Chapter Twenty-Two
Charlotte
It’s a dazzling summer day here in Indianapolis, Indiana. The kind of day that has the power to lift a person’s mood.
“Ten laps to go. Bring it home, Rookie.” Becks’s gruff voice sounds optimistic in my ear.
“Shit…Becks, don’t talk to me right now,” I murmur, feeling the aching burn in my neck and shoulders. “I’m too fucking nervous.”
Any game plan I had today flew out the window the moment my car hit the asphalt. How could I have a strategy with thirty-three cars out here going over two hundred miles per hour, racing for their lives? My only plan is to remain focused and race my freaking heart out.
Because, holy shit, I’m racing in the Indy 500!
The atmosphere is electric. The crowd is invigorating. The excitement is unbelievable. The celebrities are out in droves. Christ on cracker, Chris Hemsworth, waved the green flag to begin the race. Freaking Thor! They don’t call it the Super Bowl of racing for nothing.
This is the race that stands above them all. A dream since I was an innocent little girl, crashing go-karts. Three hundred and fifty thousand people in the stands, cheering us on. Two hundred laps around the track, equaling five hundred miles. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. But, hell, if I don’t want to kiss the bricks at the finish line.
As soon as Kelly Clarkson sang the final verse of the national anthem, and a stealth bomber flew over the crowd, it was on. I'm ready to do this. I’ve worked so hard for this. It’s a privilege and an honor to be here.
Jace? The man of my dreams pops into my head, the way he always does. He’s a huge part of why I’m here today, especially after everything that went down with Mason. Jealousy ran so deep it cost him his life that day. But I push all the bad from my mind because Jace saved me—in so many ways. I’m dedicating this race to him. The love of my life.
I’ve been in Indiana for two weeks, training and practicing, missing Jace like crazy. He flew in Friday with Kiely, and my sister, Lilly. I’m calmer knowing he’s here now to support me, even if I haven’t gotten to see much of them with my jam-packed schedule.
The nerves I felt this morning when I woke up were insane. I never get nervous before a race, but I could barely sip my coffee without spilling it, let alone eat anything. I think about how Jace kissed me silly down in the pits in front of everyone before I climbed into my car, making the jitters vanish.
With a grin on my face, I shake off my thoughts. There’ll be plenty of time to think about my tall man with broad shoulders and sexy smile, who I can’t keep my hands off of, later. After the race, win or lose, we’re all headed to Disney World to celebrate with a little family downtime. Right now, I need to focus. I’m so close; I can taste it.
“Becks, you seeing this?”
“I stopped talking. I thought you were mad at me,” he ribs.
“You’re face is too pretty to be mad at,” I jest.
“That’s not what my wife tells me,” he says, causing me to chuckle. “You’re doing a hell of a job out there. You got five more in the tank, Rookie?”
I’m silent for a moment as I pass another car up top. I’m hit with a rush adrenaline. “Hey, Becks?”
“Talk to me, Rook.”
“I feel the need…for speed.”
“Fifty-six. In front of you.” I’m slaying it in fourth place as a car in front of me starts to spin out. I maneuver right and pass him high before he has the chance to clip me. “Great job.” Thankfully there’ve been no crashes today. There have already been lots of spinouts, but I’ve been lucky avoiding them. “You're kicking ass. Let’s go win this race.”
“That’s the plan.” I take in a breath of relief at the near miss.
“Four. Four!” Becks shouts in my ear. I’m slaying it in fourth place. My body aches everywhere.
“Third place.” The crew cheers in the background, as I pass another car like a gladiator slaying a lion.
My body is burning hot, and my wrists are sore and numb, but I'm determined to push through.
“You win this, you and that bodyguard of yours can build a big dream house in the hills.”
“Don’t forget the giant pool in the backyard, Boss.” I ride into my last two laps, feeling invincible.
“Second place. It’s between you and Zan. Either way, we win,” Becks notes, always the team player.
“Fuck that!” my voice booms over the coms. “Tell Donavan, I love him dearly, but this one’s mine. I’ll give him a big hug at the finish line.”
He chuckles. “Will do, Rookie.”
This is it. The last lap, do-or-die. I’m neck and neck with Zander, and he gives me a knowing grin when I glance over.
The finish line appears in my sights, and it starts to sink in. “I’m gonna do it! I can’t believe it!” I let out a thunderous cheer as I edge Zander out and cross the finish line. The first woman to win the Indy 500.
Holy crap, I won the Indy 500!
Still shaking, I’m wearing a huge smile as I sit on top of the roll hoop of my car, waving to the crowd. The crew wheels my car on to the black-and-white checkered perimeter of victory lane.
Someone places a large, floral wreath around my neck. I’m handed the traditional bottle of milk. The cold liquid feels fantastic on my throat as I take a long swig. The crowd cheers when I hold it high over my head.
Becks walks over and snags the bottle from my hand, dumping some of it over my head. “Guess I can’t call you Rookie anymore.”
I’m trying to savor the moment, but I can’t stop scanning the crowd for one person. When our eyes lock, I smile wide and hop off the car.
I rush over and throw my arms around him, igniting the crowd. “I can’t believe we did it,” I admit, as he twirls me around in his arms.
“You did it, baby. I’ve never been more proud of anyone in my entire life,” he breathes out, just before kissing me silly.
“Holy shit! You did it.” I turn and find Lilly and Kiely standing next to us. “You were amazing.” She throws her arms around my neck.
“You won. You won. You were so fast.” Kiely wraps her little arms around my waist. “Can we go to Disney World now, so I can be a princess?”
“You are going to have the best vacation ever, young lady.” I bend down to her level, placing a mushy kiss on her cheek. “Did you see where Jace went?” I pop back up and ask Lilly.
“Uh…” She points up at the winner podium, where Jace is standing next to Becks and Colton. “He’s up there.”
“Why is he up there?” I furrow my brow in confusion.
“I’m not sure.” She boasts a mischievous grin, saying she knows something I don’t.
“Charlie Brooks.” My boss, Colton’s voice, booms into the microphone. “I need to congratulate the woman who just whipped my son’s ass on the track.”
I slowly make my way through the crowd of people, catching sight of Zander. He smiles warmly, shooting me a quick wink.
When I make it to the podium, Colton pulls me into a great big, fatherly bear hug. “Nice job, Charlie.”