Page 6 of Full Throttle

Colby tried to hide her smile behind her cup. She mumbled more to herself than to him. “That too.”

Cyrus turned somber. “You said you were done with this life. I don’t give you details because I figured you didn’t want any.” There was an edge to his voice.

Colby had to agree. “That’s what I said. I just needed . . . some time.”

Her father was skeptical. “You were very adamant.” She didn’t know that he’d known about her every move from the moment she moved away. Hearing about it from others was hurtful.

“Things change, Dad. I’ve changed. I’m home because . . .” She didn’t want to say because she never felt fulfilled with her work and friends in Washington, or that she continued to race in her free time. Although, she was pretty sure he’d known that. Instead, Colby switched subjects. “Isn’t there an important practice run or something today?”

Cyrus tensed up. “Something like that.”

It was more thansomething. Colby already knew what was going on. Her father was right about one thing. She had kept in close contact with Gonzo. He was her best friend, and they had remained close throughout the years, even though life had taken them on different paths. Gonzo was the one who told her that the very existence of Daughtry Racing was on the line—that it was solely dependent upon impressing one potential buyer. Daughtry Racing was her family. It was also an organization that her father had given not only his life but his blood to. Most of the people surrounding the team had seen Colby take her first steps. There was no way she wouldn’t be there for them. Nor would she allow her dad, or this team, to go through this situation without her.

Colby could help. She knew it.

Her father finished his coffee and put his cup in the sink. “Yeah. Like I figured. Gonzo and his mouth.” He sighed. “You sure you don’t want to go to the mall?”

“Really, Dad?”

“Maybe you can save that for tomorrow and go with your cousin. Don’t forget she’s coming into town tomorrow night.”

Colby had already forgotten. “She and I are as different as night and day. Why is she coming again?”

“She’s coming because I’m her favorite uncle, and she wants to see me,” he said cheekily. “You might be a little older, but that girl worships the ground you walk on. She seems to only come to visit when she knows you’re going to be in town.”

Colby grimaced.

“Are you sure you two are so different now? I think you’re both cut from the same cloth.” Cyrus added sarcastically, “With all those fancy clothes you’ve been wearing, I’m not so sure.”

Colby rolled her eyes. “I’m still the same girl. I just grew up, and now, I have a few designer outfits in my closet, mostly because of work.”

He grunted. “Mostly, huh?”

“I will always be more comfortable rocking jeans, a t-shirt, or a good old pair of coveralls. You know that.”

“If you say so. Just remember, no red bottoms are allowed in the garage.” He laughed. It was the first one she’d heard since returning from Washington.

“What do you know about bloody shoes anyway, Dad?” Colby laughed.

“I might be getting older, but I still know what’s going on around me even if I don’t like it.” He walked over, leaned in, and kissed her on the forehead. “I’m going to head out. There are a few things I need to do before the run. Are you sure you don’t need to be somewhere else?”

“Yeah. Pretty sure. So, I guess I’ll see you there.”

*****

Colby pulled up into the full parking lot. Just about everyone who’d ever been connected to the organization seemed to be there. Apparently, she wasn’t the only person who had come back into town for the event tomorrow. That many people at the practice run was an indication of just how serious things were.

Colby’s heart warmed as she got out of her burnt orange classic 1970 Chevelle SS with an upgraded 427 Corvette engine. As she glanced around the lot, she spotted many familiar vehicles. If nothing else, folks around her hometown loved their muscle cars. They kept and restored them for years, eventually passing them down to the younger generations of their families.

Colby wasn’t an official part of the Daughtry Racing team, but she showed up wearing the uniform. It was a pair of white coveralls with Daughtry Racing stitched above the breast pocket, a matching baseball cap with her afro-puff ponytail hanging out of the back, and mirrored sunglasses. Today, she would be working in either the Pit or the booth.

“Yo . . . is that Ms. James?” Alberto Gonzales, her childhood bestie, was the first to spot her.

She beamed and removed her glasses as she walked over. “Gonzo! You better know it.”

He pulled her into his arms for a bear hug. He wasn’t a tall guy, but he was beefy. “I heard you were going to be here today. Sorry, I haven’t been able to come by the house since you got home.”

“I understand. I’ve only been here a couple of days. Dad said you guys have been burning the midnight oil, working on the car. I would have come by the garage sooner, but he has been so weird about it. He’s literally been doing everything in his power to keep me away.” She shrugged. “You know me, nothing could keep me home today.”

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