Law moved to my side and wrapped his arm around me and pulled me in for a kiss on the head.
“If I could make her feel better, that would be great.” He held me tighter and I wrapped my arms around him.
“It’s not your fault.” I looked up at Law but saw the worry in his eyes. He had tried everything, from water, to medicine, to certain foods to help me not want to throw up, but none of them helped. I eventually just sucked it up that I was going to be perpetually sick on this trip.
“But I should be able to fix it.” He rested his forehead against mine.
“Lawson.” Tony came up to our little group. “We’re ready.”
“I’ll see you on the track, man.” Law shook Jimmy’s hand and we made our way back to Law’s garage. I loved watching him get ready and in the mindset to drive on the track. It was like watching a dancer get ready for a big leap. Deep breaths, concentration, rituals. So many rituals. Law made sure to pat down his suit three times before getting into the car and he had to have Tony hand him his helmet. The only difference in his ritual now was that when the National Anthem was over, I would kiss him while he was in his car before Tony gave him his helmet. When I had left Law in his car to head back to the pit with Tony, I turned around to watch the other drivers.
Couples kissed, some kissed photos, a few sent kisses to the sky, it was so strange to see everyone send love out, but all I was hoping for was that Law knew I was sending my love to him while he was on the track.
For this race Law had promised if anything happened he would make sure to let me know he was okay and there were a few points I had to strangle the arms of my chair. Like when there was a wreck and Law had to drive straight through it. He made it out fine, but my heart almost died in the process. He talked to me the whole way through it, though, knowing I was listening to it.
“We’re almost there, sugar.” Law’s voice filled the headphones I had on. We were coming into the last five laps and my nerves were shot. This was about where Law had wrecked the last time I was at a race with him. Each lap he finished, I held my breath, hoping nothing would happen, and when he came around the final turn and drove over the checkered line first I jumped out of my seat and cheered with Tony, who was standing beside me.
It was one thing to see Law win on television, but it was another to see it in person. To watch my man drive over that line before anyone else. A sense of pride filled me and I jumped up and down, clapping my hands in excitement.
“He did it!” I grabbed Tony to bring him in for a hug. He took off my headphones and then placed his on me. I grabbed the microphone to place it where Law could hear me. “You did it!”
I knew my voice was probably loud is Law’s ear, but I didn’t care. I was too damn excited to care how much of a child I looked like. Like it was Christmas day and I had gotten the Barbie dream house I had always wanted.
Tony made a grab for my hand and led me out of the pit and over to where Law would be driving back to victory lane. I had seen Law drive to a few of them, but this one was a little different. The area was set up on the front stretch of the track, more visible to fans from the stands. There was still a checkerboard layout and a stage for the driver to stand on.
We stood off to the side with Law’s pit crew and a bunch of news reporters as Law’s car drove to the center of the victory lane. I stood back as Law jumped out of the car and tore his helmet off and Tony rushed over to him. A few of the pit crews had bottles of champagne and popped them open, spraying the whole crowd with the sticky liquid.
A laugh escaped me as I watched Law celebrate with his team, but his head soon started to whip around and I knew he was trying to find me, but I stood where I was. I had no idea if I was allowed to go over to him, what I was even supposed to do. I had seen other wives and girlfriends take the stage with their drivers, but this being my first time, I just stood there basking in what was happening.
Law leaned into Tony, the noise from everyone overpowering any conversation that could be had right now. Tony pointed to where I was standing and Law’s eyes made his way to mine. He didn’t lose focus as he pushed anyone he could aside and made his way toward me and picked me up in his arms and spun me around. My arms went around his neck and a laugh followed, but it was lost in the noise around us.
Law put me down but quickly grabbed my hand and pulled me with him to the stage where a group of people awaited him. He wouldn’t let go, even when one of the men started talking, capturing the attention of everyone, and the crowd died down to where everyone could hear.
“Lawson, what an amazing race, your sixth win this season. What do you chalk this up to, especially coming out after such a devastating wreck?”
“I wouldn’t call it devastating. It only set me back ten spots. But this race right here, this one’s for her.” Law pulled me to his side in front of where there was a camera pointed toward him. He leaned down to kiss me and the crowd erupted again into cheers. Tony came up onto the stage and handed Law his trophy, which he grabbed with ease. The dark wood structure with the brass topper and plaques covering that face. Law held it out to me and I grabbed the side of it and we faced the crowd.
Flashes went like crazy, trying to catch the moment I knew was one for the books. I thought I had been a part of Law’s racing life before, but this was something completely different. This was a statement to the world that I was there to be by his side.
And by his side I would forever stay.
