Full Throttle

by LaShawn Vasser

  Cyrus had to put his fatherly feelings on the shelf. In this moment, he was Colby’s crew chief. It took a few times of clearing his throat, but Cyrus got it together. “There’s only one thing left to do,” he spoke with authority. “Rev the engine.”

  The sad haze of missing Rodney disappeared. Colby’s smile was brilliant as she remembered their family ritual. “Drop that pedal.”

  She knew he was worried but was soldiering on. He didn’t need to be. She placed her hand on his shoulder and looked him square in the eyes. “I’ve got this.” After an extra moment and a gentle squeeze, Colby put her headgear on, then turned and got into lucky #12. Colby revved the engine twice. It was loud and powerful, which sounded exactly how she felt.

  She gave the team a thumbs up before driving away to take her place. She also glanced heavenward. “I know you’re here. You heard Gonzo, this one’s for you.” And Lorene is going to be for me.

  Chapter 29

  Home. It was the best way to describe how Colby felt. Being on the track felt like home.

  Colby had finished her warm-up laps. The butterflies in her stomach began to settle as she took her place.

  Colby didn’t care that she was positioned at the back of the pack of thirty-five other drivers since she didn’t plan on staying there. She knew that some people considered it a win for her to have made it to a major, but not Colby. She was competitive, and like any other competitor, male or female, she wanted to win. Not only for herself but for all the women who deserved the chance to compete—and for Liam.

  His face flashed before her eyes. He’d put his trust and money into her, and Colby didn’t want to let Liam down. She wanted to make him proud.

  Colby gripped the steering wheel, twisting and squeezing it while waiting for the green flag to drop. Ben and her father were giving her final instructions through her headset. “Listen up, Team Lockwood. There are three hundred and twenty-five laps between us and that trophy. Let’s follow our game plan and get this win.”

  Colby listened, but she didn’t need the pep talk. She was more than prepared and had studied every driver participating in this race. She knew how they moved, especially Asher and Lorene.

  Lorene was in the fifth position, followed by Asher, who was in the tenth position. Jordan and Chris were toward the middle of the pack, positioned at twenty-two and twenty-five. Colby was in thirty-fourth. It was interesting how she just happened to get the random draw that landed her in almost the last position. It would have been too obvious if she’d drawn the dead last position, she thought. Or it could have been that she was a new driver and hadn’t ever qualified in a previous race. Either way, that’s okay, Colby thought. She was the wildcard. The unknown. Other drivers had no idea how she would perform, and Team Lockwood would not make the same mistakes Team Daughtry had made with Rodney.

  The plan was for Colby to maintain her position, and for Jordan and Chris to fall back, then together, they would work as a team. They had practiced for this.

  Engines all around Colby began to roar, taking her out of her thoughts and back onto the course. As if she had been waiting a lifetime, Colby finally heard the words to start the race.

  “Boys, have at it!”

  Colby smirked. Of course. So much for NASCAR attempting to change their old ways. They didn’t even bother to amend the old announcement signaling the start of the race.

  One day they will.

  The flag dropped, and Colby’s car began to move.

  It was go time.

  *****

  “Are you good?” Brian stood next to Liam as they looked out from the glass wall of their VIP booth onto the track.

  Liam was tense. His back was ramrod straight, and his arms were folded across his chest as he stared out at the field of drivers. He responded honestly. “I’m not going to lie. I’m nervous. She could get hurt out there.”

  Brian could certainly understand Liam’s feelings. He wanted to reassure his brother. “Remember how we felt the first time we saw Colby drive? We were in awe when we thought she was Asher.”

  Liam nodded but didn’t respond.

  “You said it before that we can’t be part of the problem, bro.” He patted Liam on the back to reassure him. “We all know that Colby’s a damn good driver.”

  “That’s all good. But the fact remains that Colby is not just a driver. She’s my woman, and she’s out there on that course with men who will be gunning for her. I can’t do a damn thing from here.” Liam stepped a little closer to the glass wall and pressed the fleshy part of his fist against it.

