“Gamble Speedway. Two days. It goes without saying, but I’m going to say it anyway because you two aren’t the brightest in the bunch.”
Should I be insulted?
“Do not talk to any other press. This is an exclusive, and they are paying you very well for it.”
Drew hesitated.
“What now? You don’t like money?”
“I’m just not sure if it’s a good time,” he replied.
“Did you change your mind about retiring?”
“No.” He was succinct.
Gamble made a rude sound. “So it’s about that wackadoodle giving everyone the slip.”
“We thought she’d be in custody by now,” I told him. “We can’t keep them on lockdown forever. School starts soon.”
I gazed across the yard to the kids all gathered around the dunk tank we’d set up. Arrow was sitting inside, already soaked, while Travis picked up a football to throw at the target. Andi said something, and he held out the ball and she took it, putting her back into the throw.
It fell short and hit the ground. Arrow cheered that he got to stay above water.
Travis picked her up and ran at the tank, stopping in front of the button.
“Cheater!” Arrow hollered so loud I heard him where I was, and Andi’s laugh burst into the wind when she slammed her hand down on it and Arrow went under.
“We have to protect her.” Turning back to them, I said, “I’ll do whatever I have to in order to protect them.”
Gamble nodded. “As will I. I’ll make a few calls. Light an inferno under some asses.”
I knew everyone was doing everything they could, but it just wasn’t enough.
“And you can bring them with. I’ll send my plane for you. My house is secure. You can stay with me,” Gamble added.
“What do you think, T?” Drew asked, and I met his unsure gaze.
I thought it over and nodded. “Okay. As long as you’re ready to announce your retirement.”
“I’m ready.” Drew was certain.
“Then in two days, we’ll make itGearSharkofficial.”
11
Drew
We might have beena little cautious about having this party with a nutjob still on the loose, but as I stood there in the midst of our family laughing, smiling, and stuffing their faces (mostly Arrow), I couldn’t deny that being with family isnevera bad idea.
I also couldn’t help but wonder how the hell I had a seventeen-year-old son.
Like, what? I might have a few grays, but I still had a lot of miles left on these tires. Even if they were changing direction.
A seventeen-year-oldandretirement.
This year was shaping up to be a banger. It didn’t feel like an end, though, or a clock winding down. If anything, I felt invigorated by the possibilities ahead. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do yet, which side street I would turn onto. For once, I wasn’t speeding somewhere but was willing to check out the scenery instead of flying by it.
Maybe I’d take Gamble up on a job at the NRR. Maybe I’d become a coach or a sponsor. Maybe I’d go back to somethingwith computers—nah, probably not. The office and tie gig was not the life for me.
