Asher sat back and linked his hands behind his head. He spoke as if he held all the cards.
Brian stood. “Let me tell you what you can do—” He was ready to tell Asher to take his racist ass right to hell when the door opened. Markos peeked inside. “You requested to see the other drivers?”
“What?” Brian was seething with rage. He’d completely forgotten as Jordan and Chris walked into the room.
Liam sat back, calmly watching Asher. “Brian, didn’t you say you wanted to make some changes in the driver lineup anyway?”
Asher’s grin slipped. Liam could see the what the hell are you talking about look appear on his face.
Brian wasn’t following.
“All of your drivers are not here. Maybe you should make the announcement once everyone arrives.”
Baffled glances were shared around the room, but it was Jordan who voiced what they were all thinking. “Everyone is here.”
Brian lifted a corner of his lips into a devilish grin. “Oh, you mean our newest driver?”
Liam nodded. “Yes. No reason to have to repeat yourself.”
Asher dropped his hands. “What the fuck are you talking about?”
Brian ignored him. “You’re right.” He smirked as he walked away from the conference table and out onto the landing.
Impatiently, Brian called out, “Colby James, where are you? I requested a meeting with all Lockwood drivers.”
Asher shot up out of his chair. His face reddened. “Colby James is not a Daughtry driver!”
Liam was taking great pleasure in Asher’s apoplectic reaction. “No. She’s not a Daughtry driver. According to my brother, she is most definitely a Lockwood driver.”
Colby hadn’t moved a muscle. She was sure she had not heard Brian correctly. “What?”
Brian held back a grin. “You! I asked to see all of my drivers. That includes you.”
The entire room went silent. The wrench she’d been holding slipped from her fingertips onto the floor. She was shocked out of her mind. She pointed to herself. “Me?”
Brian kept a cool face. “I think you’re the only Colby James here.”
Asher stomped out of the conference room, yelling, “This is some bullshit! Are you kidding me? There is no way you can put Colby James on this driving team!”
Ben looked up at the men standing on the landing. “Why not?”
“It’s obvious why,” Asher said.
“It’s not obvious to me. It is my team, right?” Brian feigned ignorance.
“She’s a nig—”
Liam slapped his hand down hard on the table. The sound reverberated from the conference room throughout the garage. “Say it one more time, and I’ll snatch your tongue out of your mouth and shove it down your fuckin’ throat.”
Asher finally seemed to realize he wasn’t talking to allies. He threw up his hands in frustration and decided to take another tact. “She’s a woman for God’s sake!”
Colby’s eyes blazed as she moved from the back of the room toward the front. “You’re right! I am black and a woman, but I am also a bomb ass driver! One of the best you’ve ever met.”
Asher ignored her. “I am not. I repeat. I am not driving on a team with her. I don’t care how many races I have left on my contract.”
“If you breach your contract, we’ll keep you in court for the rest of your life. You won’t be able to drive a bus across the street,” Liam warned.
“What? Afraid that someone you consider inferior is a better driver!?” Colby shouted.
“You? Please. Not in a million years. I could beat you blindfolded driving a go-cart!” Asher spat out.
“Put it to the test,” Brian challenged. “You and Colby on the track. In fact, let’s broaden it to include Jordan and Chris. I’ll even throw in a sweet incentive. Finish first and win the coveted spot of lead driver for Lockwood.”
Pissed, Asher placed his hands on his hips. “You’ve got to be kidding?”
Jordan was excited about the chance to take on the Golden Boy of NASCAR. “I have no problem with that, but there are four drivers and only three cars. The math doesn’t work.”
“My ankle is busted. I sprained it the other day.” Chris hadn’t been limping. He turned to Colby with a small wink. “Damn. It really hurts too.”
“Colby, you’ve got Chris’s car,” Cyrus said.
Asher shook his head. “This outfit is really the fuckin’ Sesame Street of teams. Do any of you actually think you can hold a candle to me?”
“Is that what you really think?” Jordan frowned. “No offense, but I’m a damn good driver, and so is Chris. You wouldn’t have earned as many points in those two races without our help. I, for one, would like a chance to prove that we can do more than just block for you.”
Asher continued to shake his head no. “Nope. Not doing it.”
“Let me sweeten the pot even more. You win, I let you out of your contract immediately. You lose, we’ve got you for half the season?”
Chris cajoled him. “It’s just us, bro. No cameras. Just a chance to prove who’s the better driver. If you really think you’re the best, this will be like taking candy from a baby.” Chris said it with a straight face, knowing Asher would take the bait. “It’ll give you a chance to set everybody straight and finally be done with Daughtry for good.” Chris knew Colby was talented and could beat Asher because he’d been on the track with her. “Put this puppy to bed and be done with it.”
“I shouldn’t have to prove why NASCAR wants to make me the face of the league or why ESPN wants to interview me and not you clowns.” Asher sighed. “I don’t want to embarrass you, Jordan, but fine. Let’s do it.” He stressed Jordan’s name and wholly ignored Colby. “I want out!” He stormed off to the locker room to get changed.
“Asher McKay is a piece a shit and needs to be brought down to pavement level. It’s going to take a woman to do it,” Colby said.
“Yo . . . we haven’t had an opportunity to upgrade all of the engines. He’ll get the one
