Perfect Storm

Chapter 1

One year later

Bree?" I heard the familiar voice behind me as I stood in line at the coffee shop waiting for my order.

I turned around and came face to face with the pretty blonde with the sweetest, most genuine smile.

Oh how I missed her.

"Erin. It's so good to see you." I said, as I was engulfed in a hug.

"I've missed you so much Bree. Are you back, or just visiting?" Erin Blaney, my ex-boyfriend's sister asked me.

"I'm back." I smiled, taking a deep breath and releasing it slowly. I was sure I had burned a lot of bridges by leaving, but I was thankful that seemingly Erin wasn't one of them.

"So what are you doing now?" She asked me.

"I got hired on at Trackhouse with their new team." I replied.

"So you are working with Ross again? Back to where you first started?" Erin chuckled. "That's great Bree. Does anyone else know you are back?"

I knew exactly who she meant.

"Just Ross and everyone at Trackhouse. I guess everyone else will know soon enough." I plastered a smile on my face.

"He still thinks about you all the time." Erin leaned in and whispered to me, as if it were a big secret.

Well, I certainly didn't expect that, but Erin couldn't possibly be right.

"I don't think so Erin. I know he's moved on and he's seeing someone else. Has been for a while now." I replied.

"Well, I know my brother. He does still think about you." Erin insisted.

I was still skeptical. "I've seen photos of him with his new girlfriend. She's gorgeous, and he looks really happy. That's all I ever wanted for him."

"She's okay, she's just not you." Erin said sadly. For Erin to say someone was just "okay" was very telling because Erin didn't have a mean bone in her body. She loved everyone. It wasn't my problem though.

"It was great seeing you Erin, but I have to get going. I have to be at the shop for nine. I'll call you later and we can catch up." I said in a rush. As much as I adored Erin, I couldn't bear to stand here and make small talk about Ryan.

******

I stepped into the brand new Trackhouse Racing shop and looked around with a smile. I knew this place from before when it had been Chip Ganassi Racing, but now it looked completely different. Trackhouse had so much vision and innovation. Both great things for a still new team, and the new shop was no exception. That was what drew me to taking this job. Well that and the fact that I was going to be working with my best friend again, for the first time in years.

"There's my new/old PR girl." My childhood friend, Ross Chastain greeted me with his signature smile and a warm hug. "How you doing Breezy?"

"Seriously Ross?" I laughed, yet inwardly cringed at the same time from the use of my old nickname.

He rolled his eyes dramatically, sighed, then the brilliant smile was back. "Okay, fine. Bree then. You look great. I'm so glad to have you back."

"You just saw me like a month ago." I laughed. "But anyway, I'm glad to be back, and I'm glad that you are here to act as my welcoming committee. I really needed this Ross. I need to be back at work. Back in North Carolina and around my old friends. I'm ready to make a fresh start. New job. New hair. New boobs."

"So a whole new Bree huh? Shame because I kinda liked the old Bree." He winked at me.

"No, I'm still the same old Bree." I laughed.