Racing for Freedom - By Bec Botefuhr Page 0,44

wobbly. I hope I haven’t pushed too hard. I hope he’s ready for this.

“Are you ready dad?”

He nods, swallowing. “I...yeah...I have to do this.”

I take his hand. “Come on, I got your back!”

He smiles, but it’s still weak and nervous. He slides into the front seat of my car and I notice his breathing deepen. It didn’t even occur to me that he hasn’t really been in a car since my mother’s death, and that must make him feel ill inside. I take his hand.

“Are you sure, say no now dad...”

He shakes his head. “I have to, I have to...try.”

I nod and start the car, his fingers are white on the edge of the seat as we begin driving towards the track. Neither of us speak as we drive, I don’t think either of us know what to say. When the racetrack comes into view, his eyes widen. He hasn’t seen the track and no doubt it’s changed since the last time he was here. I find a car park and pull in, then I get out. A moment later, he steps out too.

Unfortunately it’s not a quiet day at the track today. The times today will determine who goes into the next race. Whoever wins the next race, goes into the championships. I want a place today, so I have to keep a cool head. I have to. I want to be first, giving me the better placing for the next race. I hate that I have to race against Slade today, knowing full well our feelings are different now. I guess the only hope we might get, is that we can both gain a place. I am not sure either of us would make a good loser.

I take dads hand and we begin walking towards the track. He’s limping a little, with nerves or just his injury, or both combined, I don’t know. When people notice him, they all seem to fall quiet. He squeezes my hand and I can see his chest rising and falling with nerves. I can’t imagine how he feels right now, I truly can’t. It must be an awful feeling facing something that you tried so hard to hide from.

I hear a loud voice come over the speaker and I hear Slade’s name being called. I can’t help my eyes as they scan the crowd. Then I see him sauntering up to the stage. I feel my mouth open as I watch him getting closer, the stage is to my left so I have a full view of him. He’s decked out today, with his hat turned backwards, his racing sunglasses on and his black and white racing shirt that shows off those perfect muscles oh so well. I hear a squeal, and I see Kandee running towards him.

My chest stiffens and I stop walking when she leaps into his arms, pressing her lips to his. He swings her around and kisses her back. My blood boils and I feel my stomach turn. Ok, Slade and I aren’t officially together but heck, I thought we were seeing each other now and I assumed that meant we would see no one else. I watch as Slade kisses Kandee deep and intense and I swallow back the bile that rises in my throat as the crowd cheers and screams for him.

“I see nothing’s changed,” my father mutters.

Tears burn my eyes and anger courses through my veins. I’m so hurt, I want to go over and kick him right in the groin. I watch Michael saunter over when Slade is on the stage and take all the credit for his son’s hard work by smiling and thanking everyone. I turn to stare at my father and see he’s looking right at Michael with a scowl on his face.

“I see nothing’s changed there either,” he grumbles.

“No, Michael is still the mega asshole he was before.”

“Colby?”

We hear a voice and turn to see John striding towards us with a grin so big, it’s infectious. Even in my pain, I smile over at him. He stops and stares over my father, then claps him on the shoulder.

“I can’t believe you’re here.”

My father smiles, it’s getting a little less strained. “Yeah, she got me out.”

“You’ll be proud of her, she’s racing well.”

“I heard.”

“How are you feeling?”

My father shrugs. “Like I’m about to throw up. It’s taking every strength inside me not to get in that car and go home but I promised her I’d be here and I will.”

John nods