Page 210 of The Champion
“It’s not something I’d joke about, Jameson.”
I didn’t say anymore.
What could I say? Sorry. No, sorry wouldn’t do thisjustice. Justin and I grew up with him and Tyler. We made our way through theranks together. Sure most of us went different directions but still, a bond hadformed back then that was still there today and always would be.
We have always known the dangers. But there was alsosomething about those dangers that urged us to put it all on the line. Thedanger fueled the adrenaline.
Justin said he was flying to Knoxville where Ryder hadbeen living for the past few years to see his parents. I couldn’t though. I hadto be in Homestead tonight.
“Give his parents my best.” I told Justin before hangingup. With the Outlaws finishing up their season last night, he was free to go ifhe wanted.
“I will. I haven’t said anything to Axel. I thought youshould be the one to tell him. Ryder’s dad just called me about an hour agowhich means it will be hitting the news any minute now. You might want to callhim.”
“Thanks Justin...Iwill call him.”
Sway walked in just as I hung up with her cell phone inhand.
She held the phone out. “Axel is looking for you.” Hereyes glazed with tears as she eyed me cautiously. She knew.
“I’m so sorry Jameson.” She offered wrapping her tinyarms around me.
Inhaling a deep breath, I pulled back to look at her.“It’s all right.”
My eyes focused on hers.
She didn’t even need to say it back, I already knew thatshe wanted to comfort me, tell me everything would be all right.
“I love you.” She told me running her consoling hand downmy cheek.
Leaning into her touch, I dropped my head to pull herinto a hug when Casten came inside.
“What’s the deal?” he threw his arms up. “I thought wewere leaving.”
“Yeah, let’s go.” Arie added stepping inside behind him.“It’s hot in the car.”
The kids took in our embrace and looked between eachother knowing something was wrong.
“Is Axel okay?” Arie asked her brow scrunched inconfusion and nervousness.
“Yes sweetie, Axel is fine.” Sway told her walking overto them. I nodded when her eyes met mine and then slipped inside the bathroomdown the hall to compose myself a little. Though I didn’t cry, I needed a fewminutes before I told Axel.
I heard Sway through the door telling Arie and Castenwhat happened.
“Ryder wrecked last night at Perris...he died this morning.”
Neither one of the kids said anything. Just like me, theyknew the dangers.
I must have sat in that bathroom for a half hour juststaring at the wall trying to find the courage to call Axel. The problem withit was that over time, he and Ryder had shaped a bond together. They’d raced inthe same division for close to ten years now. Ryder was not only a fellow racerof his, but someone he looked up to. Just coming off a World Final win lastnight, this was not something I wanted to tell him. But I also didn’t want himto hear it on the news or from someone else.
He answered on about the fourth ring with a groggy voice.“What’s up dad?”
“How are you feeling buddy? Get any sleep last night?”
“Yeah, I got a couple hours once we got to Jacksonville.I was gonna head to Perris today though. Shane sent me a text that Ryder got ina wreck there last night. I wanted to check on him.”
I couldn’t get the words out before he asked.
“Are you still there, dad?”
