Page 49 of Octane

“I know, I got held up, and I’m sorry. But I’m here now. You’ve got this. Take a few deep breaths.”

I listen to him as I force air into my lungs. Thankfully, my panic tapers off.

“Can you do that for me?” he asks, concern coating his words.

“Yes.”

“Good. Listen to me. It’s just you and me on here. Everyone else turned their headsets off. I’m going to help you through this.”

“Thank you, Jackson.”

“You’re going to be fine. Once the race gets going, try to find some clean air, okay?”

“Okay,” I answer, taking another deep breath. With each one, my panic subsides more and more.

“Also, Sawyer?”

“Yeah?”

“Carissa says hello. She wanted me to tell you to stop overthinking everything and just drive. It’s what you’re meant to do.”

“You talked to Carissa?” Excitement rushes through me knowing he spoke with her and can relay her motivational comments to me.

“Yes, it’s why I was late. Can you forgive me?”

“Yes,” I say with a beaming smile.

“Okay, now get ready for that green flag. You should see it in three… two… one…”

With Jackson in my ear and the green flag waving ahead of me, I put the pedal to the metal and begin my fight to the finish.

* * *

Once the race started,I thought the small amount of confidence I’d gained once Jackson stepped in would have seen me through to the end. Unfortunately, my rocky beginning was a precursor to an even worse race.

I got one penalty for accidentally driving through more than three pit boxes on my way out of the pit. Then I got another one for driving over the fifty-five mile per hour limit during a yellow flag while trying to close the gap with the driver in front of me.

I got lapped by the first ten drivers, including Robby, Tim, Ryder, and Nate, who ended up taking first place.

When I finally get back to Pit Road, I pull myself halfway out of the car and have a seat on the window frame. The crowd is cheering in response to the donuts Nate is doing in his car on Victory Lane.

“Hey,” Jackson says, and I pull myself the rest of the way out of my car. “It was a good race.”

I shoot him an incredulous look.

“I know you, and I’m sure you’re bashing yourself in that head of yours, but you don’t have anything to be upset about.”

He hands me a water bottle, and I chug it down. I’m parched.

“Two penalties, Jackson. And I was lapped by a quarter of the other drivers.”

“Forget about that. Focus on the fact that your first race is over and done with. That’s always the hardest one.”

I grab another water bottle and open it up.

“Thank you for talking me through everything. I really don’t think I would have made it without you.”

“Sure you would have,” he smiles at me. “And you’re welcome.”

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