“Now, I’m suspended for the next race, and we got a fine.”
Okay, now I’m starting to regret it. My eyes widen at the news. “Wait, what? Why would they suspendyou?”
“Something about a first time violation or something likethat. But this is what happens when we don’t think before we act,” he scolds.
I let out a groan. This isn’t how I expected this to go down. How could I have been so damn stupid?
“Who’s gonna be crew chief for next week, then?”
“Danny Shoulderman,” he says with a concerning sigh. “You’re also required to do a charity event for our sponsor.”
Damn it. Next week isn’t going to be fun. I’m not too concerned about an extra charity event. We do them all throughout the season, and I really enjoy them.
Dad folds his arms across his broad chest and sighs. “You’re going to be doing that event with Dixon to ‘prove’ that you’re on good terms with him.”
My head snaps toward him. “Wait, what?” I exclaim. How am I supposed to act like I like him when we clearly detest each other? This isn’t fair.
“Actions have consequences, Regan. Remember that next time you decide to punch someone in the face.”
I rub my temples. I’m in for it now.
TEN
REGAN
I can’t believethat I’m stuck doing this event with Dixon. These are the consequences of my own actions, though. The main thing that’s getting me through this is knowing that I’m going to make some kids’ day by getting to talk to them and hang out with them.
We’re at the local children’s hospital today that one of my sponsors donates money to. We’re seeing kids who are really sick and are stuck here most of the time, undergoing treatments.
The first room we walk into is a girl around the age of ten, Amy. She brightens up as soon as she sees both of us walk in. She’s wearing a blue hat with my number on it. It never gets old seeing kids, especially little girls, wearing my gear. I want to be a good role model for them. To show them that they can be anything they want to be.
“Hi, Amy,” I greet. “It’s so good to meet you.”
“I can’t believe you’re here, and I get to meet you.” Her grin is nearly touching her ears, it’s so big.
“I hear you’re a big fan,” I say as I point to her hat. “Does that make me your favorite?” She smiles and nods. “Good choice. Girls are better than the boys anyway, right?”
She laughs. “Right. Girls rule and boys drool,” she says and then gives Dean a raspberry.
I turn to look at him. He actually looks like he ran a comb through his usually unkempt hair. It’s still close to his shoulders, but looks like he got it trimmed recently.
“Hey now. Don’t hurt my feelings over here,” Dean says, clutching his chest in mock offense. Amy giggles at that. I didn’t realize Dean would be good with kids. Something about that makes my heart squeeze inside my chest. This is a side of him that I’ve never seen.
It’s kind of…nice.
We hang out for a bit longer with Amy, taking some pictures together and giving out some signed merch, as well. Then we leave for the next child's room. We do this throughout the hospital for multiple kids.
Usually, having to be near Dean for long periods of time sets me on edge, but seeing him here, being so nice to every kid, even if they aren’t in his gear…makes me kind of like him.
But only a little. Can’t get crazy here.
We’re at the last room for the day. The sign says the room is for Daniel, who’s twelve. I glance over at Dean. He’s hesitating before entering the room. I wonder what’s going on in his head right now.
“Are you ready to go in?” I ask. The question seems to catch him a bit off guard.
“What? Oh, yeah,” he says and walks in front of me to go into the hospital room.
“Hey, buddy,” he calls to him. “Nice hat, little man.” He taps Daniel’s hat where there is a bit of dark hair coming out from the sides of it. Like most of the other children, he’s hooked up to monitors and tubes coming out of multiple places in his body.
