Driving Me Crazy

Chapter 3

Landing in Indy, I grab my bags from the crew member unloading my dad's jet and head to my car.  It's raining and I'm silently cursing myself for not having an umbrella or at least a rain coat but oh well.  I won't melt, it's not a long walk to the private parking lot.

I'm going straight home to my mom and dad's house for which I'm excited.  I haven't seen them or James in months other than via FaceTime and I'm ready for a home cooked meal; or twelve...

Reaching my car, I throw my bags in as fast as I can and hit the road.  I love this city.  It screams excitement and has racing in its blood.  Kind of like me.  My bones just feel happiest here and if I didn't have to deal with worrying about sharing the same space as Shawn Mendes, it'd be even better. 

I feel bad dogging on him because at one point I thought we could be something and he's really not a bad guy... he's just to busy playing the field and that's not something I find attractive. 

Boys haven't been in the picture for me for awhile.  My last boyfriend cheated on me and things got ugly when I found him in bed with his current girlfriend.  They now have a child and live happily in Chicago.

The rain keeps pounding on my windows as I pull up to the gate of my parents neighborhood.  After entering the code, Ron the gatekeeper waves at me and I kindly wave back.  We've known Ron for years and he comes over for dinner on his nights off.  He's a big bulky guy they you definitely don't want to mess with, but he's always had a soft spot for me.

Pulling into the driveway, I'm met with the familiar sight of the warm vanilla lighting and tall stone exterior of my childhood home. My house is big, but there was always a lot to do and when my dad built a dirt track in the backyard, James and I would spent almost every weekend racing our dirt bikes and I'd always do my little victory dance every time I won.

I see that my mom is not home, and my dad and brother won't be home until later so I go inside and talk to Linda our cook to see if I can help her with anything.

Linda greets me with a big warm hug and kiss on my cheek. She is one of my favorite people and has always been like a second mother to me. "Ahhh...my beautiful girl! How was your trip? You look exhausted!"

"My trip was great! I was top of my class for all the training exercises and I might get to enter the crash site a few times but for now I've been assigned medical at the infield care center with the nurses. And yes, I'm exhausted and looking forward to you and mom making something wonderful." I laugh as my stomach growls.

"Well I'm missing a few things and was going to run to the store. Do you need anything?" She asks.

"I can go Linda, just give me your list. I have to pick up a few things for myself anyway." I smile as she gladly hands me her shopping list. I grab my keys and my wallet and head back out to my car. Deciding I'm going to need some room, I quickly bring my bags in the house just inside the front door and then leave again. When I get in my car, I call my best friend Emma and tell her I'm home. She agrees to meet me at the store so we can catch up.

After about fifteen minutes I arrive at the store and meet Emma in the parking lot. We exchange and long hug and head inside. Grabbing two carts we start perusing the aisles; stuffing our carts full of things we need. She's asking me about my training and I'm asking her about her nursing. Emma works for Indy Car as well and is one of the few nurses that was hired to travel with the league to all races. She got home early from Dayton because the staff at the local hospital there provided enough medical staff she wasn't needed and was able to fly home to meet me on my arrival day back to Indy.

As we are walking down one of the aisles a female voice screams "Camila!!!!! Oh my god it's really you!" I turn toward the voice and see that it's Shawn's sister Aaliyah and his mom Karen. Despite what you might think, I love the Mendes family. Karen and Manny are great parents and Aaliyah is so sweet; quite frankly I don't know what's wrong with Shawn.

Anyway, I grab Aaliyah in a hug and give Karen one as well.

"Hey guys! How are you? It's been so long. Wow Aaliyah look at you!" I smile at her. She's wearing her high school cheerleading uniform..

"Yeah! I just found out I made the team so my mom and I are grabbing stuff to make a cake for when dad and Shawn get home." She replies.

"Congrats girl that's so awesome!" I'm so excited for her.

"Listen guys, I've got to get this stuff back to Linda for dinner, but I'm sure I'll see you at track this weekend. Say hi to the boys for me when they get home." I say.

"Yes, we'll be there for sure! See you then sweetie and I will pass along your hello!" Karen says as she waves at me and Aaliyah and I share another hug goodbye.

Emma looks at me and smirks. "Seems as though the Mendes clan loves you. Too bad Shawn can't get his head out of his ass..." She says somewhat sarcastically.

I just laugh and nudge her slightly as we are waiting in line to check out. Making it through the line, we walk along the parking lot until we find our cars. Her Audi parked a few stalls down from my Range Rover. Successfully loading all our stuff, we say goodbye and make plans for the weekend.

"See you later girl."

"See ya Mila."

We smile at each and head for home.