Page 189 of The Legend
Eventuallythe party around us was in full swing and our intimate conversations weredrowned out by the rowdy bunch dancing around us.
I was nothappy with my brother and Aiden when they made the band play the AC/DC songYoushock me all night longwhile my daughterdanced with her new husband. I conveniently found that time perfect to get somefresh air.
When Imade my way back inside, they were now playing a song that had me pulling mywife into a slow dance, whispering the lyrics slowly to her.
“If Ididn’t know any better...I’d say my dirtyheathen is looking for some.” She said against the skin below my ear as shekissed along my jaw.
“Honey...” my voice was purposely low for the sake ofsealing the deal. “I’m looking for more than some.”
Shegiggled. That same infectious giggle that made everything centered. My handsslipped lower but she caught them. “All right Mr. Riley...it’s time you take Mrs. Riley home.”
As we wereleaving, Casten was on his way to four sheets to the wind when I grabbed him bythe collar. “That was nice of you back there for your sister.” He smiled, hiseyes glazed over from the alcohol. “No driving.”
Some thinkthat it was wrong that our sixteen-year old son was drinking but it wasn’t likehe was being irresponsible about it. Casten knew his limits and never drove.
His date,who was not drunk, pulled out her keys. “He’s not...Iam.”
“Good.”
“I candrive just fine honey.” He told his date throwing his arms around her laughing.
“Make surehe gets home okay, please.” I told her. “And you,” I slapped his shoulder,“show some respect for this girl. Stop molesting her on the dance floor.”
He grinnedand winked at me. “Oh don’t act so innocent. I saw you with your hands all overmom.”
Swaylaughed and started pulling me away. You never won a conversation with Casten,it was impossible. The kid always thought of a way to spin it.
On the wayback to the hotel, Sway smiled at me, the headlights of passing vehicles shinedon her porcelain skin. I couldn’t keep my hands off her.
“Do youever feel guilty knowing how much sadness is all over the place to be happynow?” she asked.
“No. Idon’t honey.” Giving her hand a squeeze, I brought her fingers to my lips tokiss them. “I don’t because of how much sadness we’ve experienced firsthand.I’ve lived that way for years, felt regret, wished away any hope but not now.This is the race I was meant to have. Every pit stop, every caution flag, everylap led was for a reason and I know that.”
“That’s aJimi answer if I ever heard one.” Sway laughed.
She wasright. That was exactly what my dad would say.
There’s alwaysa time, a race, a lap, a penalty, or a victory that you’re going to remembermore than the next. It’s etched inside of you and the breath you need. Itspeaks to you and reminds you that you have what you did to a sport thatconsumed your life.
You remembereverything about that moment and can account for even the smallest details whenasked about it. You remember how you felt, noises, smells, feelings, andreactions. It’s programmed into you.
I didn’twant to feel sadness anymore. I wasn’t over my dad nor would I ever be overlosing my biggest fan to a battle he never should have had to fight. The thingwas, life changes, rearranges, and you’re left with a choice. Remember thatthere’s a time, a race, a lap, a penalty or a victory that you’re going toremember more. There’s nothing wrong with that either.
32.Spark Plug – Jameson
Spark Plug– A device inserted in the head of an internal combustion engine cylinder thatignites fuel mixture by means of an electric spark.
Since Iretired, a lot had changed in our lives. Aiden and Spencer had retired too andour mission in retirement seemed to be one upping each other. Currently I wasin the lead.
Easton,having just married my little girl, was doing an amazing job racing my car andliving up to the big footsteps he had to fill in the number nine car with Kylethere to guide him. Kyle claimed he wanted to see that kid get a championshipbefore he retired. After watching him race at Bristol and Texas, it was only amatter of time before it happened.
Arietraveled with him now along with Lexi who was together with Brody Williams.Yeah, Spencer wasn’t happy about that one but there wasn’t much he could do.She was eighteen.
From whatI gathered, Arie was enjoying herself and found the lifestyle interesting. Iwasn’t sure how long that would last as Easton still had a heavy involvementwith sprints cars like I did. Part of me hoped that he wouldcomerace again so we could spend more time with them.
Axel waswell onto his second championship in the World of Outlaws. Justin, Tyler, Ragerand Cody were all heavy competition for him this year but Justin swore it washis last season. He was doing an amazing job at handling the success and havinga family. He did a lot better than I did at his age.
Van andClint weren’t needed as much so Van moved back to Washington to run GraysHarbor with Andrea and be around his daughter more. That was a good thing.Clint stayed around and kept us all in order. We needed it from time to time.
