Chapter 15

Chapter Fifteen

T he smell of octane. The engines purring. This was home.

Colby’s friends were all laughing and trash-talking when she and her father walked into the garage. It felt like a small slice of heaven. Lately, it was the only place Colby found peace and was free just to be.

Gonzo was the first to notice her. He grinned. “The superstar has finally arrived!”

“Superstar?” Cyrus glanced between them, wearing a serious expression. “Ain’t no superstars in here...”—then winked—“just legendary drivers,” he added before walking off toward his office.

Colby couldn’t love her daddy more. He kept her grounded while always reminding her of her greatness.

Once Cyrus was out of earshot, Gonzo continued to tease Colby. “Only superstars start their days in the afternoon. Legends are here at the crack of dawn. We were almost ready to pack it up and go to the bar.”

Playfully, Colby glanced at her watch. “Yeah, because you all are a bunch of slackers. It’s not even eleven yet.” She laughed. “You heard my dad. I’m not a superstar; I’m legendary.”

He threw a greasy rag at her. “Dude, superstar or legend, you’re late! Go to the locker room and get changed. We’ve got a lot of work to do.”

Colby couldn’t argue that. There was always a lot to get done. She moved a little closer to Gonzo so that he was the only one who could hear her, then lowered her voice. “Before I get changed, I’ve got a quick question.”

“Sure. What’s up?”

“It’s personal.”

“Figured. You’re all whispery and standing in my personal space.”

Colby took a tiny step backward, barely moving an inch. “Is this better?”

“What do you want?” Gonzo laughed.

Colby was a little fidgety. “I know I don’t spend as much time in the garage as I used to, but if something big was going on, you would tell me, right?”

Gonzo had a blank expression on his face and pressed his lips together in a firm line before answering. “Depends.”

“Depends? We’ve been friends since we were in diapers. I tell you everything.”

“No, you don’t, and honestly, that’s fine because I don’t want to hear all the mushy shit about you and Liam. Save that for Lila.”

“C’mon! Be serious.”

Gonzo folded his arms across his chest. “I am. Now, what do you want?”

Colby took a deep breath, deciding just to put it out there. “Is my dad dating?”

Gonzo’s head tilted slightly as he stared at her. “Why don’t you ask him?”

“I did, but he didn’t answer.”

“Hmm . . . maybe that means mind your own business.”

“I choose not to interpret it that way. C’mon. Is he?”

“How would you feel if he was dating someone?”

Colby lifted a shoulder. “Honestly, I think it would be great.”

“Really?” Gonzo wasn’t so sure.

“Mom’s been gone a long time, and if I’m honest, it’s one of the reasons I haven’t moved out. I don’t want him to be alone.”

Gonzo nodded in understanding. “In that case, there might be someone who’s been coming around the garage quite a bit.”

“I knew it!” Colby couldn’t contain her excitement. “Is it someone I know? I mean, we kinda know everyone around here.”

“Nah. You don’t know her. She’s not from these parts. Her name is Robyn Baxter. Just moved into town a few months ago.”

“Does she seem nice?”

“Yeah, from what I’ve seen. I mean, I don’t know how close they are, but he lights up when she comes around.”

“Wow. I can’t believe he didn’t tell me that he met someone.”

“Probably nervous about how you would feel. Like you said, it’s been the two of you for so long.”

“Colby James?”

Colby and Gonzo turned around at the same time to see who was calling out to her.

“Yes?” Colby didn’t recognize the woman standing before her, although she looked familiar. She wondered if they’d hired someone new since she was wearing Lockwood coveralls. She was slightly taller than Colby and had a determined look in her big, round eyes.

Colby waited for her to respond.

The woman inhaled before letting her words fly. “How does it feel to sell out your own community?”

Immediately, Gonzo stepped in between the woman and Colby. “Security!” Gonzo went into full protection mode. There had been way too many death threats and a couple of attempts to harm Colby to take any chances.

“Who the hell are you?” Colby glanced around him. “How did you get in here?”

“The great Colby James. You made it but haven’t done anything to help your own people!”

Excuse you ? Colby had been working her ass off for the diversity initiative. Who was this woman questioning her? Colby was hot. She pushed Gonzo out of the way. “You don’t know me to say what I have or haven’t done!”

The woman didn’t back down. “I know that you preach Black girl magic, but gatekeep the rest of us so that you’re the only one on the circuit.”

“That’s bullshit!”

Security arrived and grabbed hold of each of the woman’s arms. As they started dragging her out, she screamed, “So why aren’t any of us ever at your events? We can’t even get into your workshops. Nothing!”

Colby screamed back, “That’s not true!”

“Yes, it is. I have proof.”

Proof? She had to be lying. Right? “Wait!” Colby called out to her security. The woman’s words struck a sensitive chord. “What kind of proof?”

Security loosened their grip but didn’t completely let the woman go. “Initially, I got a ticket to Women in NASCAR. When I showed up, and they realized I was Black, they turned me away.”

