Page 47 of Black Flag

“Hey, you’re JamesonRiley.”

I turned around to seewho it was. I didn’t recognize him.

“Yeah, so...” I turned back toward Aiden. It mayhave been rude, but I was also working.

I didn’t have time forthis today. My whole fucking morning had been this way. First it started bywaking up alone. Sway had gotten up early to get to the track so I’d yet toeven see her. When Aiden and I arrived at the track, I was bombarded with fanswaiting for me to arrive. Word got out I was the new the owner, which meant aconstant stream of fan fair. Good for business, bad for me.

Don’t get me wrong. Iappreciate everyone that comes out to watch me race but there are times when itwas overwhelming. Everyone wants just a few seconds with you but then so doesthe next guy. Before you know it, you’ve been standing there an hour signingautographs. That right there is what wears on you over time.

The kid, who apparentlyknew me, followed us toward the concession stands of Grays Harbor on our way toget coffee.

“I’m Dylan Grady. Wewent to high school together.”

Dylan...I don’t know a Dylan...wait a second.

“Oh yeah,” I turnedtoward him. “I remember you. You also knew Sway, right?”

He laughed arrogantly.“Not really, at least not standing up.” Dylan hinted with a smug smile.

I shook my headlaughing; one hard warninglaugh. Before he could evencomprehend what happened, I drew my fist back and punched him square in thejaw, and then I followed up with an elbow to his nose—we both heard thegruesome snap. Considering what he did to Sway, I didn’t stop. Instead, Ibrought my knee up hard to his stomach to get my greeting across.

He gasped loudly cryingout in pain. Yanking his limp body up, I slammed him against the wall of theticket booth. His eyes went wide with panic mirroring Aiden’s.

“That’s for what youdid to Sway.” I smiled manically back at him letting him go. Sliding down thewall, his hands instantly went to his bleeding nose. He said nothing, justwhimpered.

“Nice seeing you again...Devin.” I began to walk away as thoughnothing happened.

Aiden, just as shockedas Dylan, stared at me.

“What did he do toSway?” Aiden asked,his head turnedto look at him and then back to me.

“Took her virginity andnever called again.”

Have you ever heardthat saying you don’t mess with the south? Yeah, well, Aiden is a good exampleof that. He stomped back over to Dylan, punched in his broken nose and was backto walking beside me.

He fits in the familyperfectly.

“What the fuck!” Dylancried out as he grabbed a handful of napkins from the concession stand.

Back Marker – Sway

“What’s he doing out there?”Jameson sipped his mocha beside me, his shoulder bumping mine.

I’d gotten up earlythis morning so this was the first I’d seen him. The World of Outlaws race wastonight which meant we had averybusy day here. Though on the outside Iappeared calm, internally I was excited. Everyone was here together for thefirst time in years. Charlie however wasn’t making today easy.

“Watering the track,” Ianswered Jameson, giving him a quick kiss and then sipping my hot chocolatehe’d brought me. “At least I think that’s what he’s doing.”

It sure didn’t looklike he was watering the track the way he hauling ass. He needed to be going alot slower than he was for it to work.

“Why is he watering thetrack?” Jameson looked alarmed. “Jesus, that doesn’t seem like a good idea!”

It wasn’t a good idea.

Charlie had recentlybegun experiencing memory loss that the doctors had warned me about and wouldfrequently forget what he was doing, while he was doing it. Which is the why heno longer had a driver’s license. I was also aware of the fact that he reekedlike whiskey, and so did Jameson.

I laughed because atthat point. It was all I could do to keep from crying.

“He’s watering thetrack because he fired Hank this morning, something about not enough water. Itlooks like he’s trying to create a mud pit.”

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