24. Chapter 24
Chapter twenty-four
M eeting with Terrance at the TW Motorsports shop in Santa Monica was...interesting. Mason and Dave, the mechanic who took photos of Terrance and I in front of the shop car, were both there. I was surprised that interacting with Mason was only a little awkward. He didn’t seem pissed that I didn’t go back to the bar with him, but wasn’t all over me, which was nice. Terrance showed me around the shop, which is about the same size as S like Smoke and Mirrors, he would give me a job running the social media, and he would help me find a place to stay. He wouldn’t be paying me to drive, and I wouldn’t get promo model pay unless we set up a shoot specifically for that purpose, but he already has plans for several. He wants me to be a household name in the drift world before I ever make it to the ADL, both to promote the shop and myself.
I would definitely have to find another job to pay for my apartment. Terrance wants me to focus on driving in Pro-Am events to build my skills and work on getting my pro license to compete in the American Drift League. He would cover all of my race costs and pay for any upgrades and fixes needed on the Black Sheep. His offer is standard for a driver, rather than the cushy promo model agreement I made with S we would love to sponsor Smoke and Mirrors. As discussed, we will provide race entries for two drivers at each event, cover the cost of new branded fire suits and helmets, give the team a budget for promotional swag and marketing materials, and of course we will offer bonuses for podium wins and top sixteen finishes for the drivers. I’ve had legal outline everything in a contract that should be in your inbox tonight. Just read them over, sign, and send them back.”
I blink rapidly and grip my steering wheel tightly as I work to keep my excitement in check. I want to scream and happy dance. “Tim, you are amazing. I know the team will be thrilled to hear about this. When should we expect to receive the branded materials?”
“I’ll have someone from the promo department contact the team to set up design and delivery dates. We’re pushing for a quick turnaround so we can capitalize on the last few races of the California circuit and have the team set for the summer Pro Championships after. We are really impressed with everything we have seen so far this season and can’t wait to see how the rest goes.”
“I know with this sponsorship they will be able to do so much. Thank you.”
“It’s our pleasure to work with the team, and of course, with you. Let us know if you need anything. We’re here to support you.”
We hang up as I park at the S&M shop. When I tell Paul the good news, he picks me up off my feet and swings me around before running into the shop to tell Ryan and Ezra, who is back working part-time to help with the influx of business. It’s a bittersweet moment for me, helping S&M get the sponsorships and recognition they so rightly deserve. It’s a nice parting gift that I hope cushions my leaving at the end of the season.
I stay in the office, looking around with a tinge of sadness infiltrating the happy excitement. In a few weeks’ time, I will no longer be working with a team that has become my family. For probably the tenth time today, I question my choices. I know I can’t stay around here, in a toxic environment of my own making. It will be hell to be taunted and teased by Griffin, knowing what I had and lost. I can’t live in the same apartment complex where I will be constantly reminded of just how well we can work together behind closed doors, when we can’t even be civil for the team’s sake outside of them.
No, I made the choices that brought me to this junction, and I have to own that as well as the new choices that will take me away from my self-imposed awkwardness and disappointment.