Liam steepled his fingertips together. “What we are offering is fair, considering you have a driver who doesn’t want to be here.”
Cyrus picked up his bottled water and took a sip before placing it back on the table. “As the crew chief and only a ten percent stakeholder, that really isn’t my problem. Is it? My guess is, at the moment, my shares mean a lot more to you than they do to me. I’ll get paid either way. I’m also guessing that Tom doesn’t know about the potential new buyers . . . yet. They only contacted me this morning and are throwing around a lot more cash than what you’re offering. Which means you will probably want to button up this deal before it gets a lot more expensive.”
Liam’s respect for Cyrus James went up tenfold. “Why not take their cash and run?”
“It’s not always about the money. In this case, it’s about who can best take care of my people.”
“What’s it going to take to get you to sign the contract?”
“Keep my crew. Make sure they keep their jobs. Every one of them is good at what they do.”
“If they are so good, why isn’t Daughtry in a better position?”
“Lack of investment will take its toll on any organization. It’s a miracle our name is still being mentioned on the circuit.”
Liam gave Cyrus a slow nod in consideration.
“Since we are putting all of our cards on the table, if Daughtry has to be sold, I’d prefer Tom sold it to you. The other guys seem a bit sketchy. But if we can’t come to terms . . . so be it.” He shrugged. “Now’s as good a time as any for me to take the money and retire.”
The room was quiet. No one was willing to fill the space with words as they each pondered the situation.
Brian deferred to Liam.
After another quiet few moments, Liam spoke. “I think we can keep your staff intact.”
Cyrus smiled for the first time in a while. “Good. That’s real good. Then we almost got a deal.”
“Almost?” Liam asked.
“There is just one more thing.”
Liam leaned his head from side to side, cracking his bones to relieve the tension. “What would that be?”
“Colby James must be added to the roster as a driver. Everything you saw today was because of her. She’s earned it.”
Liam appreciated the way Cyrus had his daughter’s back, but he in no way planned to get involved in the politics of NASCAR.
Brian turned to him, silently asking to take the deal. Liam quickly ran the scenario through his brain until a thought occurred to him. He could agree to the terms and not have to meet them at the same time. There was a difference between a driver on the roster and an active driver on the roster.
A slow grin appeared on his face. “Mr. James, I think we have a deal.”
*****
“What do you think is going on in there?” Gonzo asked as he looked up in the direction of the offices.
“I have no idea,” Colby responded as she leaned her hip up against the car. While she was still pissed about earlier, Colby had some time to calm down.
“Jordan did okay on the track today.”
She grunted.
“They did get a chance to see you do some great things with the car,” Gonzo rationalized.
“Everyone does okay when they aren’t racing against anyone.” She nibbled on her lower lip.
“True.” His voice dropped so that no one else in the garage could hear them. “More importantly, did you see the way the older brother was looking at you?”
“What?” Colby turned her full attention to Gonzo.
“C’mon. I know you noticed. Dude couldn’t keep his eyes off of you.”
“Oh, you mean that look men give when they can’t figure out what a little lady like me is doing working in a place like this? Or the one where they are trying to figure out if I have a girlfriend?” Colby couldn’t help but roll her eyes. “Yeah. I saw it.”
“There’s nothing about you that makes a man wonder if you have a girlfriend. Well, maybe those ugly ass coveralls.” He laughed.
Colby pushed him gently in the center of his chest.
“I know there have been some bums with paper-thin egos who have used that as a go-to after you’ve verbally kick’d’em in the balls. Just remember, it’s them, not you.”
Colby couldn’t help but smile. “I have been told I clean up quite nicely.”
“Don’t get the big head. Seriously, anybody can see that you’re easy on the eyes, even covered in grease, which is why we are all so protective. In my case, if we hadn’t shared the same training pot growing up, I might not think it would be gross to kiss you. You’re like a sister to me and all the guys.”
“That and your girlfriend would kick your butt.”
Gonzo laughed even harder. “You know she would.”
Their laughter died on their lips when the door to the offices opened, and everyone filed out. Colby and her friends looked about the room anxiously at one another, wondering what the future held for them.
Tom looked like the cat that swallowed the canary.
Gonzo leaned over. “Tom looks happy. That might not bode well for the rest of us.”
Colby’s eyes connected with her father’s as he walked with the group down to where they all huddled together.
He winked.
It was a positive sign. Colby breathed a sigh of relief and exhaled. “I think we’re going to be just fine.”
“Can everybody gather around?” Tom asked. “I have an announcement.” He waited a few moments for the team to get together. “I want to introduce you to the new owner of Daughtry Racing, Brian Lockwood.” Tom deferred to him. “Would you like to say a few words?”
Brian stepped forward and began to speak as if he’d
