like I need it to. I’m able to maintain my position and start to edge in front of Daniels. I can feel the force of the air, feel the energy beneath my fingertips. It’s a feeling like no other, one I’m not even sure I could put into words.
My car shoots past Daniels as I drop down in front of him, claiming his position.
“You’re in first, buddy. Now that they’ve seen you do it, watch the outside,” Coop guides, his voice calm and steady.
“Daniels remains behind with Hall trying to push on the outside,” Fish adds.
“White flag,” Coop adds. “One to go.”
I do everything I can to hold off any last effort pushes from the competition, and as I round the fourth turn and head for that waving checkered flag, an indescribable feeling sweeps through me. A familiar wave of relief and excitement as I cross that line ahead of the field.
“Yeah! First place, baby!” Fish bellows into my ear.
My arm pumps, my fist hitting the wheel in celebration as I start to slow, my own cheers flying through the headset.
“’Atta way, Cruz!” Coop chimes in, the smile evident in his words. “You’ve brought home a win for CDE. Take your lap, and then bring ‘er down to victory lane.”
“Copy that,” I tell him, letting the rush of victory guide me around the track. I wave at the fans, the ones who spend their hard-earned money to watch me race. I even throw one to the haters, because in a way, their dislike for me fuels my desire to win as much as the fans.
After I make my way around the track, I follow the officials directing me to victory lane. Drivers tap my car as I go by, our way of saying congratulations. It feels good to be on the receiving end of those again. I’m all smiles as I pull the car slowly into victory lane. The moment the official directs me to stop, my team is there, helping me release from the security devices that hold me in place.
The buzz is electric, the crowd already celebrating as I take off my helmet and hold it high in the air. Confetti sprinkles down on me like rain, sticking to my exposed sweaty skin. Coop tosses me a hat with my main sponsor logo on it just as a television camera is thrust in my face. Already smiling, the broadcaster leans in, mic poised at her mouth. “Mack Cruz, it’s been almost a year to the day since your last trip to victory lane. How does it feel?”
“Well, it feels great, Anne. Our Chevy performed beautifully today, handled well, especially in turns three and four.”
“Daniels said in his post-race interview he couldn’t believe how lucky you were that the car stuck on the outside going into turn one. Was luck on your side today?” she asks, her bright white teeth on display.
I chuckle. “Well, my team had the car running the best it had been all day, so I don’t know about luck. We worked hard to get our car to the end, contending for the win. Dang proud of my CDE family for putting me in the position to take home the win today,” I tell her, already glancing around.
“We’ll let you celebrate with your team,” she says, turning back to the camera to send it off to another broadcaster. I don’t hear what she says. I’m already searching for…
There.
Through the crowd, I see Lena and Oliver and instantly head their way. Fish already anticipates my moves and starts to part the Red Sea to help me get to them.
“That was amazing!” she hollers, her green eyes as bright and wide as I’ve ever seen them, her full lips a light shade of pink, as if she was gnawing on the bottom one. All I want to do right now is kiss her. Kiss her hard. Weave my fingers into her hair and hold her close, my tongue delving deep inside her mouth.
But I know it’s not appropriate.
Dammit.
Instead, I bend down and place a kiss on Oliver’s head. As I did last week, my hand settles on her hip and I give it a light squeeze. It’s my way of communicating without saying a word, of touching her without getting myself slapped.
When my eyes meet hers again, I respond, “Thank you.”
“Cruz, let’s go! We’ve got pictures,” Chief hollers over my shoulder.
Lena leans in, helping me transfer my son to the crook of my arm. Can’t say I’d ever