Chapter 52 Dean
FIFTY-TWO
DEAN
Welcome to one of the fastest tracks on the stock car racing circuit. Today, a champion will be crowned and a spot in the Cup Series filled.
I’m waiting by my car on pit road, ready for opening ceremonies to start.
My heart pounds in my chest as the nerves start to kick in.
I never get nervous before a race, not since my rookie season when I had a full blown panic attack in the bathroom, where Chase found me.
He had to talk me off of the floor and bring me back to pit road where Steve was looking for me.
Chase has been my closest friend ever since.
I’ve been in a constant spiral about what could happen at the end of this race. Not just with my career, but between Regan and me. If I win and get into Cup, will she resent me? If she wins, will she leave me behind?
My mind wanders back to being in that closet with Regan after she stormed out of that conference. The way she looked at me after our kiss, I can’t explain it. I know for a fact that she wants the same things I do, feels the same way I do. She just needs to come to terms with it in her own time.
“Dixon!” The bite in the tone tells me exactly who it is. I hold back an eye roll before turning to face him.
“Haven’t you caused enough trouble around here?” I snip at Ian. Just the smug look on his face makes me want to punch him all over again.
“Just wanted to say good luck, you’re going to need it,” he says with a sneer, crossing his arms over his chest.
Yep, definitely wish I could punch him again.
“I could say the same thing for you. Starting in the rear of the field after wrecking in practice is such a bummer,” I toss back. “And the fact that even if you do win today, that Cup spot is as good as mine. Better luck the next time a spot opens.”
Ian shifts on his feet. He doesn’t like the reminder that even if he gets a championship, he loses out on the chance to be in Cup next season. I still think it’s bullshit that he could even get a title after what he did to Regan. Some part of me is glad that he can’t worm his way into Cup.
“It’s a long race, Dixon,” he replies through gritted teeth.
“Anything can happen.” Desperation shows in his features, that he will do anything to win.
I need to make sure that I know where he is at all times during this race.
I’m not opposed to playing a little rough out on the track, but if he comes close to Regan, I swear he’ll end up in the care center, consequences be damned.
I take a step closer to him, reminding him of our height difference.
“You’re right, anything can happen.” I take another step so that we are almost chest to chest. “Let’s wait and see who crosses the finish line first, huh?
” The whooshing of my heart is the only thing I can hear as Ian and I stare each other down, until a hand touches my chest and I hear her voice.
“Boys, boys. Let’s not get nasty before we even fire the engines,” Regan says, and my body instantly relaxes.
A chuffed laugh comes from Ian. “Letting your girlfriend fight your battle for you, I see.” I try to take another step toward him, but the pressure on my chest from Regan grows stronger, pushing me away.
I let out a small growl as I let Regan pull me away, causing Ian to laugh even harder as he walks back to his own car and crew.
Hearing him laugh like that makes what I ate for breakfast slosh around in my stomach, and I want to go back after him so badly.
“Don’t,” Regan says. “He’s not worth it. He’s just trying to get in your head.” Fuck. I know that’s exactly what he’s doing, but it doesn’t keep the urge to use his face as a punching bag again cease.
The announcement that opening ceremonies are about to begin comes over the PA system. Regan gives my arm a squeeze and returns to her own car.
This is going to be a long race.
Green flag drops, and I’m back in my zone. Forgetting about what happened with Ian before, my lingering thoughts about Regan and I are shoved to the furthest depths of my mind. All that matters now is winning this race.
I’m mid-pack and ten laps in. Regan takes second away from Drew Clarks, and is now already gaining on Taylor for the lead.
I’m doing my best to maneuver in traffic, but the handling isn’t where it should be, making it harder.
The top ten are all in single file, and everyone after that is all two and three cars wide around this superspeedway.
Luckily, this track allows for this kind of racing, though it can make the handling of these cars a nightmare with the air pressure pushing the cars around.
The first caution flag of the race waves when a wreck behind me takes out four cars, none of which are Hicks. I asked my spotter to keep me updated on his and Regan’s locations throughout the race today.
Steve comes over the radio to talk about our pit strategy for this stop. “Taking four tires and fuel. How’s the car feeling?”
“I’m tight in all this traffic, making it harder to pass,” I say, hoping to get adjustments as well.
I come down pit road and receive my service along with everyone else.
I’m able to gain a few spots, and Regan keeps her spot at the front of the field.
Hicks somehow is able to gain some spots, as well, but he’s still behind me for now.
As much as I’m looking to win this race for myself, I want to keep myself between Regan and Ian. I know that if he gets too close, he’s going to do something drastic, and I’m not willing to risk that. Even if it costs me everything.
The restart goes smoothly, and the race seems to fall into a nice rhythm. I’m able to slowly start working my way through the field, and I finally crack the top ten. Regan is third, and holding tight to that position. Hicks is hot on our heels in fifteenth, and is working his way up.
