“Let them see. I’m so proud of you. You’ve earned this, Ican’t wait to cheer you on as you race in the Cup Series.” He cups my face and brings me in for another kiss, resting his forehead against mine.
“Thank you, baby. But you’re sure you’re okay with everyone seeing?” he asks, though it's a bit late to be double checking.
“Yes, I’m sure. I love you. I couldn’t wait to tell you. I know that I haven’t been clear with how I feel. I think I was mostly scared to admit it to myself. I love you, Dean Dixon. Here out in the open for everyone to see.”
Dean stares, taking it all in. His crew and everyone in the stands listening in. “I love you, too, Regan Brady, and I can’t wait to show you off to the world.” He scoops me up and kisses me again, and the happiness I feel is unmatched by anything else I’ve experienced up until now.
He pulls into victory lane with me sitting on the ledge of the driver’s side window. I climb out and step to the side to allow Dean to climb out and celebrate. As soon as he is out, all the confetti falls, and champagne is sprayed. Ramon Vera is standing to the side waiting to hand him the championship trophy, and it is almost as tall as I am. Ramon hands Dean the trophy and they shake hands. Somehow, he lifts the large trophy over his head and another round of cheers and sprays of bubbly follows.
I gladly watch from the side as he places the trophy back down. He strides over to me, pulling me to him so that I can stand next to him, like I’m supposed to be here, like this spot next to him was made for me.
After all the interviews and mostly everyone has cleared out of victory lane to head to the after party, Dean turns, and as he sees them, he stops short and his face falls. I turn in the direction he is looking. Two people are left from the large crowd. A man and a woman stand hand in hand. Slowly, I think I’m piecing the puzzle together. The man has Dean’s same brown hair, and the woman has the same emerald eyes.
“Mom? Dad? What—?” He stops, stunned into silence. I’m also confused because from the way Dean made things sound, they haven’t spoken in literal years. I wonder what has changed. I try to step away to give them some privacy, as I’m sure this is a family matter that they don’t want disturbed, but Dean’s grip tightens on my hand.
“Stay. Please,” he says, his eyes pleading.
I dip my chin, and we walk forward together. I wasn’t sure if I’d meet Dean’s parents, and I didn’t think it would be like this.
“Dean,” his mom says in a sweet southern accent.
“Mom…How? Why are you both here?” he stammers.
“After our phone call, Dad and I talked about things. We wanted to be here to see your final race. I’m glad we did. We are so proud of you, sweetie.”
His mom’s eyes are shining with tears, and I’m about to follow suit behind her. She seems so proud of her son and that she got to witness this moment in person.
“Both of us are proud of you, son,” his dad follows up with. “I know we all said things we can’t take back, and we’ve already lost so much time. Do you think you have it in you to forgive us?”
Okay, now I’m the one who’s about to cry. I look up at Dean and his face still shows the shock of them being here in the first place. I give him a little nudge so that he can respond.
“You came to support me? After everything? After Daniel?”
“We can see how much racing means to you, and it still makes me nervous every time you climb into that car.” She takes a breath. “But this is what you were meant to do. And Daniel would want us to stay together as a family.”
Dean sniffs and wipes the tears that have fallen onto his cheeks with the sleeve of his racing suit. “I’d like that.”
Quickly, he pulls his mom in for a hug, holding tight as cries from both continue. His dad joins in, and it’s amazing tosee his family come back together after they have all been through so much. He pulls back and faces me. “Mom, Dad, this is Regan, my girlfriend. These are my parents, Edward and Jane.”
Girlfriend? Well, when you tell someone you love them in front of an audience, I guess that label is appropriate. Stepping forward, I stretch out my hand to shake theirs and introduce myself. Jane completely ignores it, pulling me in for a hug instead.
“It’s so wonderful to meet you, dear,” she says. Edward also pulls me in for a hug, skipping the handshake. I never expected his family to be so touchy-feely.
“It’s nice to meet you both. Will you be staying for the after party?” I ask.
“Not tonight. How about we all meet up for dinner when you’ve returned to Charlotte?” Jane suggests.
“That would be lovely, Mrs. Dixon.”
She laughs. “Please, call me Jane.”
“Okay, we would love to, Jane.” She smiles wide and they each give us another hug before they leave.
“They seem nice,” I say after they are gone.
“They are. I’m glad they came.”
“Me too, baby.”
