To Infiniti & Beyond

Chapter Twelve

Yet again my "Gapplebees" comes across my phone screen. I open the chat to which Tristian and Dean request a meet up. Everyone but Brynn replies with a definite yes, I don't reply at all.

Brynn texts me separately. We both want to go, but since the rumor started I don't feel comfortable showing up. It takes some convincing, but I finally get Brynn to agree to go. Just because she's loyal to me doesn't mean she should miss out on time doing something she enjoys.

I mope around for the majority of the day debating weather I show up or not. It isn't until Grayson calls me on his way home from work that I break out of my mood.

"Come out with us tonight." He softly demands.

"I want to, but I don't think I'm welcome."

"Then they would've removed you from the group." He tries to reason with me.

"I guess." I let out an involuntary sigh. "I don't know."

"Okay then let me rephrase, come out with me tonight."

"I want to but I have so much anxiety over it, I don't want to show up where I'm not wanted." I wish my voice didn't come across as agitated as it did.

"You don't have to worry about that, I've got you. I want you there. Come to my house and we can either cruise or you can ride with me. Okay?"

He's so convincing. "Okay."

I pull up to Grayson's house right in front of the bay to the left of his car. His car is idling in the driveway.

As the bay door shuts behind him, I get out of my car. "Can I ride with you?"

"Of course." He motions his head in a let's go kind of way.

I slide back into my car, turn it off, grab a piece of gum, my wallet, phone, and claw clip.

"Thank you." I genuinely mean it. I don't know how just the simplicity of his presence eases my anxiety, but it does.

"Don't mention it." He smiles as he makes his way out of the driveway.

"Does anyone know I'm coming?" I start to fidget with my hands.

"I haven't said anything."

"Can you let Tristian know?" I plead at him with my eyes.

"Just text him from my phone, say 'Kiersten is coming with me' my phone password is 7815."

"I'm sorry, thank you." I release a breath I didn't realize I was holding in as I press send.

"Sorry for what?"

"How needy I am. How messed up everything is I guess." I give him a weak smile.

"You're not needy and it's not your fault. Shift for me?"

My smile instantly gets brighter as I nod my head yes. I put my hand on the shift nob and shift when I'm told to the gear I'm told.

By the time we get to the local strip mall I am way more relaxed. We pull up to the group, Grayson parks the car, and we get out in sync.

Brynn and Jaxon have yet to arrive. I shadow Grayson as he says his hello's to everyone before making my way back to the comfort of his car until Brynn arrives.

Although it doesn't take Brynn long to arrive, it felt like an eternity. Jaxon parks his car next to Grayson's and goes to join the guys and Darcy. Brynn comes over to me and she joins me leaning against the front end of Grayson's car.

Brynn and I sit talking about nonsense for an unknown amount of time when Grayson walks over to us smiling. He greets Brynn and then proceeds to let us know we're going to jump on a stretch of highway so that he and Tristian can race.

Jaxon is going to follow Grayson and Tristian so that Brynn can get them clips. Jake jumps in the back seat of Grayson's car, and Dean jumps in the back seat of Tristian's car. I am of course Grayson's passenger princess, and Darcy is Tristan's.

Instead of starting at a typical 40 roll, they opt for a 60. Tristian signals that his radar says we're clear, and Grayson proceeds to do the beep sequence.

Once... twice... they both downshift... a third beep and they take off.

90mph... Grayson is ahead.

105mph... Tristian is ahead.

120mph... neck and neck.

The miles per hour keep increasing as Grayson pulls away ever so slightly. I watch the numbers go up. 128... 129... 130... 131. It's a consistent lead so Grayson let's off the gas and Tristian flys by.

The three drivers take the next exit and pull into an empty parking lot. All 8 of us get out of the cars.

Everyone is grinning ear to ear, we're all on a high. Grayson and Tristian are getting slaps of congratulations from the whole group. They make their way to each other and to that typical handshake pulled into a hug that guys do.

The group listens to them intently as they go over what their thought processes were during the race. Apparently that was the fastest Grayson has ever gone, and that is the most full Tristian's car has ever been during a race.

Tonight was going so well I almost forgot that I hate Darcy. I am snapped back to reality as I shut my door. Tristian is taking Dean and Jake home so it's now just Grayson, Jaxon, Brynn and I.

Jaxon pulls next to Grayson. Grayson asks for the video and then we all say our goodbyes.

Grayson and I sit and talk for a little bit about nothing of importance before driving back to his house. The drive back was short but enjoyable as always. Once again he let me shift for him, keeping his hand over mine for a majority of the drive.

I live for little intimate moments like that. Such a simple action is so pure but so important and meaningful to me.