Chapter 32

Chapter Thirty-Two

H ad it already been a week? Time had gone by much too fast. Brian didn’t think he would be able to pull off the impossible before the Cup Series Championship, but by some miracle, on the eve of the event, he thought he just might have done it.

Everything was all set. In less than an hour, at the team dinner, all of his hard work was about to either go boom or bust.

Brian felt good about the race but was more nervous about what was about to go down tonight.

Lila could tell that something heavy was on Brian’s mind. He’d been cagey ever since they arrived in Phoenix.

As they dressed for dinner, she caught him staring at her through the mirror.

She walked up behind him, wrapped her arms around his waist, and rested her cheek on his back. “You know everything is going to be okay, right?”

Initially, Brian didn’t respond, he just stared at their reflection in the mirror. After a moment, he turned into her embrace and stared deeply into her eyes.

Nerves started to get the better of Lila as she watched him study her. It was as if he were looking for something, but Lila didn’t know what. She was just about to ask when he spoke.

“You look beautiful.”

Suddenly, bashful at his intense scrutiny, Lila glanced away. “Thank you.”

Brian placed the tip of his finger underneath her chin and lifted her face until she once again was holding his gaze. “Do you trust me?”

His words seemed to come from nowhere. “W-w-why would you ask me that when you know that I do?”

Brian touched his forehead to hers. “I really need you to trust me.”

Alarm bells were chiming. Lila stepped back. “What’s going on?”

He sighed. “I’m tying up loose ends and executing a plan.”

Lila tilted her head slightly so she had a better view of his eyes. “That’s vague. Can you be a bit more specific?”

Brian shook his head. “Not yet.” He took her hands in his. “I just need you to know that some things are about to go down, and initially, you won’t understand, but I need you to trust me and have my back.”

“I do, and you should know that I’ve always got your back.”

He hoped so because this plan could completely blow up in his face. “Okay.” Brian released a long breath. “Then that will make it easier to do what I’ve got to do.”

“That sounds ominous. Should I be worried?”

He lifted the back of her hand and kissed it. “You don’t ever have to be worried about me. I will always safeguard you and protect your heart.”

His words warmed her, and Lila’s smile was brilliant.

“You should know that Carrington might show up tonight.”

Lila’s face drained of all color. She stammered, “W-why would he be here tonight?”

“Because I hate what he tried to pull with you, and I don’t ever want to have to deal with his slimy ass again. I have a plan to put an end to all of it.”

“I don’t want to see him.”

“You said you would trust me, and I’m telling you this so you’re not blindsided. If all goes according to plan, you won’t ever have to hear from him again.”

Lila felt uneasy. “I’m not thrilled about whatever you have planned, but I do trust you.”

Brian leaned in and kissed Lila. Initially, she was tense but relaxed into his body.

Her faith in him was just what Brian needed to know that he was doing the right thing. “Let’s go down to dinner. We have a date with destiny.”

Colby was not in the mood for dinner with the team. She had hoped a long hot shower would put her in a better mood, but it hadn’t. She still wanted to crawl into bed, watch a horror flick, and wallow in her broken heart. Fortunately, the hotel had a bed sent from heaven. It made it easier to do just that.

Physically, she just hadn’t been feeling her best but figured she’d keep that nugget of information to herself. Her family would go nuts and be overly concerned when her only illness was missing Liam. It had been almost two weeks, and she hadn’t heard a peep from him.

Maybe it really is over? Stop. Just stop. This is not the time for a love hangover.

Colby encouraged herself to focus on the task at hand, which was winning the Championship. Too bad she couldn’t shut off her thoughts.

Her mind was buzzing with activity. One side wanted to rationalize things. You are not a machine. You have feelings! The other was a bit more aggressive. Feelings? Who has time for feelings? Bury that shit. You’ve got a race to win .

Her mind was at war with itself.

After a brief battle, she sighed. The rational side won out. Colby would allow herself to wallow in her emotions for now. She still had a couple more hours before dinner. After that, she would shut out all distractions until after the race.

Just as she pulled the covers back and was about to slide underneath, there was a knock at her door.

Barefoot, she padded over to it and looked through the peephole.

It was Brian. Colby glanced down at herself. She looked like an absolute unkempt mess, but she didn’t care, wearing an old Chicago Bulls T-shirt and cotton pajama bottoms that should have been thrown out years ago. It didn’t matter. It wasn’t like Brian was Liam. Colby didn’t even bother to take off her bonnet.

She took a deep breath and opened the door.

Brian stepped forward, looking every bit like a younger, dashing version of Liam. “I didn’t get to personally tell you congratulations. Not just for today, but all you’ve done for Lockwood Racing.”

Colby was confused. “You know you don’t have to thank me for that.”

