Darcy's Race to Love

by Zoë Burton

  “Should I be worried?”

  “I doubt it. It’s your first offense. The officials can be pretty tough, but unless Jasper’s girlfriend raises a stink, they should go pretty easy on you.”

  Liz did not have time to reply, as Will was opening the door to the aforementioned hauler and handing her up into the sanctioning body’s mobile office. Twenty minutes later, it was all over, and Will was handing her down.

  “Do you think you can follow the rules?” Will teased Liz as they strolled away, arms around each other’s waists.

  “Stay in your pit stall and away from the rest, and keep all disputes away from the track?” Liz began dryly. “I don’t know…I might need some help remembering all that.”

  Will leaned down to her. “I’m willing to remind you; every day, if I need to.” He kissed her ear.

  “Watch where you’re walking. I’d not want my favorite driver to get hurt and miss the rest of the season.” Liz peeked up at him, but Will had obeyed her words and was staring straight ahead. She did not miss, however, the grin that spread over his face and the squeeze to her side. Hugging him back, she also faced forward, the warmth of belonging filling her heart.

  ~~~***~~~

  The last race of the season took place in Florida. Will entered that race with a healthy lead in the points, but with the knowledge that he had never finished higher than fifteenth at that track. The media made a big deal out of his failure to master even a top-ten finish, much to Will’s annoyance. Sadly for several reporters, that aggravation was plain when Will was even more reserved and harsh than usual. When he resorted to responding with, “That’s a stupid question. Go back and watch yesterday’s report,” they began to give him a wider berth, instead pestering Jason and Coach with questions about Will’s state of mind. Coach reassured the media, and through them the fans, that his son was fine, and then pulled Will aside.

  “I know they’re irritating, but you have got to be careful what you say and how you say it.”

  “Irritating doesn’t begin to cover it, Coach. They have asked the same old questions every time they have seen me since my second place finish last week. I’m aware that I have to win the race to win the trophy, and I’m equally aware that this is not my best track. There’s no need for anyone to remind me of it.”

  “Now, settle down. You’re letting your frustration take your focus off the race. Pay attention to the car, to me, to Jason, to the team. We’re confident this is the best machine we’ve ever brought for you to this track. You have as good a shot at winning as anyone. Ignore them!” Coach’s tone took on his characteristic no-nonsense tone when Will shook his head and opened his mouth to speak.

  Sighing, Will did what he always did when his father spoke to him that way. He nodded and replied, “Yes, sir. I’ll do that.”

  “Good.” Coach paused and looked thoughtfully at his son’s lowered head and drooping shoulders. “Listen, you’re done for the day. You practiced all morning and gave Jason some good information about the car, and you qualified pretty well. You’ve done your job, now go find that pretty little woman of yours and relax. Take her out to eat or something and let her work her charms on you. She’s the only female since your Mama who has been able to coax a smile out of you when things are going tough.”

  Will smiled softly, his mind wandering away from the garage to Liz, sitting in his motorhome waiting for him to arrive. He had a surprise for her after the race tomorrow. “Thanks, Dad, I will. She’s been wanting to try some Cuban cuisine, and Gavin Carreras gave me the name of a nice restaurant in the area, so I’m taking her tonight. Want to come?”

  “Nah, you don’t want your old man hanging around on a date. I’m playing poker again tonight anyway. With Georgie still rebellious and grounded, I have no reason to hang out at my place. I might as well harass my friends.”

  “Are you winning your money back again or taking more of theirs?”

  Coach laughed. “Oh, I cleaned those two out big time last week. Got to give them the chance to win this week or I’d never have anyone to play with.” Winking at his son, he turned and strode away.

  Will chuckled as he watched his father make his way around the garage, speaking to each crew member, before exiting at the back of the building. Will turned to wave to Jason, letting the crew chief know he was leaving, before making his way to the motorhome lot.

  As much as he craved a hug and kiss from Liz, Will needed to be clean and dressed in something other than a firesuit when he saw her. Instead, he hurried into Charles’ motorhome, hoping to get there before his buddy so he could have first dibs on the bathroom. Cheering silently when he entered to find that Bingley was not there, Will quickly washed and dressed in a pair of worn jeans and a t-shirt with the logo of this race’s sponsor, a laundry detergent, on the front of it. Donning his footwear, he took a quick peek inside the small box he kept nestled in his suitcase pocket. Smiling at the prize inside, he closed it up and tucked it back inside the case. Then, whistling softly, he skipped down the few steps to the pavement and hurried over to where Liz was waiting.

  Having seen him coming, Liz was standing at the top of the short staircase, near the driver’s seat, when Will arrived. Immediately, she reached for him, returning his kiss with fervor when he wrapped himself around her and pressed his lips to hers. The only sound either of them heard for several long minutes was the pounding of their hearts. Eventually, though, their need for air trumped their desire to taste each other, and they broke apart, foreheads together as they gasped for breath.

  When she could speak, Liz asked, “How did you do? From what I could tell, you were running fast enough.”

  Recognizing that she needed to put the brakes on their ardor, Will hugged her tightly for a moment longer before squeezing her middle and letting go. He slid his arm down to her hand, lacing his fingers with hers, as they made their way to the couch and sat as closely together as they could.

  “I think it went very well on the track. The reporters, however, were another matter.”

  Liz grimaced sympathetically. “Yeah, I heard about what you said. You created quite a stir. You didn’t get called to the hauler over it, though, so that’s good.”

  “No,” Will sighed, “but Coach gave me a talking-to.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “No, it’s okay. He’s right. I shouldn’t let them bother me, and if they do, I shouldn’t let them know it. I’ll just be glad when tomorrow is over, no matter what the outcome.”

  “But you want that championship, right?”

  “Oh, yes, I most definitely want that trophy! I just don’t want to repeat the same answers to the same old questions.” Will paused to pull her closer. “Dad sent me to you, said to let you work me over and make me smile.”

  Liz laughed. “Well, then, Driver, what do you say we blow this popsicle stand and find that restaurant we heard about?”

  Will grinned. Her laugh always lifted his spirits. “Let’s go! What are you waiting on?”

  “You!” Liz leaped from the couch and raced outside. Will had not been prepared for such a move, but his longer legs allowed him to quickly catch up. He grabbed her hand and spun her around, pinning her to the side of the SUV he was using for the weekend. Liz’s scream of laughter was cut off by Will’s kiss, and once again, they were lost in each other for a few minutes. This time, it was a wolf whistle from a fellow driver that drew them out of the spell. Blushing brightly, Will handed an equally red Liz into the vehicle, then walked around to the driver’s side. A grin was added to his flushed face as he gave his laughing friend a thumb’s up before sliding behind the wheel.

