AllFreeNovel
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“We know. Do you honestly think you could race now with everything going on? You need to be in a good headspace. We’re grieving with you, Sebastian. We want what’s best for you and your family,” James says as though he’s reading from a prewritten script.
“I understand, but that’s why I took the last year off… to get in the right headspace. I’m ready to return to the team. Race fit,” I reply with a grin, flexing my biceps as I do.
“I can’t promise it’s going to happen this year. I’m truly sorry, Sebastian. We had to replace you for the rest of last season, and we weren’t sure where you’d be at the start of this season, so we kept Austin on along with Elliott. I promise that you’ll have a spot next year. Keep in shape, and we’ll have you in to do testing. I’ll keep you down as a reserve driver for this year as well.”
How could he do this? I understand the team and winning is more important than anything else, but how could they brush me aside like this without discussing it with me? I turn to my agent, Luke, who’s wearing a look of sorrow. He tried his hardest to keep me a spot this year. Mom would’ve helped out with the kids, and between her, Dad, and my sisters, I could’ve easily managed my career.
“Whatever you say.” I rise from my seat across from James and rest Ruby on my hip. “Come on, Ry. Pack up. We’re heading off.”
“Nana’s not going to be happy,” she says in a singsong tone.
My brow furrows. “What do you mean?”
“You’re not racing, are you?” Her big blue eyes stare up at me. She’s too observant for her own good and incredibly switched on for a five-year-old.
“Well, honey, sometimes things don’t work out how we want them to. There’s not much we can do about it. We can give James’ number to Nana. What do you say?”
A big grin spreads across her face. “Yes, and Nana can be mad at him. She is scary when she’s mad.”
I chuckle. Mom probably would give James a piece of her mind, but I’m not about to upset him. I don’t want to lose my chance at racing altogether.
I peek up at James. “Don’t worry, James. I’m only joking.”
His shoulders relax instantly. “Really, Seb. My hands are tied at the moment.”
“Okay. I’ll talk to you later.”
After Rylee collects her stuff from the floor and puts it in her little Elsa and Anna bag, we head out, passing the familiar faces of the mechanics and technicians. They all wave a greeting, but while I grin back, my stomach churns with hurt and dismissal. They’ve basically thrown me to the side.
I needed to get back behind the wheel, prove to those who think I’m done that I am not, and experience that adrenaline rush of being back on the track. It’s as though a part of me has been missing, and it’s racing.Anna-Beth would want me racing again.
Luke follows silently behind me, walking beside Rylee. When we get to the car, I lock Ruby into her seat, and Rylee climbs in and pulls her seatbelt across her body. I start the car and turn to Rylee. “Daddy won’t be a minute. I have to talk to Uncle Luke, okay?”
“Okay, Daddy.” She picks up a chew toy for Ruby and hands it to her. Ruby’s little hands grab for it, and as soon as she has it, it’s in her mouth. Teething. Fun times. I take a packet of cookies from the baby bag, open it, and hand them to Rylee. “Thank you,” she says and munches away.
I shut the door and turn to face Luke. “What are we going to do? Any other teams got any openings?”
Luke’s blond hair swishes from side to side as he confirms what I already know. “I haven’t heard anything, but I’ll keep my ear to the ground and find out if something is going on.”
“Luke, I need to get behind the wheel again. I want this bad. It’s a release for me. I need it to feel normal again. To be… human.” I run my fingers through my hair, grip the back of my neck, and glance up to the sky before meeting his gaze once more.
“Look, take this season off. You can’t expect a spot right now given their racers have been announced and the season is moving forward.”
“But they should’ve given it back to me.” My fist clenches.
“I’ll do what I can. You’ll race again, Seb. I’ve got your back, and you know how ruthless I can be.” He pauses a moment, then says, “Maybe not as ruthless as Momma King, but I can do my best, or I can bring your mom with me, and she can tear into them.”
We both laugh. Mom would really tear into someone if she felt they were holding me or any of my sisters back.
“I did warn you before you took me on as a client. My mother is fierce, and then comes Skylar and Ivy… those two are mini moms. I feel for their future husbands.”
Luke laughs and then clears his throat. “Take some time and leave things with me. I’ll figure something out. It’s summer break right now, so go somewhere, enjoy some time with the girls, and then come back, and we might have something solid in place if not for now, then surely for next year.”
“Yeah, yeah, okay then. Rylee has been asking me constantly if we can go on a vacation. Maybe I’ll go to the place my friend mentioned to me. Rose Ridge Ranch, some homestay place. It has farm animals, lake swimming, horseback riding, and a whole heap of other things she listed off, but I can’t think of them right now.”
Luke nods his approval. “Sounds like the perfect holiday destination. I think it’s what you and the girls need.”
I sigh. “You’re right. Their happiness is something I can control right now, and I need to give them time before I get back to work. Thanks for the push.” I hold out my hand, and he takes it. We shake, and then I pull him into a one-armed hug and release him. “Thanks for having my back.”
