Page 19 of Happy Hour
“I knew he had it in him.” Jimi smiled. “We’re very proud of Jameson.” he reached for Jameson, heaving him into an embrace, and whispered something to him.
For a moment, Jimi’s hard demeanor shifted to portray him remembering what it took his son to get here, in victory lane. This, the sounds, vibrations, smells of racing and the rouse of the night around us was what completed Jameson and in turn, shined in Jimi’s eyes having made that dream possible.
When Jameson pulled back, he was all smiles.
He conscientiously tried for so long to gain autonomy approval from Jimi, but also separation to become himself though he still looked to him for extolment.
What Jameson never realized, maybe he did after winning the USAC Triple Crown our summer together, was that he never needed to separate himself.
Kyle remained near the car, his humble demeanor breaking into a smile of both honor and gratification. The announcer turned towards him. “Kyle, you seemed to make the right call there to stay out.”
Kyle shook his head and patted Jameson on the back. “Nah,” he drew out with coyness. “That was Jameson’s call,”
“Well, it seemed to be the right one. Congratulations.”
I watched him in awe as he finished the last of his interviews.
This man made even as much as talking to the media sexy.
Once interviews were finished it was time for the “hat dance” as they called it. The “hat dance” was where drivers and their teams wore the hats of their various sponsors, snapped a picture and then moved onto the next one, usually around twenty or so.
It was actually somewhat comical to watch. There were a few times where half the team had the wrong hat on where others didn’t.
It had to of been confusing but did provide us some entertainment.
Alley, Emma, and I excused ourselves to wait back at the hauler for him to finish. Standing near the doors, Alley talked to Simplex on the phone when Jameson returned with Aiden and Spencer.
“Congratulations,” Alley screamed over the noise of the engines from the car returning to their haulers.
Jameson hugged her and wiped his sweaty face over her shoulders. “You’re an asshole.” she snapped and punched him in the stomach.
Emma threw a towel at him and he wiped off his face turning towards me.
“Hi,” he smiled once he was close enough and took a drink of the Gatorade Aiden tossed him.
I laughed. “Hi.”
“I have a press conference to do.” He said nonchalantly with a shrug. “You gonna be around?”
I wanted to hit him and hump his leg at the same time when he smirked like that.
“I’m not sure,” I said with a shrug of my shoulders. “I might go check out this Bobby Cole driver. See if he’ll take me home.” I shook my hips at him.
Jameson’s eyes narrowed. “You better be here when I’m done, Sway.” He pulled on the strings of my sweatshirt, his eyes darting to my lips and then back again.
“Or else what,” I countered slapping his hand away with a giggle.
Alley was telling him it was time to go but he leaned closer. The thick scent of racing engulfed me.
“You just better be here.” He warned and hip checked me.
Emma, who was standing behind me, placed her head on my shoulder. “Pit lizard.”
I turned glaring at her.
“Whore who’s fucking her brother’s friend,” I quipped back reaching for the black heels she dangled in my face.
I had something to prove tonight and I was going to need those damn shoes.
