This Love

17

Dan gets to the race lounge an hour later back in his street clothes. He takes my hand pulling me from my seat. I let him lead me out of the Renault lounge, "we have the rest of the day to chill, what should we do?" he asks me while swinging our arms between us. My tour guide mode switches on in my mind, I smile thinking of the perfect thing. "Is there a car that we can use?" I ask Dan, he nods, "of course" my smile widens as we walk to where I assume there are cars available to use.

When we get to a parking lot of cars I let go of Dan's hand to run to the nearest one getting into the drivers seat. He gets in a few seconds later, "shouldn't I be driving?" He asks, I roll my eyes, "do you know where you're going?" I reply with a smirk, "well no" I lift and eyebrow as I start the car, "but I would've figured it out with your help" he adds, "sit back enjoy the ride Mr RaceCar Driver" I exclaim as I leave the lot and the venue.

Half an hour later I park the car smiling. "Where are we?" Dan asks as we get out of the car, "you'll see" I respond and take his hand pulling him towards the entrance of the building. "Laser Tag Cal, really?" I peer over my shoulder smiling, "it's never a bad day to have some fun" he laughs but let's me pull him inside. I buy a round of tag, after fighting Dan on who should pay, he gives up making me grin as we go suit up. I swiftly put on the vest and grab a laser gun, "you ready for this?" I ask the Australian who has grabbed his gun as well, "it's on" he replies as we enter the starting point of the maze. A loud horn goes off and I run into the dark room to go hide.

A few minutes later I'm against a wall trying to stay quiet as I listen for Dan's footsteps. I sink to a crouch shuffling over to the nearest opening, I peer around the wall and see him rotating his laser gun at the ready, his back is to me so I lift my own gun closing one eye to focus in on him. I bite my lip as I pull the trigger, his vest makes a noise and vibrates with the sound of a hit target, he spins around but I move behind the wall again. When I lean into the wall my head hits the hard surface the noise louder than I wanted, "shit" I whisper staying still in hopes of not getting found. I slowly slide up the wall standing again moving back to the opening to check where Dan has gone. I peer around the corner gasping when I see that he's right in front of me, "you're good Cal" I start backing away slowly, he lifts an eyebrow noticing the very slight movement. I break into a run trying to get away from him, I look over my shoulder seeing that Dan's right on my tail with a grin on his face. My mind says to turn the corner but before I can do anything the Australian grabs me around the waist pulling us to a stop, "nice try" he says into my ear, I blush looking down at my feet, "how are you so fast?" I mumble, he laughs, "speed is in my blood, you should know this" I shrug and he spins me to face him. My gaze moves up to his a pout on my face, "don't give me that after you sneak attacked me back there" I roll my eyes but spread out my arms, "do it, I know your competitive mindset needs it" he grins and points his laser gun at me pulling the trigger making my own vest vibrate and light up at the hit. "Okay we're even let's get out of here" I say as I lower my arms again, he nods and before I can start walking he lifts me into his arms. My eyes widen at the sudden movement, my arms go around his neck, "I didn't mean like this Dan" he shrugs but walks out of the maze with a smile on his face while carrying me.

——

Once we're back in the car I shove Dan, "you're ridiculous" he looks at me shocked, "have you met me? Of course I'm ridiculous" I roll my eyes, "you didn't have to carry me in there, I can walk just fine" I explain, "I don't know Cal, the way you were holding me extra tight had me thinking otherwise" my face heats up, "oh don't be so cocky" I mumble and start the car. "Yet you're still sticking around" I throw up my middle finger at him and he laughs out loud as I drive out of the parking lot.

"Cal, tell me about your family" I look up from the book I was reading to see Dan looking at me. I shut the novel before scooting closer to him on the couch in our hotel room, "uhhh I have an older sister my parents still live in the same town I grew up in, I have a niece and a nephew, that's basically it" I reply with a smile, "you're an aunt?" I nod proudly, "to the best munchkins around" I add. "How about you?" I ask leaning towards him slightly, "my parents, my sister and me" he replies before reaching forward to interlace our fingers, "do they all still live in Australia?" I ask, he nods while playing with my fingers, "you must miss them" he looks up at me and shrugs, "yeah but i've managed all these years" I take one of my hands away from his moving even closer to bring it up to his cheek, "i'm sure they're very proud of you" he smiles and places a hand over mine our gazes locked, "they are, at least they tell me that whenever they come to my races" I huff and lean forward onto my knees to kiss his cheek, "they are don't worry Dan" I mumble into him wrapping my arms around his neck.

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That evening the two of us go through our separate routines. When I have put my hair into a bun on top of my head I hum a random tune as I walk over to the bed. What I don't notice is the way Dan is looking at me from where he's laying on his side of the bed. I slide under the covers with a smile on my face, "thanks for today Cal" I rotate to look at Dan, "it's no big deal, just figured you needed something to help you relax a bit before the race" he nods and places a hand on my waist stroking where my tank doesn't reach making me blush, "you definitely helped" he tells me. I bring my hand forward using my finger to trace the tattoo on his forearm, "I'm glad to hear it" he moves his hand to my back pulling me close. I proceed to wrap my arms around his torso letting my head rest on his chest, "goodnight Cal" he mumbles before kissing my head, "night Danny" I reply as I relax into him.