I'd be home in about 14 hours and I was letting him think I wouldn't even call him again for another 24. I can be awfully cruel when I want.
"Ok."
"Say V?" I thought of something in that second and man would it ever be sweet if it worked out.
"Yeah?"
"You guys goin racin tonight?"
"Yeah, far as I know. It is Friday. We go to races most Fridays, why?"
"Ok, I was just curious. Good luck."
"Thanks." Vince hung up, and I had clearly heard his confusion in the word thanks. I had him nicely confused now.
I closed the phone and tossed it back to Brian. "Time to get moving. We gotta get home by twelve tonight."
"Why?" Fiona asked me, puzzled.
"Because we are going racing in a Skyline, NSX and RX-7 that my team doesn't know and that is how we are going to let them know we are back in town. It's more neutral then the house so Dom and Vince are less likely to make a huge scene."
"Plus you get to kick a little ass?" Brian asked, smirking. "A little Italian ass?"
"Maybe." One corner of my mouth lifted in a smirk. "Let's get going."
So we did. We got dressed, ate and hit the road. We drove through the morning mist, the midday sun, evening dusk, and we hit the California border as true night hit. We hit the LA city limits at eleven and parked the truck at the garage. No one would be back to the garage until tomorrow and the cars we weren't driving would be safe locked inside. I still had the keys, I could only hope Dom hadn't changed the code to the security system, that it was still my birthday.
To say I was nervous would be the biggest understatement ever made. After two months with Dom having no idea where I was I was home. I was going to be seeing him again in an hour, less. My heart was in overdrive and my stomach would have rebelled, had it contained anything to rebel against.
I got the garage door open and rushed over to the wall panel. My code worked and I disarmed the security system quickly. I opened the bay door and we got the cars down, first my Nissan, then Brian's Skyline and Evo, followed by Leon's Skyline and Fiona's 7. Lastly we took the NSX off. It took the most doing because it had been covered in a car cover for the trip to keep the paint protected and we had to take the cover off so we could see to drive it down.
We put Leon's Skyline, Brian's Evo and my Silvia into the empty bays of the garage and then locked closed the door.
"Hey Brian?"
"Yeah Lett?"
"Can I use your Evo to play a little joke on Leon?"
"Sure, as long as nothin's gonna happen to it."
"I promise the car will be fine. I just wanna do a little somethin with it to fool him a bit. You'll see later when we take them back here to give Leon his car."
"Ok."
Fiona went with Brian while he moved the truck to the LA office of the company Tej had rented it from, Fiona following him in her car so she could drive him back again.
I used the time alone to clean up a bit in the shop bathroom. As I brushed out my hair I wondered at how long it had gotten since I'd been gone. I couldn't remember my last haircut so maybe that had something to do with it. I was also a bit smaller then when I'd left, mostly due to having more muscles on leaving then when I'd arrived in Miami. I picked out a pair of baggy combat pants in a creamy color and added a red tank top.
Totally different style from what I use to wear to races but that's half the point of why I left. Right? I hope so. I don't want to fall right back into hold habits and pretty much make my whole month spent away for nothing. As I left the bathroom ready Fiona and Brian got back and walked into the shop. It was eleven thirty. They were going to need to get ready quick if we were gonna make the warehouse before the first race was organized.
"We gotta get a roll on if we're gonna make it before the races start. I want in on the first race." I said and Brian clearly knew it was because Dom was always in the first race.
"You sure racin him is a good idea Letty? What if you win?"
"What if I do?" I asked, getting defensive but knowing what Brian was getting at. What if I won and Dom took it personal, like he couldn't handle his girlfriend beating him in a race.
"Can Dom take it?"
"If he can't I guess he'll damn sure learn quick." I sighed. "Brian, I don't even know if I can beat him. He's seriously good. I don't know if a new car and a new attitude will be enough to push me into his level even, let alone beat him. I've never managed to come that close to him before, let alone win. It's something I need to know."
"Ok, if you're sure about it."
"I am."
"Well, I'm already ready to go." Brian said. I looked at him. Black tee shirt and blue jeans, finished with chucks on his feet. He was ready because his outfit was just so, well, Brian.
"I'm not." Fiona headed into the bathroom with her bag and came out a few minutes later. At least she wasn't one of those girls who took hours to get ready, or if she was she knew how important it was for her to put it aside for tonight. When she was ready we left the garage. I turned off all the lights and locked up after arming the security system over again. I had a feeling we'd be back here after races were over because I couldn't imagine me going to bed tonight without showing Leon his car.
We all got into our separate cars and headed down to the warehouse alley. I stopped the car before we entered and got out. Brian walked over to me while Fiona watched out her windshield.
