Racing Hearts

Chapter Four- Aftermath

The fervent heat of his breath colliding with her own in a passionate yet popular display before a crowd of thousands came as a welcome surprise to them both as they fell into this kiss without shame or clear dominance between them. Yet, it was not a kiss that was born from lust-it was crafted with care. Devon ensured this as he slowly lifted his hands to her hips as he brought her back against the cold metal of the rail supporting them both until his tense physique was now against her. She was able to feel the want behind each thump of his heart and passionate kiss that introduced his taste to her for the first time; a taste that was intoxicating to her as it was reserved exclusively for her in this moment.

Her response to him was quite a surprise to her as her digits took hold of the collar of his suit, allowing him the insight to her reciprocation. He smirked between one of these kisses until his fingers slipped lower onto the base of her back and to the fabric of her dress, where he gripped the floral design of the ivory skirt into his gloved grasp before pulling back to speak to her. But in this retreat, she was left panting with unfulfilled desire and the want for a continuation or an encore of what was just shown before a group of thousands; including her best friend, and her recent ex. 

“Kay?” Her attention was brought back to the moment at hand as she forced herself from the feeling of his impossibly soft lips taking possession of her own and the urgency of his tongue playing with the base of her own parted mouth, but never crossing over into her space. “We’re home…” She explained as Kayla nodded and pulled herself from the car, unable to forget how comfortable she fell against his body and how even hours later, electricity was present on her skin. 

“He’s got you smitten…”

“What? No! I don’t even know him…” Kayla was ceased at the steps of Amanda’s apartment with a kind yet firm hold on her shoulders. 

“Do you realize that you spent the entire drive home without thinking of the accident? Therefore, I think you should give him a chance…”

“Give a chance to the guy who practically extorted me?”

“No...to the guy who made you smile for the first time since I’ve met you-a genuine smile; one that wasn’t shown out of being polite. Look at me in my eyes and tell me that you don’t want to go on this date.” But as Kayla looked forward into the molasses gaze looking back at her, she could only drop her own eyes in an annoyed roll for having proven her friend correct. “There is no harm in it-”

“I just learned that my relationship of five years has been a technical lie. And even if you didn’t care for him...at one point, I DID love him...that doesn’t just stop because some attractive race car driver shows interest in me...It’s too new.”

“Okay. I’m pulling the b***h-friend card. If you don’t go out with him...I will never talk to you again.” Kayla let out a chuckle of disbelief before finding Amanda to now release her and cross her arms over her chest. “Seriously, I know I am not one to talk because my last date was with the television, Chris Evans, and a bottle of wine-but I see that he does something to you; he makes you...I don’t know...but it’s nice to see...whatever it is. It’s one date...Unless you’re afraid you can’t handle yourself around him.”

“Please…” But as these words left her lips, she had found this to be her prime concern as she managed to become horribly wrapped up in him with just one kiss and she knew if those other eyes weren’t on her, that she could have easily relinquished herself to him. But this would not be a confession she would make to either Amanda, herself-and especially not to Devon. 

“So the kiss did nothing?” Kayla could not meet with Amanda’s gaze as her eyes fell to the side once again before returning with guilt. 

“I knew it. You mark my words...he is going to be the best thing that ever happened to you. Even if it is for a hot minute…”

“I would like to think I could last longer than that.” His voice suddenly echoed behind both girls as they turned to find the impeccably handsome Devon Adams a few meters from their shared front door. 

“I just remembered...I left the iron in the dryer-I mean the dryer in the oven-I mean, never mind...” Amanda spoke nervously before fumbling with her keys and giving Kayla the time she needed to have a proper conversation with Devon; meanwhile, her nosy eyes peeked through the curtain just beside the door with an attempt to read their lips. 

Devon took a step in her direction, hands in his pockets with the exclusion of his thumb, that hung loose with abandonment, before speaking to her. “Hope I didn’t scare you.”

“Did you follow me?” She inquired, her tone more curious than upset-which is what she should have been considering the circumstances in which they met. Yet, the arousal she felt in his presence had managed to lower her aggressive response to him; one that was replaced with want. 

