Chapter Fifty Three
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“Man, we are never going to find a house at this rate!” Kiara complained after she and Sydney had just finished looking at the fourth house that day and so far they’d all been a bust.
Sydney smiled as she glanced over at her friend as they drove in Dale’s truck behind the realtor to look at yet another house. “I know it’s frustrating, but we’ll find the perfect house. We just have to be patient.” Sydney told Kiara.
Kiara looked back at Sydney as if she’d suddenly sprouted another head. “When the hell did you become Miss Patient and Optimistic?” Neither one of them had ever been known for having an abundance of patience and one of Sydney’s biggest qualities was not being optimistic.
Sydney shook her head slightly, laughing softly as she realized that Kiara was right. “I don’t know…I guess in the last few days or so, now that I think about it.”
Kiara grinned knowingly at her friend. She knew full well the reason behind the change in Sydney. “Mmm, hmmm…I wonder why that is.” She teased. “But speaking of Brett…things seem to be going quite well between you two.” She commented, watching as Sydney’s cheeks flushed.
“Well, right now we’re just friends…” Sydney trailed off when Kiara snorted.
“Now where have I heard that before? Hmm…” Kiara paused, pretending to think about it. “Oh yes! Now I remember when you said that.”
“Fuck you!” Sydney snapped, but Kiara knew she didn’t mean it. The light shining brightly in her blue eyes told her that.
“Oh here we are.” Sydney changed the subject as they turned into the driveway, following the realtor to the next house. Both girls peered through the windshield at the house and Kiara groaned, already not liking what she saw.
“If this house sucks as bad as the other ones, we’re done for today.” Sydney promised, not willing to admit that after being away from Brett all day, she was really missing him.
“That sounds like a plan. Besides, I need me a Junior fix pretty soon!” Kiara exclaimed, laughing when Sydney rolled her eyes.
“What? Oh please! You can not tell me that you’re not anxious to see Brett.” Kiara waited for Sydney to answer, but only got silence from her friend. “Not that I can blame you. If I didn’t have Dale and Brett was interested in me, I’d be all over that opportunity.” Kiara said, laughing when Sydney’s cheeks turned a deep shade of red once again.
“Well, let’s get this over with.” Sydney said as she glanced at the realtor, who was waiting for them on the porch as she and Kiara climbed out of the car.
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Chapter Fifty Four
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Dale and Brett looked up when the girls came down the stairs into Club E, which was the nightclub in Dale’s basement, where he and Brett were just hanging out.
“Now that has to be perhaps the best sight in the world.” Dale grinned. “Two sexy women and two cases of Budweiser!”
Sydney and Kiara grinned happily. “We’re celebrating.” Sydney announced, smiling warmly at Brett, having noticed the way her heart started pounding the instant she saw him. Kiara had been right, she had been very excited and anxious to see Brett.
“I take it you two found a house.” Brett came over and took the beer from the women, and heading over to the bar area.
“We sure did!” Kiara said excitedly. “It’s perfect! And we can move in tomorrow. That’s why we’re so late, we were signing all the necessary papers. We are officially proud home owners.” She grinned.
“Congratulations.” Dale smiled as he came over and pulled her against him, lowering his head to capture her lips in a lingering kiss.
“Ahem, sorry to interrupt you two, but I’m not in the mood for a porno.” Sydney interrupted them, laughing when Kiara’s cheeks flamed red.
“Oh that was so wrong.” Kiara glared at her friend, fighting not to laugh. “Hey, I’m starving, what’s for dinner?” she suddenly asked after her stomach growled loudly. Sydney’s stomach immediately answered.
“I forgot we hadn’t eaten today.” Sydney rubbed her belly.
“Why don’t Dale and I take you two out to dinner, to celebrate your new house.” Brett suggested. Sydney’s eyes immediately lit up.
“That sounds like a wonderful idea!” Sydney exclaimed, finding she didn’t want to leave his presence even for a few moments. How was she going to manage when he went back to Tennessee?
Sydney was about to say something else, but paused when someone’s cell phone started ringing. They all reached for their phones, then looked at Kiara when she groaned and made a face before turning off her phone. She looked up to find everyone looking expectantly at her.
“Kevin?” Dale asked, already knowing the answer from the sudden tensions that had gone through her body. She nodded.
“I’m just not in the mood for deal with him right now. Besides, that’s the first he’s even attempted to get a hold of me since at the track, so I have an idea it will be nothing but an argument, and I’m just not up for it right now.” She sighed, trying to fight against the sadness that was starting to come over her.
As much as she didn’t agree with her brother, she hated the fact that she felt she had to avoid him. She loved her brother with all her heart, but she just felt that she needed to stand up for herself and what she wanted. Yes, Kevin had always been the overprotective big brother, but she wasn’t about to let him dictate her life now, and her happiness with Dale.
She just kept hoping and praying that he would wake up one morning and realize how unreasonable he was being, and get over his problem with it all. Yeah, she wasn’t asking for too much a miracle!
“Are we going to have to see him tonight?” Sydney asked worriedly. She loved Kevin like the brother she’d never had, but she didn’t know if she could handle seeing him rip into Kiara about Dale and not get in it herself.
Kiara shrugged. “I hope not. I plan on not getting back to the house until after I know he’s asleep.”
“How do you think he’s going to handle you moving?” Brett asked. Kiara grimaced.
“It’s not going to be good, I can guarantee you that, but hey he’s already pissed, how much worse can it get?” she asked.
“Why don’t you two stay here tonight?” Dale suggested. Kiara smiled at him.
