Page 18 of Happy Hour

Immediately I was crying again. In all the years I’d known Jameson, I’ve never seen him cry, ever, nothing even close to a tear. Even the time Spencer accidently-on-purposely hit him in the junk with a tire iron when he was fourteen, never cried. Butnow, his composure was wavering. And that had me wavering.

He shook his head and swallowed, his hands trembling as he tried to compose himself. Not only was he completely worn out, this was an important race to him. He always wanted to win in Charlotte having never won here before in all the USAC events they ran and with his entire family being here this weekend—it was emotional for him.

To him, a win in the heartland of NASCAR, in a series no one thought he’d make it, designated far more than a win at any other track on their circuit.

Why?

Because to him, winning in the heartland showed he could be that mystifying greatness he was pegged to be. And he was.

After a moment, he pulled out his ear buds, took the steering wheel off and placed his sponsor’s hat over his matted hair.

Kyle made his way over the car, placed his head inside and then ruffled his hair. Jameson grinned shaking his hand. Kyle then grabbed a beer and handed it to Jameson who opened it taking a slow drink.

When he glanced our direction, my eyes caught his.

He winked and reached up to hoist himself to the edge of the window, beating on the roof enlivening the team wedded to him.

Collective shouts erupted, victory lane roared to life, all with an astounding adulation for a boy I grew up watching command respect with his ability.

Whistles and clapping mixed with beer, champagne andPepsispraying.

Let me tell you something about celebrating in victory lane, shit gets in your eyes when it’s sprayed and you can’t avoid it. Beer and champagne doesn’t hurt nearly as bad asPepsidoes when it gets in your eyes. I don’t know what’s in the stuff but that shit burns.

Swinging his legs over the side, Jameson stood on the edge of the window frame, let out a laugh and launched himself into his crew where Spencer caught him.

His team swarmed with good-natured ribbing and hard pats to his back. Their camaraderie was hard to find with every team on the series, as it was hard to achieve.

This team had a familiarity to each other and a trust—despite the problems with the pit stops—that formed over time. It was easy to seethisteam, reveling the victory, could be a champion team as theyallsaw the bigger picture.

You feel it and maybe understand it, in part, but the unity between a racing team is what drives it forward leading them to victory. Without it, a win could hardly be appreciated.

Soon the announcer was in Jameson’s face asking questions but he motioned for me to come over before he started talking.

I wasn’t sure he wanted me to come over until he yelled, “Get over here, Sway!”

I trotted my happy little pit lizard ass right over.

Smiling down at me, he wrapped his sweaty arms around me for a burly hug I deemedcompletelyappropriate.

“I’m so proud of you.” I whispered in his ear—his damp hair falling against my forehead.

“Thank you for being here. It means everything to me.” He whispered back before placing a quick kiss on my lips.

This alarmed me.

For one, the sensation left me weak in the knees, and two, there were reporters everywhere.

I could hardly attack the boy like I wanted to, or could I?

The announcer stuck the microphone in his face and I backed away towards Nancy and Emma who made their way over letting Jameson talk to the media.

“Jameson Riley, you heard go from Kyle and you did.” Spencer screamed in the background causing another bellowed uproar from the team behind us. “Tell us what you did there at the end to catch Darrin Torres.”

“You know, we had an unbelievable car throughout the entire race. The car wasn’t as good on the long runs so we lucked out with the green white checker.” Jameson told them, still smiling. “We had some problems with pit stops but we had a fast car to make up for it. It’s pretty awesome to win here on Memorial Day weekend. Despite everything that happened in the Winston and with the fine earlier today, all I can say is it feels good to win.” He looked over at his family. “My family is all here...even my Nana was able to make it. I need to thank my sponsor Simplex Shocks and Springs...all the people that support us, CST Engines, my dad for giving me a chance.”

“Let’s get him over here.” The reporter motioned for Jimi to come over. Jameson wiped sweat from his neck with a towel Alley threw towards him.

“Jimi, what do you think of your son here?” He shoved the microphone in his face.

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