Page 17 of Full Throttle

Ben didn’t correct him.

Colby felt like she was flying. She downshifted to fourth gear as she rounded the final curve, quickly shifting to fifth as soon as she came out of it.

Colby took laps two and three like a dream. Her final lap was no different.

Unbeknownst to anyone, Brian and Liam had been sitting high up in the stands, quietly watching whom they thought was Asher McKay. After the first full lap, they both realized they were watching something special.

In awe, Liam sat up on the edge of his seat. Brian was unable to contain his excitement. He spoke in terms he knew Liam would understand. “Jackpot!”

“Damn.” Liam was speechless. “I guess Asher McKay is every bit the driver they say he is.”

“See, I told you! We’ve found something that everyone else has ignored. Whatever it takes, we need to close this deal.”

Liam agreed. They needed to get it done.

Chapter 7

Colby pulled the car up to the pit. She was pumped. Her heart beat even faster when she saw her father standing in the crowd, along with Ben, Zander, and Gonzo.

Slowly, she slid out the window. There was an extra pep in her step. She wanted to jump up and down like a child on Christmas morning but didn’t want to be accused of being all emotional. Women didn’t get that luxury. On the outside, Colby had to remain calm, but on the inside, she was anything but. As she walked over to her Daughtry family, Colby removed her helmet, revealing a massive afro of springy black curls.

“Colby?” her dad said, surprised.

She wasn’t sure if her face could contain her smile. “Did you see my run?” Colby twisted around toward Ben. “What was my time? I know it was better than Asher’s.”

He responded to Colby but looked directly at Cyrus. “223.2 mph in 4.1 seconds.”

“That’s faster than I predicted!” Colby swung around to her dad and held her breath, waiting for his reaction.

If Cyrus hadn’t seen it for himself, he wouldn’t have believed it. “Where the hell did you steal that car because that is not the one I left in the garage last night?”

“I made a few modifications.” Colby’s dark eyes sparkled. “That’s why I didn’t come home last night.”

“Gonzo!” Cyrus’ voice was as stern as his face when he yelled out his name.

Her father didn’t appear to be taking Colby’s accomplishment the way she hoped. She began to explain. “Look, Dad—”

Cyrus held up his hand to silence her.

Gonzo made his way over, stood before him, and swallowed hard. “Y-yes, sir.”

Cyrus’ face was unreadable. “You have something to do with an unauthorized person making modifications to Daughtry property?”

Was he for real?Was her dad pissed when Colby had just given Daughtry Racing a fighting chance?

The air surrounding the entire group was tense.

Initially, Gonzo began to stammer. He took a deep breath and squared his shoulders. “Yes, sir. I did. Colby knows more about the inside of a car than anyone I know—except for you, sir. She said she could make her run faster, and I believed her.”

Colby didn’t know if she could contain her building frustration. Her dad should be happy, excited,proudeven, but she didn’t think he was any of the above until the stern look on his face gave way to the most beautiful smile she’d ever seen. “I should have known you were in cahoots with my daughter. Frick and goddamned Frack,” Cyrus said a little more quietly. “You did good to believe in her. I should have too.”

Cyrus turned to Colby. “I’m sorry. I seem to be saying that a lot lately. But in spite of me, you just might have given us the miracle we’ve all been prayin’ for.” Cyrus pulled Colby into his arms. She sagged against him as relief washed over her entire body.

“I don’t know how you got that car to move like that, but you did better than good.” He whispered, for her ears only, “I don’t even think he could have taken those curves like you did.”

Colby’s heart tightened. She closed her eyes and fought back the tears that threatened to overflow. Instead, Colby rested her head on her father’s shoulder. For the first time in a long time, she didn’t feel such a heavyweight on her chest. “That’s high praise coming from you.”

The gang was in full celebration mode just as Tom arrived.

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