This Love

34

As my schedule becomes clearer when the season hits the end of October, the away games that I need to attend are solidified. With that in mind I find out that mine and Dan's schedules have a period in which I can go to one of his races in person. We plan the details the two weeks leading up to the weekend of the U.S. Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, the race I will be able to attend.

The morning of my flight comes around with me double checking that I took everything needed. As I do one last sweep of my room, my gaze locks with the piece of paper on the cork board above my desk. I bite my lip my hand reaching up going to the photo of me and Dan first before touching the sketch right next to it. "Come on Cal!" Lexi's voice makes me blink and impulsively grab the paper before placing it into my bag, not knowing if it will get any use while I'm in Texas.

"Okay so he's picking you up from the airport?" I nod at my friends who are standing in front of me outside of the car. "You'll be back Monday night" Jill confirms, "yeah, hopefully you won't forget" my friends scoff, "we would never" I smile and pull them into a hug, "I know you won't I'm just kidding" they let go and I grab the handle of my bag. "Have fun, don't do anything we wouldn't do" I roll my eyes, "okay noted" Jill blows me a kiss and I pretend to catch it before turning around to walk into the airport. The smile on my face widens as I think about seeing Dan, my feet automatically taking me to the check in desk for my flight.

——

"We will be arriving in Austin in five minutes, the current temperature is 15 degrees celsius, on behalf of the flight crew and myself thank you for flying Air Canada we hope to see you again soon" I grin at the announcement sitting up straighter as I buckle my seatbelt for landing. I make sure that I have everything before leaning back into my seat excited for who's going to be waiting at the airport for me.

I speed walk off of the plane my carry-on slung over my shoulder as I enter the busy airport. My gaze travels through the crowd as I stand on my toes to get a better view. When I spot Dan's curly hair and wide grin I squeal before weaving through other travellers to get to him. The Australian brings me in for a hug once I'm close enough, my arms wrap around his torso tightly, "finally" I say into him, he kisses my head making me look up, "I'm so happy that you're here Cal" I smile and he presses a quick kiss to my lips before letting go of me, taking my hand instead. "It's been so hard to focus when all I was thinking about was this weekend" I tell him as we walk to the luggage pick up area, "I understand completely gorgeous, off the track I was only thinking about you" I blush and he squeezes my hand bringing it up to kiss my knuckles.

Once I've grabbed my bag Dan leads me out of the airport and into the Texas warmth, "are we sure it's about to be November?" He laughs and tugs me towards one of the parking lots. I relax into the passenger seat of Dan's rental car a smile coming to my face my eyes closing, "you good there?" I turn my head opening one eye to look at him, "I'm perfect" he smiles and takes my hand placing our interlaced fingers over the centre console, "you sure are" he adds and turns on the car driving out of the lot, hopefully not noticing that my cheeks are as red as a tomato because of his comment.

——

"This is it, our room for the weekend" I smile as I follow Dan into the hotel room. "I guess it'll do" I joke even though I'm kind of in awe of the view that greets us, "what not fancy enough for you gorgeous" the Australian responds as he comes over to wrap his arms around me from behind. I shrug and he presses some kisses to my neck, I tilt my head to give him more access, he tightens his hold around me as he places a gently kiss behind my ear making me shiver. "It doesn't matter where we stay as long as I get to be with you Dan" he turns me around moving his hands to my hips, "that was straight out of a cheesy romance movie" I blush bringing my hands to his chest, "but it's true" I say quietly my gaze on my hands now, "I'm not saying that's a bad thing Cal, I completely agree with you" he tells me, I look up to see him biting my lip.