Page 110 of Riding the Curve

Emerson

Electricity hums through the air of the track this morning. Pit crews bustle about their cars, teams strategize on their race, and drivers go through their pre-race rituals.

The energy tingles through me as well, but for an entirely different reason.

“Lookin’ sharp,” a familiar voice calls out from behind me.

I turn to find my Dad strolling toward me with the widest grin spread across his face, and wearing a black hat with our team's logo across it. “Hey, Dad.”

The tension slowly flees from my muscles as we embrace.

“It feels nice to be back at one of your races again.” He beams as his eyes flitter around the busy pit.

“I’m sorry I kept you away.” I swallow, regret swirling in my stomach. I missed my Dad being at my races for the past two years.

He grabs my shoulder and gives a firm squeeze. “No living in reverse, remember? I’m here now, and that’s all that matters.”

I nod and take three deep breaths to calm my anxiety.

“Were they able to show you where the team box is?”

“Yep, I got the grand tour. Just wanted to come down here and wish you good luck like I used to.”

That brings a smile to my face and an ache to my heart. He’s always been my biggest supporter. Though he couldn’t make it to every race, he always attempted to make it to at least one or two. Sometimes he would even bring Mama if she was feeling well enough to travel.

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss having him at my races. Him being here today means more to me than he’ll ever know.

“Any word from Henley?”

He nods. “She sent me a text about three hours ago saying her plane got delayed, but that she’ll be here soon, just maybe not for the start of the race.”

A prickle of nerves ripples across my skin as I run my hand through my hair.

“Deep breaths, Em. This is just another race. Another bend around the curve. No matter what happens, you’ll have the both of us waiting for you at the finish line.”

Swallowing deeply, I absorb his words. “Thank you.”

He squeezes my bicep, then gives it a pat. “Alright, I’m going to get out of your hair so you can mentally prep. Have a good drive, son.”

I watch him start to walk toward the tunnel. “Hey, Dad?”

He turns, brow raised.

“Love you.”

Curiosity melts into quiet tenderness as warmth spreads across his features and his eyes become misty. “Love you, too. Forever and always.”

The man knew exactly what he was doing when he left me with Mama’s favorite addition to ‘I love you.’ She had always said that sometimes those three little words just weren’t enough. Sometimes we all just needed a reminder of how all-consuming our love is for each other. That’s when she started to add ‘forever and always.’

Beau finishes talking with Eddy, my driving coach, and heads straight for me. His gaze bounces from the tunnel my Dad is exiting through to my frozen stature. Placing his hands on his hips, he slides in front of me, shaking me out of my haze.

“You good?” His tone is firm but laced with a hint of concern.

“Yeah . . . I’m good.”

“And you’re still sure about what we discussed last night?”

“Mm-hmm.” I nod.