Page 132 of The Champion
Sway walked me to the car with Casten on her hip, Ariestayed behind with Ami and Lily in Axel’s pit.
“You don’t look so good.” Sway deduced taking in myappearance as we got closer to the SUV waiting to take me to the airport.
“I’m not...Ishouldn’t be missing this.” My eyes stayed on the concrete avoiding hers.Casten squirmed reaching for me so I took him in my arms holding him tightly.
“Truck,” He said pointing to the car with a laugh.
“Yes, monkey. That’s a truck.” My eyes finally focused onSway. “I just don’t want him to think I’m never going to be there for him.”
“He doesn’t think that Jameson. He’s very perceptive andknows what your schedule is like.”
I knew he knew that but it never stopped the anxiety Ifelt when I missed something one our kids did.
We said our goodbyes and she promised to keep me informedof his heat races throughout the day.
Once Spencer, Aiden, Alley and me arrived in Chicago, Ihardly had time to check on updates but Alley and her altruistic side emerged.She kept me up to date. So far Axel had qualified fastest and won his heat forhis class and moved into the events for Thursday.
When Thursday rolled around, I was swamped withappearances, press interviews and then practice. My car wasn’t exactly where Iwanted it so once again we found ourselves searching for the best set-up. Eventhough I’d won eight races with twenty races into the season, we struggled attracks like Michigan, Sonoma, and Pocono.
Before I got in the car for qualifying on Friday, Icaught a glimpse of Alley’s blond hair in the sunlight.
My heart started pounding hoping she had good news fromIndy.
“He’s in the A-Main tomorrow night!” Alley announced, asshe entered the garage.
I smiled widely as did Spencer. “Really?”
“Yeah, he won the B-Main and transferred up. Sway is soexcited I could barely understand her.” She laughed. “You want to go?”
“What, I thought I had an appearance in Joliet?”
“We moved it to tonight.”
Against my better judgment, I pulled Alley into a hug. “Ifucking love you!”
“Hey,” Spencer slapped my shoulder pulling us apart.“That’s my wife.”
“I don’t care, she just made my day.”
Spencer winked at Alley who was now wrapped around him.“How about we go make use of somealone timein Jameson’s motor coach?”
“I swear to god Spencer, if I find ass prints on mymirror again...I will kick your ass.”Hoisting myself into the car I could hear them laughing. I had no problem withthem hanging out in there when they needed to be alone but sex, no, that wasstrictly off limits.
With the news that I’d get to see my little guys’ firstBattle at the Brickyard, qualifying went well. Aside from my car running likeshit, I had agreatattitude and ended up getting a third place startingposition for Sunday’s race.
Yellow Line – Sway
“Mama, do you think daddy is mad he not here?”
Lane nudged Axel as he ate his French fries. “He’snot here.” Lane corrected him.
“That’s what I said.” Axel said throwing a fry at him.Lane being nine now, didn’t forget words anymore, now Axel did. And Lane beingexactly like Spencer in many ways—enjoyed making fun of his younger cousin.
Lane laughed and ate the fry he threw. “No you didn’t.”
“Shut up.” Axel groaned and looked up at me. “He’snot mad, is he?” he tossed another fry toward Lane.
“No buddy, he’s not mad.” I told him feeding Casten acouple fries from my plate in front of me. “Daddy just wants to be here withus.”
