Perfect Storm

Chapter 9

"I'm gonna fuckin' kill that kid."

I groaned hearing the angry comment come through my headset just before I took it off.

The comment came from Ryan, and was directed at his teammate Austin. Why the hell was I listening to Ryan's scanner anyway? I shook my head.

Ross was involved in a crash on lap 63 and was unable to continue and was credited with a 40th place finish. Not a great way to start the season. Daniel was still in the race however, so we were sticking around until the end.

I once again found myself following along with the Penske drivers. Habit, I know. Sadly, Joey was also involved in a late crash, but Ryan and Austin were up front and working extremely well together.

On the last lap, Ryan pushed Austin to the lead and Penske was running 1-2. Coming to the flag, Ryan made a move to the outside which Austin blocked, putting Ryan into the wall and finishing fourth as Austin got the win.

On one hand, I didn't blame Ryan for being upset, he got doored by his own teammate, but on the other hand, it's the last lap of the fucking Daytona 500. There are no teammates. It's everyone for themselves. I was happy for Austin. What a hell of a way to start your rookie season by winning the biggest race of the year.

Nevertheless, the weekly Team Penske meeting was bound to be interesting, and I was a little relieved that I would not be part of it.

It took everything I had not to talk to Ryan post race. It was not my place. I was no longer his girlfriend or PR person. I was no longer a Penske employee. He had Laken now.

I was more than ready to go home. Speed week didn't go well for Ross. He had plenty of good speed, just horrible luck. All of my updates on social media were complete, including Ross's post race statement. I just wanted to sleep in my own house in my own bed.

This week really wasn't at all what I had envisioned. I threw myself into my work and spent a lot of time avoiding people. A lot of them were still cold to me over my breakup with Ryan. Even the ones who had welcomed me back I avoided because they all wanted to talk about Ryan.

I had not talked to Ryan since that day with Sturgill. He was always with his team, his teammates or Laken was clinging to him possessively. It was just as well because every time I was around him I just wanted to fall into his arms. I also had no desire to get into it with Laken again. I was better than that. He actually looked happy with her around. I guess if I wanted to talk to him about actually getting time with Sturgill, if he meant what he said anyway, I would just have to do it by text.

*********

The week passed rather quickly. Between meetings and coordinating all of Ross's appearances and talking with his sponsors, I barely had time to catch my breath before we were in Fontana for the next race. I never did work up the nerve to text Ryan about Sturgill.

I did not see Laken around, and I later heard through the grapevine that she was not here this weekend, but rather back in New York doing a shoot for Victoria's Secret.

I actually felt a bit like a creeper watching Ryan throughout the garage area, desperately trying to work up the nerve to talk to him. I really did want to spend time with Sturgill though, but it was just so hard being that close to Ryan.

"You just couldn't stay away could you? You just had to come back."

The comment came from Chase, and it caught me off guard. I knew Chase was angry with me, but this was the first time he had actually spoken more than a cooly polite hello to me.

"Why shouldn't I come back? This is my home and my job." I replied indifferently.

"He had finally gotten over you and moved on with his life and you show up back here. I hope to God you aren't screwing with his head Bree." Chase glared at me.

Where the hell was this coming from? I was not trying to screw with Ryan's head, I just wanted to spend time with my dog.

"I didn't come back to mess up Ryan's life, Chase. I'm happy he moved on. I can tell he's happy, and I have no desire to interfere with that." I replied.

"The problem is, he's not happy. Sure he put on a good face, to most of us anyway, even though he's with Miss Thing and all, but he's not happy and that's been apparent since he found out you were back."

Miss Thing? I fought the urge not to laugh. I did hear that Chase was not very fond of Laken. I guess it was true.

"I don't know what you expect me to do Chase." I sighed.

"You broke it, you need to fix it." He replied, then walked away.

What? I shook my head in confusion. Chase made absolutely no sense at all, and I really didn't have time to dwell on it.

"You okay Bree?" I was so lost in my thoughts that I did not hear Ross sneak up behind me.

"Yeah. I'm hungry. We've got a couple of hours until practice and qualifying, so feed me. You promised me we'd hit In And Out."I replied, trying to get Chase's words out of my head.

"And I always keep my promises." Ross grinned.

*********

"Hey Bree, you got a minute?" My heart nearly beat out of my chest when Ryan approached me. I was already feeling antsy. Ross had a massive crash in practice and was unable to qualify. Thankfully, he was alright, just had the wind knocked out of him. He was checked and released from the infield care center and I was about to head back to the bus so we could go over the schedule for tomorrow before dinner. Still, Ryan's presence unnerved me.

"Yes. I'm glad you caught up with me. I've been meaning to talk to you about Sturgill. Did you mean it when you said I could spend some time with him?" I asked.

"Yeah. That's what I wanted to talk to you about." He said, and my heart sank a little. I don't know if it was from disappointment that that was what he wanted to discuss, although I don't know why. Or maybe it was a little bit of fear that he didn't mean what he said.

"And..." I prompted him.

"I have no problem letting you have him for a couple of nights. I talked to Laken about it, and she's fine with it too." He replied. Part of me was relieved that he was going to let me have some visitations, but another part of me wished for more, and I had to mentally smack myself because I shouldn't be wishing for more. I was the one that ended our relationship. I also couldn't believe that Laken agreed. She probably only did so so she wouldn't have to fool with Sturgill.

"Great. When would be a good time for me to get him?" I asked.

"I have to go to Pittsburg Tuesday to visit with UPMC for the foundation. I'll be back Wednesday afternoon. Would that be alright? I could drop him off to you before I leave, and pick him back up when I get back, or on Thursday morning."

"That sounds perfect. If you want, I can get him Monday evening and keep him until Thursday. I don't mind at all. Whatever works best for you." I replied, excited that I could have Sturgill for a couple of days.

"That works for me. Laken and I will bring him by Monday evening." He grinned. Great. I was going to have to see Laken too.

"Thanks Ry." I said sincerely, biting my tongue over making any snarky comments about Laken. With Ryan around, she was most likely to be on her best behavior. I just needed to remember to do the same.

"Anytime Bree. Is Ross okay? That was a pretty hard hit he took."

I nodded. "He's okay. Probably a little sore, but he'll be alright." I replied.

"Good. I'm glad to hear it. I have to go. I'll see ya around." He said, then turned and walked off.

At least I would get to spend some time with Sturgill. I tried to take some comfort in that.

*******

Well, another disappointing race in the books. After starting from the back in a backup car, Ross finished two laps down in 29th place. Daniel Suarez had put on a hell of a show nearly giving Trackhouse their first win, but had to settle for a fourth place. I had to keep reminding myself they are a new team and the wins are coming, but two straight bad finishes for the 1 team was definitely disappointing.

Once again, I found myself more than ready to leave the race track and go home. At least I had something to look forward to this week as I was getting a few days with Sturgill. I just wanted to feel happy again.