"I don't want them to know who I am or who you are until after I race. I think we should give Fiona the money to buy me in and let her give it to Hector. There's a small chance Vince might recognize her if he sees her but I hope he doesn't. So we'll just have her follow me and you can follow her. You and I will stay in our cars while she goes and buys me in. Then after the main crowd leaves she can get into your car and you guys can go to the finish line if you want."
"Ok, sounds good."
We related the plan to Fiona and she agreed. We gave her money and got back into our cars. I lead the way in and parked. I had a small crowd around the car a minute later but I stayed in my ride with the window up as I watched Fiona go over to Hector. I'd described him to her and I guess I did a good job.
She said something to him and he looked at her like she was crazy. She pointed at me in the NSX and showed him the roll of bills. Hector called out behind him. Man I wish I could hear what they're saying. Then Dom walked up to them.
He's lost weight, was all I could think. His face looked weary. I want to go to him so much it's killing me. I see him and my soul still knows that at his side is where I belong. I had to grab the wheel and hold on so tight my knuckles turned white just to keep myself in the car and out of his sight.
Fiona pointed at the car again and Dom got a more familiar look on his face. His 'who wants to race me' disbelieving smile. Like when Brian had told him he almost had him. Like that smile. That 'oh you think so' look that Dom does so well. When he smiles like that I love him for his assuredness. There's something to be said for confidence in a man. Fiona held up the money again. I want to know what exactly is being said so bad. But if I get out of this car it's all over.
Dom made a gesture and Hector took the money. Dom walked back over to Mia, who I hadn't noticed until now and Fiona started my way. I cracked my window so that we could see each other from where she stood and I sat, but that anyone farther away wouldn't see my face as it would still be behind tinted glass.
"They think you're crazy but you're in. They said to tell you to watch for the red RX-7 to leave then follow it to the line."
"Ok, you and Brian come to the finish line too. That's where the shit is going to hit the fan when I get out, no matter who wins. Ok?"
"Yeah, good luck."
"Thanks. See you in the winner's circle." I told her with a wink.
"We'll be there." Fiona walked to the passenger side of Brian's Skyline. I guess seeing the blonde Fiona had first caught Leon's eye but the car sealed the deal. Thankfully Dom roared by as Leon started toward the silver beast and I took off, Brian following. Leon walked back over to Vince's car in my rear view and they followed us to the line. I lined it up, careful to keep a car between me and Dominic. It was some kid I didn't know but he sort of looked like Hector so maybe it was one of his many cousins.
There was a great deal of waiting as we waited on the boys to get a clear scan and start the race. My palms were sweaty and my heart was trying to escape from my chest. I was about to race Dom. Not only that but Dom had no idea it was me. Only god knows what the outcome of this is going to be. I don't know if I'll win or lose, and I don't know which I want more.
Hector held up his arms. I revved up the car. Dom and the other two guys did the same. The crowd was so loud I could hear them roaring over the noise of our four engines growling.
Hector dropped his arms. Four cars squealed off the line. I got out in the lead. The car off to my left was rapidly falling back. The car on my right, the one between me and Dom was keeping up with me. Dom was half a car off him. Dom always does that though. It's to get some sort of mental advantage. He lets you think you're winning but you're not. He's toying with you.
I shifted up a gear and gained more. The guy from my left was long gone. The guy from my right was starting to fall back too. Dom was moving up fast.
Shit, I forgot this is a quarter mile sprint. There are no turns and no strategy to use here. Just run it, fast as you can. I floored it and gained another gear, moving away from Dom again. We'd left the second guy in the dust at this point too and we'd only been racing about 3 seconds. Funny how the experience feels almost like slow motion. No, it's even slower then that. It's like it goes into bullet time.
I shifted up again and realized Dom was actually at my rear corner, I was almost a car ahead of him. I knew it didn't mean anything. Getting complacent was when most guys lost to Dom. As if to illustrate my point he used his nitrous and got out in front. I hit mine and caught him. We were now side by side and it was clear that Dom had given up on his mind tricks. He was just running for all he was worth and my only shot was to do the same. I hit my second shot of nitrous and got away from him a bit but he was right back beside me with a push of a little red button. The finish line was in sight and we were still side by side.
Neither of us gained an inch or lost one either. I growled. I wanted this win more then anything. A quick glance to my right showed Dom looking straight ahead. He always raced with his windows down. Don't know why. I had the car wide open and in my top acceleration gear. I hit the spray again and edged up a bit on Dom, but it was like he'd used a third hit at the exact same time and edged me a bit.
As we both flew over the finish line I couldn't tell you who was out front. I just didn't know. We all pulled up, the other two fellas crossing a second after Dom and I. I was almost hyperventilating.