“I’m going to have to face him sometime, you know.” She told him.
“Yeah, but not tonight. We can worry about it tomorrow. You know once he sees us helping you move, he’ll be over in a heartbeat, so we’ll just deal with it then. For tonight, stay here.” His eyes pleaded with her to say yes.
He had three reasons for wanting her and Sydney to stay. One he didn’t want Kevin ambushing Kiara when he wasn’t around, because he felt it was something he and Kevin were going to have to talk about, and he didn’t want Kiara getting the full brunt of Kevin’s temper.
Two, he wanted Sydney and Brett to have some more one on one time together, and this was the perfect way. Three, he wanted more quality time with Kiara.
Kiara looked over at Sydney, silently asking her what she wanted to do. Sydney glanced over at Brett and immediately made her decision. She turned back to Kiara and gave her a little nod.
“Okay, looks like you two are stuck with us for the night!”
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Chapter Fifty Five
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After arriving back at Dale’s place after dinner that evening, Dale and Kiara quickly mumbled excuses of being tired before they were even out of the car. They hurriedly said their good nights and rushed inside the house, leaving Brett and Sydney standing outside staring after them.
“Why do I get the feeling that sleep is the last thing on their minds?” Brett commented, a smirk curving his generous mouth.
Sydney laughed, having been thinking the same thing herself. She hadn’t missed the looks that Kiara and Dale had been giving each other all night long. They were the perfect couple; so happy and content with each other and Sydney couldn’t have been happier for them herself.
“So,” Brett began, but paused, not sure how to say what he wanted to say. He definitely wasn’t ready for the night to end and wanted to spend more time with Sydney, but he didn’t know how to ask. He glanced at her, seeing her looking at him expectantly and found the words that he was searching for.
“Would you like to come up to the apartment?” Brett asked, speaking of the apartment located above Dale’s garage, where he was staying for the week. “We can watch a movie or something.”
Sydney smiled, nearly sighing out loud with relief that he’d asked. Much like Brett, she wasn't anywhere near ready for the night to end either. “I’d like that.” She replied as she slipped her hand into his, which he had held out to her. The smile that he gave her at hearing her answer sent her heart racing.
“You want a beer or anything?” Brett asked once they were in the apartment. He took in a slow, deep breath, trying to calm his suddenly frazzled nerves. As nervous as he was, one would think that this was his and Sydney’s first date or something. Then again, in a sense it was. But unlike last time, this time his main concern was not screwing up and hurting her again.
Sydney looked at Brett, her eyebrow raised in query. "Anything?" She questioned.
Brett gave her a knowing grin before he turned and went into the kitchen. He returned a few moments later with two bottles of Miller Lite. "I won't tell Junior if you don't." He said as he handed her one of them.
Sydney laughed out loud as she shook her head. "No way in hell!" She exclaimed as they stepped into the living room area of the apartment. "Dale would have a fit if he knew we weren't drinking Budweiser." Brett laughed, completely agreeing with her.
"So what do you want to watch?" Brett asked as he walked over to the armoire that housed the home entertainment system. "Junior's got a shitload of them." He said as he began looking through the movie titles.
Sydney shrugged, knowing that her attention was going to be on Brett and not the TV or any movie. Biting her lip, she looked over at him, her legs weakening when she found his eyes on her. "Um...actually, how about if we just talk instead." She told him as she sat down on the couch and waited for him to join her.
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Chapter Fifty Six
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Brett walked over and sat down next to her, trying like hell to play it cool and trying to not let her see how much of an effect she was having on him.
“So, what did you want to talk about?” he asked, sitting back, taking a swig of his beer. Sydney shrugged one shoulder.
“Anything is fine, I’m just really not in the mood for a movie.” She admitted with a smile. They sat in silence for a few moments, and then they both started speaking at once.
“Sorry,” she grinned. “Go ahead.”
“No, you go.” Brett laughed. Sydney looked down at the bottle in her hands, absently peeling off the label.
“Um, well, first of all I want to thank you for all your help, with moving and everything. You’ve been wonderful, and I greatly appreciate it. You didn’t have to do all this.”
Brett leaned forward and put his hand on her knee. “I know I didn’t have to do anything, but I wanted to. I wanted to be with you.” He admitted softly.
Sydney lifted her head, their eyes meeting and holding. Unable to stop herself, she leaned towards him, her lips parting in a silent invitation. Brett gently ran the back of his knuckles across her cheek, marveling in how soft her skin was…smooth and silky.
Unable to resist any longer, he moved his hand through her hair and cupped the back of her head, pulling her towards him more. He slowly lowered his head, giving her time to protest if she wanted too.
She didn’t, in fact she was the one who closed the distance between them, capturing his lips with her own, along with his breath. The kiss started out softly but increased in passion within seconds.
With a groan, Brett tore his mouth away, struggling to get his breath back. He saw the disappointment in her eyes, and fought with himself to regain his self control.
“Brett.” She pleaded softly, trying to get closer to him. She no longer had any kind of hesitation. She knew what she wanted. Him. Plain and simple.
Brett gave her a soft smile as he tucked her hair behind her ear. “Believe me, right now, the last thing I want to do is stop.” He told her, his voice gruff.
She tilted her head just a little. “Then why did you?”
“Because neither of us is ready for this just yet. Syd, we’re just getting to really know each other again, and so far, it’s been perfect. I don’t want to fuck this up by doing something you’ll regret tomorrow morning.” he told her honestly.
Sydney new instantly that she would never regret it, but she also could see where he was coming from, and again she was struck by just how much he had changed over the years, and she found herself falling out of love with the man he had been, and in love with the man he had become.
