Page 69 of Full Throttle 2

As they approached the final turn, Watson pulled a daring move, bumping Colby just enough to send her slightly off the line. He dove in low, inching ahead.

Not today.Colby quickly recovered, countering with a calculated turn that allowed her to pull up right alongside him and accelerate.

They crossed the finish line nearly neck-and-neck.

It was a photo finish. There was a mere fraction of a second between them, but this time there was no doubt. As the officials conferred, there was a quiet in the stadium as if everyone were holding their breaths.

“It’s official,” the announcer said over the loudspeaker, “history has been made! Colby James is going to the NASCAR Cup Series Championship!” The crowd went wild as the announcer continued to scream into the microphone. “Colby James is your winner of today’s Quaker State 400!”

Colby had done it. She was going to the Cup Series Championship. She glanced around to see everyone celebrating. Her smile was so big she thought her face might break.

Colby gripped the steering wheel before getting out of her car to join her team. There was a small ache in her chest that was spreading. There was no doubt she was happy about this win, but it felt...a little hollow.

She wouldn’t pretend like she didn’t know why. Instead, for the good of the team, she would bury those emotions and get ready for the biggest test of her life.

Brian opened the door to the VIP suite. The one right next to his and walked inside. The room was quiet and empty except for one lone man who stood staring out of the floor-to-ceiling windows.

“She took the flag.”

“I saw.” Liam wasn’t surprised. “I knew she would. She’s a competitor and wasn’t going to take their bullshit lying down.” Liam brought his drink up to his lips and took a sip.

Brian gave a slight grin, affirming the point. “You should go down and congratulate her.”

Liam wanted to do more than that. He missed Colby like crazy. “She doesn’t need me for that.” He glanced at his watch. “Anyway, I have a flight in a few hours.”

Brian couldn’t believe it. “You brought your ass all the way here from Singapore to support Colby, and you won’t even let her know you were here?”

“It’s her moment.” He was genuinely excited and proud. “She’s going to the Championship. I’m not going to ruin it with my presence.”

“Colby hasn’t smiled all week. She misses you.”

“She said that?”

“No, but I know her well enough to know that. And you miss her too.”

“And then what? We still have the same problems. This is her life.”

“Yet, you’re still here. Only you’re piningandworrying over her.”

Brian was right but Liam had boxed himself into a corner. He didn’t have anyone to blame but himself. “I got to go. Otherwise, I’ll miss my flight.”

Liam placed his whiskey down and started to walk out the door. However, he stopped and placed a hand on Brian’s shoulder. “Congratulations. You did good. Abby’s a great addition. Not that you need it, but if I were you, I’d replace Chris with Abby permanently.”

Brian’s chest swelled. Getting kudos from Liam meant a lot. “That’s my plan.”

“Good luck at the Championship.”

“We’ve got a week to prepare. It’s going to be helter-skelter, but we’ll be ready.”

“I have no doubt.” Liam asked one final question before he walked out of the door, “Does the team know about your most recent business move?”

“Not yet, but they will soon.”

“Let me know how it goes.” And with those words, Liam exited the building.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Had it already been a week?Time had gone by much too fast. Brian didn’t think he would be able to pull off the impossible before the Cup Series Championship, but by some miracle, on the eve of the event, he thought he just might have done it.

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