Authors: Lucy D. Briand
Magnetic Shift (28 page)
I was finally going home.
Once on the jet and up in the air, Dean’s expression turned serious.
“What’s wrong?”
Dean leaned forward and threaded his fingers together in front of him. “I’m not quite sure how to break this to you. You trusted me, but I’m afraid I didn’t have much of a choice.”
“What is it?” My voice cracked.
“To make your story go away at the press conference and in all the media interviews, I had to inform Dylan, Jimmy, and Nancy of your—” he tilted his head and squinted slightly “—your unique skills. I needed them to back me up and help me turn the story around.”
My stomach cramped. I suddenly wasn’t too eager to see the crew again.
“It took some convincing. They all thought I’d gone nuts like Carl, but they came around. They’ve accepted it.”
I gripped the hem of my shorts, digging my nails into the denim. “I don’t know, Dean, what if—”
Dean reached out and tapped me on the knee. “Lexi, you have nothing to worry about. I promise you. You can trust them. Hell, Dylan can’t wait to see you in action. Besides, I had them sign a confidentiality agreement as part of their employment. I kindly reminded them that what I told them fits the terms of that contract.” Dean sank back into his seat.
I eased my grip and urged myself to relax. These people had
no reason to lock me up, especially if their jobs were on the line.
“What about Lenny? What happened to him?”
“I didn’t have the heart to fire him after everything he did to help expose Carl, but I couldn’t keep him on as crew chief. I have him driving some of the trucks and working odd jobs in the shop for the time being. It’s sad, really.”
“So Dylan’s—”
“Dylan’s officially our new crew chief, yes. I moved Alan up to car chief.” Dean shifted and crossed his leg so that his ankle rested on his knee. “Now, when we get to the track, expect the other teams to gawk and stare. A lot of people noticed you were gone, and once you reappear, it might stir some talk. Just rest assured that any rumor of you possessing any kind of supernatural powers has been nipped in the bud.”
I grimaced. “Supernatural? Ugh, don’t call it that. You make me sound like a superhero or a demon or something.”
Dean smiled. “It’s good to have you back.”
“It’s good to be back. You know … I did a lot of thinking while at the Taylers’ and … well, I think I want to go to college next year.”
Dean perked up one eyebrow. “Is that right?”
“Yeah. I think I might want to attend the NASCAR Technical Institute. Do you think I could have a future with NASCAR? I’d do it legitimately, of course, and I’ll have to work on controlling my … sixth sense, if you will, but I think I can do it.”
“Well, well … I may just have to open up a spot for a new technician in a few years. Can’t have you working for anyone else, now can I?”
I sat up straight, happy at his approval. “Really? You don’t think it’s a stupid idea? I mean, I’ll be eighteen by then, so I
don’t have to worry about Roy stopping me, and I’ll have to rent out the cottage Mama left me in her will to help pay room and board …”
“You really thought this through.”
I shrugged. “Didn’t have much else to do with my time at the Taylers’.”
“Well, I think it’s a fantastic idea, Lexi. You are the bravest girl I’ve ever met. You can do just about anything you set your mind to—in your case, literally.” He smiled at his indirect mention of my ability and leaned in my direction. “Not only was your home life a mess, something we have in common, but you survived it all while dealing with this secret. How are
you
still so … so ?”
I giggled, something I still couldn’t get used to hearing coming from my own lips. “I am who I am because of the cards I’ve been dealt. I know that now. My life wasn’t all bad. I had a great mama and Colton calls my ability a gift. I guess he’s right, I mean … I couldn’t have saved him without it. I wouldn’t go as far as calling it a gift, but I don’t want to hide anymore because of it. I’ll always be different. That doesn’t mean I can’t still have a normal life. College, friends—”
“Colton,” Dean inserted.
I bit my lip and smiled. “Yeah … definitely Colton. If he’ll still have me.”
“Oh, I’m pretty sure that’s a non-issue. As for the rest, I’ll help you in whatever way I can.”
“Thanks, Dean. I really appreciate it.”
The seatbelt light turned on. We buckled up and waited to land.
I was that much closer to seeing Colton again.
When we arrived at the track, I dropped my luggage off in my room in the motor coach and bounced toward the door. “You coming?”
Dean stood at the kitchen counter. “I have to wait for Nancy. You go on without me. The guys are expecting you in the garage. Oh and”—he handed me a track and clearance credential with a smile—“don’t forget this.”
I slipped the lanyard over my head. It was funny how I’d missed having it around my neck these past few weeks.
I made my way through the gates and down toward the Cup series garages. As Dean had warned, people stared at me from every corner—some even stopped working to eye me as I walked by. The smell of rubber and racing fuel floated through the air. I’d only been gone a month, but man, I had missed being a part of it all.