  Brian understood his worry. Liam wasn’t exactly wrong, but Brian needed to remind him of a few things. “First, Colby has been training for this moment her entire life, and she’s about as tough as they come. There is a fire in her that those boys on that track are not ready for. Secondly, let us not forget that she’s gunning for a few people herself.”

  Liam said nothing, but that was what worried him most.

  “And, lastly, but most importantly,” Brian continued, “you’ve given her a great chance at winning—her car is unbelievable. You’ve made sure that Colby has the best parts, and in some cases, even better than her competitors. That was all you. You’re Colby’s secret weapon, and she’s ours.”

  A soft voice joined their conversation. “He’s right, you know.”

  Brian and Liam turned at the same time to the sound of Lila’s voice. She had quietly walked up behind them. Brian had known that she was in the room but was making every effort to focus on the race and not her. It had been tough and was now completely impossible.

  After going back and forth over it in his mind, Brian had decided to approach Lila after the race and have the conversation they should have had years ago. But now that she was standing an arm’s length away, he wasn’t so sure he could wait another second.

  How was it possible to be so beautiful? he wondered as she stood there looking like she had just stepped out of the pages of a magazine. The contrast of her silky smooth dark brown skin to her cream linen pantsuit was stunning. Everything about her was flawless—jet-black, bone-straight hair that hung almost down to her hips, full lips covered in a shiny gloss that were all too kissable, and ebony eyes that bore into his soul.

  Brian was done.

  Lila probably had no idea, but she had owned every piece of him from the first moment she uttered the word hello all those years ago.

  Liam felt like an intruder as he watched Brian and Lila seem unable to keep their eyes off of one another. It was apparent to anyone with a brain cell that there was still something between them. Whatever it was that lingered, even Liam felt it. “Maybe I should give you two some privacy.”

  Lila smiled nervously and blinked a few times. “Um. No. That’s okay,” she stuttered as she turned away from Brian toward Liam. “I-I . . . I just came over to reassure you. This world is kind of all new for the two of you, but I grew up around this. Daughtry Racing really is an incredible team.”

  “Lockwood Racing,” Brian corrected her.

  “Sorry.” Lila looked at him quickly as if stealing a glance before turning back to Liam. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “It’s been Daughtry since I was a child, so it’ll take some getting used to. My point is that you don’t have to worry. Uncle Cyrus has a lot on the line. He’ll do his best coaching ever. Ben and Gonzo, they really are two of the best mechanics on the circuit. They will keep Lucky #12 on point, and Colby,” Lila paused, “she’s going to do what she does best. She’s going to drive the hell out of that car.” Lila touched Liam’s arm and gave him an encouraging smile.

  It made perfect sense why Lila would want to comfort Liam, but Brian didn’t like it. He felt some kind of way that Liam was getting the attention that he craved. “Can I have a word with you privately?”

  Lila’s smile faded. She pasted on a fake one, not knowing why Brian would want to talk with her. “Um . . . sure. Of course.” When Lila faced Brian, Liam made eye contact with his brother. His
expression clearly said, handle your business.

  They stole away to a quiet corner of the room. Brian started. “I had plans to speak with you after the race, but I guess now is as good a time as any.”

  “Okay.” It was all Lila could say. She was happy that Brian was even speaking to her but couldn’t imagine what he wanted to say.

  Brian held her gaze. “I owe you an apology.”

  Lila was not expecting that. She gave her head a little shake. “What?”

  “I owe you an apology,” he repeated.

  Lila was taken aback. She couldn’t hold his gaze and let her eyes wander. “Brian, whatever you’re apologizing for happened a long time ago and is not necessary.”

  “It’s necessary since I haven’t been able to get it, or you, out of my mind.” He took the tip of his finger placing it underneath Lila’s chin and gently lifted her head so that her eyes would meet his.

  Lila swallowed hard. She whispered as the words tumbled from her lips. “I never betrayed you. I did not sleep with Anthony.”

