"I'm thinking about breaking up with Madison." There, I said it.
"You're what?" Bubba began choking on his beer and I know I shouldn't have said while he was mid-sip, but it's been on the tip of my tongue now for weeks and I had to get off my chest.
"You heard me." I really don't want to repeat this.
"Why, bro? She's the best damn thing that has ever happened to you." Was she though? I mean, yes, at the beginning she was, but that was before I realized how hopelessly in love I was with Dani.

Madison's flame doesn't even compare to Danielle's.

"Oh, shit." Bubba looked at me with a serious expression and put down his beer bottle. "You really mean this, don't you?"
"Have you ever just been with someone because you thought that was the right thing to do even though you're not happy?"
"What changed?" I hated that he didn't answer my question, but maybe that was just me? Always the people pleaser, doing things to make others happy.

I sighed, taking a sip of my beer and looked out at the ocean. Bubba, Chase and I all decided to rent a house on the beach last minute after the race at Fontana. At first I was hesitant because Madison and I had a fight before I even flew out to Vegas. I got a ear full of it when I told her I wasn't coming back home until after the race at Phoenix.

Then she accused me of being distant and not being up front with her about something. I, of course, told her there wasn't anything on my mind, but she saw right through me.

I hated not being up front with her, but what could I say? That I was suddenly in love with my bestfriend? She would hate me if I told her that. She always had a thing against Danielle and I couldn't help but wonder if she was jealous of her? We were just friends...

Or, we were just friends...

I don't even know what we are right now and if Madison had any inkling of what was going on between Dani and I, she would hate me and I wouldn't blame her for that.

I looked up into the dark sky, looking at the stars for an answer. I wasn't sure where to go from here. Break up with Madison and hope that Dani would want me in that way? What if all of this was just her needing to be with a man sexually and nothing more?

"Everything changed," I finally decided, because it has. My heart no longer belonged to Madison and now I'm starting to wonder if she even had it in the first place.
"You wanna elaborate on that, bro?"

My phone lit up on the table in front of us, Dani's name flashing on the screen. It didn't go unnoticed by Bubba, nor did it go unnoticed with how fast I grabbed my phone and opened her text.

"Do I need to say it?" I looked at Bubba who was giving me a look that told me so. He always busted my chops about being friends with Dani and not 'tapping that'. I punched him in the face when he said that he's been silent on that matter ever since.

Until Vegas, when he and Chase decided to show up unannounced at my motorhome. I about died when she walked out of my bedroom, looking freshly fucked even though we didn't. God, it took all I had to restrain myself that night. I was so close to saying fuck it and just fuck her, but I couldn't. I wanted this to last longer between us. I knew once I crossed that line, we wouldn't be able to go back to anything else. I'm afraid that everything between us would end if we did it, and I wasn't ready to let her go just yet.

The moment the door closed, both Chase and Bubba gave me a look that told me to explain. They didn't believe the lie I told about her getting medicine because she felt sick. I gave a look to Chase, pleading with him silently to stop badgering me. It was bad enough that he knew about us, I didn't need Bubba to know. He doesn't know how to keep a secret.

"It's Dani, isn't it? That's what changed and that's why you want to break up with Madison."
"I want to break up with Madison because I don't feel for her the same way that I used to."
"Or maybe you never felt that way towards her in the first place and it was Dani all along." I looked over at him, slightly annoyed the conversation was going in that direction but deep down, I think he was right and I just never knew it.

I finally looked at Dani's message and my heart seized with new hope.

Is it wrong that I wish I was with you instead?

Dani sent me a photo of a bonfire on the beach with a few people around it. I had no idea she was staying on the west coast. I thought she was flying back home like she did after the Vegas race. I almost asked her to stay with me, but I chickened out thinking she'd say no.

But she was here and she wished she was with me instead of him.

"If this means anything, I never see you smile down at your phone when you're texting Madison. I really hope you can figure things out and do it fast. Both you and Madison deserve to find their true happiness." Bubba clapped his hand on my shoulder and I gave him a weak thanks before he disappeared into the house.

I looked out onto the beach where a flame in the distance caught my eye. She was so close but yet so far away. It would be selfish of me to pull her away from Erik right now, but I was also selfish and I needed to see her.

If that's wrong, then I don't want you to be right.

I sent off the text, my fingers shaking as I waited for her reply.

*sigh* I wish it was your arms I was in right now. I mean, I shouldn't admit it, but fuck it. You're the one I want, Ry, not him.

I read her text, over and over and over again. Not believing what I was seeing. She wanted me, and not Erik. I don't know the depths of what she means with it, but it was enough for me to cave and to confess the same thing.

Then I'm yours, Dani... if you want to be with me tonight, then let's make it happen. Can you get away?

What? You're in Cali? I thought you went back home?

Last minute change. I'm actually down the beach from you, I can see your bonfire. I thought you went home. I... I almost asked you to stay with me.

