Page 12 of Rivals

He nods his head slowly. “I remember that like it was yesterday. This tall, lanky kid who drove the hell out of a car and managed to pull out a win in the last few seconds. It was one of those races that embeds into every membrane of your body. You and the other driver fought tooth and nail. You guys had us standing on our tip toes trying to see who was crossing that line first.”

The question that I’m scared to know the answer to is on the tip of my tongue. “If I hadn’t won that race...would you have approached me?”

“Yes,” Tucker replies instantly. His voice is steady and firm. There isn’t a single ounce of hesitation or disappointment there. “I didn’t pick you because you won, Rathe. I picked you because you had that star quality about you. You drove that car with such ease. You became one with the car and the road and that’s not something that is easy to do. It’s not something anyone can teach; you have to be born with it.” He stands up and walks around the counter until he’s in my space. “You need to find that place within you again. You are too damn talented to be taken down by this. You’ve worked too hard. Fight whatever battle you need to and get back in this game. You and Sutton together, could change this whole damn season.”

“What if I can’t?” I whisper. Part of me hopes he doesn’t even hear it but in true Tucker fashion he does.

He chuckles. “You can and you will. I know you Rathe. You just need to breathe and let go of it all. Leave it all behind, that season, the wreck, Chris. I know it’s hard to do but the moment you slide behind the wheel of that car and pull onto that track you have to leave it behind if you want to move forward.” I eventually nod my head, so he knows that I hear him. Tucker’s hand lands on my shoulder and squeezes it in reassurance. “Your ass better be at the track today. No more slacking, do you hear me?”

“Yes sir,” I tell him.

He pats my back a couple of times before he leaves. I listen until I hear the door shut. My appetite is gone, so I just head upstairs to shower and get dressed so I can get to the track. Tucker’s words keep replaying in my mind. I have to leave it all behind to move forward.

Twelve

Sutton

It’d been days since I’d seen Rathe. Ever since the day I officially signed my contract, he’d been missing. According to Maxton he was just under the weather, but I couldn’t help but feel like I was somehow to blame for it. I’m not trying to sound conceited. Maybe, it’s just a coincidence but either way I was starting to doubt everything. It’s like in Twilight when Edward goes missing and Bella can’t help but feel responsible in some way. I’m Bella right now. Yes, I’ve seen Twilight. Secretly, I love it, but I always blame it on Evanna because, let’s face it, you just know by looking at her that she’s going to be into sparkly vampires.

Since it’s been days since Rathe last showed his face at the track you can imagine my surprise when I pull into the parking lot and see his truck parked there. My heart does a little flip flop which annoys me. I’ve stopped trying to figure out what is going on with my feelings for Rathe. It’s too complicated and I don’t do complicated plus, it’s not like I even know the guy. He could have a girlfriend for all I know so I’ve given up trying to decipher why he makes my skin feel like I’ve touched electricity and my heart does flip flops. None of it matters anyways. I’m here to race...end of story.

I climb out of my car after parking and head to the gates. Patrick spots me and unlocks the gate before I ever even get my badge out. I smile at him and hold out a plastic bowl for him. “Apple pie again Miss Sutton?”

“Of course, with ice cream. Hopefully, it didn’t melt too badly on my way over,” I tell him.

Patrick waves his hand dismissively. “It’s ice cream, it doesn’t need to be frozen to be good. I’ll drink it if I have to,” he admits with a chuckle.

I laugh as I picture that. “That’s good to know. Well, I better get out to the track.”

“Yeah, you’ve got some possible competition today.”

Nodding my head, I tell him, “I saw his truck in the parking lot, but I never know what to expect from Rathe.”

“None of us do but he's a good boy just having a rough go of things right now. You probably scare him a little because you’re so good. It’s hard for a man to admit a lady, especially a beautiful lady, is better at something than him.” Patrick smiles one of the biggest smiles I’ve ever seen.

“Well, I don’t know about all that,

but based on the smile on your face there’s a story to be told and I definitely want to hear it later.”

Patrick nods his head. “There’s always a story Miss Sutton. You better get on in there, but you be safe, you hear?”

“Yes sir,” I tell him, as I salute him. I step into the designated room I was given to change into my Revv-It racing suit that is required by Indy racing before heading out to the track. I’m finishing up the braid in my hair when I meet up with Tucker. “Good morning.”

“Good morning Sutton. You’ll have to wait a few minutes while Rathe finishes up his laps,” Tucker explains.

I nod my head. “No problem. I’m glad to see he’s back.”

Tucker looks at me, he studies me for a moment before he finally says. “You really mean that, don’t you?”

“Yeah, of course, why?” I can feel my eyebrows pull together in confusion.

He shakes his head. “Most drivers I’ve worked with or know wouldn’t be excited to see their competition back on the track.”

“Oh well, he seems like a good driver even if he is stuck inside his head too much right now. I’d love to race against him without all that and really see what he can do. Maybe, one day I can get that chance. Anyways, I’m all for the comeback story and I have a feeling that Rathe McCall is about to have one hell of a comeback story.” I watch as he speeds around the track with ease. It reminds me that even though we're on the same team, he’s my biggest competition. If he can stay out of his head, he’s going to give me a run for my money.

“That he will. So, did you and Evanna find a place yet?” Tucker asks.

The smile that crosses my face is automatic. “Yes, it’s awesome. Just signed off on it yesterday. It’s a few blocks away from the beach and it’s just perfect for the two of us.”

---