“I think you and I are long overdue for a talk,” he says.
“Yes, sir,” I tell him as he motions for me to follow him.
We walk into what must be his office and he sits behind the large desk close to the window. Then, he waves me into the chair across from him.
He props his elbows on the arms of the chair and steeples his fingers as he studies me.
“So…y’all are really coming out and announcing to the world that you’re a couple?” he asks.
“Yes, sir. We are,” I answer.
He nods and then pulls out an envelope and what looks like an old photo.
“Do you love my little girl, Dash? The same way I know you did here?” he asks as he slides a picture of us as teenagers across the desk.
I study it. I remember this night. It was the first race she beat me in. She’s holding the gold trophy in one hand but turned to face me. I’m smiling at her because even back then, I was drawn to her. Loving her has always been like floating until the moment she touches me, and then she’s my gravity. She’s always pulled me back down to earth…back to her. I never stood a chance. I lost that race, but I felt like I won…all because she held my hand and smiled at me.
I glance up from the picture.
“No, sir. I don’t love her the way I loved her in this picture. I love her more. More with each passing moment.”
He smiles and then slides the envelope my way.
“I was hoping you’d say yes, but your answer said everything.”
I take the envelope with my name written across the front.
“What is this?” I ask.
“It’s an offer to join Tyler Motorsports. Just in case Full Tilt Racing gives you any grief about racing for them while also loving my daughter. I wanted you to know that I couldn’t ask for a better man to love her than you. And I wanted to make sure you could love her and still live out your racing dreams too. You don’t have to use it if you don’t need to, but the offer stands if you ever do,” he says.
“I uh, I don’t know what to say. Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me. Just make her happy and make sure she knows your love for her,” he says before standing and walking toward me with his hand outstretched.
I shake it and then he pulls me in for a quick hug.
“Welcome to the family, son.”
40
LENNON
“Where is he?” I ask Dillan as he does a final walkaround of my race car.
“I don’t know, but breathe, Lennon. He’ll be here,” he says calmly.
This race will be my second one since I came back and we’re using it as our coming-out race. We’re finally telling the world we’re a couple. But both Dash and my dad are missing which does nothing for the growing anxiety building in my chest.
We spent most of the last two weeks getting to know each other again which has been a welcome breath of fresh air.
Both our families and teams have been incredibly supportive of our relationship. Dash’s sister, Audrey, pulled me aside the night we shared our news with his family. She admitted how far Dash fell when he thought we were over. From what she shared with me, he was about as lost as I was.
She also made me swear to never break his heart again. I would never in my power do that, so I assured her.
It’s surprisingly quiet as we all prep for this race. I already have my suit on with my black tank underneath. I absently touch my necklace which was returned to me after Jackson attacked me. The one he stole to hide our identities.
That’s when I finally feel his presence. I turn and see him walking through the drivers’ garage straight toward me like a magnet pulls him. He stands tall and walks with more confidence than I feel. And to my surprise, my dad is with him, matching his strides in my direction.