She took a deep breath and edged away from him just a little. “Okay, you’re right. It’s not going to be easy though.” She grinned.
“So, how about that movie?” Brett offered, still not ready for the night to end. Sydney nodded enthusiastically, ready to at least spend what was left of the night curled up in his arms.
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Chapter Fifty Seven
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Brett and Sydney were walking up to the front door of Dale’s house the next morning, when the door opened. Kiara stood there grinning broadly at the two, and even though aside from a few kisses nothing really happened, the two couldn’t help but blush under Kiara’s knowing smile.
“So…how did you two sleep last night?” Kiara asked teasingly.
“Better than you did, I’m sure.” Sydney shot back smartly, laughing when Kiara simply stuck her tongue out at her.
“Are we ready to go?” Dale asked stepping in the doorway behind Kiara.
“All set.” Brett answered.
It wasn’t until they were all in the SUV until it was finally asked. “What did you two do last night?” Dale asked, unable to wait any longer, causing Brett and Sydney to turn red again. Kiara simply giggled.
“It was purely innocent. We talked, watched movies, and slept.” Sydney responded.
“That’s it?” Kiara asked, turning in her seat to look in the back at her friend. When Sydney nodded, she frowned. “Well, damn. That’s boring.” She huffed.
“Kiara!”
“So, do you expect Kevin to be home?” Brett asked, trying to change the subject and also save himself and Sydney from more teasing, even if for only a few minutes.
Kiara’s smile instantly fell. “I talked to De earlier this morning, and she said that he should be around all day.”
“How did she take your news?” Sydney asked, leaning forward.
“I think she was kind of hurt that I didn’t tell her about me and Dale, but she understood that I didn’t want to put her in the middle. I also told her that we are moving today, and she understands.”
“Oooh, is she telling Kevin?” Sydney asked. Kiara vigorously shook her head. “Hell no! She said he was in a foul enough mood, he could just find out when we all got there.” Kiara grimaced. “And now much am I looking forward to this?”
Dale reached over and took her hand in his, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “It’ll be fine.” He promised. She gave him a disbelieving look.
“Sure, after about twenty years or so.” She mumbled, taking a deep breath when they pulled into the Harvick’s driveway. She chewed on her bottom lip, trying to prepare herself for what was about to happen.
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Chapter Fifty Eight
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They hadn’t even made it to Kiara’s front door when they saw Kevin stalking across the yard towards them. The look on his face had Kiara swallowing hard and searching deep for some courage. Brett and Sydney looked at each other and took a step back, not wanting to be in the line of fire, yet not wanting to be too far away either incase they were needed.
Dale, however, stood his ground and didn’t even flinch when Kevin stopped, toe to toe with him. Kiara shivered at the look in Kevin’s eyes, his glare rivaling that of the classic ‘Earnhardt Glare’.
“We need to talk.” Kevin growled into his best friend's face. “Now!”
Dale simply crossed his arms over his chest, looking far to relaxed for the situation he was currently in, not looking the least bit worried, which only further infuriated Kevin.
“So talk.” Dale told him simply.
“In private.” Kevin spit out through clenched teeth.
“Kevin,” Kiara started to step in, but stopped when he whipped his head around to glare at her.
Dale stepped in between the siblings, giving Kiara a reassuring smile. “It’s okay. Go ahead and start packing, I’ll be there in a few.” He promised. She nodded hesitantly and turned, starting towards the house, but was stopped when Kevin jumped around Dale to grab her arm.
“Pack? What the fuck are you packing for?” he demanded to know, his eyes blazing. Before she could answer Dale again came forward, yanking Kevin’s hand off her arm.
“Don’t grab her like that.” Dale warned, the beginnings of his temper stirring as he now glared into his best friend's eyes, letting him know just how serious he was. He knew that Kevin would never intentionally physically hurt Kiara, but right now Kevin was angry and didn’t know his own strength, and he hadn’t liked the way Kevin had grabbed her arm.
He then turned once again towards Kiara and nodded towards the house. “Go ahead.” He told her. She chewed on her bottom lip, undecided of what to do, knowing that it could every easily come to blows between the two if their tempers were out of hand, and Kevin’s already was. And she also knew it wouldn’t take much to get Dale’s as well.
She jumped slightly when Brett put his hand on her shoulder, gaining her attention. “Come on, we’ll help you pack.” Brett signaled towards Sydney who was standing close by. With a final look to the two men who meant the most in the world to her, Kiara turned and followed Brett and Sydney inside.
Once the door was shut, she immediately rushed over to the window that over looked the front yard. Again Brett came up to her. “Go ahead.” He smiled. “I’ll keep an eye on the two to make sure things don’t get out of hand.” He assured her.
Sydney came up and took Kiara gently by the arm, leading her away from the window. “Everything will be fine.” She crossed her fingers, hoping like hell she wasn’t lying. “Don’t worry.”
***
Dale turned back to Kevin once the front door shut. “Look, Kevin…” he started, but Kevin was quick to cut him off.
“Save it, Dale.” He snapped. “I don’t want to hear it. How could you do this? You went behind my back and after my little sister.” He raged.
Dale shook his head. “How in the hell did I go behind your back?” he demanded.
“You never said a word to me about having feelings for her!” Kevin yelled. “I warned her away from you. I know you’re going to break her heart, and so help me God, when you do, you will regret it, for many reasons.” He warned.
“I don’t condone this, I never will.” He continued. “So now you’ve got a choice. Our friendship, or Kiara, because buddy, you can’t have both.”
