AllFreeNovel
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He’s the closest to a friend I’ve had in NASCAR. Derek leaving is also a weakness for any plan to break out solo. We’d be perceived as a package deal.Front Rowwould probably be less likely to hire me if they knew.
Boone Rivers doesn’t know about my business plan, but he knows how much Derek’s loss affects my career. I take a breath and release it.
“I asked for a week to consider,” Derek says. “Let me know what happens at the end of the week, and we’ll talk again.”
“Sounds fair.” Not really.
“And Jake?”
“Yeah.”
“Are you sure this girl you plan to marry is on your side? Does anyone even know about you two? She could be feeding her brother every bit of your plans, and you would have no way of knowing until it’s too late.”
I don’t even hesitate. “I’m sure, just like I’m sure tomorrow’s race is mine.”
∞∞∞
“Honey, I’m home.”
Sarah looks up from where she lies across the bed, book in hand. “Am I supposed to care?”
I laugh and kiss her cheek. “You missed me that much? I’m touched.”
Sarah sets her book down and finally looks up. “A clown wig and nose? That’s your best one yet. I think we’ve found the winner. We can let this trend die now.” She honks my nose. “Please.”
“We will as soon as you’re sleeping in my trailer. Until then, we need to maintain the disguise.” That costume shop might be the best find in my entire life.
Sarah bites her lips but doesn’t stop the laugh. “I was afraid of clowns growing up.”
“Everyone is afraid of clowns growing up. It’s a childhood rule.”
“You’re an adorable clown, though.” She takes off the nose and wig. “Much better.”
I smooth my hair into place and kiss the tip of her nose. Sarah grabs my cheeks and kisses my lips.
“You brought dessert,” she says after getting up. “I munched on fruit all day, so I don’t want anything else.”
Sarah eats more fruit than anyone else I’ve met. It’s not dietary; she genuinely enjoys a constant supply of grapes and melon. I don’t get it. “Were you not allowed to eat fruit as a kid?”
“What?”
“Never mind,” I say and shake my head. “I have news. Your brother wants to hire my spotter. Derek just told me, which is why I’m later than usual.”
We discussed it and everything else that occurred over the season so far. He wants the job, and he wants to stay with me. We’re a good team. Our personalities and thinking styles match, but he still wants more, and I can’t blame him. If getting him in the car, even occasionally, was possible, I would do it.
The idea of launching everything without him also scares me. My sponsors are loyal, but will they feel the same if my performance slips without him? I honestly don’t know.
Sarah’s expression falters. “Is it a done deal?” she asks, and I shrug. Flirty Sarah is gone, replaced with one that’s all business. “I didn’t tell him to do it.”
“No, Princess, I never thought that for a second.” I grab her hand, wanting to emphasize my point. “I’m not worried, and if you do know anything else, don’t tell me. We aren’t going to pile on conflicts of interest.”
“I have something for you.” She opens her laptop. “Your updated financials.”
My eyes cross. I’m not an accountant and never will be. “You added a column. Did I get richer without noticing?”
“No, it’s not that. Your numbers improved because you gained an investor.”
I did? “I’m pretty sure that hasn’t happened because that seems like something I would remember.”
