Page 2 of Be Still My Racing Heart
I feel like Indy fromIndiana Jones and the Last Crusadewhen the last knight of the Knights Templar says, “But choose wisely, for while the true Grail will bring you life, the false Grail will take it from you.” I don’t want to be the guy who chooses poorly and ends up dead, but that’s precisely what would happen to my career if I don’t accept the offer. Unfortunately for me, kids are not my forte.
“Isn’t there another way I can volunteer, perhaps at a shelter or a high school auto shop?” I ask, seeking any means of possible escape. “Having a little brother isn’t a good idea. I could ruin that kid for life.”
Soup snorts. “You don’t give yourself enough credit, Ryder. You’re a good guy… deep down.”
“Waaaydeep down.”
Bennie doesn’t mess around. “It’s a take-it-or-leave-it offer, and this is your last chance, Ryder. If you let it go, then start looking for a new team. However, if you want to be one of the big boys in the NASCAR Cup series instead of Xfinity, then you have little choice. No one wants to represent someone with a poor public image. You’re gradually becoming a household name and could be one of the best, but right now, people are talking about you like you’re the black sheep of the family.”
I huff at the backhanded compliment. “Thanks, I think.”
Bennie clasps my shoulder and looks me square in the eyes. “Ryder, you have what it takes to make it to the big leagues, but your reputation is what’s holding you back. Soup and I know the truth—that you aren’t anything like your father—but you need to prove it to the rest of Texas and NASCAR fans around the world.”
“This could be worse than any crash on the track, Bennie, and an epic failure. Teague and I might be friends, but I’ve never met his sister. All I know about her is that she’s as serious as a tornado in Texas, and spending time with her feels like drowning in quicksand. Those are Teague’s words, not mine.”
Teague and I were roommates in college, and he often spoke fondly of his sister, even though they weren’t raised in the same household. He frequently teased her though, which is typical among siblings. But when he did, there was still a sense of familial love in his eyes and a mutual level of respect. I remember the day Teague showed me a picture of Blake, and when I remarked that she was “hot,” he threatened me with bodily harm if I ever went near her. They may not always see eye to eye, but he’s very protective of his little sister… and secretive.
Teague didn’t know it then, but he had thrown down the gauntlet. I reveal all my pearly whites as my smile slowly widens. “You know what? I’ll do it.” Thinking of Teague and the unspoken challenge he presented, I add, “This could be fun.”
Blake
“Blake,Ineedyouto find out who this Reggie Buchannon person is, pronto! I want him on my team. We may have a spot opening up sooner rather than later,” my father says without bothering to look up from his computer.
Considering who I work for, it makes sense that my father would request this of me. “Reggie already races for Wheelie Good Tires. It wouldn’t be ethical to poach another team’s driver, not when you already have two in the top ten for Xfinity and with times fast enough for the Cup Series if you had the right cars for it. What is this really about?”
At this, my father looks up. “Ryder Stone is a public relations nightmare, and after yesterday’s crash, I’m not sure how much longer we can afford to keep him around.”
I snort. “You’re a billionaire, and Morrison Motors has dealerships in 40 out of the 50 states. You can certainly afford to keep him around. Besides, the crash wasn’t his fault. I’ve watched the tapes.”
“Ourimagecan’t afford it, Blake. Ryder comes from a string of bad apples, and his behavior leads me to believe he hasn’t fallen far from the tree. I’m giving him one more opportunity to turn his life around and change his public persona. I need your help to accomplish this. You’ll be running this company one day, and this is your legacy. Do you really want to see it tarnished?”
“It’syourlegacy, Dad; not mine.” My dream has never been to sit behind a desk or run this company, but that’s what I’ve been groomed to do. It’s what my father needed me to do. I’d much rather feel 3,500 pounds of steel rumbling beneath my seat as I drive upwards of 200 miles per hour. Like Tom Cruise inTop Gun,“I feel the need… the need for speed.”
Dad fidgets with some papers on his desk, deliberately avoiding my gaze as he pretends to be busy. “Blake, Sweetheart, both you and your mom have shared your aspirations with me, but racing cars are meant for the big boys. It’s dangerous and no place for a woman. We’ve talked about this. My answer is still ‘No.’”
I scoff. “What about Danica Patrick or Katherine Legge? There’s also Shawna Robinson, Gracie Trotter, Manami Kobayashi, and Hailie Deegan! Not to mention, Sara Christian raced back in 1949, long before you were even born! She was a pioneer!”
My dad stands up so fast that his chair rolls backward and crashes to the floor. “None of them were my daughter! Your place is to be the driving force behind Morrison Motors, not behind the wheel of a stock car. I don’t want to lose you. We’ve already lost so much time together.”
When my parents divorced, it was messy, and the chances for reconciliation were slim. Mom had custody of me, while Dad took care of my brother, Teague. My brother and I spent summers and holidays together, sometimes at Dad’s house and other times at Mom’s. It wasn’t until I was ten that our parents could share the same room without fighting. Now, they might even be considered friends, which certainly makes the holidays more pleasant.
I walk around the enormous desk and wrap my arms around my father’s waist. “I don’t want to lose you either, but you can’t keep holding me back. I deserve a chance to pursue my dreams.”
My dad wraps his arms around me, returning the embrace. “You’re right, but your place is at the head of the company. Your brother has been training for this his whole life, and Teague chose his path long ago; you chose yours. I know that’s not fair to you, but it’s the truth. How about we get through this season and then figure out a solution that makes us both happy? I have bigger problems to deal with at the moment.”
I’ve been training my whole life as well, but he doesn’t seem to understand that, and there’s no point in arguing with him.
My dad’s reference to “bigger problems” is his attempt to divert the conversation back to Ryder. My brother often spoke of his friend with nothing but high praise; yet, every time I suggested that he introduce us, Teague always found an excuse to avoid it. Left with little choice, I started searching for Ryder online, and what I discovered was as perplexing to me as a Rubik’s Cube. He’s a complicated, beautiful mess. But just like the brain teaser, once I unlock the key to solving this puzzle, the mystery should disappear. Maybe once that happens, I’ll move past my fascination with Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome.
I let go and take a step back, praying that my father will keep his word and that we’ll discuss my future once this problem is resolved. I’m not going to hold my breath, but I can always hold onto hope. “How do you need me to help? Would you like me to hire a public relations specialist?”
“I’ve given Bennie clear instructions. Starting today, Ryder will volunteer at Play It Forward to revamp his image.”
I slice my hand through the air. “Nope! That’smysanctuary! Those kids need genuine role models in sports, not someone exploiting them to shift public perception! Those children will not be pawns, Dad.”
My father raps his knuckles on his desk and focuses his gaze on me like a hawk. “This will be a good lesson for Ryder to learn some responsibility, and I have the utmost confidence that you can guide him in the right direction. Will you do that for me?”
I would do anything for my family, and my dad knows it. “Yes, but it doesn’t mean I have to like it.”