  ~~~***~~~

  Early the next morning, Will and Charles had breakfast with Liz and Jane in Will’s motorhome. The meal was mostly silent, though there was a lot of cuddling and sweet-talking going on. Afterward, they headed to church services provided by a group whose mission was to minister to drivers and their families, team members, track personnel, and anyone involved in the stock car
racing industry. Following that, Will and Bingley headed to other parts of the track to do sponsor activities. For Charles, that meant a meet and greet in the garage area. For Will, it involved signing autographs in the fan zone outside of the grandstands.

  Following this, all the drivers met in the garage area for the driver’s meeting, a requirement before every race. Race officials reminded drivers of changes to rules, pit road policies, and the track, in addition to admonishing them about on-track behavior. Will rolled his eyes at Charles, who shook his head in return, both thinking of Liz and her altercation with Selena a couple weeks ago.

  Finally released from the meeting, the drivers mingled with the crowd of fans, officials, family members, sports and movie stars, and other dignitaries that clogged pit road before the race. Will quickly located Liz where she stood speaking to Jane. He really had no desire to schmooze with anyone. He only wanted his girl. He patted the pocket sewn into the thigh of his firesuit, checking that the ring was still there. Satisfied that it was secure, he wrapped one arm around Liz’s shoulders and squeezed. When she looked up and smiled at him with joy in her eyes, he couldn’t help but to lean down and kiss her softly.

