Page 25 of Be Still My Racing Heart
Holding his hands up in surrender, he says, “We’ll be discussing this privately as a family and find a way forward. Please excuse me.”
My father takes off running with Bennie trailing behind him while the reporter turns to Ryder and notices our bodies pressed together. Smiling, she asks, “Ryder Stone, how does it feel to win your first race at the Circuit of the Americas, your hometown track? The fans are going wild!”
“I couldn’t have done it without the good Lord above, a great crew chief and pit crew, a teammate who has always pushed me to be my best, and a woman who revs my heart into overdrive. Then there are the fans! Their love, support, and energy propelled me toward the finish line,” Ryder says, grinning from ear to ear. I’m forced to let go when he’s hoisted into the air by his pit crew and bounced around on their shoulders.
Eventually, the excitement dies down, and we head behind the pit, where his car is going through a post-race inspection. It passes, and it’s only then that he can truly embrace his victory.
Ryder tells Teague to turn around. “If you don’t want to see me kiss your sister, then you better shield your eyes because I’m about to getrealsappy.”
It’s been hours since the race ended, and the drivers had stood around to sign autographs. Ryder had taken extra time with Mina, Trevor, and their families. The Beanbagger clan had also stopped by to show their support. Ryder had told me on our way to dinner at Mabel and Wendall’s that the only family he had left was his dad and Mabel. As a reporter had been interviewing me, I couldn’t help but glance over at Ryder and note that his family was much larger than he could have ever imagined. It warmed my heart to see so many people had traversed the walls that society had put in place by only writing about the negative aspects of his life instead of focusing on the positive. I can only hope that it will change going forward and that people will see the kind-hearted man that I know, not the young boy who had made a few mistakes.
It’s a sad moment when I take off my fire-retardant racing suit and hand it to my crew chief, Big Bob. “I’m going to miss you guys.”
He envelops me in a hug that practically swallows me whole with his enormous size. “It’s only for a few months until you finish the contract with Morrison Motors, but it’s not going to be the same until you get back.”
I smile wanly. “You’ll love working with Ryder. He’s a great driver and an even better person. Don’t let the gossip fool you.”
Bob shakes his head as if I’ve said the silliest thing. “I won’t. I know a thing or two about trying to escape your past. I made plenty of mistakes in my life, and Mark Daugherty gave me the second chance I needed. He’ll do right by Ryder. Your man is in good hands.”
“I’m counting on it. Keep him safe.”
Teague and Ryder both wait for me by the truck. Teague gestures toward Soup, who is sitting in a Ford F-150 and waving us over. “Dad has requested that the three of us join him for dinner tonight. Since none of us has a car, Soup offered to drop us off.”
“We don’t have to do this right now. Your father can wait until you’re ready to talk to him on your schedule,” Ryder says with a tenderness in his voice that quells my nerves.
“I’ll be fine as long as you’re both with me. I can usually stand on my own two feet, but I could use the extra support. We may as well rip the Band-Aid off and get this over with. If one thing can be said about having dinner at my father’s house, it’s that his chef creates Michelin Star meals. The food alone will be worth the torment.”
“True,” Teague says.
Since the Morrison mansion isn’t far from Austin, the drive doesn’t take all that long. However, it is long enough for me to think of all the worst-case scenarios and let nervousness take hold.
Teague is in the front passenger seat while Ryder and I sit in the back and hold hands. Ryder’s touch is the only thing keeping me grounded and from letting my mind drift. Teague turns around and peers over his shoulder at me.
“I’m not sure why you’re so worried, Blake. It’s not like Dad has anything left to hang over our heads.”
I rest my head on Ryder’s shoulder and blink away the few tears that have pooled in my eyes. “He could disown us entirely. I prefer forgiveness over being forgotten. Dad knows how to hold a grudge.”
Ryder squeezes my hand and offers a short but sweet prayer asking that father’s heart will change and to give this situation a positive outcome.
“Thank you for that,” Teague says.
“Since I met my Aunt Mabel a few months ago and have been spending time with the people of Baggersville, I’ve learned that having faith plays an important part in having hope,” Ryder retorts. “For example, testifying against Simon was the right thing to do, even though it hurt me to do it. I thought I’d lost my father over it. After my visit, he told me he had wanted to escape his life and role in the Savage Scorpions, but didn’t know how to do it. It’s not like they would have just let him walk away. Prison was his outlet—and as odd as that may seem—it was what needed to happen. I just couldn’t see it then.”
Ryder’s story gives me some measure of comfort. “Do you honestly believe that something positive can come out of this situation?”
“Yeah, I’d like to know, too,” Teague retorts.
Soup’s eyes meet Ryder’s in the rearview mirror as he waits for Ryder’s response.
Ryder tilts his head to the side and contemplates his answer. “I wish I knew. Maybe the two of you being willing to walk away from everything might be the kick in the pants your father needed to see the error of his ways. He has a choice to make. Randall can continue down the path he’s on, surrounded by his wealth and not much more, only to live a lonely existence; or he can choose to embrace his family and value what matters most. He’s at a crossroads.”
Teague snorts. “It would be hard for me to believe he had a sudden change of heart.”
“When you have a defining moment in your life, the choice is clear and can be made in an instant. It’s the repercussions that are long-lasting,” Soup interjects. “We’re here, and before you go, I’m going to leave you with a piece of advice. It’s up to you whether you take it or leave it. If Mr. Morrison asks for a chance to redeem himself, give it to him. Put yourself in his shoes and think how you would want to be treated if you royally mess up with your kids one day. Would you want a second chance to make things right, or would you want to hold on to your pride and let them walk away?”
Ryder gets out of the truck and holds the door open for me while I scoot out. Before closing the door, I tell Soup, “Reconciliation over resentment. Got it. Thanks for the advice.”
Once Soup drives away, the three of us head toward the front door, passing by the cars we’d left in the driveway a few days ago. There’s something different about them, but I can’t quite put my finger on it.