Dale started at him in shock, unable to believe what he had just heard. After a moment he found his voice. “I shouldn’t have to choose.” He said, his voice hoarse.
“No, you shouldn’t.”
Dale and Kevin both turned to find Delana standing there, her hands on her hips as she glared at her husband. “Kevin, if you put this ultimatum on him, then I hope he chooses Kiara.” She said, as she lifted her head a little higher. “I can guarantee you this, Kiara would never ask him to choose…and you shouldn’t either.”
Kevin threw his hand up in the air, frustrated beyond belief. “Is the whole fucking world against me?” he yelled, then returned his stare to Dale. “I’ll tell you this. As long as you’re with her, things between you and I will never, and I do mean never, be the same.”
With that he turned and walked off, back to his own house, slamming the door behind him. Delana put a comforting hand on Dale’s arm as he started after his best friend.
“I’ll talk to him.” She promised. “Give him time to get used to the whole idea. Once he sees how truly happy you and Kiara are together, he’ll snap out of it.”
Dale looked down at her and gave her a sad smile. “I hope you’re right De, I really do.”
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Chapter Fifty Nine
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Late that night, after a long hard day of moving, they finally got everything moved from Kiara’s house to the new one. Although mostly everything was still in boxes, the moving process itself was done.
They all crashed in the living room, exhausted after a hard day's work. As the day wore on, Kiara had begun to grow more and more quiet and withdrawn from everyone, including Dale.
After the confrontation with Kevin, they hadn’t seen any more of him for the rest of the day. Dale hadn’t really said much about what was said between the two, but he hadn’t really needed too, since they had all heard Kevin’s yelling clearly inside the house.
“What movie are we going to watch?” Sydney asked, trying to break the silence that had filled the room since they all sat down. She glanced worriedly over at Kiara, who was doing anything but relaxing over on the couch.
“Let’s see what we have here.” Brett said as he set a box on the coffee table that held all the DVD’s. As they all started riffling through the box, Kiara stood up.
“I’m going to take a shower.” She mumbled before turning and heading out of the living room and up the stairs. They all watched her go in silence.
“I’ll go talk to her.” Sydney told the men, having a feeling that Kiara needed to vent. Dale looked as if her were ready to protest, wanting to go to her himself, but Sydney stopped him.
“Right now it’s time for ‘women talk’.” She told him with a smile before following Kiara’s footsteps out of the room. She hurried upstairs and knocked softly on Kiara’s closed bedroom door. She didn’t get an answer but went in anyway. She sighed when she saw Kiara sitting on the edge of her bed, her head in her hands.
She sat down next to her. “Wanna talk about it?” she asked. Kiara lifted her head, her eyes filled with misery.
“I’ve never seen Kevin like that.” She whispered, her voice quivering. “I figured that he’d get over it by now, but he hasn’t. What am I going to do?” she asked.
Sydney shook her head. “What is there to do? Unless you’re going to give up being with Dale, nothing is going to make Kevin happy right now, and I’m sorry, I know you love your brother, but you can’t let him dictate your life.”
Kiara shook her head. “I’m not giving up Dale.” She said, her voice filled with determination.
“Good.” Sydney smiled. Never before had she seen two people more perfectly suited for each other, and she wasn’t about to let her best friend give up the best thing that ever happened to her just because her brother was being an ass.
“But I don’t want to lose my brother in all this either. And what about Dale? Kevin’s his best friend!” she cried.
“Some best friend.” Sydney muttered under her breath, grinning sheepishly when Kiara cocked an eyebrow at her.
“Sorry, but you have to admit, Kevin is being totally unreasonable. And as Dale’s best friend, he should want him to be happy, and you make him happy, Kiara. Instead of being like this and giving Dale ultimatums, he should be telling Dale how lucky he is to have you, and how lucky you are to have him.”
“Do you know what’s bothering me the most?” Kiara asked, then continued when Sydney shook her head. “The ultimatum Kevin laid out. I was so grateful when Delana interrupted, because I was scared to death to hear Dale’s response.”
Sydney’s eyes widened in surprise. “Do you honestly think Dale would have chosen Kevin over you?”
Kiara shrugged one shoulder. “I wouldn’t have blamed him if he did.” She answered honestly. “I mean he’s known Kevin a hell of a lot longer than he’s known me. He knows Kevin inside and out. They are best friends, Syd. Me, I’m just Kevin’s little sister.” She said looking down at her hands.
“Wrong. You’re just the woman I happen to be in love with.”
Sydney couldn’t help the smile that spread across her lips as she and Kiara turned to the door seeing Dale standing there, his blue eyes mirroring the love that he felt. She heard Kiara gasp softly and wanted to hug and kiss Dale herself at that moment.
Biting the inside of her cheek to keep the happiness she was feeling inside, Sydney stood up. “I’ll just be downstairs with Brett.” She said, although she doubted either one of them heard her, or cared, their attention totally on each other. She slipped out of the room and practically skipped down the stairs, anxious to spend some alone time with Brett. Love was in the air, and damn if it wasn’t infectious!
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Chapter Sixty
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Brett looked up when Sydney walked in the room. “How is Kiara?” he asked, concern lighting his blue eyes.
“Oh, I think she’s just fine.” Sydney grinned as she came over to sit by him, easily curling up next to him, moving into his embrace as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
“Do you think Kevin will come in between them?” he asked, resting his head on top of hers as he held her close, enjoying the feel of her against him and the closeness they now shared.
She shook her head. “I highly doubt it.” She smiled, remembering the look in Dale’s eyes when she left the room.