  “I know,” Brian said quietly. “If I had given you a chance to explain, I wouldn’t have been a dick, and it would never have taken all of these years to apologize.”

  Lila glanced away. “You reacted exactly the way a person would if they found their girlfriend naked and in bed with someone else.”

  “I reacted the way Anthony figured I would. Colby told me the truth. I know you didn’t sleep with him, and that he drugged you. It’s about as unforgivable an act as it can get.”

  Lila felt like she had been waiting a lifetime to exhale. “As I said, it was a long time ago.”

  There was not enough time in infinity to let some shit like that go, Brian thought. He knew very soon that Anthony would pay for everything he’d done. He decided to keep that information to himself. “I can’t believe I’ve allowed Anthony to occupy so much of my headspace, up to and including buying this team.”

  Confused, Lila frowned. “I don’t understand.”

  “It’s a long story. One I hope you’ll allow me to tell after the race and maybe over dinner—just the two of us.”

  There was a long stretch of silence. Lila slowly tilted her head to the side. “Are you saying that you’re finally done?”

  “Done?” Brian was puzzled.

  “Done as in finished. Are the games between you and Anthony over? Because I can’t ever be a part of something like that again.”

  Brian stepped into Lila’s personal space and looked down into a pair of eyes full of pain. “I can promise you that I will never allow that man to ever manipulate me or hurt the people I care about again. So, yeah. The games are over.” Brian wanted so badly to touch her. He lifted his hand to caress the side of her face but froze at the words that came through the loudspeaker.

  Even though Brian’s plan to buy Lockwood racing had moved at warped speed, it felt as if this day was a long time coming. They were all more than ready. Finally, loud and clear, there it was. “Boys, have at it!”

  Brian's hands dropped slightly, and instead of feeling the smoothness of her skin, he extended his hand, palm up. Lila linked her fingers with his. Together, they walked back over to where Liam stood.

  For the first time in a long time, Lila had hope. The future was looking bright for everyone. But for now, those thoughts had to be put on hold.

  It was time to watch her cousin make history.

  Chapter 30

  Colby’s car felt good. It was performing well. Then again, she had only completed one lap. Time would tell how good her design was. She would need her engine to perform at its optimum. Smart drivers were still feeling each other out, but she knew that was eventually going to change. It was only a matter of time before teams began to execute their plans.

  As Colby rounded lap fifteen, she spoke into her headset. “Not sure what’s going on with Team Romani’s car. Suspension or something. I can take him in the first turn of the next lap.” Colby was cruising at close to 150 mph. Her car could easily top out at 225.

  “Stay put,” Cyrus instructed forcefully. “Stick to the game plan.”

  Colby knew she could get by that car, but Cyrus was her chief. For now, she was going to do as told.

  After an hour, she pulled her car over into pit road like everyone else. Stage one was over, and she was still in thirty-fourth place, meaning she hadn’t earned any points.

  She let her team do what they do best. Quickly they checked and replaced her tires, inspected the engine, and gassed her up.

  She heard Cyrus through her headset. “We survived the first stage.”

  Colby’s eyebrows lifted almost to her hairline. “I’ve got to do more than survive.”

  He ignored her. “Two more stages to go. Things are going to pick up fairly quickly once you get back out there. It’s time to start moving into position.”

  Everyone understood their assignments. After a bit more back and forth, their break was over. The pungent smell of burning rubber and squealing tires could be heard as she sped off out onto the course.

  Seconds after Team Lockwood got back on the track, the flag dropped, signaling the beginning of stage two. Within the first lap, Colby had her first encounter with a driver trying to force her out of her lane. It wasn’t a cheap shot, just drivers doing what they do. Colby stood her ground. Not only did she not swerve out of the way, she accelerated, clipping the front of their car with her back bumper as she pulled ahead. One down and thirty-three more to go, she thought. Chris and Jordan were in position and about five cars in front. She could see them.

