Page 50 of Full Throttle 2

The words that had been on the tip of her tongue flew out. “I love you.”

Brian thought his chest would explode. “I love you too.”

Lila was sitting in the parking lot of the University of Illinois, about to go inside to take her final exam, when Carrington called. She was grateful her professor had accepted her paper for that final, and this was the last one. Three days had passed since his ultimatum, and she had been expecting him. She wondered what had taken so long.

Carrington wasn’t anything if not predictable. Lila planned to change her phone number as soon as this messy little chapter was closed. “Hello.”

“It’s been three days. I see you’ve decided to call my bluff.”

“No, I didn’t decide to call your bluff because that would require me thinking about you, and I refuse to do that.”

Carrington paused. “You really care about Brian Lockwood that much that you would allow your cousin’s team to go bankrupt?”

“I love my cousin and Brian. But...they would be pissed if I sold my soul to you over Lockwood Racing. In Brian’s case, your proposal might even put your own life in jeopardy.”

“Really?” Carrington spoke as if he didn’t believe her. “Maybe I should call him and find out. I’m sure you didn’t give him the sordid details. Then again, maybe he’ll get a hard-on at the pictures and videos I have of us.”

Lila’s face blanched. “You’re gross. You took pictures and videos of us without my knowledge?”

“Why wouldn’t I want to chronicle our time together?”

Lila was disgusted. “First, I already told Brian everything. There is nothing you can say that he doesn’t already know. Second, it’s my understanding that you might need to be more concerned with your own board of directors than anything I’m doing. Maybe I should send your wife, her father, and your board copies of my receipts of us. How do you think they’d like it when my lawyer shows up and serves you papers for what’s your...ninth or tenth sexual harassment lawsuit?”

It was Carrington’s turn to feel off-center. “Bitch?! Are you crazy? I will have someone unalive you so fast!”

Lila laughed. “Stop it with the threats!” Her voice dropped to a menacing level. “Let me be very clear; leave me alone. Leave my family alone, and don’t ever contact me again.”

She disconnected the call, and for the first time in a long while, Lila felt lighter and more in control of her life. She opened the car door and got out. This was the last final exam she would have to take before earning her degree.

She walked with purpose and a fierce determination to control her own destiny.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Brian stood at the head of his conference room table, trying to rally the troops. The countdown was on before their upcoming race, the last one before the Cup Championship.

“There are no shortcuts to standing at the top of the podium, and that’s where I expect us to be this weekend. Despite the bullshit, politics, and games, we are a threat. Lockwood is coming, and they know it. That puts fear into the hearts of all competitors because just our presence changes the game. We’ve worked hard and are prepared for every scenario. I couldn’t have asked for a better squad.” He spoke directly to his drivers. “Colby, Jordan, and Chris, joining us via Zoom, to say you are all amazing is an understatement. No matter the situation, you always understand the assignment and manage it with poise and professionalism. I couldn’t be prouder of our entire Lockwood team.”

Jordan pointed to Colby’s mentee. “Abby’s no slouch either. She’s been impressive, filling in for Chris while he’s been recovering. Her defensive driving is damn good.” He laughed. “Better watch out, Colby. She’s coming.”

Abby blushed.

Colby hadn’t said much throughout the meeting but laughed at Jordan’s comment. “Good. More women on the track will make y’all step up your games.”

Abby wasn’t officially part of Team Lockwood, but in the short time, she’d felt like it. Colby had been an incredible mentor, and she’d learned a lot.

Brian clasped his hands together. “Being the best takes hard work, sacrifice, and teamwork. We work hard to be the best because we are the best!” He turned to Cyrus. “Anything you want to say?”

Cyrus massaged his newly grown goatee as he thought about it. Brian’s job was to inspire, but Cyrus’s role was to make them focus. “We ain’t won nothing yet. No celebrating until we cross that finish line. Until then, we ain’t poppin’ bottles. What we do in practice, we do in the race, so let’s get to it.”

That was that. Meeting over.

Brian couldn’t help but notice how unusually quiet and lowkey Colby had been while everyone else was pumped and ready to go. He couldn’t get a read on her. Even after securing a sponsor for this race, Colby wasn’t as excited as the others. He figured the best way to find out what was up was to simply ask. So, when the meeting was over, and everyone began to file out, he called out to her.

“Colby, gotta second?”

Tentatively, she glanced around. “Sure. What’s up?”

“Just doing a pulse check. You alright?”

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