“Good.” Brett said, closing his eyes, just reveling in the moment. He opened his eyes and lifted his head when Sydney stirred. She sat up and turned to face him, her expression suddenly serious.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, immediately missing the warmth of her body.
“What do you expect out of this?” she asked. “Out of you and me?” she clarified when she saw the confusion in his eyes.
Brett sighed as he dropped his arm from her shoulders and sat up a little straighter himself. “Honestly, I don’t expect anything, Sydney.” He told her, looking her directly in the eye. “If you want us to just be friends, then that’s what we’ll be. If you want more, all you have to do is say the word, when you’re ready. But if we are just friends, although it will be hard, I’d rather have you in my life as a friend than as nothing.”
She smiled and leaned forward to brush her lips lightly across his, and he had to fight not to reach out and pull her against him and ravish her. “You’re amazing.” She told him softly when she pulled back. “I always knew you were, but even more so now. I can’t get over how much you’ve grown and changed.”
He flushed slightly at the compliment. “Losing you changed me.” He said honestly. “The instant I saw you backstage, I knew I would do anything and everything to get you back in my life. I fucked up big time when I let you go, and I don’t intend to ever make that mistake again.”
Sydney felt her eyes staring to burn as she blinked rapidly. Taking a deep breath she took a page out of Dale’s book and decided to be totally and completely honest. “I don’t want to just be friends.” She blurted out. “The past week has been wonderful. I’ve loved getting to know you again, but it’s not enough, Brett. You’ve always been my one weakness, and that hasn’t changed.”
“I can’t be just friends with you.” She whispered. “I want you too much. I know that’s a lot to ask after what happened with Kevin, and I’m sorry about that…” she trailed off when he reached out and placed his fingers over her lips.
“You don’t have to apologize to me for anything. Yes, it hurt that you two were together, but I didn’t lie to you that day at the racetrack. I want nothing more than for you to be happy.” He told her.
One tear slipped from her eyes and down her cheek as she replied, “You make me happy.”
With a groan, Brett tangled his fingers in her hair and pulled her towards him, unable to hold himself back any longer. She sighed softly when his mouth descended upon hers possessively, leaving her no doubt as to what he wanted.
She gave herself willingly and completely to him as she pressed even closer. She shivered slightly when she felt his tongue come out to trace her lips, seeking entrance. She immediately gave in and welcomed him.
For the first time since he had left her long ago, she felt complete. He was the other half of her and without him part of her had been missing. But now, she was whole again.
With a moan, she gave herself; mind, body and soul to the man she had loved as a girl…and now loved as a woman.
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Chapter Sixty One
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Kiara stared at Dale, her eyes wide with shock and astonishment. “W-what?” she stuttered, finding she was having a difficulty talking…and breathing.
Dale walked fully in the room and stopped just in front of her, reaching down to take her hands in his, pulling her to her feet. His own heart was pounding furiously with nerves, but he took a deep breath and said what was in his heart.
“Kevin is my best friend, and we’ve been through hell and back together. We’ll get through this, and we’ll be fine, although things will be tough for awhile, but I have confidence in our friendship.” He told her, reaching out to gently touch her cheek.
“I love Kevin like a brother, but I’m in love with you.” He told her, his voice gruff. “You are what matters most to me, Kiara. If Delana were right; if I’d had to choose, Kevin wouldn’t have been happy with my decision. I’d choose you in a heartbeat.”
Kiara opened her mouth to respond, but found she didn’t have the words. She closed her mouth and opened it again, only to once again close it, feeling like very much like a fish out of water.
“You…you love me?” she barely squeaked out.
“Baby, I’ve loved you from the moment I first saw you.” He told her honestly, causing her to blush deeply. “I just fought it for all these years.”
Tears flooded her eyes at his confession and she now found she was having trouble swallowing at the huge lump that had suddenly formed in her throat.
Love, joy and happiness burst inside of her and suddenly nothing mattered but the man in front of her. Not her brother, not the press…nothing.
Looking deep into his eyes, she realized that she felt the exact same way. She’d never truly been in love before, but she didn’t doubt her feelings for him for a second. He was the center of her universe, and she couldn’t imagine her life without him. They might not have been together long, but she knew she had found her forever.
“I love you too.” She smiled softly at him, wrapping her arms around his neck. Dale let out the breath he hadn’t been aware he was holding as he waiting for her response. He grinned sexily down at her, making her weak in the knees.
“Good, because you’re stuck with me.” He told her huskily.
She grinned back. “Good.” She replied as she went up on tip toes to capture his lips in a heart stopping kiss, putting all the love she felt for him into it, which he returned with a passion that equaled her own.
They pulled apart when air became a necessity. Breathing heavily Dale teased, “What about your shower?”
“What shower?” Kiara asked, her eyes glazed with passion, causing what little breath Dale had to catch in his chest.
“Never mind.” He whispered as dipped his head, pressing his lips to hers, easing her back on bed as he followed her down. There would be time for showers, together, later…much later.
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Chapter Sixty Two
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Sydney was humming to herself as she washed her hair, the smile on her face having becoming permanent in the past couple months. She and Kiara had been in their new house for nearly three months, and to say things were perfect was an understatement.
The only complaint she had was that she didn’t get to see Brett nearly enough, but she doubted that if she saw him every day it would really be enough either. They got together as much as possible, and each moment they spent together was better than the last.
And one of the best things that had happened, she and Kevin had talked things out and were able to get their friendship back, even stronger than before. And he and Brett worked through any problems they may have had, and had just as strong of a bond as ever.
