Page 82 of The Champion
Emma really did out do herself on it once again. Itlooked like a winter wonderland, complete with an ice-skating ring, which Ifound dumb seeing as he was one and could barely walk let alone skate.
What really annoyed me was the white fake snoweverywhere. Somehow, the shit kept ending up in my mouth somehow.
How did someone put up with all those flakes?
It got everywhere and it was impossible to get rid of. Itwas so grainy and obtrusive and no matter how much I tried to brush the shitoff, it stuck to my skin and clothes like tar. How was I supposed to enjoymyself when miniature microbes were attacking me?
Van approached me as I tried to put together Axel’sgo-kart Justin and I built for him.
“It looks like a goddamn snow globe exploded in here.”Van huffed brushing the white flakes from his JAR Racing sweatshirt.
“It’s annoying.” I agreed brushing more away.
“Have you seen Lucas?” he asked handing me a wrench Ineeded but couldn’t reach.
“No...why?”
“He ate a quarter.”
“Kids eat quarters all the time.” Spencer said when hewalked up. “I wouldn’t worry about it.Now...ifhe shits two dimes and a nickel...thenyou should worry.”
The guys stood joking around with me as I finishedputting together the kart.
Over the last year, Van was like part of the family. Hestill served as our bodyguard but most of the time he was hanging out with uslike he was our brother and it suited all of us just fine.
Looking around, I searched for my wife to let her know Ihad finished up with the kart. Sway was busy with the kids since we had a shitload here. Just a year ago, it was only Lane and the Lucifer twins around. Nowwe had Axel who turned one a week ago; Alexis, who was just shy of five monthsand then Aiden and Emma’s twins, Noah and Charlie who were a little over fourweeks old.
I repeat—we had a shit load of kids.
Lane jumped on my back before I could make it over toSway who was chasing Axel across the yard.
“Uncle Jameson!”
“Hey buddy!” I reached around and pulled him into aheadlock, his legs dangled around me as he fought to get loose. Alleyapproached us carrying Lexi in her arms.
“You guys all packed?” she asked looking between Aidenand me.
“Where are we going?”
“Tulsa...I’ve beentelling you this for three goddamn weeks.” Alley said handing Lexi to Spencer.“The Chili Bowl, remember?”
“I wasn’t listening.” I told her while Sway chased afterAxel who was heading toward the cars once again.
“Neither was I.” Aiden added when he found out he wassupposed to come with me.
“When do we leave?” we both asked.
“Tomorrow morning at eight,”
Damn it.
Justin, Tyler, Tate, Bobby and me all planned to go tothe Chili Bowl this year but I hated leaving so soon after I just arrived home.Mostly because I knew that after the Chili Bowl, I started testing inRockingham and then Daytona.
Being a champion was great, but again, it was wearing onmy sanity at times.
Later in the day, the boys and I challenged each other ata game of hockey on the ice-skating ring Emma had put in our backyard. Swayfelt the need to remind me of my contract with Simplex.
“Don’t do anything stupid!” her eyes did that judgingonce over.