  Out of the corner of her eye, she could see a car on the right moving in too close—and then left. They were going to try to set the trap going into the curve. “They’re going for the box,” Colby said into her headset.

  “I see them,” Cyrus responded. “Slow your car and roll to the left.”

  She would lose the gains she’d made and potentially end up in last place.

  “I’m going to slip by Romani. His car is still struggling.”

  Fortunately for her, Team Romani hadn’t been able to identify and fix their suspension problem. There was a small break in traffic. It was tight. She was going to slip through it. If Colby could make it, she would be right behind Chris and Jordan. If she couldn’t, her car might spin out.

  Cyrus was agitated. “It’s too tight. Slow down and roll left, Colby James,” he stated firmly.

  Her dad was playing it too safe. I can make it. Colby’s hand tightened on the wheel, she shifted into fourth gear, slowed just a second to throw the two cars flanking her left and right off, then shifted back into fifth and accelerated. The crack just before Romani’s car was closing. Push push push. She told herself as she continued to lower her foot on the accelerator.

  Everything looked like one big blur as she whizzed past the other cars. Less than two seconds later, Colby had overtaken Romani and was now in twenty-seventh position. “I’m right on your tail,” she said to Chris and Jordan.

  “Yep. I see you,” Chris said.

  “Gotcha in my sights,” Jordan responded.

  “C’mon, boys. Let’s do this.”

  *****

  “Ladies and gentlemen, she is in the building! Colby James, driving Lucky #12, has finally joined this race. She just made an incredible move and for the moment has overtaken Team Romani.” The VIP room erupted as they heard the commentator’s analysis.

  Liam was sweating bullets. He was sure he’d aged at least ten years. “How the hell did Colby make it through that little hole?”

  “I have no idea.” Brian’s hand was placed over his forehead in shock. “I thought she was going to clip that car.”

  Lila released a breath as her heart was beating a mile a minute. “I thought those two cars were for sure going to box her in. But instead, Team Dau—” She caught herself. “I mean, Lockwood has finally gotten into formation!” Lila kicked off her heels. “Can’t jump up and down in these damn things.” She laughed.

  “She�
��s got a long way to go to catch up to Asher and Lorene in both points and position.” Liam acknowledged. If anybody could do it, he had a strong feeling it was Colby.

  *****

  Down on pit row, Ben sauntered over to Cyrus. The frown lines from age and irritation were written all over him.

  Cyrus wouldn’t make eye contact.

  It didn’t matter. Ben switched his headset channel so that only Cyrus could hear him. “You are playing this thing too safe. Let. Her. Drive! If you can’t take off your daddy hat, I’m going to call this one. This is the reason I had to leak that video. If I hadn’t, we wouldn’t be here today.”

  Cyrus looked at Ben, turning his mic over to Ben’s frequency. “You leaked the video?”

  “I love Colby almost as much as you. But you gave me no choice. I knew it was being filmed by one of the engineers, so I asked for a copy and leaked it. This is Colby’s dream. She’s this close, and the man she loves the most is standing in her way. You wouldn’t do this if she were Rodney.”

  Ben’s words almost broke Cyrus. “Our protective measures are only going to last for one or two passes. Colby’s going to be out there on her own,” Cyrus said worriedly.

  “We’ve always known that. More importantly, she knows that. You’ve got to call it like you would with any other driver, Cyrus. Let. Her. Drive,” Ben reiterated.

  Cyrus knew Ben was right. He took a long deep breath and sighed. Finally, he nodded in agreement. One thing Cyrus was good at was strategy, and that was because no matter how fast the course moved, it all moved in slow motion for him. He could see the track better than almost anyone, except for maybe, Rodney. It was time to put his particular skill set to use. He flipped his headset channel over. “Team Lockwood, new plan. We have some ground to make up. Our immediate target is now Team Wear. Chris, you’ve got J.J. Take him at the 112 marker to create some space for Colby and Jordan to get through. Garrett is too far ahead protecting Joey, so he won’t see you coming.”

  “On it,” Chris said.