Valerie

Part 16

Val plops down onto the couch next to me, letting out a big yawn. "Holy shit I'm exhausted."

I look over at her, she's changed into a pair of tight skinny jeans and an oversized sweater. "We can skip tonight if you want?"

"Absolutely not. I think I just need a cup of coffee... Or a Redbull." she laughs lightly as she says the last part.

"You're in luck. I've got both." I stand up and reach my hand out to her, pulling her up off of the couch when she takes my hand. I lead her into the kitchen. "So what will it be?"

"I'll take that redbull. Just don't tell Lewis I betrayed his Monster addiction." she chuckles.

I hold up my crossed fingers. "Promise. You guys drink Monster a lot over there at Mercedes?"

She laughs. "I don't. But the constant supply thanks to Lewis comes in handy on a flat day."

I hand her the redbull I've just taken out of the fridge. "You gonna drink that on the way? We need to go."

She nods, popping the can open before she turns and walks towards the door.

We pull up and I jump out and run around the car to open the door for Valerie. She grins widely at me as she climbs out.

"Thanks, Dan," she says quietly.

I grab the cooler from the trunk and then grab her hand, clasping it tightly in mine. I watch as she looks down at our hands and smiles.

"You ready?" I whisper.

She nods quickly. "Yeah, come on." she tugs on my hand, and I lead her towards the group that is already sitting around a fire on the beach.

"There they are!" Scotty chimes, jumping up and jogging over to us. He gives me a hug and then wraps his arms around Valerie, lifting her up and spinning her around, forcing me to let go of her hand.

"Put me doooown." she laughs, slapping his shoulder.

"You guys have a good afternoon?" he asks as we make our way over to the rest of the group.

"Oh, we sure did. I beat Danny at karting." Valerie announces proudly.

Scotty laughs loudly and fist-bumps her. "Way to go! It's about time someone showed him whose boss."

We're all sitting around the fire, and one of the guys hands Valerie his guitar.

"I hear you can play."

She shakes her head and laughs, trying to hand him back the guitar. "Oh no, please, you guys carry on."

"Come on, Wolff." Scotty pipes up. "Just one song."

She looks over at me and I shrug, a small smile on my lips, I lean into her. "Only if you want to."

She takes the guitar and carefully strums over the strings, listening to the sound. She plays a few chords and then looks up at me and smiles.

"Okay," she says quietly. Everyone shushes each other and Valerie adjusts herself so that she's looking at me.

She starts playing and then she finally starts singing. "It'll be fine by dusk light I'm telling you, baby. These things eat at your bones and drive your young mind crazy. But when you place your head between my collar and jaw. I don't know much but there's no weight at all."

I look around as she sings and everyone is staring at her, some smiling, others with their heads tilted, listening to her beautiful voice.

"To you, you're just a man, to me you're all I am. Where the hell am I supposed to go? I poisoned myself again. Something in the orange tells me you're never coming home. If you leave today, I'll just stare at the way, the orange touches all things around. The grass, trees and dew, how I just hate you. Please turn those headlights around. Please turn those headlights around." she plays the last few chords and then she takes a breath before she looks up at me.