Page 35 of Driving Force

“Hi, love,” she says. Taking her eyes off the TV to look up at me with those ice-blue eyes I fell in love with all those months ago.

“Okay, I better get going, or I’m going to miss the drivers’ meeting, and if that happens, it’s a serious fine, and I don’t want to worry about points being taken from me because I miss the meeting. But I’ll see you beside my car later, right?”

“Of course. Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

“Okay, love you.”

“Love you too.”

Pulling into the racetrack, and a zip of excitement comes over me. This time last week, I dreaded being at the track. Serena had made my life hell, and the media were relentless with questions. But after the last few days since the statement was put out, I can breathe a little easier.

“It’s about time you showed up, bud,” John says as I make my way down to the row. He’s sitting, waiting for the meeting to start.

“Yeah, yeah, I know I’m late.”

“Hey, I’m just glad you are here. I’d hate to replace you when we are running so good. Wait, could that smile be because a certain curvy brunette is back in your life?” he asks.

Smirking as I face forward. “Well, if you must know, yes. Tinley gave this sorry S.O.B. another shot. I intend to make up for lost time.”

“Wow, man, you are so whipped.”

I can’t help but laugh at how crazy that sounds, but how right it sounds as well.

Following the drivers’ meeting, I head to the garage with John to make sure everything is good for today. Since I missed my morning planning session with him, it’s the least I can do.

Three hours later, standing by my car, the national anthem plays, and this beautiful girl is by my side. I can’t help but think how grateful I am to do what I love.

If you had told me six months ago, I would stand beside the love of my life. I would have told you to fuck off. But here I am, and hopefully, I’ll soon be asking Tinley to be my wife.

“Okay, my driver, time to go to work,” Tinley says, kissing me. “I have something for you. Since the last time I gave you this, you won, I thought it was only fitting to give another,” she says with a wink, placing that single penny into my hand once again. I’ll see you after the race. I love you.”

And with that, I strap into my seat and watch as the love of my life goes to the pit area.

Some say that life is made up of core memories that shape us as we go. That they make us into the people we are destined to be. With Tinley, she became a core memory the moment I saw her shy nature talking with Grace. The way she carried herself and didn’t make a show of being someone she wasn’t. She became my Driving Force and the love of my life.

2 Years Later

“Your 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Champion is Ryan McKenzie.”

Walking out onto stage, I can’t help but be taken aback just a little. This is my life. This is what I have been working towards since I became a driver. I have worked my ass off to prove that I deserve to be here. Looking out over the audience, I notice my friends and family stand cheering, but the one person I seek, the one who always makes my palms sweat and heart race, is sitting, tears streaming down her face at how proud she is of me rubbing her very pregnant belly. We got married a little over a year ago, and not long after, she told me she was pregnant. Looking at the due dates, I wondered if she would make it to this day, but being the team player she is, she made sure that our little one knew mommy needed to be at the important day for me for us.

Just as I step up to the podium to thank those more important around me, I notice my mom go to sit beside Tinley. My heart speeds just a little, noticing she’s rocking back and forth. Trying to get through my speech just a little quicker than I know I should I keep my eye on my beautiful wife. Just as I finish my speech, I hear her say, “Oh God.”

And just like that, I’m in protective mode. “Again, thank you to NASCAR for giving me honor of being the 2025 Champion. If you will excuse me, my wife seems to have gone into labor while I’ve been up here talking, so I’m going to leave to get her to the hospital, cheers everyone,” I say with a small laugh trying not to panic in front of the entire NASCAR community, because inside I’m flipping out.

* * *

4 Days after the NASCAR Awards Banquet.

“Ryan, you need to come back to bed,” I say, watching my sexy husband as he stands by our son’s crib.

“I know, but I can’t believe this beautiful little boy is ours,” he says.

After twelve hours of labor, our son came into this world kicking and screaming all the way. Landry James McKenzie. Having his father’s hair and my blue eyes. He’s the perfect mix of us both.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I could love someone as much as I love Ryan, but the second they placed Landry into my arms, my heart grew even more in that instant. Getting Ryan’s attention once again, I motion for him to follow me.

“Let him sleep. He’s going to be up in a few hours, and I sure would like just a little time with my husband before that happens,” I say, laughing.

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