Is this it, Cal?
It sure seems so, Bill. Hold on tight.
Yeah, hold on tight. I swerve right a foot and Quin blocks me. I drop low and he’s back. I do it again, and this time he swings in wider, but as we hit the corner, he hugs the center, driving in the tracks I left for him twenty laps ago. I rev high and climb the bank, my foot through the floor, hands gripping the wheel and shifter, teeth gritting so hard they feel close to cracking.
Your turn to chase.
I drop in as we clear the curve, and edge Quin out. I’m in the lead. One lap to go. Nobody left to chase but my demons. All of my past failures, it’s time to disintegrate them. To shred them into the pavement and leave them behind like confetti for everyone to see.
It’s time . . . to set a record.
Well, hot dang, Cal. He’s doing it. He’s got half a lap to go, and he’s pulling away.
Quin really should have pitted when he had the chance. I think he lost the race then. That was his miscalculation, Bill.
No, it wasn’t. His miscalculation started the moment he thought he could beat me. But everyone needs a good life lesson now and again. I thought mine was going to cost me a hundred dollars when I was sixteen, but instead I doubled my money and learned nobody should ever doubt Hannah Judge.
“I told you! Wooo whooo!” Tommy’s voice rings in my ear and I work to peel my hands from the wheel as I sail under the checkered flag.
“New record, Dust! By seventeen seconds,” Douglas shouts.
“Get your asses down here, boys!”
I coast around the track, my victory lap, and let my heart find its normal rhythm, if it’s ever really had one. I did it. I fucking won, and other than a few moments when I wanted to strangle Tommy, rage was never a part of my formula. I used trust and love. I counted on Hannah’s faith in me. I decided to be the man I wished Colt could have been.
I spot her in the crowd on my way back and I’m nearly to her when my car is swallowed by press and the rain of champagne. She’s made it to the track, her dad right behind her. I push myself through the window frame, tilt my head back and taste the spray of alcohol fizzing in all directions. It’s so fucking sweet.
“Dusty!” Her voice breaks through. I pull myself from the car and race toward her. She’s in my arm in seconds, and I hold her up like the real trophy in all of this. My prize. My life and heart.
“Eat my dust!” she shouts.
I hope Bill and Cal got that.
I let her weight slide down my body, my arms caging her while flashes capture every moment of our intimate celebration. Forehead to forehead, we both cry happy tears. My mouth is stretched so wide, as is hers, it’s almost awkward to kiss. We do it anyway.
“I love you. So much.”
“I love you, too, Dustin. Nobody better. Never has been. Never will be.” The girl from my past breaks through and syncs with the woman of my present and future. My money is on us. Anyone who bets against us is a damn fool.
26
Six months later
“Okay, I know this is some friend-type bet or rivalry or whatever that you and Bailey have going with each other, but Han, this dress? It’s truly hideous.”
I lean my head back and laugh as Dustin spins me on the dance floor. Tommy and Bailey’s wedding was magical. The beach and waves behind them, the setting sun lighting the twists and curls of my best friend’s hair, the way her veil blew in the breeze and kissed her bare shoulder. It was hard not to drop my maid of honor bouquet and switch places with the photographer. I only hope she got the millions of shots I saw as the sun went down.
“Why is this dress so cute on Bristol?” I challenge Dustin.
“Because she’s three.”
I bust out another laugh.
“Good point.”
The small ceremony and family reception is perfect. Bailey has never liked a huge fuss and having the spotlight on her. Today and right now? It’s all just enough.
“How did your mom find this restaurant?” Dustin pulls me in close, and we snicker as my sleeve puffs up between us. It’s a truly ridiculous dress and I love everything about it. I push the satin down and return my hand to his neck.
“Virgil actually told her about it.”
Dustin jerks back and quirks a brow.
“Something about a woman he had a fling with overseas right out of college. I guess she owns it.”
Dustin shakes his head and I lift my shoulder.
“He’s a man of mystery,” I add.
“Shitty mechanic, but—” we both say at the same time.
Our laughter mixes with the music and Dustin lifts me up as he spins me again. The restaurant is a small bistro and they pushed the tables to the perimeter of the patio so we have room to dance. Instead of a DJ, they have a juke box, which has been a blast all night. My dad keeps punching in Eagles songs while Tommy slips in the occasional Kanye. It’s all oddly romantic, though probably not so much for Bailey. But I look at her now, her lips painted into the perfect red smile, her cheeks round and high, her eyes crinkled in laughter—maybe it is. It’s wonderful to see my friend so happy.
“You know what the best thing is about this dress?” I whisper in Dustin’s ear.
“Hmm,” he hums, dropping his chin into the crook of my neck, his head practically resting on my pillow-like sleeve.
“The lingerie set I’m wearing underneath it.”
The words barely finish leaving my mouth before Dustin has my hand gripped in his and he’s dragging me from the dance floor.
“Mind keeping Bristol for the night? ’Kay, thanks. We’re tired.” Dustin doesn’t even let my mom react before he’s pulling me through the door.
“I should probably say good night to Bailey,” I plead through slightly drunken laughter.
“You’ll see her in six hours. On the flight.” He isn’t wrong.
I give in to his whimsy and skip along behind him as he tugs my hand and leads me up the winding brick walkway that cuts through the oceanside village to our bungalow. My dad rented several of them, and I heard him and Bailey’s dad talking at dinner about possibly investing. They’ve been talking about shifting their business a lot lately, and nearly getting along all the while. It’s a strange world I live in, but I’ve learned not to question a lot of it.
We’re near our front door when Dustin sweeps me over his shoulder, the many layers of my skirt puffing up and around his head like a carnation. He spits out as if fighting his way through several layers of tulle and taffeta.
“There’s so much!”
“Try wearing it for six hours—in sand!”
We laugh our way into the tiny home, but the minute the door closes behind me, we’re done making jokes.
“You wanna see the present I bought you?” I tease.
Dustin takes a few measured steps backward, and slips his arms out of his jacket before tossing it to the side.
“You bought me a wedding present, for Tommy and Bailey’s wedding?” His lip ticks up.
I nod.
“I did.”
I reach behind my body and feel for the zipper, the tips of my fingers flailing against my skin, my nails scratching and almost catching the tip, before my hand cramps from my effort.
“Damn it!” I drop my arms in defeat. Dustin leans his head to the side and fakes a pouty face.