  Will kept a hand on Liz through the entirety of the pre-race ceremonies, only letting her go when SCRA officials cleared pit road and he had to climb into the car. As he watched her walk away, his crew chief was watching him.

  “She’s the one, isn’t she?”

  “She is. I’ve never met anyone like her before. She makes the whole world brighter.”

  “You’ve seemed a lot happier lately. I’m glad you’ve found her. Just make sure your focus in the car is where it belongs. I’d hate to see you miss out on something you have worked so hard for because you’re distracted.”

  Will’s head snapped toward Jason. “Nothing to worry about there. I intend to win, but even if I don’t, I have something glorious to come home to at the end of the race, and I don’t intend to come home in pieces. That car and this track will have my full attention.”

  Jason threw his hands up. “I never doubted you; I’m just doing my job.”

  Letting down his stance, Will thanked his friend and climbed aboard his precision racing machine. Within a few minutes, one of the crew members had him strapped in, and he was pulling the belts tight.

  Liz, who had climbed atop the pit box while Jason and Will were still talking, was every bit as nervous as the rest of the team. Putting on her scanner headset and making sure it was set to the correct channel, she settled in to wait and watch. Her heart rate ratcheted up a bit when she heard over the loudspeaker the words that started every race. Gentlemen, start your engines!

  Will, sitting in the car, reviewing every strategy he and his team had discussed over the course of the weekend, was relieved and happy to hear Digger in his ear.

  “Fire it up.”

  Reaching up to the dashboard, Will flipped a couple switches, and the engine roared to life. The sound was deafening to one without ear protection, but Will’s helmet reduced the noise. He could, however, feel the vibration of the high-powered motor. It was an exciting feeling, raising his adrenaline levels and helping him zoom his thoughts into the race.

  After a couple pace laps, where a street car led the pack of race cars around the track, Will once more heard his spotter in his ear.

  “Green, green, green!”

  The racing that day was typical for that track. Being the last race of the season, the drivers were more intense, particularly the four in the running for the Maniac Engineering Cup trophy. Tire wear was an issue for most that day, which didn’t worry Will until he learned that another DRI car, the number eighteen, driven by Bill Collins, had blown a right front tire and hit the wall in turn two. Understanding Will’s concerns, Jason adjusted the tire strategy to do his best to prevent a similar thing from happening to Will.

  Finally, having won the second stage of the race and knowing it was almost over, Will passed the car running in first place. He was pouring every ounce of himself and his skill into his driving.

  Chapter Nine

  “New leader, the twenty!” Digger’s voice in his ear gave Will a thrill. To be leading this race when he had never before done well here, was a dream come true. Now to keep that lead for three more laps. All of his concentration was focused on staying up front. He blocked everyone, including his teammates.

  “White flag.”

  One more. Will felt his heart rate increase as he sent up a silent prayer that no one would cause a caution. He knew there were three other drivers behind him who were close enough in the points standings to win the championship if he did not win the race. The pressure was great, but so was the adrenaline rush.

  “Okay, Will, we got this. Hammer down, buddy. Don’t let them catch you.”

  Will keyed his mic, which required only that he move his thumb a half-inch or so. “We’re good on fuel?”

  “Oh, yeah. We could go into double overtime and never have to fill up.”

  “Alrighty then. See you in Victory Lane.” Gripping his steering wheel a little more tightly, Will pressed the gas pedal, letting the car surge forward at over two hundred miles per hour. Weaving through the lap-down traffic took all his concentration, but soon he was flying through Turn Four and heading to the finish. He could see the official leaning out, green flag in hand. Just as it began to wave, Digger’s voice rang in his ear again.

  “Wreckin’ behind you. Caution’s out. Congratulations on your win; you deserve it.”

