Page 40 of Ride

“All right, time for me to get dressed. See you at the finish line.” Malik escorted the family, Amena, and Kayne to the bleachers. I jogged back to the garage looking over my car with the team before I changed clothes.

An hour later, sweat trickled under my helmet and down my face. I gripped the wheel as the light was gearing to change. I raised my thumb up to show I was ready when the announcer came across the speaker.

“Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines!”

The countdown began after another driver came out of the pit. The flag dropped and I took off feeling the adrenaline of the speed creep up in mind. Ledger passed another car, picking up speed, and I pushed to another level, bypassing CD Enterprises, Kash’s old team. Doing another lap, I captured the moment, as more drivers came in behind me. I crossed the finish line. I threw my car into park, climbed out the window, and lifted my arms in the air, screaming in joy at my newest achievement. I ran to the bleachers, removed my helmet and handed it to Kayne, and hugged my mom and dad.

“Congratulations, son!” Mom bent down and kissed me on the cheek.

“Another win for Laikin Trenton!” I heard over the speaker.

A slew of reporters approached me while I headed back to the garage. I signaled with my hand not now and shook hands with my team members.

“Nice win, man.” A few clapped their hands. Ledger came up beside me, holding up a champagne bottle.

“One time for the champion.” Ledger passed around cups and poured some for everybody.

“To Pierce Motors!” I yelled, gulping down the alcohol.

* * *

I arrived at my parents’ home that I had bought with my very first check. It sat on an acre of land in Beverly Hills. It was a spiraling three-story, 10,000-square-foot mansion, with a ten-car garage. Kayne tried to run around throughout the house as we walked inside, but I held onto his arm.

“Slow down, little man.”

Kayne looked up at me with his curious eyes. “I want to see the pool.” Kayne stared off at the large backyard and swing set that my parents had installed years ago for when my little cousins visited.

I kicked off my shoes and Amena followed my steps, helping Kayne to do the same. My parents came in, still holding hands—even thirty years later.

“Amena, come help me in the kitchen.” Mom took off her coat, linking her arm with Amena’s. Kayne stood next to me, and I picked him up and strolled around to the couch, then sat him down, tickling his stomach.

Dad changed the channel. “Son, you looked good out there.”

Kayne’s laughter filled the room as I stopped tickling him. I took a seat next to him, head against the couch. The minute I got my start in the business my parents reluctantly retired. Mom being a librarian and Dad working for the city bus, he hesitated at first because he wanted to always provide for us. When he saw I had investments on top of being in the spotlight, it finally let him relax and enjoy himself and spend more time with Mom.

“Thanks, trying to get more wins under my belt to keep up that contract.” I smirked.

“They’d be crazy to take you off now. What does Malik say?”

“Now that he’s president, we’re cool, no problems, but you know my personal life tends to influence my image.”

He whistled, then it turned into a full-blown chuckle. “About that mess with Callie?”

“Yes sir, it’s over.”

“Hope so because if you want something serious with the one in there, you need to cut the mess out and be a man.”

I groaned, picking up the Men’s Sports magazine with my face on the cover. “Come on, old man.”

Dad kicked up his foot recliner and laid back. “Act stupid if you want to. She’s going to move on.”

I stared down at Kayne. “We ain’t together.” Even though we’d only had a quick conversation in New York, my walls had come down a little with her. However, I still wanted to keep her at arm’s length, so as not to take my focus off my career. Separate from being my first love, she was a friend.

“Says you. Based on your actions and that little boy wanting to be around you all the time.”

Kayne climbed off the couch and I let him run to the kitchen with his mom.

“Am I crazy?”

---