Page 64 of Full Throttle 2

Brian’s cell vibrated. He lifted it off the nightstand and looked at the screen. “It’s Liam,” he said quietly to Lila before answering it. “Hey. I’ve been looking for you.”

“I know. That’s why I’m calling.”

Brian sat up. “Are you slurring?”

“What?” Lila whispered. She could only hear Brian’s side of the conversation.

“I don’t know. Am I? It’s possible.” Liam was drunk as a skunk.

Lila mouthed the words,Is he drunk?

Brian didn’t respondand held up a finger, asking Lila to hold on a second.If Liam was drunk, it would be a first because the man was all about self-control. Brian asked, “Where are you? You’re not driving, are you?”

Worried, Lila asked, “Where is he? Let’s go get him.”

“I would never drink and drive. I’m on my jet headed back to Singapore.”

Brian was relieved. “C’mon, Liam, really? You and Colby have a fight, and you run like a little bitch?”

Liam laughed sarcastically. “I hardly think it was a little fight.”

“Whether she knows it or not, Colby needs you. Why don’t you turn the plane around? I’ll meet you back at your place, and we can game things out.”

Sadness was evident in Liam’s voice. “Nah, I’m good. Colby’s good.”

“She’s not, only she doesn’t know it, and that’s your job to make her see the light.”

“The woman won’t listen to reason. She for damn sure won’t listen to me.”

“Pot meet kettle. You’re both the same person.”

“Ilisten to reason.”

“Only when it’s your voice talking. Like now, I’m telling you to come home and fight for the woman you love, and you aren’t listening.”

Liam released a deep breath. “I’m not listening because you’re wrong. It will only prolong the inevitable. I love her, but we are at different places in our lives. She wants one thing, and I’m ready for another. It is what it is.”

“That’s the alcohol talking.”

“Maybe, but it’s still the truth. Look, I didn’t call to discuss this. I just wanted to give you a heads-up. If you need me, I’m a phone call away.”

This was fucked up. “How long are you going to be gone?”

“Not sure. I’ll finish up my business reviews and play it by ear after that.”

Brian felt awful that his brother was dealing with his pain alone. He wished he could be in two places at once. However, Brian’s priority had to be Lockwood. He was on the precipice of making a couple of game-changing moves. He wouldn’t be able to fly out to wherever Liam was for a few weeks. Especially if Colby qualified, they would only have a week before the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway. For now, he could only offer comforting words. “If you need me, I’m just a phone call away too.”

Chapter Thirty

The morning of the Atlanta race felt different from all of Colby’s other races. For one, there was no Liam. This was an anniversary of sorts for them. Over a year ago, on this very track, it had been the start of it all. It was the reason she’d been so adamant about Liam making it back in time forthisrace.

They hadn’t spoken since they’d broken up, so there weren’t any gentle kisses and soft touches to calm her nerves or encouraging words about how she was going to kick everyone’s ass.

After dating for more than a year, Liam had quickly become an incredibly important part of her life, and it was strange that he was no longer around. To say Colby was heartbroken was an understatement. She missed Liam like crazy. So, it made perfect sense why she felt an unhealthy level of anxiousness without him by her side rather than that good nervous energy that typically fueled her mentally.

Colby’s relationship woes were affecting her mood, but it wouldn’t affect her driving. She was too prepared for that. Matter-of-fact, both she and her team were ready for all the chicanery that was sure to come her way. They were operatinglike a well-oiled machine, even with Chris not being able to practice and Abby stepping in. Colby was ready.

Still, Colby wished her only problems were on the track. Waiting for a potentially career-ending article to drop and Liam truly being MIA left a hollow feeling dead center in her chest.

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