14. Blake
Blake
T he shock on my father’s face is priceless, but Ryder grins like a fool while rubbing his jaw. “At least now I know why Reggie hits like a girl,” he jokes, referring to an altercation where he tried to yank off my helmet. Out of reflex, I had turned around and slugged him in the jaw.
“Yeah, sorry about that. I blame Teague,” I respond, pointing to the offending party.
“Why me?” my brother asks. His wide-eyed, innocent look might work on everyone else, but I see the impish nature he tries to hide behind his adorable, but fake, confused expression. Ryder gazes at me, equally as adorable, but his confusion is real.
I sigh. “My brother used to yank my pigtails to get a rise out of me. He would only stop when I responded with force. It became a habit to just turn around and swing. Teague knew what to expect and often avoided the blow. Sorry.”
“Do you think this is all a joke?” Dad fumes.
Ryder steps in front of me, the cameras following his every move. “It’s not a joke, Randall. It’s a desperate measure. Blake only wanted to follow her dreams so that she could give you yours without regret. Every day I spend with your daughter, I fall more in love with her. I’d do anything to make her dreams come true. Why wouldn’t you?”
A female reporter doesn’t hold back and asks, “Mr. Morrison! For a man who prides himself on family values, how are you taking the news that your daughter had to resort to using a secret identity to follow her heart? How do you feel, now that the trade is complete and all eyes are on you, watching and waiting to see how you’ll handle the surprise turn of events?” She puts the microphone in his face while racing fans who are watching from the comfort of their homes wait for his response.
I slide my hand around Ryder’s waist and rest my head on his shoulder. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to take the spotlight away from you and your epic win. It was a tough course, and you deserve your moment of glory.”
“It’s worth it if there’s nothing left standing in our way,” he tells me. The sincerity in his voice and his searing gaze let me know that his words aren’t meant to placate me but to fill me with truth.
Bennie, the team’s manager, pushes through the throng of people and whispers something in my father’s ear before showing him something on the phone. I didn’t know it was even possible, but the blood literally drains from my father’s face. I’m guessing he’s watching the Morrison Motors’ stock drop after this debacle.
Holding his hands up in surrender, he says, “We’ll be discussing this privately as a family and find a way forward. Please excuse me.”
My father takes off running with Bennie trailing behind him while the reporter turns to Ryder and notices our bodies pressed together. Smiling, she asks, “Ryder Stone, how does it feel to win your first race at the Circuit of the Americas, your hometown track? The fans are going wild!”
“I couldn’t have done it without the good Lord above, a great crew chief and pit crew, a teammate who has always pushed me to be my best, and a woman who revs my heart into overdrive. Then there are the fans! Their love, support, and energy propelled me toward the finish line,” Ryder says, grinning from ear to ear. I’m forced to let go when he’s hoisted into the air by his pit crew and bounced around on their shoulders.
Eventually, the excitement dies down, and we head behind the pit, where his car is going through a post-race inspection. It passes, and it’s only then that he can truly embrace his victory.
Ryder tells Teague to turn around. “If you don’t want to see me kiss your sister, then you better shield your eyes because I’m about to get real sappy.”
It’s been hours since the race ended, and the drivers had stood around to sign autographs. Ryder had taken extra time with Mina, Trevor, and their families. The Beanbagger clan had also stopped by to show their support. Ryder had told me on our way to dinner at Mabel and Wendall’s that the only family he had left was his dad and Mabel. As a reporter had been interviewing me, I couldn’t help but glance over at Ryder and note that his family was much larger than he could have ever imagined. It warmed my heart to see so many people had traversed the walls that society had put in place by only writing about the negative aspects of his life instead of focusing on the positive. I can only hope that it will change going forward and that people will see the kind-hearted man that I know, not the young boy who had made a few mistakes.
It’s a sad moment when I take off my fire-retardant racing suit and hand it to my crew chief, Big Bob. “I’m going to miss you guys.”
He envelops me in a hug that practically swallows me whole with his enormous size. “It’s only for a few months until you finish the contract with Morrison Motors, but it’s not going to be the same until you get back.”
I smile wanly. “You’ll love working with Ryder. He’s a great driver and an even better person. Don’t let the gossip fool you.”
Bob shakes his head as if I’ve said the silliest thing. “I won’t. I know a thing or two about trying to escape your past. I made plenty of mistakes in my life, and Mark Daugherty gave me the second chance I needed. He’ll do right by Ryder. Your man is in good hands.”
“I’m counting on it. Keep him safe.”
Teague and Ryder both wait for me by the truck. Teague gestures toward Soup, who is sitting in a Ford F-150 and waving us over. “Dad has requested that the three of us join him for dinner tonight. Since none of us has a car, Soup offered to drop us off.”
