Page 96 of Danger

I help my father into the VIP area, and then I take a seat. Normally I would go back to the garage and see Danger before the race, but not today. Not after the way we left things. Besides, I have a surprise waiting for him. And I hope it makes him happy.

The race is about to start, and before it does a hand touches my shoulder.

I glance up and it’s Rayna and her husband, Cole.

“I’m glad it all worked out” Rayna says to me.

“I am too.” Even though Danger knows nothing yet.

When I met with Ricky this morning I didn’t know what I was in for. I was sure I wouldn’t like what he had to say.

Little did I know how wrong I was. His story went National, reaching the whole country, causing the one person Dylan has been searching for to contact Ricky.

And he put her in touch with me.

Cole wraps an arm around his wife, and I smile, wishing I could have that with Danger. I’m a tad bit jealous of the couple, but I try to focus my attention back on the race.

Thad has already been a force to be reckoned with, telling the news stations to keep an eye out for him, and talking all the smack he loves to talk. How could I have ever been into a man like him? He’s not the figure I envision for myself. Not now. Not since I’ve met Danger.

My dress flaps in the wind as the race starts. There’s a nervousness in the air today, or maybe it’s just me. Either way, I’m feeling the full brunt of every emotion all wrapped into one. I’m not sure I can handle today, but I have to keep going. Keep moving forward.

I know Danger, I mean, Dylan, needs this. I watch as the rolling start begins, and my stomach clenches with nerves. Anyone who says they’re not scared for the lives of every driver out on the speedway is a liar. I’m terrified. They put their lives in danger to grab that checkered flag, and something about the whole sport seems archaic to me all of a sudden.

Sports are a civilized kind of war.

What if something happens to him?

Don’t even think about it, Monterey.I try not to worry myself with all the what ifs. If you allow yourself to be consumed with what ifs, you’ll never be happy. And I’m determined to be.

I deserve it.

Life is full of possibilities, and right now I need to think about the future. My father’s retiring, leaving me in charge of Grander Racing. It’s a huge deal.

I’ll be one of the only women CEO’s to own one of the biggest teams in Indy racing. And I have so many ideas to break this sport wide open. To bring our team to the new age. But that’s not important right now. The only thing I care about is Dylan.

Once the race is underway, I find myself enjoying it, talking to everyone and feeling recharged by the energy around me. My eyes are all on Dylan’s red race car. I watch as he takes each turn, hugging the corners in just the right way. My mind’s counting seconds in the pit stops. And my soul silently prays for his safety as I watch with rapt fascination.

Dylan came to the track today with a mission. The man came to win.

And he’s rocking it.

And as I watch Dylan sail over the finish line first I cheer, happy with all of our hard work. It paid off.

A bittersweet victory and my heart drops a little when I realize it’s all come to an end. No, I won’t let this be the end of us.

This is my time to fight for the future I’ve envisioned for me. For us.

The happiness he deserves.

His real victory.

The stands clear out as I congratulate the team, and say congratulations to my father. Reporters surround us, wanting to know about my father’s retirement he’s just announced before the race began. Questions are thrown my way and the cameras flash, but I try to push it all away as I spot Dylan off in the distance. He’s being interviewed by reporters, and congratulated by many, but I make my way over toward him anyway.

“I have somebody who wants to meet you,” I tell him once he’s done with his latest interview.”

“Monterey, I didn’t think you’d come.” His face transforms when he sees me, his eyes full of warmth.

Full of love.

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