Instead, I convey my desire to kiss her through touch, my fingers curling into her back and sliding along her spine. I lean in and whisper, “Taking names, Baby. See you in victory lane.” With a wink, I give my full attention to my crew chief and team, knowing they’ll be taken care of.
Now, it’s time to go to work.
I’m strapped into my car as Coop goes over a few details of today’s race. The moment he tells me to get ready to fire my engine, Colton’s voice comes through the headset. “Just wanted to wish you luck today, Cruz. Stay safe and bring home a win.”
“Thanks, boss,” I reply just as the cue to fire our engines is given.
I grip my steering wheel, my hands more at home there than anywhere else. Well, maybe a second to Lena’s body, but a damn close one. This is my element, my drive.
My time.
We start to file off pit road. I’m already moving, warming my tires, in preparation for the green flag. Cold tires mean no traction, which is why me and the rest of the field are all swinging from side to side in our lines. Daniels is directly behind me. Fucker better get used to the view.
“Next time around will be green,” Coop says calmly, not an ounce of nerves evident in his voice.
I settle in and focus on the track, on my game, and the moment the green flag drops, I take off. My tires have good grip, but I can tell my car is a little loose. It’s all I can do to hold my line and keep from giving up positions.
Daniels is now beside me, fighting hard for my place. “How’s the car handling?” Coop asks.
“Looser than Peggy Sue on prom night,” I reply, giving him a canned response I’ve said since I started.
“We’ll make an adjustment on your first pit. Daniels is right there. Don’t battle him for position if your car isn’t handling that well.”
I know he’s right, but I fucking hate it. I hate losing a position, especially to Daniels. “Ten-four.”
Within the next lap, Daniels passes on the high side, cutting it awfully close when he slides back down in front of me. “Fucker,” I mumble.
“Don’t ram your front end up his ass, Cruz. You’ll have time to get that spot back,” Fish says through my headset.
Our first pit stop goes well. It includes a few tweaks, new tires, and a full tank of gas, and the moment I’m dropped to the ground, I take off. “Sixth place,” Coop says, which means I was able to maintain my position coming out of the pits.
The race is hot, the drive to win fierce. We’re as high up in position as we’ve been all day, sitting pretty in third place. Daniels is still in front of me, but I have a plan for him. One that involves me overtaking him in the last ten laps. If I can get past him, I’ll have some time left to go for the win.
A flag for debris brings out a late caution with fifteen to go, and the chatter is everyone is taking fresh tires. Coop tells me the guys are ready, so I watch my tach to make sure I’m not hit with a speeding penalty and slide into my stall. The moment I do, someone slips in front of me, their car angled horribly, their ass end back and out. Too close to me.
“Fuck!” I holler, realizing we’re not going to be able to get out very easily.
“Dammit!” Coop hollers, followed by orders to my team to get me down and back as quickly as possible so I can maneuver around the car in front of me.
“Go!” I bark as soon as the jack is removed, my guys pushing me back. The moment I’m clear, I gun it, chirping my tires as I speed around the car.
I hit my steering wheel several times, letting curse words fly.
“Tenth,” Coop says, the bite in his words evident. “Get yourself together and let’s do this. You’ll have ten laps to move ten positions.”
“Consider it done,” I reply, my focus so laser sharp it’s almost scary.
When the flag waves, I drive as hard as I’ve ever driven before. I bob and weave through traffic, my eyes centered on each car in front of me, until it’s finally behind me.
“Four to go and you’re in third. Daniels in second and Jaquez in front.”
I don’t reply, just keeping my mind where it needs to be. The car drives like a fucking wet dream, gripping to the track as I make moves most probably wouldn’t risk taking. But I’m not most drivers.
With two to go, I make my move on Daniels. He tries to block me, but I’m ready for him. Just when he slides up the track to block, I dart down hard. By the time he realizes what’s happening, he can’t return to his line or he’ll slam into the side of me. I floor the gas just as I go into the turn and slide around him easily.
“That’s second!” Fish hollers. “Jaquez is directly in front of you.”
“One lap to go, Cruz. Now is the time to make your move,” Coop instructs.
The line is silent as I stick it hard in the first corner, grateful when she holds. My front tires are alongside his back ones as we head into turn two. I give it everything I have, and I’ll be honest, he doesn’t make it easy. Jaquez fights back tooth and nail as we make our way through the final turns, the finish line in sight. I pay no attention to the checkered flag or the fans, I just make sure it’s my front end that crosses the line first.
“Yeah!” Fish bellows into my ear.
“Super close finish, but I think you have it. Waiting on the official word,” Coop says.
I wave at Jaquez as he goes by, followed quickly by the rest of the pack.