I found the familiar equipment of the 129 Guardian Auto Insurance team outside one of the stalls up ahead. I rounded the corner and looked over every inch of the stall. A few of the crew members were huddled under the hood while another’s feet stuck out from underneath. I stood in the open doorway and stared at them, waiting for them to notice I was there—everyone else had.
Eventually, I gave up and cleared my throat. “What’s a girl gotta do to get some attention around here?”
Dylan slid out from under the chassis, eyes wide. “Well, look at you.” He jumped to his feet and scooped me into a hug. “Welcome home.”
“Hey, Lex, welcome back.” Jimmy waved from behind the open hood.
“Hey.” I walked around and gave him a hug. “Any of you seen Colton around?”
Jimmy jutted his chin and glanced over my shoulder. My heart thudded painfully as I slowly turned around.
There he stood, his arms crossed, leaning against the doorway. His ball cap was dipped low over his shades as the sun beamed down behind him, giving the illusion of a golden aura around him. Corny, I know, but he was beautiful. Hopefully he was still mine. I took a few steps toward him. He removed his shades and hooked them to the front of his shirt.
“Are ya lost, little girl?” He smirked.
“Who are you calling a little girl? Little man.” I heard Jimmy stifle a laugh behind me.
Colton shrugged, stepping closer.
“You shouldn’t speak of what you don’t know.”
I ran my tongue over my bottom lip. “Maybe I’m lookin’ to find out.”
He hooked a finger in my belt loop and tugged me closer. “Come here.” The smile fell from his lips. “I missed you,” he whispered so only I could hear him.
I swallowed and met his stare. “I’m never going to be normal, Colton. You know that, right?”
“Lexi, you wouldn’t be you if you were.”
I could see his parents in his mismatched eyes, his mother’s kindness and his father’s determination to succeed. Having lived with the Taylers, having gotten to know them and little Robbi, it felt like I’d known him forever. “I love you, Colton,” I whispered. “I wish I would’ve had the guts to tell you sooner.”
He smiled again, a soft, content smile. “I love you back, Lexi Adams.” He pressed his lips against mine. I wrapped my arms around his waist and kissed him back with my whole heart and soul.
He knew who and what I was, and he still loved me. I could’ve only dreamed of such a thing a few months ago.
The crew clapped, cheered, and whistled behind us, making my cheeks flare with heat. Colton reached down around my waist, lifted me high up off the ground, and lowered me back down slowly as I nuzzled my face in his neck. He smelled like Axe and Lorna’s baking.
I couldn’t wait to see her and Annabelle again.
Dean came in behind us and tapped Colton on the shoulder. “Sorry to interrupt the reunion, but you think you’re up for another practice run?”
Colton leaned his forehead against mine.
“Let’s go do this thing.”
acknowledgements
Kristi Cook. What can I say? Without your kind words when I first started this crazy and amazing journey, I would not be where I am today. You were my first critique, my first author friend, and now my work’s biggest fan. This story could not have found a better editor. You and the Spencer Hill/Midpoint family have given
Magnetic Shift
a home and the love it needed and for that I will forever be grateful.
To Jenny Adams Perinovic for the amazing cover art. Wow! Just wow.
Brittany Booker. I would not have made it this far without you. From the bottom of my heart I thank you.
To the many speedway staff members and industry professionals who took the time to accommodate my visits or entertain my barrage of questions. Without your combined knowledge and expertise of how things work behind the scenes, I could not have given my story the dose of authenticity it needed. Much respect to you all and thank you so much.
To the great author/writer friends who have mentored me
over the years and to my friends and family who have motivated, inspired, and supported me, I will never be able to thank you enough.
And last but not least, to the most amazing person in my life, my husband Daniel Briand. You have been my rock, my anti-anxiety coach, and the biggest reason why I’m writing these acknowledgments right now. You rode this crazy roller coaster ride of publishing with me, the ups and downs, the panic attacks, the reading and re-reading chapters to appease the doubt that constantly nagged my brain. It wasn’t easy, but you managed to make me believe I could do this and for that I am truly grateful. I love you most.
about the author
Lucy D. Briand lives in Ottawa, Canada with her comic book fanatic husband and her nonchalant Siamese cat. By day she works full time as a public servant for the Government of Canada, but by night her creative mind takes over and conjures up young adult gear-head romance stories with supernatural twists.
When not working, reading, writing, or watching way too much TV, Lucy likes to cosplay, attend ComicCons, go on road trips to Walt Disney World, and play ridiculous amounts of board games. She’s a geek to the core but is also a huge NASCAR Cup fan.
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