“I do. You and your family are the reason that I found my purpose.” He chuckled. “It’s been a crazy ride, and I’m going to miss you.”

“Miss me?” Colby slowly nodded her head in understanding. “Let’s not have this conversation in the hallway.” She stepped aside so that Brian could enter her room.

“Look, I know that you’ve been carrying Lockwood on your shoulders. So many things about this have been unfair to you, but I hope you also know that I care about you not just as my lead driver, but as a person. We’re family, and no matter where you go or what team you’re on, I’ll always be rooting for you.”

“I know.” Colby released a heavy sigh. “Honestly, I can’t imagine myself racing for any other team.”

Brian burst into laughter at the very thought. “It’s going to be weird, right? That first race? I’m not going to know what to do.”

The very thought was funny, and his laughter was infectious. Colby joined in. “Can you imagine?”

Their laughter grew louder.

“Just so you know, I’m keeping Cyrus and Ben. They stay with Lockwood!” Brian exclaimed, still chuckling.

“You can’t keep my daddy!” Colby said, wiping tears from her eyes.

“Oh, now he’s your daddy?!” Brian teased, and they both erupted into another fit of hysterical giggles, the kind that left you breathless and clutching your sides. Like brother and sister, their playful banter only fueled them, creating a moment of sheer, uncontainable joy.

After a brief silence, the weight of their situation hung heavily between them. Colby broke the stillness first. “Brian, I don’t want to leave Lockwood.”

“I know,” he replied softly.

Her gaze pleaded with his. “Then please help me find a way to stay.”

Brian gave a heavy sigh of resignation. “If I thought there was even a chance, I would have done that long ago. But here we are.”

“I just want to be treated like any other professional you’d hire. You wouldn’t discuss the personal lives of your other employees with their families. For my own sanity, I need to keep my personal life separate from my work.”

“I can do that.”

Colby wasn’t so sure but wanted to believe him. “Can you?”

“Yes, I can.”

“That means, no discussing me with my dad.”

“C’mon, that’s unreasonable. He’s our crew chief.”

“I mean my personal life.”

“Done.”

Brian’s face was determined and resolute. Colby could see he was serious. Sadly, Colby didn’t have to worry about Brian discussing her with Liam.

“However, I will tell you when I think something’s off, and that will blur the lines sometimes.”

Colby looked puzzled. “Like what?”

At first, Brian hesitated, his brow furrowing as he glanced at the ground, his hands stuffed deep into his pockets. But then, with a frustrated sigh, he threw up his hands. “You were too thin,” he said, his voice full of concern. “It wasn’t good for you as a driver, and it wasn’t good for you as a person. We were all worried that something else was going on.” His eyes now reflected a deep worry, revealing how much he cared.

Her chest felt tight, a constricting pressure that mirrored the weight of the constant scrutiny from the press and everyone around her. Colby had made choices she might not have otherwise considered, each decision heavy with the burden of expectation. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself, and spoke softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

“I know. Like a lot of women, I fell into the trap. Never thought that would ever happen to me, but it did.” She paused, her hands fidgeting nervously at her sides. “I wasn’t being healthy, and I’m trying to do better.” A flicker of vulnerability crossed her face as she continued. “Believe it or not, I’ve actually put on four pounds since my last race. Lila set me up with a nutritionist friend of hers, and we’ve identified my nutrient deficiencies. I’m eating healthier than I have in years and taking vitamins. It’s helped so much.”

The admission hung in the air, a mix of relief and anxiety washing over her as she braced for the reaction.

Brian smiled warmly, his eyes reflecting genuine admiration for Colby and for Lila taking care of her cousin. “I noticed, and honestly, you look fantastic. If you ever need a reminder that you’re amazing just as you are, just say the word—we’ll be here to tell you every single day. Seriously, you are incredible, and I hope you truly believe that.” His tone was encouraging, aiming to lift her spirits and reinforce her worth.

Colby pressed her lips together, her eyes misting with unshed tears as she fought to hold them back. “Thanks,” she managed to say, her voice trembling slightly.

Brian stepped closer, wrapping her in a warm hug. He could feel the tension in her shoulders ease as he held her tight. “No thanks needed. We’ve got you,” he said softly, pulling back to look her in the eye. “I should get going, though. I have a lot to do before dinner tonight.” He gave her a playful wink. “Make sure you’re there and on time. I have a few surprises in store.”

Brian’s playful tone lightened the moment, and Colby felt a spark of curiosity amid her vulnerability. “Like what?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know, but dress to impress. You never know who might show up on the scene.”

Brian had a mischievous gleam in his eyes. Colby wondered if it was maybe Liam. Even though they were broken up, the mere thought of seeing him again made her heart skip a beat.