Page 56 of Wrecking Boundaries

“Nothing a decent night of sleep won’t take care of.” I smile at him because we’re still teammates. “How did you do? I haven’t had a chance to review the results yet.”

“Twentieth. Hoped for better. Not enough to pull your stunt.” Joey laughs, and his expression reminds me of a weasel. “I admire your bravery like that, especially considering everything,” he says. Joey gestures towards the surrounding activity.

Behind him, Sarah observes the two of us. Her frown sharpens. She gives a single sharp nod before her lips tighten, and she turns away.

The Rivers’ crew all leave, probably to help Julian Murphy celebrate his win.

“You’ll find some courage before the season is done, I’m sure,” I tell him, stepping away. “All it will take is some effort. Congrats on your twentieth place, by the way. Great performance.”

∞∞∞

Alone in the RV, I check my phone. I’m still waiting for her response.

Jake: Can we talk? Please.

I reply to one of my sisters, reassuring her that I’m fine and not in any pain, while another message from my mom comes through.

I rub at my face, telling myself to answer.

Jake: Please let me explain.

There’s still no response, so I send another reassuring message to my entire family. Wrecks happen in this sport.They can look terrifying on a television set, but in-car safety features are excellent. I was never in any danger.

“How are you doing?” Derek asks as he enters the trailer.

“I want to go home.” It’s my first honest answer to that question so far.

“Flights in an hour. Are you going to tell me what happened after the wreck? Boone Rivers had a few unpleasant things to say about you.”

I repeat the early conversation, which earns a low whistle from Derek. “You think it’s that bad?” I ask him.

“I think conflict between you two will get worse.”

“Not helpful.”

I’m used to liking everyone I meet and having others feel the same about me. Boone Rivers is a rarity, someone who rubbed me the wrong way from the beginning. His grumpy attitude made it easy to poke him, which I used for my own purposes.

It’s morphing into something ugly, and I don’t like it.

“That guy has had everything in life handed to him,” I start, realizing I’m working myself up to a speech. “Car, team, company. Everything. He has no idea how difficult it is to break in when you have no family and no connections. He becomes the savior big brother, the father’s heir, the NASCAR prince. I got four little sisters that need to be taken care of, and my parent’s second mortgage.”

Derek’s only response is to set a bag of pretzels in my lap. “Start eating these. A little food in your stomach always helps.”

“I’m not hungry.”

“Eat the damn food! I’ll make you a turkey sandwich.”

I eat some and check my phone—still no response from her.

He hands me the sandwich, and I quickly eat it. He wasright; the food was helpful.

“Have you ever asked him?” Derek finally says.

“Asked who what?”

“I know your life hasn’t been easy. Hell, most people would have given up a long time ago. You don’t give up, Jake. You keep going and going. It’s one of the big reasons I enjoy working with you. Damn, for all that, you really can be a fucking idiot.”

My throat dries, so the final bite of food is difficult to swallow. “Excuse me.”

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