“I find that hard to believe, and that’s not proof. You would have been pre-screened for the event. They would have already known that Abby Reiser was Black.”

The woman was surprised. “Oh. So, you do know who I am?”

“I didn’t at first, but I recognize you. There are only four Black women who drive professionally in the NASCAR truck series. You, Monica Wilcox, Beverly Jones, and Tracy Longbush.”

It was Abby’s turn to look surprised. “Do you ever wonder why none of us are ever in the same room as you? It’s not for lack of trying.”

“My events are always sold out. It’s first come, first serve. You’re going to have to do better than that. If you have so-called proof”—Colby tapped her watch—“ticktock, baby girl.”

“Okay, how about this?” Abby reached for her phone and almost had her arm ripped off by security. “Damn! I’m just going for my cell.”

Slowly, Colby nodded that it was okay. “Let her show me.”

Security patted her down first before allowing Abby to show Colby her phone. “See. This message wasn’t meant for me.”

Colby read what was on her phone. It was an email from her NASCAR handler, Bryce.

“I sent Bryce Keller an email asking why I was stopped at the door. Why didn’t someone reach out to me earlier to tell me the event had been oversold? He apologized and told me that it had been an oversight.”

“So far, that sounds reasonable.”

“BUT...then he sent his assistant an email, not realizing I was included on the thread. Read it. You’ll see I’m not lying.” Abby’s straightened arm shook the phone from side to side, offering it to Colby.

Colby snatched the phone from Abby’s hand. As she read the message, her lips moved. She was stunned and read the message aloud as if that would help the email make more sense. “‘I rescinded the invite because it’s hard enough managing Colby. I can’t imagine what my job would look like if a whole slew of them made it into our ranks. One at a time is enough.’”

The hairs on the back of Colby’s neck stood on end. She knew there were people who didn’t want her on the circuit, but she never would have guessed Bryce was on that side. “How do I know this is real?”

“Look at all the information. How would I get their direct phone numbers and email addresses? Does the public even know who Bryce’s assistant is?”

“It’s information that is easy enough to find out.”

“I can forward it to you if you want.”

Colby had a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. “Even if all of that is true? Which I’m not saying it is. What does that have to do with me? You called me a sellout. What the fuck? You don’t even know me?”

Abby put her hands up as if to surrender. “Okay. I was wrong for that. I was speaking out of emotion. But I’m so frustrated. Like most drivers, I just want a shot.”

“Then do what you have to do to get it.”

“You don’t think breaking and entering, trespassing, and impersonating a Lockwood employee isn’t doing that?!”

Gonzo laughed. “She kinda has a point.”

Colby cut her eyes at him then turned her attention back to Abby. “Calling me a sellout when I donate my time and money for causes that benefit Black women ain’t the way to do it.”

Gonzo turned to Abby. “Facts. Colby does a lot for the community and shouldn’t be judged for what she does with her resources.”

“We never hear about what you’re doing for our community. The media doesn’t tell us that. We only see you surrounded by people who don’t look like us. We have a lot of Black excellence in our ranks, but you’re the only one who can seem to get inside the rooms that matter. It feels like you’ve closed the door behind you. We can’t even get into one of your workshops.”

Colby had wondered why the rooms were always so homogeneous. She figured Black women just weren’t interested. “I don’t have anything to do with who gets in.”

“Well, maybe you should.”

Maybe I should . Abby was right, but Colby wasn’t about to admit that, not while she was still smarting about being called a sellout. Colby got more than her fair share of hate and was over it. Her voice was tight. “How exactly am I supposed to help you?”

“Make space for us. That’s all.”

Abby spoke the words like it was so easy. As if all Colby had to do was snap her fingers. The unrealistic expectations were just too much. “What does that even mean? Hell, I’m still trying to make space for myself.”

“We don’t expect the moon and the stars but maybe you could just mentor other drivers.”

“Like you?”

Abby straightened her back. “Yes, I’m a damn good driver.”

“My father told me just this morning that this garage wasn’t built for good drivers. It’s built for legendary ones. Good is not good enough.”

Abby’s chin lifted slightly as she held Colby’s gaze. Her voice was strong and resolute. “I’m good enough to be legendary.”

Something in her eyes told Colby she believed it. “Then prove it.” Slowly, Colby circled Abby while seemingly taking in her measure. “You’re talking all big and bold. Can you back it up?”

Abby nodded. “Given a chance on a level playing field, I could beat you.”

Colby laughed out loud. “Girl, you are trippin’.”

“No, I’m Abby Reiser, and I’m not trippin’. I’m one hundred percent serious.”

Colby had never been able to resist a challenge. She held Abby’s gaze for all of two seconds before making her decision. “The women’s locker room is that way. Suit up, and let’s meet on the track in fifteen minutes. We’ll see if you can back up all your bullshit with actual skill.”