It also made things better that the light in her eyes and smile was identical to the one Kiara had. Although things still hadn’t gotten any better with Kevin, they didn’t let that come between them as their love continued to grow stronger and stronger each day.
It wasn’t long after that day three months ago, that the press had found out about not only Kiara and Dale, but Brett and Sydney as well. They all kind of held their breaths, waiting for the downfall, but it hadn’t been nearly as bad as they all expected. For the most part, they had been left completely alone.
Yes, there were a few female fans that weren’t too happy with either Kiara or Sydney, but it wasn’t as if that bothered the women in the least.
Sydney paused in her shampooing and singing when she heard the distant ring of the doorbell. She sighed with relief when she heard Kiara yell from some part of the house that she’d get it.
Sydney frowned wondering who could be at the door, knowing that Dale was currently at a meeting at DEI, along with Michael. Brett was off doing a live appearance and wouldn’t be back for a couple days, and other than that, hardly anyone stopped by to visit. Delana came by every so often, but with Kevin still being stubborn and bullheaded; she had tried to keep her distance, not wanting to get in the middle any more than she already was.
She hurried and finished her shower, anxious to see who was at the door.
***
Kiara pulled open the door, the smile on her face falling immediately. She was barely able to keep the groan from escaping as she was face to face with Sydney’s mother.
“Hello Mrs. Hudson.” Kiara sighed. “To what do we owe the pleasure?” she asked. This was the first time Mrs. Hudson had even set foot in North Carolina, and Kiara had a feeling it wasn’t just for a quick hello.
“Hello, Kiara. Is my daughter here?” she asked, looking around, not even trying to conceal her disdain.
Before Kiara could respond, Sydney came out into the living room, having obviously just jumped in her clothes and come out.
“Who’s here…Mother!” Sydney exclaimed, shock going through her entire system. “What are you doing here?”
Mrs. Hudson regarded her daughter coldly as she threw a magazine down on the coffee table that stood in between them. “Care to explain that?” she spat.
Sydney and Kiara both looked down on the magazine, seeing a beautiful picture of Sydney and Brett walking together down the red carpet of a recent awards show.
Kiara couldn’t help but smirk, biting her lip to hold back the laughter that was threatening. She started to back out of the room, but stopped when Sydney’s head came up and she all but pleaded with her eyes not to leave her alone with her mother.
Wrinkling her nose in distaste, Kiara stayed where she was. Sydney turned back to her mother and raised an eyebrow. “What do you think it is mother? It’s a magazine.” She answered smartly. Her lips twitched when she heard Kiara muffle her giggle behind a cough.
“That’s not what I meant, young lady, and you know it.” Mrs. Hudson snapped, her eyes shooting fire. “How dare you lie to me!”
Sydney crossed her arms over her chest. “And just exactly how did I lie Mother?”
“You specifically told me that you and him,” she sneered, waving her hand towards Brett’s image on the cover, “Were just friends! That looks a little too friendly to me!”
Sydney shrugged nonchalantly, refusing to let her mother upset her in her own home. “Things change. Brett and I are now back together, and happier than we’ve ever been.”
She saw her mother was about to protest so she cut her off. “Stay out of this Mother!” Sydney’s eyes narrowed. “This has nothing to do with you, so just leave me the hell alone! Go back to Tennessee…back to your money and all your snooty friends. Leave me the hell alone.”
With that she turned and walked quickly out of the room. Kiara felt like clapping and jumping up and down. That was only the second time she’d ever seen Sydney stand up to her mother, and she was damn proud of her.
“The door is this way.” Kiara pointed, moving towards it and opening it, waiting for the bitch from hell to walk through.
With her head held high Mrs. Hudson started through the door, stopping when she was in front of Kiara, glaring her daughter’s best friend. “You’ve corrupted her. You’ll never be worthy of this family, and neither will that piece of trash that she’s dating. And I will do all that is in my power to make sure you both are as far away from her as you can possibly get!”
Kiara clenched her fists at her side, grounding her teeth together as she fought the urge to strangle the older woman. “Good bye Mrs. Hudson, please feel free to never come back.” Kiara said with a brittle smile. “Oh and for the record, it was Sydney who corrupted me, not the other way around.”
With that she slammed the door, effectively shutting out any response. She turned when she heard giggling behind her and found Sydney standing there.
“I corrupted you? I don’t think so!’ Sydney laughed, remembering the look on her mother’s face.
“Oh please. Everyone knows I was sweet and innocent until I met you.” Kiara grinned.
“Sweet and innocent my ass!” Sydney laughed harder. She sobered up a few seconds later. “I’m sorry about what she said to you.” She apologized.
Kiara quickly waved it away. “Don’t you dare apologize for that woman!” she told her. “You have absolutely nothing to be sorry for. Hell I’m the one who’s sorry.”
“For what?” Sydney asked.
“For you having to have had her for a mother all your life!”
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Chapter Sixty Three
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A week later Kiara was sitting in the garage area, going over Michael’s schedule as she waited for the race to start. She chewed on her pen cap as she studied the sheet in her hand.
She jumped and shot out of her chair when she suddenly felt something cold going down her back. She spun around and found Michael standing there with a cup of ice in his hand.
“What?” he asked innocently…a little too innocently.
“You’re so gonna pay for that one.” She warned him. “Look at that, I see another interview in your future.” She grinned.
“You’re just mean, Kiara. I don’t know how Junior puts up with you.” He laughed. Kiara broke out into a wide grin, just like she always did, just at the mention of his name.
