A Day in the Life of...

Lovefool Part 2- Harrison Burton

2023
Harrison knew she was back stateside. Everyone knew she was back. Ricky didn't stop talking about it for weeks prior to Kaia's move back. Kaia was Ricky Stenhouse Jr.'s pride and joy. Two years ago, Kaia Stenhouse decided to leave the US and head to Europe to do some kart racing and she had been kicking serious ass over there. And of course, Harrison had been following along. He felt terrible for what he did two years ago. Harrison knew Kaia had feelings for him. And he had feelings for her, but he rejected her. Harrison could still see the look on her face when he told her he didn't feel the same way. He hated that he had lied to her.
"Burton, where you going?" Harrison turned, finding Todd Gilliland, behind him. Harrison thought of Todd as his best friend in the garage.
"I'm heading to the hauler for a snack and a quick debrief with Bullins before practice."
"We got some lunch going at the 38 hauler. Sure you don't want to join us?"
"I'm good, thanks though. See you later." Harrison walked away from his best friend. His way through the coach lot didn't take as long as he thought. Why? Because standing a few yards way with Ty Gibbs, was Kaia. She came? Kaia just moved back from Europe, so he was surprised to see her. He wasn't, however, surprised she was talking to Ty. The pair have been friends since he started dating Kaia's now ex-best friend, Evie Busch. She looked good. Really good actually. Her hair was still the same chocolate brown it always been, but now it hit just above her shoulders. Two years ago, Kaia Stenhouse's hair was almost to her waist. His legs finally started to move, walking him closer to where she was standing before his mouth betrayed him.
"Kaia?" They both turned to look at Harrison.
"Shit."
"I'll leave you to it." Ty said before heading off to the garage area.
"Hey, Harrison."
"I knew you were back, I didn't think you'd be back at the track already."
"Well, when your dad asks if you want to go, you don't disappoint."
"What have you been doing since you got back?"
"Why do you even care, Harrison?" Kaia asked, Harrison hearing the bite in her voice.
"What are you talking about, Kaia?"
"Do you not remember what you said to me?" Of course he did. He thought about it all the time.
"Kaia..."
"I told you that I liked you and you told me you didn't feel the same way. It felt like you punched me in the stomach."
"I'm sorry that I hurt you..."
"I know, I know. You told me that one too. I'm over it. And I got over you." Ouch.
"We should at least talk..."
"About what, Harrison? I tried to convince myself that you lied to me for some fucked up reason, but I just don't know anymore. I really need to get going. So do you." Kaia turned on her heel and left him standing alone once again.
"Fucking hell." Harrison mumbled under his breath. Harrison practically jogged to the garage area where his crew chief was standing waiting for him. "Sorry I'm late. I really don't have an excuse though."
"I think I can figure out what the excuse is if the rumors are true."
"What are you talking about?"
"Little Stenhouse is back and at the track. And knowing you..."
"What do you possibly know?"
"Enough. Let's go." If Jeremy knew, who else knew?
***
The nerve of Harrison Burton to want to talk after two years. He absolutely shattered her heart and wanted to act like nothing was wrong. It took her a long time to get where she was. Even using one of his competitors as a way to try and get over him. And unfortunately, it didn't work. Kaia was in love with Harrison Burton and have been since she first met him when she was 11 and he was 14. She should have known things would never work out between them. She should have known he never looked at her the way she looked at him. Kaia walked through the coach lot back to her dad's coach after having an early dinner with Ty and his girlfriend, Jocelyn, Christopher and Morgan, and Ross and Taylor. She liked Jocelyn, despite how old she was. Kaia had also agreed not to say anything about Ty and Jocelyn. She didn't ask why, but she felt like it wasn't her business. She was almost to Ricky's coach when she felt a hand grip her arm and pull her away. She turned towards the body attached to the arm.
"Harrison..."
"Follow me."
"No. Let me go." Harrison didn't let her go. He practically dragged her to his bus. Harrison didn't let her go until they were inside. "Harrison Brian Burton, what the actual fuck is wrong with you?!"
"I lied to you."
"I don't fucking care what..."
"Kaia Lynn Stenhouse, I fucking lied to you two years ago and I broke your heart doing it." Kaia took a step back. What did he say?
"What are you talking about?"
"When you told me that you really liked me, what did I say to you?" Harrison asked, fully knowing she still remembered. Kaia stayed silent. "Tell me, Kaia."
"You didn't feel the same."
"I lied."
"Why are you telling me this now?"
"Seeing you earlier today made me realized I absolutely blew it. The age gap didn't bother me, but I just panicked and absolutely fucked up in the moment."
"You blew me off at The Wood Brothers shop in September. " He knew that. Kaia had stopped by two months after it was announced Harrison was moving to the Cup Series to replace DiBenedetto in the 21.
"I know."
"I left the next day for Europe."
"I know."
"Why are you telling me all of this now?"
"I don't know. Seeing you earlier made me realize how much I hurt you and..."
"I was in love with you, Harrison! I was so vulnerable."
"I'm sorry, Kaia. I'm sorry for lying, I'm sorry for breaking your heart. I thought it was the best thing I could do. I was hoping me telling you I didn't like you would make things easier between us."
"You are the main reason why I left. I couldn't handle being here and..." Harrison didn't let her finish. Instead, his lips were on hers. Kaia thought about how his lips felt on hers and it didn't compare to what was happening in real life. Kaia snaked her arms around his neck, pulling him in closer. Harrison wrapped an arm around her waist as his mouth continued to move over hers. He slowly starting backing her towards the table in the kitchenette. Once they made it there, Harrison picked her up and set her on the table. "Harrison..."
"Don't. Don't say no. Don't reject me." He said against her lips. Her brain was screaming to say no, but her heart wouldn't let her listen. Kaia spread her legs, letting Harrison step in between them.
"My heart won't let me reject you." She replied. Harrison pressed his lips back on hers as his hand venture from her waist to under the dress she had been wearing. Kaia's skin felt like it was on fire every place his hand grazed against her body. Soon, Harrison found his thumb looped in the waistband on Kaia's underwear. And to his surprise, Kaia lifted her hips off the table. Harrison slid them down her legs, letting them fall to the floor. It was now or never. Before Harrison could decide, Kaia's hand were between the pair. She unbuckled and unbuttoned his jeans, taking them and his boxer down over his hips.
"Here on the table, Stenhouse?"
"Then take me to your bedroom, Burton. Ruin me."