Chapter 17
Chapter seventeen
Slade
BikeMax HQ, Los Angeles, CA
I walked into the conference room at BikeMax headquarters in LA.
I could only think I’d been called here because I took second place overall in the Championship to Clay’s first and only by four points.
The celebration at the podium was fantastic but our private celebration later was even better.
Clay rented a hotel room close to the track, and we spent the night together.
My dad was already on the way back home to New Mexico at the time.
It felt like neither of us had been home in a year, though it was only about four months, since our off week in March.
Johnny motioned me in and showed me to a seat.
Clay told me he wasn’t invited when we talked earlier, because I’d wanted him there.
Then I got a call that Daryl Todd from Toyota would be there along with Tweed, who sat across from me.
I had to assume the guy next to him was Todd.
My dad as my manager was with me and took the next seat over, and Gavin sat at the head of the table.
I hadn’t had much interaction with him since he was the BikeMax team manager and ran the business end of things with Johnny.
He was a busy man and rarely seen at the track anymore.
When he was at the races, he was schmoozing sponsors in the nice seats above the stadiums, or so I’d heard.
He was fully in charge at this meeting though. “Let’s jump right in and get this started. Slade, to bring you and your father up to speed, BikeMax has made a proposal to Zahr parts and Toyota to absorb their team.”
“What does that mean?” I asked before my dad had a chance, but I was sure he wanted to know the same thing.
“It means that Zahr parts is now BikeMax/Zahr Toyota. For you, not much is going to change, at least initially.” He nodded at Tweed. “Same coach. Same practice. It’s the behind the scenes things that change first.”
“Not sure I care about behind the scenes, but surely that means something else for me.” I wouldn’t be there if it didn’t.
Johnny spoke up. “Your paycheck will now come from BikeMax. Your bonus levels will automatically increase. You’ll have full access to all BikeMax resources, including going to the training center in Jacksonville after the Moto Nationals.
” That was huge. The center was rumored to have all the state-of-the-art equipment, and Cole said it was his work there that got him back to racing after his big accident. That alone had my tummy jumping.
“Assuming the contract is extended,” Dad added, of course, but he wasn’t wrong.
“Speaking of that. Two things.” Gavin looked serious as he held up his fingers in the peace sign.
“As we assume the contract, the variables are now at our discretion instead of Zahr or Toyota. That means that your presence at the practice track is no longer needed. You’re more than welcome to attend the races at your own expense.
Like any other business manager. We understand this might not be a popular decision at the moment, but at this point, it would probably be good for you to get the separation and get that part of your life back. Spend more time at home.”
Dad looked at me. “Your idea?”
I shook my head. Honestly, that was the last thing I expected. “I didn’t know about any of this until right now.”
Gavin jumped in for the save. “We’ll be renegotiating the contract during the motos.
We expect that Slade will do well and move into the SMX World Championship playoffs, but the current contract ends at motos.
Zahr failed to include SMX, but it’s still part of the series.
So expect to see a new contract by probably mid-August.”
Dad started to protest, but Gavin stood his ground.
“You’ve been managing his career all through amateurs and what you accomplished is commendable.
Moto is so family oriented, always has been.
But this is the pros. The big leagues, and honestly, the best thing you could do to help your son now, would be to hire him a professional business manager.
He’ll get better deals, better contracts. More personal sponsorships.”
“I can do all that.”
“Can you? Do you have the right connections and experience? What did you do before Slade’s career took off?”
“Mechanic. I work on his bike.”
“You really don’t have the right experience. I’m happy to help you set something up. I have names and numbers of plenty of pros in the business.”
Dad stood up and nodded. “Thank you.” Then he left the room.
I exhaled slowly. Dad was being squeezed out, and he didn’t like it, but Gavin was right.
Johnny snorted. “Well, that went well.”
I wasn’t sure about that, but the rest of the deal was great news.
I didn’t want to damage my relationship with Dad and my family but getting him out of my career had to happen.
It had always been a family thing with him and his brother working on the bike, Mom doing the marketing stuff and getting minor sponsorships, and my older brother drove the truck.
We were a team, but most of that had been cut when I signed with Zahr, and now Dad was being cut as well.
I might not need them for my career anymore, but I still needed them as my family.
Dad was nowhere to be found after the meeting, and I was worried about things. I called Clay and told him everything.
“Wow. That’s a lot. I’m sure your dad will come around.
He loves you. But the rest of it is a lot to celebrate.
Why don’t you come out here? I live about two hours from the practice track.
You can stay with me. We can practice and fool around.
” We had a few weeks off before motocross started.
We still needed to test bikes—maybe Coop would help me with that now—and practice, but we also had more down time. “I’ll text my address.”
How could I say no? My other alternative was spending two weeks at my parents’ house with my dad being all hurt and everything. I wasn’t going to do that, we needed some space, but I did need to spend a few days at home with them at least.
After I agreed to the plan with Clay, I went back to the hotel and searched for my dad. He was there packing the room.
“Dad. Talk to me.” I sat on one of the beds.
Dad sighed. “Gavin was right. It’s time for me to let go. I hope after the season, you’ll bring Clay by the house to meet everyone.”
“Of course. I mean, if we’re still together. It’s new, you know.”
“I get it.” Dad nodded. “He seems like a good kid. I…honestly, I wanted to break away from BikeMax because I was afraid of this happening. But that was selfish. Your success is more important and you are an adult now. You’re going to be great, and I’ll always be a phone call away if you need advice. ”
“For sure. I’m always going to need my dad.”
We hugged, and Dad caught an uber to the airport. Things were happening super-fast. I pulled my phone out to change my airline ticket. I was flying to North Carolina instead of New Mexico. Then, I had to let Clay know.
ME: I’m flying out this afternoon. I’ll text you my info.
CLAY: You’ll be here in a few hours?
ME: Yep.
CLAY: Woo-hoo!!
He followed his last text with two happy face emojis. I was just as excited about our time together and what it could mean for us. Whatever had him hesitating before, clearly didn’t stop him from wanting me there.