  Immediately, Will slowed, but his elation was not to be contained. Pressing his mic button again, he whooped at the top of his lungs. “Woooohoooooo! We did it, boys!”

  “We did. Finally! Good job, guys. Will, most of the wreckage is past the start/finish line, but the nineteen is down on the apron about a car length in front of it.”

  “Ten-four. Is Bingley okay?”

  “Yeah, he climbed out on his own. He’s at the care center already. Car’s a mess, though, and they’re putting it on a flatbed to haul it back here.”

  “Wow. As long as he’s okay. I’ll keep my burnout up high.” By keeping his car up high on the track, near the outside wall separating the racing surface from the grandstands and the area outside the track, he would avoid any debris from the wreck that was missed by the cleanup crew, at the same time keeping track workers safe from him and his car.

  “Hopefully, they’ll be gone before you get there.”

  Digger interrupted. “Race control has asked that you do one more cool down lap before approaching for your celebration.”

  “Will do.” Slowly, he drove around the track one last time. As he approached Turn Four, Digger let him know that he should stop just as he was coming out of the turn, where the entrance to pit road was. After a few minutes, the tow truck began to move toward the exit of pit road, where it would make a sharp left turn and head to the garage.

  “You’re on. Burn ‘em off, buddy!”

  Will did just that, pulling forward to the near end of the grandstand, pushing in the clutch a bit and on the gas at the same time. The tires spun as he moved slowly forward, creating a plume of black smoke and making the car slide a little to the side. Screaming into the air, he maintained his burnout until he reached the far end of the stand, where he turned around and drove back to the start/finish line to lower his window net and grab the checkered flag from the official. Holding the black and white banner out the window, he sped past the fans and down to pit road. Within minutes, he was inching his way onto Victory Lane.

  Unlike the first time Will had requested Liz be in the winner’s circle to meet him, this time he did not have to search for her. She was right there, inches from his car.

  As usual, Will first turned to Steve for his interview. Steve asked the expected questions about how it felt to finally win at this particular track, and what he felt knowing he was the new champion. Then Steve, whom Will had spoken to the day before, went silent, though the camera remained trained on him and Will.<
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  Will turned to Liz, who he had pulled to his side while answering questions, and dropped to one knee. Liz gasped, her free hand, the one Will was not holding, going over her mouth, as she realized what was happening.

  “Liz, the day you walked into my life is the best day I can ever remember. I knew when I laid eyes on you that you were special, and time has proven me right. You are the most intelligent, spirited, beautiful woman I have ever seen, and you take my breath away. I love you, and I want to stand beside you, to wake up next to you, every day for the rest of my life. Will you marry me?”

  Tears streaming down her face, Liz nodded, gasping out, “Yes! I love you!” The camera crew’s microphone barely caught her answer, but everyone saw her head nod and her brilliant smile as she took her hand away from her mouth to hug Will, who had stood when he heard her response. The crowd, team, sponsors, media, and fans had all gone silent when they saw Will drop down, but now they erupted in cheers. Those cheers increased in direct proportion to the length of the kiss the newly engaged couple shared.

  It was Coach who nudged the couple apart. “Don’t you have a ring to give her? We have a win to celebrate…let’s get on with it!”

  Liz laughed as Will dug the ring out of his pocket, presenting it to her with a flourish and sliding it on her finger. It fit perfectly, as he knew it would. Pulling her in for another quick kiss, he whispered to her, “I love you.” Her reply was lost when his mouth covered hers.

  Though both wished they could remain connected like this forever, they knew they couldn’t, so far too soon for the liking of either, they pulled apart. Will kept his arm around Liz, though, and that evening, she was in every picture that was taken of the team during the Hat Dance.

  Later, while they were out celebrating at a nice restaurant, Charles razzed Will. “There you go, Mr. Cool and Collected and propose in Victory Lane! How’s a guy supposed to top that?”

  Will smirked. “You’re not.” With a wink at his fiancée, he continued. “I’m the best, didn’t you know that already?” He grinned when his companions burst into laughter.