I wish you would have...

Would you have said yes?

I can't say no when it comes to you, Ry, and that scares me.

Why?

Because I'm falling...

Can you please get away and spend the night with me?

I hope she could hear the desperation in my text because I needed to see her. I needed to hold her in my arms underneath the stars, where it was just her and I. I needed to feel her soft skin along my fingertips. I needed to kiss her lips and whisper into the night that I was falling, too.

I needed to tell Danielle that I was in love with her. The overwhelming need of it had me shaking in fear and excitement because I knew this would change everything between us.

I'll meet you by the mermaid statue. I'll have to sneak out when he's asleep.

I'll wait up all night if I have to, Dani, just as long as I get to be with you.

**

"I can't believe you're in my arms right now." Dani and I laid underneath the stars on the beach where I was staying. I had a small fire going to keep us warm as we snuggled underneath a blanket. Dani had her head on my chest with her arm wrapped around my center. I couldn't stop myself from rubbing her back, kissing the top of her head and pulling her closer to me. I knew after tonight, I didn't want to let her go.

If this was paradise, I never wanted to leave.

"I can't believe you want me here, Ry, I never thought this would happen."
"I didn't think it would," I said truthfully, "just..." I broke off, suddenly scared to tell her how I felt, but I know I had to get it out there.
"Just, what?" She asked, sitting up to look at me. I could see the fire dance behind her hazel eyes and fuck, she was so beautiful. How was I so blind before? How could I have only been her friend and not realize how amazing she was? She was my world and I didn't even know it. "I can feel how fast your heart is beating." She whispered, holding her hand over my heart. "Please, finish that sentence."
"Just... I never thought when I kissed you that night, you would flip my world upside down. You're all I can think about Dani, my every waking thought is of you. I have this craving to be with you in every way possible and I've never had before with anyone else. When I found out that you were dating Erik, that's when I knew."
"You knew what?"
"That I was hopelessly in love with you." Dani gasped in surprise at my confession. "I've never fallen so hard and so fast for anyone, all because of one kiss. You completely consume me, Dani, my heart is yours and I realized earlier tonight that it always has been."
"You love me?" Dani searched my eyes for confirmation, like she couldn't believe I was saying this.
"So fucking much."

Dani crashed her lips to mine, pulling me down on top of her as her tongue licked her way into my mouth. I melted into her touch, allowing her to take control of the kiss, allowing my heart to soar out of my chest as our lips moved together passionately.

She broke the kiss, letting out a shuddering breath as she shook her head. "I can't believe you love me," she grabbed the front of my hoodie with her fist. "I never thought you would say those words. I thought I was the only one."
"The only one?"
"That fell in love." A smile broke out on my face when she said this. I couldn't believe it. "And I think I've always been. Erin used to make fun of me when we were little, saying I was only her friend because I had a crush on you. I think it's safe to say, she's right." Dani laughed and it was the most beautiful sound I have ever heard.

I kissed her then, whispering to her how much I loved her and how happy she makes me. I didn't want this moment to end but the reality of it hit me pretty hard.

"What does this mean for us?" I sighed, knowing her and I were in relationships right now and can't be with each other. Dani settled back into my arms, her head over my heart that was beating wildly for her. She took my hand in hers, interlocking out fingers and brought it up to her lips.
"Erik and I are already on the rocks. He gets mad at me when I don't want to have sex with him." I tensed up at these words, no man should get mad because their girl isn't ready. "Relax, Ry, he doesn't pressure me, but ever since he saw me leave your RV at Vegas, he's acting different and honestly, I just dated him so I wouldn't get hung up on the fact you and Madison are together. I thought he would help me get over that, but I'm realizing he didn't."
"Madison and I are fighting," I confessed, "she knows I've been distant and I haven't come clean as to why. I plan on breaking things off with her. Truth be told, things with her and I aren't what they seem. I've just been going through the motions only because I didn't want to be lonely anymore."
"Ryan, you shouldn't do that to yourself. I know how hard it is to be alone, I have been and even with Erik I feel that way, but that doesn't mean you just stay in a relationship because of that."
"I know, I've been slowly coming to terms with that. I'll talk to her when I can, I've just been, really scared."
"All of this is scary, Ry, but I'll be with you during this if you need me to be."
"This, right here, is why I fell for you. You're so compassionate and caring. How didn't I fall sooner?" I titled her head up so I could kiss her lips.
"Doesn't matter, as long as you did." She kissed me back, but not before she let out a yawn. "Sorry," I laughed, kissing her again before she settled back on my chest.

I stared up at the stars again, thanking them for allowing Dani into my life. I never thought in a million years that she would be lying here in my arms and that our hearts would align.

I never wanted this night to end, but I knew when the sun came up, everything would change, and boy, it did.

**

A/N: I almost didn't post this because of the current situation - but I think we all need a little distraction and hopefully this one helps.