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“If he wants to quit, then what good is extra time? Let people know so they can prepare.”
Bert leans back in his chair, resting his hands on the armrest. He taps a foot, and the chair leans back. “How long have you been racing? Fifteen years.”
“Sixteen. We signed two years after I started.” A great day is now complete shit.
“Surely, in all that time, you’ve figured out that the more laps that remain, the more time to make a play.” His face twists, although I can’t tell if that’s disappointment in me not getting it or the entire situation. It’s probably both. “Sometimes, you get a caution, and it goes to overtime. Those last two laps make a difference.”
He’s right, and I shouldn’t forget it. My performance is good enough that another team would pick me up. This isn’t the end of my career; it’s a setback at worst. I also have Sarah safely tucked away, working towards something for us both.BPRacing’s downfall might be what helps me launch something new.
Many people back at headquarters aren’t so lucky. Hell, the new rookie isn’t as fortunate. His time in Cup is probably finished.
“What about you?” I ask. All the talk of time and extra laps will help others. Bert isn’t driving and won’t be asked to work for another team. IfBP Racingfinishes, his time in motorsports is done. “If the worst happens, what does that mean for you?”
Bert’s head drops, and it’s all the answer I need.
∞∞∞
I dive across the trailer before the phone stops ringing. “Hey, Princess. It’s a little early for your call. Did you miss me?”
“Jake?” asks a woman’s voice
Shit. “Hi, Mom. How are you?”
“Princess? I’d like to hear that story, especially if it’s serious enough to give her a nickname.”
I’m trying to get her to fall in love with me, and I’m using a fake online profile to do it. Also, it’s a secret affair because her brother and I desperately want to rip each other’s faces off. “It’s only a few dates, so there is little to tell.”
“Oh, well, that sounds exciting,” she says, except the disappointment in her voice implies otherwise.
I’ve never brought a woman home to meet my family, not once since my dad died. There was never time for any relationship, and maybe I was waiting for Sarah.
“What’s going on?” I ask, wanting to change the topic to something on safer ground. “The property deed should have arrived.”
“It came in the mail yesterday, thank you.” Julia Knowles’ house now belongs entirely to her, which is a relief to us both. “My job is going well. They’re training me for a promotion later this year.”
“I thought that was part-time,” I say.
“It was. Two of the girls are away at college, and the other two don’t need me hovering.”
“You’re raising them, not hovering,” I correct. There were four young kids in the house, all of them needing childcare, when my father died. That need limited her job options for a long time, making our difficult situation worse. “If you need more money, I can send some.”
“We don’t,” Mom says sharply, and I decide not to protest. “It’s not just work; it gives me responsibility. I enjoy it. Besides, that’s not why I’m calling.”
“What’s wrong?” If it’s not money, it’s one of my sisters, probably Josie.
“It’s Josie. I discovered a paystub in a pair of her jeans.”
I smile, pleased. “We spoke a couple of weeks ago. She’s like me.”
“Jake, she’s failing two classes.”
My smile drops. “I didn’t know that.”
“You aren’t expected to.”
I should have known. “I’m in Virginia this week and then back out to Texas. It should be sooner, I know, but I’ll come talk to her.”
Derek enters the trailer and waves. He immediately opens the fridge and pulls out a cold beer. I never drink before a race, but always keep some in stock for visitors.
