Page 106 of The Player Penalty
I release a breath as my shoulders relax. “That would be wonderful. Come here.” We hold each other for the remainingfew seconds. Other drivers have already climbed in, and they’ll need to delay the start if I don’t get moving soon.
Lily gets up on her tiptoes and whispers in my ear. “We’ll split the popcorn; you’ll need to get your own drink.”
“That’s fair.”
“See you in a little while.”
Lily deliberately avoids the good luck calls a second time. It’s easy to say she gets me because it’s true. She also understands that repeatedly hearing the phrase becomes pressure instead of encouragement.
I climb through the missing window, and the roar of the engines takes over.
∞∞∞
Rivers Motorsports Headquarters, North Carolina
It’s only fall; it’s way too early for such a chilly night. I zip up my thin jacket and prepare for one final phone call. It’s been planned all day, but this is the first time I’ve sneaked off for more than a few seconds since yesterday.
There’s no chance he’ll answer this time since he never has before. There’s no insult or put-down he can deliver, either. He’s probably sitting in his easy chair in Florida, still angry at the world. He’ll spend the rest of his life there, and that’s fine with me. “It’s me. Julian.” My usual introduction is gone; there’s no point to it. “I took home the trophy yesterday. You missed out, and that’s your choice. Lily and I are still together. She’s the one for me.” The black velvet box sitting in my hand begs to beopened. It will need to wait a little longer. “Her father is moving into my guest house, so we can all be close. We call it our second home because it is, and we take turns cooking dinner for each other. We’re becoming a family. I’m better than I’ve ever been. Also, this is my last message to you. I’m removing your phone number and contact info after this. Have a good life, Dad.”
After a few quick taps, his contact info is gone, just as promised.
“That must have been rough.” Jake steps onto the back porch, surprising me. “Sorry for spying. Sarah asked me to pick up her papaya extract.” He shakes a small brown bottle. “These help with heartburn. Was that your father?”
I shake my head. “That was a voicemail. We don’t talk.”
Jake nods. “His loss. Mine died when I was sixteen. Bert isn’t my father, and neither of us thinks of him as one. Still, there are times he feels like it, you know? He also needs to be with us at Christmas because he’s part of our family. You’ll see him at Thanksgiving, for sure.”
I’ve spent the holiday season alone for four years now. Lily will be with me this time, but more people? I’ve almost forgotten what that’s like. “What Thanksgiving?”
“Oops. Well, consider this a personal invitation. Sarah and Maddie are planning that weekend, and you’re on the invite list. All three of you.”
“I’ll pretend to be surprised.”
∞∞∞
“There you are.” Sarah takes a couple of little pills from Jakeand chews. “Sweet relief. I was not prepared for this.”
Jake puts the back of his hand to her forehead. “You don’t have a fever.”
She sighs. “That’s not a symptom.”
“Are you sick?” I ask and take an imperceptible step back. It’s the first day of my off-season, and there are better things to do than spend it miserable in bed.
“Not even a little.” She takes more of the papaya extract. “I was right about you, after all.”
“Bringing me on paid off, didn’t it?”
“No, Julian.” Her scolding frown makes clear how wrong I am. “I was right that you belong with us here atRMS.You found your true love, and we found you.”
“You need to sit. Take it slow.” Jake tries gently pushing her into a nearby chair. Sarah only glares. “What? It’s important to get plenty of rest.”
She scoffs. “I’m not dying.”
“Correct. That’s because I’m taking care of you,” he says.
I shake my head with confusion and leave them be. Jake is a great guy, but also a bit of an odd one.
∞∞∞