“Hey, isn’t Sydney supposed to be here?” Michael suddenly asked looking around, having not seen her all morning.
“She was, but Brett surprised her at home, showing up unexpectedly, so I have a feeling that flying to the race was the last thing on their mind.” Kiara laughed as Michael turned red when he caught her meaning.
“That was way too much info.” He held up his hands. He turned serious. “Have you talked to your brother at all?” he asked softly, knowing full well it was a touchy subject.
Kiara sighed and shook her head. “No I haven’t. Not yet. But I’ll head over in a little while to wish him luck.” She said, which she did every race still, although it was pretty much the only words spoken between them, since Kevin still wasn’t talking to herself or Dale.
“Damn, I thought he’d have gotten his head out of his ass by now.” Michael muttered. Kiara shot him a warning look. She and her brother might not be on the best of terms at the moment, but that didn’t mean she liked to hear other people talk about him.
“Well I’m going to go find him and wish him luck, I’ll be right back.” She promised, heading down to another part of the garage where she knew her brother would be.
***
Dale was walking through the garage area, his mind on his car and the upcoming race. He looked over his shoulder when he heard someone call his name. He nodded and smiled at Dale Jarrett as he walked but, then stumbled slightly when he ran smack into someone.
He turned around and found himself face to face with a furious Kevin Harvick.
“Watch where the fuck you’re going.” Kevin snapped. Dale took a deep breath. On one hand this was the most he’d said to him in three months, on the other, it wasn’t good and the hostility was obviously still there. And with the way his car was set up and the way the weekend had gone so far with testing, practicing and qualifying, he wasn’t in the best of moods himself, and now really wasn’t the time to fuck with him…regardless of who it was.
“You ran in to me as well.” Dale shot back, knowing full well he should just walk away, but damn it he was in the mood for this confrontation. It had been along time coming, and although it wasn’t the best place for it to happen, he really didn’t give a damn.
Kevin was silent, just glaring at him. “Stay the hell out of my way.” He sneered.
“Fuck you, Harvick!” Dale let go of the little restraint he had on his temper. He paid no mind to the attention they were attracting, both oblivious to the fact that the entire garage area had grown eerily silent, all eyes upon them. Everyone held their breaths waiting for what was to come.
“I’m sick and tired of your pussy attitude.” Dale raged, having worked himself into a fine furry. “Poor little Kevin didn’t get his way for once, and now he’s going to be pissed off at the world. Grow the fuck up!”
Kevin took a deep shaky breath, his face turning red. “I’m warning you, Dale.”
“Or what? You gonna hit me? Hit me, Kevin, I dare you.” Dale stepped closer too him, almost wishing Kevin would swing.
Kevin looked as if he were contemplating the idea and made a slight movement when someone grabbed his arm. He swung his head around to meet his sister’s furious gaze.
“Stop it!” Kiara hissed, and then looked over at Dale. “Both of you. You’re acting like children.”
Just seeing her had immediately relaxed Dale somewhat, where it only made Kevin tenser. He shrugged off Kiara’s hand, his eyes as cold as ever.
“Don’t touch me.” He seethed, fighting not to apologize when the hurt look crossed Kiara’s face. She quickly masked it.
“When are you going to get over this?” she asked softly, her eyes begging with her brother to be reasonable. “Why can’t you see that I’m happy and be happy for me?”
“When he hurts you, don’t come crying to me, because I won’t want to hear it.” Kevin told her softly, but the steel in his voice could easily be heard. With that he turned and walked away, not looking back at either one of them.
Kiara watched him walk away, and then shook her head as she blinked rapidly to rid of the tears that were threatening. “He’s so damn stubborn.” She whispered just loud enough for Dale to hear her.
He stepped forward and pulled her close, holding her tight. “Reminds me of someone else I know.” He teased gently, hoping to ease the tension he felt radiating off her. She pulled back and looked up at him.
“Yeah you see him every day when you look in the mirror.” She shot back jokingly, feeling better just being in his arms. He grinned down at her before he bent and brushed his lips lightly across hers, pulling back before things could get too intense, which they had a tendency to do.
“Be careful out there, and good luck. I love you.” She told him.
“I love you too, Baby.” He kissed her once more, then released her and watched her as she turning to head to Michael’s pit box.
She was half way there when she realized she’d never gotten the chance to tell Kevin good luck as well.
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Chapter Sixty Four
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“How’s the car Junior?” Ty Norris, Dale’s spotter asked after a few laps in the race.
Dale keyed his radio to answer. “Tight, tight, tight. Too fucking tight.” He grumbled.
“Don’t worry about it, man, just hang on, drive the hell out of it, and we’ll get it fixed during the first pit stop.” Tony Sr. came on and told his driver.
“We gotta do something, because right now this car isn’t worth shit.” Dale wasn’t very happy with the car, and it was obvious to everyone listening.
“Stay low, you’ve got Harvick coming on your outside.” Ty warned him.
Dale got down lower on the track. He hated giving up positions, but with his ill handling car, he knew he couldn’t really compete and the best thing to do was just let the better cars go by.
“WHAT THE FUCK!” he yelled when the Goodwrench car slammed into the side of the Budweiser Chevy. He immediately got on the radio. “Tell the 29 to back the fuck off!” he roared.
“We’re on it, Junior.” Tony told him, ready to tear into the 29 team himself. Dale had left more than enough room for Kevin to get by him, but instead of going high, Kevin had instead started bumping Dale as if they were racing the last lap of the race.
