Revived (Revved Series Book 2) (37 page)
WHEN I STARTED RACING
, I knew this day would come, but I didn’t think I would feel the way I do right now or finishing for the reason I am. I thought I would be racing until I was forced to stop by age, or death. Not leaving because it was simply time, and so I can begin my life with the woman I am in love with and her son, who I love equally as much. He is not just India’s son. He is mine, too. The more time I spend with Jett, the further that kid burrows deeper into my heart, right along with his mom.
If someone had told me a few years ago that this right here would now be my life—in love with a beautiful woman and me now having a twelve-year-old son—I would have laughed in their face.
Now, I am beyond happy. I have found my place in the world. A place I didn’t even know I was looking for until I found it.
Even knowing this is my final race and although traced with a little sadness, I’m just ready for it to be done, so I can get my family home and start the next chapter of my life with them.
Helmet on my head, I say the words I haven’t uttered since right before the accident that changed everything. The race that I thought had almost ended my life, but instead, it led me straight to the best thing in my life, India.
“Being second is to be the first of the ones who lose,” I whisper under my breath.
With one last look at India—with Jett on one side, my mother on her other—I mouth to her,
I love you.
A stunning smile spreads across her face, and then she mouths the words right back to me, leaving my heart feeling full.
I climb into the cockpit.
Time to go.
I run through the tire warm-up. Then, we are at the starting line. I’m on pole position from qualifying first yesterday. Now, I just need to win this race.
I’m not going to win the Prix. Carrick is just a little more up on points than me. But if I’m retiring, then I’m going out with a win.
Red…
Red…
The usual flicker of anxiety grips my chest. But I control it and then dispel it.
Red…
Red…
Red.
Go!
My car starts off, rapidly gaining speed, until I’m flying around the track. The voices in my ear are drowned out by my own focus on winning this race and getting back to my family.
My family.
“Yes!” I pump my fist into the air as I cross the finish line, coming in first.
My team comes running toward my car as I slow to a stop. I pull the steering wheel off, tossing it aside, and I climb out of the car. I tear my helmet off as I’m being hugged and patted by all the members of my team. The cheer of the crowd roars through my ears as my eyes search out India.
The instant my eyes meet hers, a sense of ease moves through me, making me smile even wider. I push through the crowd. Reaching her, I sweep her up into my arms. Her hands pressing against my face, I kiss her.
I kiss her with every ounce of love I feel for her.
Breaking from our kiss, panting, she quickly glances at the crowd of people in the stands, all cheering my win around us.
“Are you sure you want to leave all this behind?” She gives a gentle tilt of her chin in the direction of the stands.
My eyes do a quick sweep over her shoulder. I can see the banners with my name on them, some begging me not to retire. Then, I look back to my girl. “I’m more than sure.”
She smiles wide and presses her lips to mine again, softly kissing me.
God, I fucking love her.
“Sorry to interrupt the love fest.” Carrick’s voice comes from behind me, and I feel the pat of his hand on my back. “But we have to take our places on the podium.”
I reluctantly break away from India’s lips.
“I’ll wait here,” she tells me.
Turning to Carrick, I slide my arm around India’s waist. Andi comes over to Carrick, and he wraps his arm around her shoulders.
“You mean, the podium on which I’ll be standing on first place.”
A grin spreads across Carrick’s face. “You know I totally let you win this one, right? I mean, it was the least I could do, with you retiring, and the fact that I had already won this year’s Prix on points.”
Laughing, I shake my head. “You’re a prick, you know that?”
“Yeah, Andressa tells me all the time.”
Andi slaps a hand to his stomach.
Jett comes over, standing beside me.
I drop my other arm over his shoulder. “You want to come up on the podium with me?” I ask Jett.
His face lights up bright with a smile. “For real?”
“For real.” I smile at him. “You might as well have a taste of what it’s like for when you are up there on your own one day, accepting your own trophy.”
His smile gets wider, and I feel India’s hand tighten on my waist. I remove my arm from Jett and turn my eyes to hers, seeing them filled with nothing but love and that watery look she gets in her eyes whenever I do something for Jett.
“I love you,” she whispers.
I cup her cheek, pressing a soft kiss to her lips. “Love you, too, babe.”
Releasing her, I take ahold of her hand and sling my arm back over Jett’s shoulders. “Come on then, son. Let me show you what it’s like to look down on Carrick Ryan.”
Carrick discreetly gives me the middle finger. I let out a laugh, and with India’s hand in mine and my arm around Jett, my family and I start the walk toward my last podium climb.
I’M STANDING IN THE TEAM GARAGE
at Silverstone, watching Jett prepare for his first race. Leandro is with him.
My baby boy is seventeen and has signed with his first team, and he is debuting in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship. Leandro is his manager. They make quite the team.
“A little someone wanted you.”
Turning at the sound of Kit’s voice, I smile at the little girl wriggling in his arms.
“Mama!” Adriana holds her arm out to me.
“Hey, baby girl.” I take her from Kit.
Adriana has her father’s dark eyes and hair, and—of course, I’m biased—she’s the most beautiful little girl in the world. She’s just turned two. It took Leandro and me about a year to get pregnant, but we’d sure had fun trying.
“You okay with holding her?” Kit nods his chin at my pregnant belly.
I’m six months pregnant. We’re having a boy.
“I’m fine for a few minutes.” I press a kiss to Adriana’s soft hair. “She is getting heavy though.” I give her a gentle squeeze.