Page 42 of Racing Dirty Trilogy Box Set

I’m still worried he won’t wake up again. We walk down the long corridor toward the waiting room. My shoes squeak on the linoleum. We approach the door and see everyone there.

Before we enter, Xavier pulls me against him and holds me tight, his strong arms around my waist. My rock, my anchor.

“This is a good day,” he breathes.

I look him in the eyes. “X, thank you for everything. For being here for me, for loving me.” I whisper the last part. He caresses my cheek.

“I’ll always be here for you and will always love you, Tu Semper In Corde Meo." You will always have my heart.

My breathing picks up as I’m lost in his eyes, my heart beating rapidly.

Every time I stare into his eyes, he makes my heart skip a beat.

He leans down and kisses me with so much passion, that I can’t think straight.

His tongue invades my mouth, leaving me breathless.

I get as close to him as I can, and want and desire flow through my body.

“You will always have my heart too,” I tell him when we break the kiss. He rests his forehead against mine, his strong hands holding me tight to him.

“Let’s go and tell everyone what’s going on,” he whispers.

I give him one last kiss before we go into the waiting room.

Mia and Christian are sitting next to each other in the standard waiting room chairs that look like they’re comfortable but really aren’t.

Nolan is next to Christian and Ashley is next to Mia.

Nolan has a scowl on his face, Ashley and Mia are trying not to laugh at something.

I steal a glance at Xavier and he shrugs his shoulders.

His hand tightens in mine, giving me strength.

I clear my throat and all eyes swing in our direction.

Concern replaces Nolan’s scowl when he sees us.

His brown eyes are begging for good news.

I know he looks up to my dad and always has since we were teenagers.

Mia’s spine stiffens as Christian puts his arm around her, comforting her.

Ashley is tense, just waiting for me to speak. I take a deep breath before talking.

“He’s going to be OK. He’s awake.” I say as tears fall. Mia jumps up from her chair, Ashley right behind her. They both hug me tight and the tension in the room disappears, replaced by happiness. Nolan comes up and hugs us all at the same time.

“Thank God.” Nolan’s deep voice rumbles through my body.

“He needs to rest now, but I did get to talk to him,” I say, pulling away from everyone. There isn’t a dry eye in the room. James and Ana enter the room quietly, standing off to the side.

“I’m so relieved,” James says, causing me to jump. Ana hugs me, her warm embrace is like a caress to my soul. Her motherly love is something I’ve missed when I was away.

“Honey, it will be OK,” she says gently.

I pull back from her hug. “I know and thank you,” I say looking at the two of them. “Thank you for being here for him, for us."

“You’re welcome, darling," James answers.

He looks at Xavier, then Christian, and finally Nolan. “Can I speak to you three outside?" Xavier puts his arms around me.

“I’ll meet you outside,” Xavier tells me. I kiss him and let him go.

“OK,” I respond. I watch as they all walk out the door, wondering what they need to talk about. I’ll ask Xavier later. Ana wraps her arms around me again.

“I’m sorry we couldn’t tell you what was going on. The doctor wouldn’t let us in Austin’s room when we got here. They made us wait in here until the nurse came in and told us to call you. That’s all they would say,” Ana says. I give her hand a reassuring squeeze.

“Thank you, Ana,” I tell her.

She gives me a warm smile as she tucks her black hair behind her ears. “There is no need to thank me, honey. James and I are here for you and Austin, we always were, and we always will be.”

“I know, and I feel like I need to thank you for that. For being here for him when I couldn’t be.”

Tears threaten to fall again, and my throat is thick from my emotions. I try to fight them off, but Ana hugs me again and I lose it.

“Shh,” she says running her hands up and down my back. “It’s Ok honey, let it all out. You’re a tough woman, but sometimes we need to lose it now and then. It’s what strengthens us." After a few minutes, I finally compose myself and wipe away my tears.

“Ana,” I croak. I clear my throat to speak again.

“Ana, I love Xavier. I’ve never stopped loving him.

I hope you are OK with us being back together.

I know I broke his heart when I left, and I understand if you’re mad at me, but I’m not planning on going anywhere again.

" I take a deep breath and try to explain my feelings. “This opened my eyes to realize life is short, we need each other, and I don’t feel complete when he isn’t around.

I was miserable in L.A., I was lost, and I was missing him like crazy.

Every sight, every sound, every touch, reminded me of him. "

“I know, and he was the same way. I don’t think I’ve seen him smile and mean it in five years.

Yes, he would joke around with Nolan, but there was always something missing.

” Ana hesitates for a minute. “Sometimes Xavier would get a look in his eyes and he would be lost for a few minutes. He constantly stayed in his garage. He shut himself off from everyone and only made an appearance at the track. I was worried about him, but then you blew back into his life and his eyes have that sparkle back. I don’t know what happened between the two of you and I don’t want to pry.

I just want you to know that I’m happy if he is.

He’s my son and I love him with my whole heart.

When he is hurting, so am I. If he is happy, so am I.

Just promise me you will talk to him if you start to question his love for you. "

“I will, I promise.” I mean it too.

The doctor comes into the waiting room. “Miss. Jones?" He asks.

“Right here." My body is still from his presence.

He looks over his chart and does not make eye contact with me.

“I’m expecting your father to make a full recovery.

We did a CAT scan on his head when he woke up and everything is normal.

" His monotone voice is grating on my nerves.

Before I can say anything, he continues.

“His injuries are healing and as long as he stays on track with physical therapy, he should be going home in a few weeks.

" The doctor finally looks up from his chart but avoids eye contact with me. That really pisses me off.

“Is there a problem Doctor?" I’m pissed. He finally looks at me and I don’t miss the annoyance on his face.

“No, I’m doing my job,” he replies.

“Well, your people skills suck ass.” I’m beyond furious.

Dr. Smith breathes out through his nose, irritation in his voice.

“It’s not my job to have people skills. It’s my job to take care of the sick.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have other patients to attend to.

" With that he walks out the door, leaving me speechless. I’m so pissed right now, I can’t think straight. Ana rests her hand on my arm.

“I’ll take care of him,” Ana says gently.

“I told you he was a dick. I want to punch him in the balls,” I seethe.

Mia is trying to hide her giggle at my outburst but fails miserably. That giggle snaps me out of my rage and my shoulder’s slump forward in defeat.

“I’ll take care of it, honey,” Ana reassures me, yet again. She looks at her watch. “Shit. You better get going if you want to make the race. It’s getting late. James and I will stay here with Austin and watch over him for you."

“You swore,” I state, my eyes are wide, bugging out of my head. Ana never swears in front of anyone. She smiles at me.

“Living with James and Xavier, it’s hard not to. I try to keep it minimal, but sometimes it just slips out.” Ana says shrugging her slender shoulders, “Now, get going." She pushes us out of the waiting room and into the hallway.

“I’ll send James up when we get down there,” I tell Ana over my shoulder.

“Thanks,” she says. There’s something in her voice that makes me stop walking and turn around.

She walks over to me, hesitation in her eyes.

“Izzy,” Ana rests her hands on my shoulders.

“I just, want you to know, I love you like the daughter I never had and I’m glad you’re back. Good luck tonight and stay safe."

“Thank you, Ana, and I love you too.” I hug her.

Mia, Ashley, and I leave the hospital and walk to the parking lot.

My heart is lighter and the worry for my dad I’ve been dealing with melts away.

Ana’s words ring in my head the whole way down.

She loves me like a mom loves her child.

I’m on top of the world and can take on anyone and everything standing in my way.

Years later, I feel complete. My heart is finally whole again.