Page 161 of The Champion
“All right,” she turned and wrapped her arms tightlyaround my neck. “I’ll miss you.”
I breathed in deeply trying to hold on to her scent, makingthe few moments of alone time last between us before my lifestyle interruptedit. “I’ll miss you too, honey.”
I said goodbye to the kids after that. They were all outback on the track. Lexi and Arie were the flaggers and the boys were allracing. It took a great deal of effort to get Axel to actually get out of thecar but eventually I did and was on my way to Grand Rapids.
That’s when it hit me because I was alone with Tommy. Inbetween the moments where he had nothing to say, I thought of Sway. I wasquestioning how happy I was with this entire situation.
I was thirty-three years old now. How long would this beokay with me? Or her? Would she really want to have this lifestyle forever?
Sway supported me through everything. Even when Iwouldn’t have agreed with myself, she supported me.
“Hey Tommy,” Turning toward him he looked over at me.
“What?”
“Would you be able to handle the meeting with QT?”
“Yeah—why?”
“I need to...Iwantto spend some time with Sway.”
When we landed in Grand Rapids, Tommy went on to themeeting while I flew right back to Mooresville.
Arriving home shortly before ten that night, Sway in themovie room with the kids watching a movie. She nearly pissed her pants when Isaid hello.
“Holy shit!” she screeched along with the kids.
“You’re home...”the kids were enthusiastic, as was Sway.
“I thought you were in Grand Rapids.” She said movingacross the room to stand in front of me.
I chuckled.
“Tommy went for me.” I moved closer, my arms wrappingaround her waist. “He told me to tell you that you owe him a box of KrispyKreme donuts.”
“Oh—well that’s definitely worth seeing you.”
My mom came in the room behind me. “I’m here!”
“What are you doing here?” Sway asked her curiously.
Mom giggled. “I’m watching the kids while you guys get somealone time.”
“We leave for Jacksonville Beach in the morning.”Reaching down I picked her up bridal style. “But for now...” I left my mom with the kids giggling in the movie room as Icarried Sway up to our room.
“Thank you.” She whispered against my lips with moreurgency than I expected. “I needed this. I shaved my legs, I’m wearing a braand I look like a fucking lady so take me to dinner.”
“As did I honey and by all means, let’s go to dinner.”
So we went to dinner and I checked out those shaved legs,removed off the bra and took my fucking lady to dinner.
I wasn’t sure I was ready for retirement yet as racingwas too important to me. But I was ready for a little relief. Tommy hasexpressed interest in taking over more responsibility with JAR Racing so thatwas an option. We had enough help that I could easily step back and just racecup and help out with Axel’s racing. Sometimes you needed to back-out at times;to reevaluate and think about what’s important. For me, that was this familyand the woman currently in my arms.
I enjoyed the road and my lifestyle for the most part butthere were times, late at night, when I thought maybe where there wasloneliness there would adaption. What if I came home one day and it didn’t seemas though my family missed me? What if they learned to deal with my absence andeventually had a life without me?
21.Cold Pits – Jameson
Cold Pits – Thisterm is referred to no racing activity on the track and the pits are open topeople other than team members and racing officials.
