Page 12 of Torqued

“Colton Donavan on line two.” Her words are no more than a whisper. Before I pick up, I take a deep breath and ready myself. I hit the flashing light and roll.

“Colton, how are you today?” I give him my sickly sweet voice, hoping to lessen the sting of my rejection. His proposal is ridiculous and over the top.

“I’m well, thank you. I’m assuming you’ve had a chance to look over the papers I sent back. Where are you on things?” He sounds out of breath but is clear and direct.

“I have,” I sit up, focusing my sights. “and I must say, you’re insane.”

He chuckles. “Please, don’t hold back.”

“There’s no way we can sink this much money into this man when we have no idea if he can or even will deliver for us.”

“He’ll deliver. He’s the best out there, and I have it on good authority, he’ll be more than motivated to prove his worth.” Colton piques my interest in this bit of information. I’m not sure there’s much out there that could curb this man, but I’m all ears.

I straighten my back. “I’m listening.”

“His rival was signed over the weekend. There’s no bigger motivator than a man with a bone to pick.”

“Or a trophy to win.” I quip, realizing Colton’s right. Rush is ours for the picking. “So, why the dramatic difference in our proposals?”

“There’s a difference between competitor and competition, but you must compete to be either. Our team will be the competition and the one to beat.” Colton sounds like he’s practiced this speech. Maybe he has, for himself. If I learned anything this weekend, it’s what a talented driver he is.

“You’re still convinced that Rush Hatcher is the man to get us there, even as a rookie?” I scan the numbers again, not liking them but understanding his point of view better. Rush is still the highest risk here. Had he been a stock, I would’ve passed on him.

Colton’s long pause takes me by surprise. I thought he was all but in. I’m sure he didn’t get where he is today by taking chances. It’s not as if his investment is nothing; he’s taking a sizable risk and possible hit to his bank account if we fail.

“If he can keep his pants on, and his temper in check, we’re going to run away with the trophy.” His voice is low and has no hesitation. He believes in what he’s saying, and I’m going to trust him.

“I’ll make revisions.” I type a few things into my computer. “When are we going?”

“This weekend. The circuit will be in your area. Charlotte isn’t too far away from Raleigh, so we start on middle ground.”

I take a few notes, tapping my pen off the file. “I’ll get this back to you this afternoon. If everything checks off for you, we’ll finalize a few proposals. I want us to be on the same page on how far we’ll go with his contract.”

“Solid plan.” Colton pauses. “Let’s have three proposals. After that, we walk away.”

“Agreed. I’ll make the arrangements so that you can plan your trip.”

“I’ll be expecting it.” Colton made some significant adjustments in my plan, but I’ll trust him on this. “Thank you, Spencer.”

“You’re welcome, Colton.” I end the call and get straight to work. “I think the next time my father picks a pet project; I’m going to ask him to find one like Colton Donavan.”

I work late into the night on the new deal. Colton and I go back and forth on a number of things, and costs are only one of them. By the end of the day, I think we have all of the kinks worked out.

A glass of wine and a hot bath is what this day calls for, so it’s exactly what I do once I’m home. I slip into the bed after midnight, in hopes of falling fast asleep without dreaming.

By the end of the week, I’m ready to drop, but instead, I’m on a flight to Charlotte. The Infinity Series has a practice run Friday afternoon, as soon as the MAXCAR Series runs theirs.

Our family will own a stake in the sponsorship, with my father and I, the majority holders. Woods Brothers Enterprises is the parent company for the Brownwood Brother’s Realty; One, as most people call him because his given name is Malone, is my Uncle Griffin’s son.

I booked rooms at the Daly’s Hotel, it’s the best in Charlotte and my cousin’s best friend's place. The minute One heard the news that we were investing in MAXCAR, he told me to stay here.

I step off the plane, dragging myself to the car. I had hoped to take a small power nap when I got in, but Colton is already at the track. I run by the hotel long enough to freshen up and hit the road again.

Spencer: I’m here.

Colton: West side, top.

Spencer: Of course.