Chapter 4 Koby #2
“Oh.” To say I was on the verge of thrilled and delighted was an understatement.
Yes, we have been slowly hanging out on track again With a few dinners, and office chats, but I’ve kept my walls up.
Held distance between us. There have been moments I’ve almost slipped, but I think I've recovered well.
Maintained distance for a few days after the gaff.
Can’t show her how I really feel. Keep acting like that dumb 18-year-old. I’ll need to keep myself in check. I won’t be able to put a few days’ distance between us if I slip and get too comfortable.
“That’s if you want to stay?” Rayna asks cautiously. “Don’t let me pressure you into staying against your will. Just thought it might be a fun change of pace.” She fiddles with her wedding ring.
“I just don’t want to…cramp your style.”
“Oh, please. I’ll be sitting at home on my own, counting down the days until everyone arrives for Christmas. You’re doing me a favour by keeping me company.”
“Well…I…” Pausing, I wonder how I could play this cool.
“You going to waste money at a hotel? This makes sense.”
“Okay, okay. If it means that much to you,” I tease.
Her radiant smile triumphant and I'm lost.
This is going to be a tough summer.
“This is Rayna. Rayna, Wesley.”
“Hey, great to meet you.” Wesley sticks out his hand, and Rayna’s hand slips inside his.
They continue to chat, their words becoming playful as Wes sits down. And I can see it already. Their eyes trying to steal glances at each other without the other seeing. But I’m watching it all unfold.
The feeling in the pit of my stomach grows and consumes me. I just know it. They are perfect for each other. This will last a lifetime, and I need to let her go.
Busying myself in Rayna’s garage, I have the stereo in the garage cranking some old grunge as my soundtrack to vacuuming her car.
Over the last few days, we’ve had a few beach trips, and the inevitable accumulation of sand has started to pool in the car.
My phone ringing cuts the tunes from the speaker, the familiar song announcing its Aria.
“Hey sweetpea, how are you going?”
“Hey, good thanks, Dad. How about you?”
“Stellar. To what do I owe the pleasure of this call?"
"Just calling to see how you were going with the house stuff? Did you need any help with it?”
“Not much to report back, I’m afraid. Insurance claim has been lodged, and regardless of the outcome, something will need to be done, so I want it done before the season starts. I was able to coordinate five tradies to come around in a few days to quote the job.”
“That’s a good plan.”
“Yeah, so we’ll see how things are before you’re due, and where I’ll be at.”
“No problem. I did want to chat with you about this new contract that’s come in. Have you had a chance to read it yet? Should I have been on it?”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s to do with sportsbike racing, not enduro?”
“Oh, that one. Yeah, I want you to be on them. Sorry, I didn’t think that was coming through before Christmas.”
“What are you cooking up, old man?”
“I was going to chat to you about this when you were here, but I’m starting a second sportsbike team.
I can manage the two from my end, and will more than likely promote someone to manage the new team for the meantime, but wanted you involved in a big change like this because you’ll eventually be taking over the business. ”
Aria laughs through the phone. “Geez, Dad. I love that adding a new team to your schedule is no biggie for you.”
I join her laughter. “Just my way of trying to leave you something when I’m gone.”
“More work. Thanks!” She jokes.
“Let’s chat about the contracts, and everything else, when you’re here. It’s slated to commence in two seasons, so we have an entire year to power through and fine-tune.”
“Sure. That sounds good. What are you up to now? Did I disturb you?”
“Not at all. Rayna and I have been hitting the beach the last week, so her car’s got some sand through it. I wanted to vacuum for her.”
“Very nice of you. Earn your keep.”
“Such a smart ass.”
“No idea where I get that from.” I hear her eyeroll through the phone.
She spends the remainder of the call letting me know a few highlights from her latest meetings and where she's meeting friends that night. I’m incredibly proud of the individual she has become.
Brave, confident and sure-footed. I only wish we could be in the same motorsport so I can spend more of my days with her again.
After she finished uni, she spent a season shadowing me before deciding she wanted to move over to the enduro team.
Aside from winning that championship, it was the best season spending every day with her.
She has built the enduro team up stronger, and their fan base has increased three-fold since she brought on a new specialist social media director who has promoted the team so well, they have lifted the sport's visibility with fans.
Things I just would not have thought of but have now implemented on the motorcycle racing side.
“Sorry, Dad. I have to take this call coming through. Chat to you soon.”
“No worries. Chat soon.”
My phone goes silent, and the music starts playing in the garage again.
Dropping the phone from my ear, I’m sitting in the passenger seat of Rayna’s car, facing out. I’m in awe of my daughter and my heart swells.