I'd done it. I was home and I'd raced Dom. I didn't know if I'd won or lost and I didn't care. Because now I had to get out of the car and see Dom. And that was ten times more frightening then anything else I'd been through in the whole of my life to that point. I could see him standing over by his car with Vince, Leon, Edwin and Hector. They looked like they were deep in thought. Then they started my way. Ok, now or never.
With a deep breath I started to open the door. I threw it open on an impulse. No matter how shittless I'm scared I should make this look confident. I stood up out of the car as they reached the side and looked at everyone but Dom before I let my eyes climb up his frame and reach his face. At first he just looked at me, head slightly cocked to one side like he didn't know who I was.
Leon was shocked too. He looked like he had some mental disorder as he stood gapping. Vince was smirking like he knew all along, and I guess due to the rarity of the car he might have had ideas. My gaze moved back to Dom, who still hadn't said anything and looked like he still wasn't sure if I was real or not. I had to do something.
"Well, who won?" I asked, smirking.
"That's my girl!" Vince laughed as he grabbed me into a hug. "You bitch." He whispered into my ear. "Letting me think you might not even come home for her big day."
"I was already three quarters of the way home when you called."
He laughed, like really laughed, head thrown back as he released me. "You always were kinda sneaky."
Leon moved in. "LD!" I got my hug from Leon, who was grinning from ear to ear. "Damn girl, you look good!" He got a glare from Dom for that, the glare being the first reaction Dom had shown since I got out of the car.
"Well, don't anyone know who won the damn thing?" I asked again, getting worried about Dom's lack of reaction and speech. I glanced over at the silver Skyline and tried to tell them to stay put for the moment.
"No one." Hector finally answered me. "Everyone agreed it was a tie."
And maybe that was for the best, I figured. I'd really tried to beat him, he'd really tried to win so we were equal, with neither better then the other. Maybe that was how it should be. Partners who were equal, wasn't that what Tej had said?
Mia came running up. "Letty!" She grabbed me so hard she tossed me back into the side of my car and started to try and hug the life right out of me. I hugged her back just as hard. "You didn't even tell us you were coming back."
"Surprise!" I said as I grinned. Dom had still yet to say anything. Like that fact occurred to them all they shared a look with each other. "Maybe we should leave you two alone for a minute huh?" Mia asked, ever perceptive.
"I don't think you can leave us alone in front of a crowd this big Mi." I told her. "But perhaps a few minutes would be good." I admitted with another glance at Dom's unreadable face.
They moved off into a little huddle at the side of the race strip and I stood in front of Dom. "Don't you have anything to say to me?" I asked him, getting nervous enough to almost gag because of it. Why wasn't he saying anything? I'd rather that he screamed and yelled at me then just stood there. He shook his head no to answer my question and I got really worried.
A half second later I was in Dom's arms and he was kissing me like I don't know if he ever kissed me before. There was so much emotion in the kiss he gave me I wanted to cry with it. His arms crushed me to his chest as he kissed me like I'd only ever seen men kiss women in the movies before. My arms came up around his neck as I kissed him back. I'd missed him, even more then I'd let on. He released me to a symphony of cat calls and cheering a second later.
"Ay papi." I grinned. He didn't smile back. "Something I said?"
"Missed you." Dom finally said. Those simple words meant more to me then any huge speech he ever could have made. "Don't ever do anything like this again."
And then the rest of the team had us in a group hug to end all group hugs and we were all laughing and crying all at the same time and it was good. When we all pulled apart I grabbed Dom around his neck and kissed him again, just for good measure. I can't stop grinning. Everything's gonna be ok now. I can just feel it. He didn't flip out I tied him. That can only be a good thing.
Oh shit! Brian and Fiona are still in the Skyline. "Um well guys, the surprises aren't over. You might have guessed I'm home because of Mia's birthday." That sounded bad. Like I wouldn't have come home if not for it being Mia's birthday. "Well, at least that's what made me plan the dates. I was ready to come back too, but I didn't want to miss out on the party. I guess what I'm saying is I brought myself home for me, and for Dom and Mia too, but I'm not stuck up enough to think that I'm enough of a present for Mia's birthday so I got her something else."
Mia was looking at me happily, wondering what her surprise was. The rest of the team looked intensely curious. I waved 'come here' toward the Skyline. The doors slowly opened. Then Brian got out. A hush fell over the crowd as he walked over to where we stood. No one had seen him in almost a year and everyone had their own opinion on where he went and whether he should just stay there or not. It was like the crowd held their collective breath as they waited for the reaction of my team to Brian's presence. No one said anything as Brian looked at them and they looked at Brian.
"Um, hey guys."