“We don’t have to do this right now. Your father can wait until you’re ready to talk to him on your schedule,” Ryder says with a tenderness in his voice that quells my nerves.
“I’ll be fine as long as you’re both with me. I can usually stand on my own two feet, but I could use the extra support. We may as well rip the Band-Aid off and get this over with. If one thing can be said about having dinner at my father’s house, it’s that his chef creates Michelin Star meals. The food alone will be worth the torment.”
“True,” Teague says.
Since the Morrison mansion isn’t far from Austin, the drive doesn’t take all that long. However, it is long enough for me to think of all the worst-case scenarios and let nervousness take hold.
Teague is in the front passenger seat while Ryder and I sit in the back and hold hands. Ryder’s touch is the only thing keeping me grounded and from letting my mind drift. Teague turns around and peers over his shoulder at me.
“I’m not sure why you’re so worried, Blake. It’s not like Dad has anything left to hang over our heads.”
I rest my head on Ryder’s shoulder and blink away the few tears that have pooled in my eyes. “He could disown us entirely. I prefer forgiveness over being forgotten. Dad knows how to hold a grudge.”
Ryder squeezes my hand and offers a short but sweet prayer asking that father’s heart will change and to give this situation a positive outcome.
“Thank you for that,” Teague says.
“Since I met my Aunt Mabel a few months ago and have been spending time with the people of Baggersville, I’ve learned that having faith plays an important part in having hope,” Ryder retorts. “For example, testifying against Simon was the right thing to do, even though it hurt me to do it. I thought I’d lost my father over it. After my visit, he told me he had wanted to escape his life and role in the Savage Scorpions, but didn’t know how to do it. It’s not like they would have just let him walk away. Prison was his outlet—and as odd as that may seem—it was what needed to happen. I just couldn’t see it then.”
Ryder’s story gives me some measure of comfort. “Do you honestly believe that something positive can come out of this situation?”
“Yeah, I’d like to know, too,” Teague retorts.
Soup’s eyes meet Ryder’s in the rearview mirror as he waits for Ryder’s response.
Ryder tilts his head to the side and contemplates his answer. “I wish I knew. Maybe the two of you being willing to walk away from everything might be the kick in the pants your father needed to see the error of his ways. He has a choice to make. Randall can continue down the path he’s on, surrounded by his wealth and not much more, only to live a lonely existence; or he can choose to embrace his family and value what matters most. He’s at a crossroads.”
Teague snorts. “It would be hard for me to believe he had a sudden change of heart.”
“When you have a defining moment in your life, the choice is clear and can be made in an instant. It’s the repercussions that are long-lasting,” Soup interjects. “We’re here, and before you go, I’m going to leave you with a piece of advice. It’s up to you whether you take it or leave it. If Mr. Morrison asks for a chance to redeem himself, give it to him. Put yourself in his shoes and think how you would want to be treated if you royally mess up with your kids one day. Would you want a second chance to make things right, or would you want to hold on to your pride and let them walk away?”
Ryder gets out of the truck and holds the door open for me while I scoot out. Before closing the door, I tell Soup, “Reconciliation over resentment. Got it. Thanks for the advice.”
Once Soup drives away, the three of us head toward the front door, passing by the cars we’d left in the driveway a few days ago. There’s something different about them, but I can’t quite put my finger on it.
Typically, Teague and I don’t bother knocking, but this time we do since we aren’t entirely sure how welcome the reception will be. Instead of the butler opening the door, it’s our father. His gray hair is standing on end as if he’s been running his fingers through it. Randall Morrison stands before us, haggard, tired, and aged by ten years in only a matter of hours.
“Thank you for coming. I’m sure that this house is the last place you want to be right now,” he says, gesturing for us to come in. “It’s late, but I had Mel put together some food for you. I figure you haven’t had a chance to eat after the race.”
On cue, my stomach rumbles and moves me toward the dining room like I’m on puppet strings. The scent of Tex-Mex foods fills the air and makes my mouth water. “You had Mel prepare my favorite. You only do that when you have a bomb to drop on us.”
“That’s not true,” Dad replies with a frown.
Teague snorts as he takes a seat at the table. “It absolutely is. Do you want to drop the bomb while we eat, or after?”
Ryder pulls out the chair for me and then sits to my left while Dad takes a seat at the head of the table. Mel carts out the plates filled with chicken and chorizo enchiladas, topped with a creamy pepperjack cheese sauce.
While we dig in, Ryder bows his head and silently says grace before picking up his fork. This is a side of Ryder that hasn’t been shown before, but I’m pleased to see it come out. Dad raises an eyebrow but says nothing.
I’ve only taken a few bites before Teague and Ryder have cleared their plates. “What’s the rush?” I ask. Ryder glances at Teague, who then glances between me and our father.
“I wanted a full belly before I lost my appetite,” my brother says.
