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.
“I guess that means we’re done playing around?” Jordan asked.
“Sounds like it.” Colby smiled.
Team Lockwood executed Cyrus’ instructions flawlessly, moving them into the twenty-first, twenty-fourth, and twenty-seventh position with Colby in the lead.
“Houff is coming on fast. He’s on your ass, Colby!” Cyrus exclaimed.
“I can’t catch him,” Chris replied.
“I got him.” Jordan maneuvered his car over into
