Perfect Storm

Chapter 8

Daytona

I was so excited to be back in Daytona. I had such good memories of this place, even though most of those memories involved Ryan. After being away from Nascar for a year it felt so good to be back.

I was staying with Ross on his bus. It just made more sense than staying at a hotel when there was so much going on during speed week that I had to tend to. Unfortunately though, we just happened to be parked next to Ryan. I was bound to run into him sooner or later. It was unavoidable. I also knew that Laken was here this week. I may not be able to avoid Ryan entirely, but I was going to do my damnedest to avoid Laken.

I got up early this morning. I wanted to take a walk before things got busy to clear my head. As I stepped out of the bus, I heard an aggravated female voice. "C'mon you stupid mutt. I don't want to be here either."

Are you fucking kidding me? So much for avoiding her. Laken was coming out of Ryan's bus pulling hard on Sturgill's leash, practically dragging him down the steps.

Oh hell no.

Before I could even open my mouth to say anything to her, Sturgill spotted me and ran straight to me, pulling the leash out of Laken's hand.

"Hey buddy. God I've missed you." I exclaimed as he eagerly licked my face. I buried my face in his soft fur as he wiggled excitedly. He didn't forget me.

"Sturgill, get over here." Laken snapped. Sturgill didn't budge. "Stupid mutt." She muttered again under her breath and I snapped.

"He is not a stupid mutt. He is an intelligent, well trained dog. You do not have to pull on his leash. Simply tell him Sturgill walk, and he will go anywhere with you." I was fuming. Ryan and I had adopted Sturgill together. He was our baby. I now felt overwhelmed with guilt. I had abandoned him and left him with this...woman. God I felt so guilty but I refuse to let her be ugly to him.

"Why are you even here? Are you spying on Ryan and me?" She glared at me.

"For your information, I am working this week. We are parked right there." I pointed to Ross's bus. I glared right back at her while Sturgill clung to my side.

The door to the bus opened, and Ryan stuck his head out. "Is everything okay?" He asked, looking from Laken to me and back to Laken.

Laken smiled sweetly at him, and I swear at that moment I threw up in my mouth. "Yes babe. I was having a little trouble with Sturgill, but I ran into Breeanne and she gave me a little good advice."

Breeanne? Seriously?

"It's Bree." I muttered under my breath, my jaws aching from gritting my teeth.

"I'm sorry, what did you say?" She asked in that sickly sweet voice that made the bile rise in my throat. She knew damn good and well what my name was.

"My name is Aubree or just Bree. Not Breeanne." I said through still gritted teeth.

"Aubree, of course. Silly me. My apologies. I'm terrible with names." She giggled.

Ryan seemed to have bought her little story, but I wasn't willing to let it go. How could he not see her for what she really was?

I flashed him my own fake, sweet smile. "I was just informing your girlfriend on how to give Sturgill commands, how simple it is. I wanted to let her know she doesn't need to pull on his leash and she certainly doesn't need to insult him or call him names like stupid mutt." So what if I was tattling on Laken. Ryan needed to be aware of how she was treating his beloved dog.

"I didn't mean that at all. Of course he's not a stupid mutt. I'm just a little cranky this morning. I didn't get enough sleep, and I spoke without thinking. I adore that sweet boy." If looks could kill, I would have dropped dead on the spot.