9. Chapter 9
Chapter nine
D inner is a sober affair. The whole team is bummed about Griffin’s crash. None more so than him. He mopes and pushes food around his plate and every few minutes curses Charlie’s intentional bump.
“Quit sulking, man. We’re going to get the car repaired quickly. Paul will call in orders for parts that will be in by the end of the week. Ezra is working for free to help me install everything and we should be ready to tune and test in a week or two.” Ryan has been doing his best to cheer Griffin up, but even the thought of someone working for free on the car can’t kick Griffin out of his mood.
I figure I can drop some good news on the team now. “Actually, a few people at the track have already offered to send over parts to help. I was talking to Garrett Chang of Kustom Fab here in Long Beach, and he offered to do custom piping for the new intercooler when it comes in. For free. We just have to get some graphics for the car to represent this new sponsor.” Six sets of eyes whip my way as I finish speaking.
“For free? You shitting us? We’ve seen his work before, it’s good. I can’t believe he offered that. When did you see him?” Paul asks.
“While I was waiting for you guys to get the Supra loaded on the trailer at the track. He came by the booth and said he saw what happened and felt bad. He said Charlie shouldn’t have taken that line that clipped Griffin. Apparently he hates when racers get irresponsible under pressure. He sent Jack Durbin of JDT over afterward, who offered a new set of turbos and an email tune by one of his shop guys, Jordan. I’m not sure if you have let anyone else tune before, but I checked him out and he’s fucking incredible. His work is on a lot of the pros’ cars in the ADL, and it’s solid.”
“Shelby, just keep talking, sweet thing, because everything coming out of your mouth is pure heaven. What other presents do you have for us?” Wyatt asks, his blue eyes sparkling behind his matte black frames and the dimples I like so much on full display.
“You guys just have to promise to always be on your best behavior on and off the track, so these new sponsors don’t retract their love and support, okay? Oh, and I got Sky Candy Media Printing to agree to do wraps for the cars and create custom graphics for us once the Supra is fixed. Wyatt, The Beast will get a wrap, so your baby will be all shiny and pretty, too.”
“Shelby, how the hell did you get all of this done today?” Paul asks, rubbing the back of his neck.
“I talked to Sky Candy yesterday when I was filming the booths in our area. We started talking about custom team designs, and they liked the ideas I was giving them so much, Aaron said he would send over some mock-up designs for you to check out. If you liked them, he’d get them ready for the cars. I hope you guys don’t mind.”
“No, not at all! I’ve been wanting to get the cars looking uniform for a while, but custom wraps just weren’t in the budget when power mods were on the chopping block. This will give us a unified team look so everyone will know the Supra and 350Z are Smoke and Mirrors’ cars.”
“Thank you. It means a lot.”
I look up when I hear that simple and softly cracking rumble to find Griffin just looking away. It took so much for him to say, he can’t even meet my eyes. But it’s all I need to feel lighter than air and the butterflies in my stomach to be set free.
I feel my cheeks heat and I look down at my salad. I’m happy the chatter around the table picks up and is much more positive. I knew they would love the new sponsors I brought in, but I didn’t realize it would give them the hope that buoys them now in the wake of the devastating crash earlier.
“I say we head to the hotel and regroup to head to Club Bounty. Everyone in?” Cole is waiting on our replies, so I hold my breath to see who will go.
“Sorry, guys, I have to get the Supra back to the garage to start pulling the motor apart tonight. It needs to be ready to go when the parts come in.” Paul has been tapping into his phone but pauses to look around the table.
“I’m coming back with you. I hate to see Saffira all bashed up, so I’m gonna help you get it pulled apart and cleaned to see where we need the most work. I’ll pull the Z home, too,” Ryan says, folding his napkin .
Paul nods. “I want the rest of you to stay and have a good time. We’ll take both cars home and come back in the morning to pick you up.” I guess that leaves Griffin, Wyatt, Cole, and Ezra. And little old me.