Dad sighs. “I deserved that. For what it’s worth. I’m sorry.”
I see why the guys ate so quickly, because my stomach begins to churn. I set down my silverware and push back my plate. “Sorry about what, exactly?”
Ryder’s hand rests on my thigh below the table. He doesn’t squeeze, rub, or caress. He simply keeps it there to let me know that he’s with me. It’s not as if I could forget. Ryder’s presence can fill a room.
Dad leans forward on his elbows, and his gaze meets mine, then Ryder’s, and lastly, Teague’s. “I’m sorry about everything. Ryder, I asked you to come tonight because I owe you an apology. I’ve let my assumptions cloud my judgment and skew my actions. I assumed that your past would repeat itself, and I viewed you as a thief. I tried to let it go, but I didn’t try hard enough.”
“I was a thief,” Ryder says bluntly, but there’s no derision in his voice.
“You still are, if stealing my daughter’s heart counts,” Dad says with a small smile. “The phrase ‘a leopard cannot change its spots’ is said for a reason. Changing a person’s true nature at its core is nearly impossible. But that’s just it, your true nature is good, and I failed to see that until it was too late. It was your actions I didn’t condone, but I focused on the crime, and not the fact that you did the right thing in the end. For that, I’m sorry. I hope one day you can forgive me.”
“You’re forgiven,” Ryder blurts.
Dad rears back as does Teague, both surprised by his response. Teague narrows his gaze at Ryder. “You forgive him that easily?”
Ryder nods. “It’s either that or harbor a grudge that will fester and turn into resentment.” Turning his head toward my father, he says, “It wasn’t wrong to be wary of me in the beginning, but you had ten years to change your mind. I understand you were being protective, not only of your children, but of your legacy. However, I’ve proven time and time again that I’m not the person you thought me to be. But now that you see the light, I’m willing to start with a clean slate because Teague may as well be my brother, and I plan to be in your daughter’s life for a very long time. I’m not willing to give up my relationships with either of them for your approval. What you do with the clean slate is up to you, but you have it. If anyone understands what it means to get a second chance, it’s me.”
“Thank you, Ryder. I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but I appreciate it.” Dad addresses me next. “Blake, I only wanted what’s best for you and your brother, and what started out as a test became written in stone for me. Once I had formulated a plan, I was unyielding and saw everything as black and white. Your mother and I had a long conversation after the race today about my rigid stance. My unwillingness to concede or compromise already ruined my relationship with her. I’m afraid it’s going to ruin my relationship with you.”
It was much more than his inability to bend that caused a rift between him and Mom, but I refrain from calling him out on it. Admitting that he’s wrong is hard enough; he doesn’t need me to throw his past in his face. Oh, the irony. Instead, I ask, “What test are you talking about?”
Running a hand through his hair and breathing in and out through his nose several times, he looks everywhere but at me. I’m not used to seeing such a tough man appear so insecure. “You might wonder why I supported your brother driving and not you, Blake. Part of it was for your safety because driving requires physical strength and stamina while taking a toll on the body. Careers for women are short-lived in comparison. But that wasn’t the only reason or the main one. I offered your brother the same choice I offered you: racing or inheriting the company. He chose driving because that was all he ever wanted. You chose the company, so I believed it meant that driving wasn’t a passion for you like it was for Teague. I thought it was just a whim for you.”
Closing my eyes, I take a moment to let go of the frustration building inside me. If only we had talked about this so many years ago. “I didn’t choose the company; I chose you , Dad. When Teague walked away from the responsibility, I didn’t feel as though I had a choice. I saw your heartbreak, and it stuck with me. I knew how much keeping Morrison Motors in the family meant to you. However, I thought I would have the chance to live my life until the time came to assume the role. I tried to abide by your wishes, but I didn’t want to live with regret. I went to the track and raced for fun, but it wasn’t until this year that I finally got the chance to put my skills to the test. The worst part about it is that I couldn’t share the thrill or joy with you. I had to hide.”
“She shouldn’t have had to do that, Dad,” Teague says. “And I shouldn’t have had to keep her secret.”
Ryder’s hand squeezes my leg gently as realization hits. “Is that why you didn’t want me to meet your sister?”
My brother shakes his head and then begins to nod. “I didn’t want the two of you to meet for the reason I gave you. I truly was afraid that someone would come after my sister to get to you. I had no idea it would be Dad, but….”
“I didn’t know that ‘Reggie’ was your sister,” our father defends.
Teague waves away the comment with a few flips of his hand and continues to answer Ryder’s question. “But yeah, I suppose deep down I knew that the two of you would hit it off and that you would inspire her to go against our father and race. And you did just that, even if you didn’t know that she was already doing it. Blake was only supposed to race for one year as Reggie and then disappear. None of this was supposed to happen.”
Yet, it did, and we’ve all paid the price.