Page 19 of Full Throttle 2

“Daddy, don’t you think I’d be the first to know if I were overdoing it?”

He didn’t. Not really. “Tell me, what does your schedule look like today?”

Am I sixteen?Out of respect, Colby answered his question. “I have a meeting with the mechanics at one p.m., then I meet with you and the team at two p.m. for a strategy session. I have a two-hour practice session around the track from three to five p.m. Then, I’m meeting the women from my non-profit, Black Girl Magic, at six p.m. After that, I have a dinner meeting with my business manager at eight p.m. It should only last acouple of hours. Finally, I’m shooting that NASCAR promo at ten p.m.” Colby said, more to herself than her father, “Hopefully, everything will be set up for me just to get in and out. Fingers crossed, I’m home a little after midnight.”

The look on his face was incredulous. “Are you serious?”

“What?” Colby stared blankly into her father’s eyes, genuinely not understanding the problem.

“When do you rest? When do you allow yourself time just to be? And what about Liam?”

“Fortunately, Liam’s schedule is as crazy as mine. He’s on the Asian leg of his business reviews.” Colby glanced up toward the ceiling, trying to remember specifically what part of Asia he was in. “I think he’s in China? Actually, I don’t know.” She waved her hand. “It doesn’t matter. His admin sends me daily updates about his itinerary.”

“You’re doing too much.”

Colby placed her cup on the counter. “Daddy, I get your concern, but I’m on a mission. I’ll rest when I’m dead.”

“At this rate, that won’t be too long from now. You’re burning it at both ends and at some point, it’s going to manifest itself. I don’t want it to be on the track.”

Colby walked over toward her father and placed her hand gently on his shoulder. She spoke softly, “I promise. I’ve got this.”

It was clear from his expression that Cyrus wasn’t convinced. It was also apparent that her father had given up this round. However, if he was snitching to Liam, Colby knew this was just the opening salvo.

They needed to understand that she was one of one. Colby was making history. She didn’t have room to make a mistake. She had to be perfect because she was carrying her people on her back. The doors Colby opened would make it easier for the nextwoman to walk through. If that meant she had to miss an hour or two of sleep, so be it.

Cyrus exhaled. “Do me a favor?”

“Anything.”

“Remember that before you’re a brand ambassador, before being the face of diversity for NASCAR, a mentor to young women, and before you are Liam’s girlfriend,youare my daughter.”

The edge of her lips lifted into a genuine smile. “Got it.” Colby leaned down to place a kiss on top of her father’s head.

He exhaled. “Now that we’ve got that out of the way, what the hell am I going to do with Faye?”

“Ooh.” Colby shivered. “Now that’s the real challenge. I heard her bumbling around this morning. When did she get into town?”

“A few hours ago.” Cyrus’s face scrunched up. “That’s my sister, but damn. She is like a hurricane.”

Colby whispered, “Aunt Faye’s not that bad. She’s just different.”

“Different my ass.”

Colby glanced around and quickly covered her mouth, trying to contain the laughter that threatened to bubble out.

“No need to whisper. Faye’s not here.”

Colby visibly relaxed. “Did she go to a hotel?”

“No. She plans to stay here.”

“Herehere? I can’t see that. Where is she going to sleep? We’re kind of at capacity.” Her father’s back had been bothering him lately, and Colby thought he was too old to be sleeping on the couch.

Cyrus shrugged. “We’ll figure it out.”

“I, for one, am glad she’s in town. It’s been a while since all the Jameses were together. If that means I need to take the couch, well, that’s what I’ll do.”

Cyrus was surprised Colby would offer up her room. “You’d let Faye sleep in Rodney’s room?”

---