I’m still holding my position when the radio comes to life again. “Hicks is three spots behind you,” Steve says. “Keep your wits about you.”
Shit. I was hoping he’d stall out and not be able to reach me.
“Got it. He won’t get by me easily.” I’ll fight like hell to keep him away from Regan. He can wreck me, but if he touches her…I don’t even want to think about it.
It’s about time for another round of pit stops under the green flag.
I’m just waiting for my cue from Steve to come down pit road.
When Taylor takes to the pits from the lead, that’s when Regan, Ian, and I do the same, along with a good portion of the field to be sure that we all stick with the leader as much as possible to not get left behind.
After a full cycle of green flag pit stops and all the lead cars have been through, Regan is now leading, Ian is second, Taylor is third, and I’m back in fourth. We didn’t have the best stop, but there is still time in this race.
We are halfway through this race and there has only been one caution so far. Which can either lead to mostly green flag conditions, making it harder to pass, or a bunch of cautions are about to begin, and I hope that I’m not one of them.
I spoke too soon. It’s like saying the word ‘quiet’ when you’re a first responder.
The yellow lights come on around the track and the field slows behind the pace care for the second time today.
Someone blew a tire in the middle of the pack causing The Big One to take out a good portion of the field.
My spotter tells me that Chase and Leslie were involved. Seems like their day has ended early.
The laps are winding down, and this could be the last pit stop of the race, unless more cautions occur, which they usually do.
Another round of pit stops, and Regan and Ian are able to maintain their positions, with Regan in the lead and Ian in tenth.
I have a slower stop, an issue with a lug nut on a tire that sends me back to eighth.
The race restarts again, and already Ian is hot on my tail. I watch as he passes Greyson behind me, so now he is coming directly for me. As long as I can keep him here and away from Regan, that’s all that matters.
I’m closing in on Taylor in second, and Ian is still trailing behind me. I pass by Taylor fairly easily while it takes Ian an extra few laps to do the same. That has given me the chance to catch up to Regan. Now, to pass her, and that Cup spot is mine.
“Alright, you’ve caught her. Now, let’s get to work to pass her,” Steve says through the radio.
“I’m on it.”
“Go where you can to get clean air and hope there is enough time for you to make your move. Fifteen laps to go.”
“Where’s Hicks?”
“Two spots behind you now. But don’t count him out. He’s putting up some fast lap times right now.”
“Roger that. Let’s win this thing.”
Since the start of this race, I actually believe that I can win this.
With everything that’s happened this season, it has led me here.
Not only to this chance at a championship and fulfilling my dreams to race in the Cup Series, but it’s also brought me to Regan, and that is something I will forever be grateful for.
Even if we wasted two years hating each other, I don’t regret the path it took us to get here.
Ten laps to go…six…five…four…
Then I’m right next to her, fighting for the lead.
Three…two…
Last lap.
Last lap with this team with Sampson Racing closing its doors.
Last lap to prove that I have what it takes to make it into the Cup Series.
Last lap to make Daniel proud.
We speed down the backstretch side by side, coming to the checkered flag. I get a run and I’m able to inch forward enough to get the nose of my car to cross the finish line ahead of hers.
I’ve done it.
I won.
I fucking won.
The championship, the Cup Series spot, I’ve got it all. Well, almost all…Regan. I hope this doesn’t change anything between us.
I come back to reality with Steve screaming in my ear over the radio in celebration. “You did it! You’re in the Cup Series, baby!” He’s still whooping and hollering as I bring my car back around and stop on the start/finish line. That’s when it hits and I start to lose it.
“That’s fucking right, baby! Let’s fucking go!”
I can’t stop smiling as I take my gear off to climb out in front of the fans. The sound of their cheers from the stands rumbles through my entire body.
This is why I love racing so much. This is why I could never give it up. This feeling right here.
Evan Knight is waiting for me when I climb out of the car to do an interview, and for once, I’m excited about it.
“Dean, you had quite the comeback after missing last week and needing to win in order to claim the championship title and the spot in the Cup Series. You’ve been able to do just that, how do you feel?”
“I feel great, Evan,” I say, still breathing hard from the endorphins. “I can’t believe this is happening. I’m sad to leave this amazing team that got me here, but excited to start the next chapter of my racing career.”
“Your team owner, Tom Sampson, announced right before the race that they are closing their shop doors after this season. Did you know about that? And if so, did that drive you to push yourself even more?”
“I did know about it. I knew I would find a ride one way or another, but this here, this is the best way to do it. Am I right?” I pump my fist into the air and the crowd cheers again just as my team runs in with hugs and congratulations.
“How do you feel about Regan not getting that Cup spot?”
“It sucks for her and her team, and all the hard work they all put in. I have no doubt she will be the next one in line to get a ride as soon as a spot opens up,” I say, and I mean every word of it. But this is for me and Daniel. I look up at the sky and smile, knowing he’s here with me.