The #8 car took another hit, and it took all Dale had to keep his car under control. “I’m gonna kick his fucking ass!” Dale yelled, getting more and more pissed. “This car isn’t gonna take hits like that with the way it’s driving. Tell him to BACK OFF!”
“They’re trying too Dale, but he’s not responding.” Ty informed his driver, everyone seeing what was going on, and even the fans in the stands were eerily silent as they watched what was going on the race track.
“Fuck this shit.” Dale muttered to himself, seeing that Kevin was getting ready to hit him again, he applied pressure to the breaks, causing the 29 to miss him completely and slide down the racetrack. Unprepared for the move, Kevin lost control of the car.
Watching everything as if it were in slow motion, Dale saw the Goodwrench car sliding, and as Kevin tried to correct the car, he over steered, shooting the car up the track, head on into the concrete wall.
“Oh my god.” Dale closed his eyes for a second, and when he opened them the wreck was far behind him. “Is he alright?” he demanded to know. He got nothing but silence, his stomach dropping.
“IS HE ALRIGHT?” he yelled, almost not needing the radio for the crew to hear him.
“We’re checking, Dale.” Was the response he got.
“Is his window net down?” Dale asked. Everyone knew that when a driver put his window net down after an accident that was a sign to everyone that he was okay.
“Not yet.”
“I didn’t mean for that to happen. I was trying to avoid being hit again.” Dale gripped his steering wheel tight as the whole field lined up behind the pace car and started slowly around the track. When they got around to where Kevin’s car was sitting, Dale felt like he was going to be sick. He could see the paramedics and emergency workers trying to get Kevin out of his car.
The worst of it was, he couldn’t just stop to find out how his friend was. No matter what, he had to continue with the race. This was about to be the longest day in history.
Everyone was silent, except for saying what was needed for the next hour or so. Kevin had been flown out and to the nearest hospital, but other than that, no one knew any details.
As the laps ticked by, Dale began to feel more and more guilty for what had taken place. He wanted desperately to get in touch with Kiara, but no one had even been able to tell him if she was still at the track, or if she had gone to the hospital to be with her brother. And on the other hand, he couldn’t talk to her at the moment. His guilt was too great.
“Dale,” Tony Sr. interrupted his thoughts, the tone of his voice making Dale’s hair stand up on the back of his neck. “We just got word on Kevin. It’s not good.”
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Chapter Sixty Five
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“Damn it!” Sydney swore as she slammed the phone down. She sighed and leaned back against Brett who had his arms around her.
“She’s probably not even able to answer the phone right now.” Brett told her comfortingly.
Tears filled Sydney’s eyes as she turned around to face him. “I know, but I’ve got to know how Kevin is. If anything happens to him…” she trailed off, unable to finish her sentence.
They had both been watching the race, on their feet yelling at the television when Kevin had started slamming into the side of Dale’s car. They had been holding their breath, just waiting for one, if not both to wreck. Then…it had happened.
The wreck itself had been horrific to watch, especially with it being a loved one in the car. The race was now over, although no one really cared about whom won. They had tried to interview Dale after the race, but he had simply pushed past them all, anxious to get to the hospital to see how Kevin was doing. All anyone knew was that he was still unconscious.
“I can’t imagine how Kiara is holding up right now.” Sydney whispered, finding comfort in Brett’s arms, snuggling close to him.
“I’m sure it’s very hard right now…and I’m worried about Dale too.” Brett answered. Sydney raised her head, her eyes wide with fear.
“Oh god, he’s going to blame himself!” she cried, then pulled away. “Come on, we’re going to be with them. I can’t stand being here when I know they both need us now more than ever.”
Brett nodded and followed. “I was just about to suggest it myself.”
***
Kiara sat in the waiting room, her knees drawn up tight against her, with her head down. The only thing she kept seeing was Kevin and Dale on the race track, then Kevin slamming into the wall at nearly 180 miles per hour.
She had honestly felt at that moment as if her heart had stopped in her chest.
Delana, bless her soul, had immediately come to get her and together they hurried to the hospital, arriving just minutes behind Kevin. She honestly didn’t know how Delana was keeping it together, when she herself was close to loosing all control over her emotions.
Then, when she thought about it, she felt bad for leaving Dale like that. She couldn’t imagine what was going through his mind at the moment. She had wanted to be with him, but right now, she needed to be here for her brother, no matter what.
She raised her head when Delana sat down next to her. “Dale’s here.” She said softly, nodding towards the door.
Kiara turned and met his eyes, her heart going out to him, seeing the pain and guilt clearly in his eyes. She got up and walked over to him, not saying anything as she put her arms around him and hugged him tight. She wanted him to know that she was there for him as well.
Dale closed his eyes, swallowing hard trying to fight back the tears that were threatening as his arms closed around her, holding her against him. After a moment he pulled back.
“How is Kevin?” he asked, his voice sounding strange even to his own ears.
Kiara pressed her lips together before answering, and then took a deep breath. “He has some swelling in the brain, but they think it’s stopped, otherwise they might have to try to relieve some pressure. He hasn’t regained consciousness yet, so really, we won’t know much until he does.”
Dale’s head dropped as he again closed his eyes. “Oh god.” He whispered, guilt washing over him in fresh new waves.
“Dale, this isn’t your fault. I don’t know what Kevin was trying to prove out there, but none of this would have happened if he hadn’t been fooling around out there on the track.” Kiara told him sternly.
Dale didn’t answer and she could plainly see that he wasn’t buying what she was saying. “I should have handled it differently. Look at what I’ve done to my best friend.” He muttered. He wished to God that it were him lying in that hospital bed, possibly fighting for his life, instead of Kevin.