“Yeah...But I came to ask you, officially..”

“Ask me what?”

“I can give you a night where you are treated like a goddess and we can see where that takes us...or I can leave tonight...back to Fort Worth and our paths will never cross again. No guilt, no hard feelings...Just a decision." Both possibilities had terrified her. She thought of what would become of her if she were to accept this date; she could stake her entire soul on the fact she would eventually end up in bed with him. But she also knew if she were to reject him, that this excitement she felt at this very moment standing across from him may never be ignited in her again. Amanda’s words kept with her thoughts as well, reminding her that this had been the first time he had been in a car since the accident without thinking of the tragedy itself; and that was all because of him. 

“I appreciate what you did with Jeff...but that just ended last night...five years like it never mattered...And I don’t want to confuse anyone with trying to lie and say I’m ready when...I don’t know what it’s like to be single again…”

“Then how about just a walk?” Her eyes looked to the well lit portion of the street leading down to the very bar in which they met as she looked back to Amanda who was giving two thumbs up in the window; a sight that made both of them laugh. “After you?” He inquired as she nodded and took the role of a partner in gait at his side as they began their stroll beneath the recently fallen dusk. 

“What is it with the sweet tea? I mean...usually people go to a bar for a drink…” She grinned to herself with pride at this question as she loved making the wheels in his head turn. 

“I don’t drink.”

“AT ALL?!” She silenced at his response that was almost insulted that she rejected the idea of any form of liquor. “Is there a reason? Just so I know for future references…” He smiled with the hope of this acting as a foundation to what could be an official first date. 

“I just don’t like it...or what it does to people…” She confessed as he nodded with a complete comprehension and understanding of her point.

“I’m curious to know something...The things that your ex said about your father...Were they true? I mean...did he…”

Kayla nodded. “The details aren’t exactly known...it’s mostly speculation...horrible rumors...a tarnished legacy…”

“Who was he?” Her jaw clenched for a moment as she spoke his name; “William-Billy Hansen.” 

“Number eighty-nine. Red Corvette...black rims...sponsored by Pepsi...Eight wins his first year and fourteen altogether...no-fifteen...one was posthumous.” Her brows shot up in having been impressed as he smirked before leading his gaze away from her. “Sorry...He uh...was my idol growing up…”

“Mine too.” She confessed as he eyed her for a moment before motioning to move his hand before retreating before she could feel the comfort of his touch. “You know...he used to take me to the track when it was completely empty and let me take this go-kart that was entirely safe and gave me my own driver’s suit and helmet-which was pink, of course.” Tears filled in her eyes as she lived these bittersweet memories aloud. “I used to go to school and call my dad the real life flash...and then I realized one day that I was the only one who saw him that way…”

“Not the only one” She turned to him with a sweet half-smile before thinking of the day in question that took him from her life. Her eyes fell away in sorrow before his voice drew her from this somber remembrance. 

“I was thirteen and was at the track and he drove me around because my mom had to talk to someone-” He rolled his eyes, showing that the memory surrounding either his mother or the track was not exactly one he held fondly, but the memory of her father, was one he had. “Anyway, he told me how the car felt during the race...like you were limitless...king of the asphalt...and if done properly...victorious; I fell in love with driving that day…”

“It’s nice to hear other stories of him...most people in this town talk about when he would....take to alcohol and-I’m sorry, it got pretty emotional, didn’t it?” But as her words began to trail off with the expectancy of him interrupting her to confirm that he wished to hear of these trials, she was only confirmed of his lack of commitment to listen as his eyes fell to the screen of his phone. 

“I have to go.” He interrupted her mid apology as he was already in the direction of his waiting car with the keys in the ignition before she could stop him. 

“What-”

“See you around, Kayla.” He was incredibly dismissive of not only her feelings but also cruel to the raw portion of her heart that she had exposed to him, only to find him to turn away. She was now left to believe that perhaps the words spoken by Jeff were true. Perhaps she was too damaged…