Page 72 of The Legend
It was afull circle effort and when the driver didn’t hold up his end of the deal, thatwasn’t good.
The soonerRager realized that, the better. I knew enough about being an owner to thisteam that no two drivers were the same nor were your kids the same. There werelines that needed to be followed though when you’re dealing with multi-milliondollar contracts.
Whenpinched against the wall, everyone reacted differently and responded as such.There’s times when you get sped up and take the position, stand up when peopletry to convince you to douse yourself in baby oil, or you can slow down, andlet them take the position when you’re drivers need a reality check. Put themove in their pit and see how well they can race.
Once theracing season had ended, we made some time to get together as a family. Weweren’t all together enough and my parents decided to host Thanksgiving dinnerat their place.
Big mistake that was.It was also the first time in ten years that I had seen my cousin,Rex, my uncle Randy’s son. Randy Riley, my dad’s brother, was the vicepresident of Riley-Simplex Racing so I got to deal with him more than I cared.Though he was never approachable, I could tolerate him. Rex I could not.
“Don’t besurprised if I get arrested tonight.” I advised Sway as we got ready to go overto my parent’s house next door.
“Hmmm...” reaching for the door, helmet in hand, shesmiled and looked contemplatively back at me. “It wouldn’t be the first time Ibailed you out of jail.”
“True.”
Stumbling downthe driver, she headed over to my Triumph Speed Triple I had purchased a fewweeks back. “Throw me on the back of your bike and ride away in the sunset.”Sway said to me flipping her hair.
“Are youdrunk already?” I asked with a laugh and set her on the back of the bike.
Shegiggled. “I may have had a drink...or two...but don’t judge me. It’s a holiday and wedrink on the holidays, remember?”
“Oh Iremember.” I put the helmet on her and kissed the visor. “I’m just jealous youdidn’t share.”
Swayreached inside her bra and pulled out a flask. “Have at it.”
“I justfell so much more in love with you that you brought a flask, and that you carryit in your fucking bra.”
Shewinked.
When wegot to my parent’s house, all hell was breaking loose. Casten and Arie werealready over there. Lily and Axel were making out in the corner.
“Jeez,they act like newlyweds.” I groaned looking away from my son.
Swaypushed a drink at me. “We need this.”
“How didyou get a drink that fast?” Looking around I understood. Lexi was making herbartending skills, no doubt a product of Spencer and his ability to have hischildren make him drinks, carrying a tray of what looked to be eggnog andwhiskey. “I’ll take that.” I said reaching for my own and peered back at mywife. “Remember those photo’s?”
Shenodded, her lips wrapped around her straw. I glared.
“Well,what’d you say you show me how much you enjoyed them tonight and give me somelove?”
“Pft,” she flipped her hand at me as she reached into hershit, pulled out her flask and added more alcohol to her eggnog. “Like I’vesaid, I’m a sure thing. Think of me as a guaranteed sponsor.”
I gave hera nod and a wink of my own. “We could skip dinner and get straight to therace.”
“You’rehere!” My mom squealed and I knew my attempts of getting away were over.Although she did shove food my way and it was all I needed to get distracted.Spencer was there too, eating of course, so I rolled my sleeves up and sat nextto him for a little while. We talked about the last race in Homestead and partsbreaking.
That’sabout the time I ran into Rex, my cousin I didn’t care for. “Hey Jay,” he said.
I didn’tlike being called Jay. My name was Jameson and I didn’t appreciate peopleshortening it just because it was easier for them. Jay wasn’t my name. My wifedidn’t even call me that. The only person who ever got away with it was mygrandpa Casten and Lane when he was little because he couldn’t say Jameson.Everyone else I was quick to correct.
“It’sJameson.” I replied. My eyes met his. “I’m sure you remember.”
“I do. Ijust don’t care,” was his reply.
Withoutanother word, I looked at my feet and walked away. If he wasn’t going to treatme with respect, I wasn’t going to talk to him.Simple asthat.
Arie foundme next and for once she was smiling. “Why are you smiling?”
