She’s still on the TV, being interviewed by some sports reporter aboutWalker Tiresand a recent driver they sponsored who didn’t end up working out. Probably another reason she wants me to accept sobad.
Neveah Walker. Fuck, can you be any more perfect?
I finish cleaning and change the channel, not wanting to hear more. Landing on some old reruns ofFriends, I turn it upin hopes of keepingmy mind on something else besides the woman I can’t stop thinking about.
Neveah Walker. Goddamn,she drives me crazy.
Smooth, tan skin.
Wavy, dark brown hair.
Big brown eyes I could drown in.
The doorbell rings, and I jump. I scrub a hand down my face. Shit, I need this woman out of mygoddamnhead.
Opening the door for Axel, I’m relieved to see a friendly face I don’t hate.
“Come on in, man. I was just about to grill the meat.”
“Hell yeah, bro. I’m starving.” Axel walks by me, carrying a case of beer and a bag of chips in his hands. I close the door behind him and follow him into the kitchen. Taking the beer out of his hands, I pass one to him before putting the rest in the fridge. I grab another for myself, the bowl of meat, and nod my head toward the back sliding door.
I fire up the grill out on the patio while Axel sets out the chips and his beer on my patio table. I love thesetupI have out here with a nice patio deck and stairs that lead down to an in-ground pool and outdoor hot tub. Best investment I made because I use the pool almost every day. And nothing beats a relaxing soak in your own hot tub.
“I’ve waited long enough. How’d the meeting go?” Axel asks before taking a pull from his beer.
“Take a wild guess.”
“Fuck, I hate that kid. He needs to be put in his damn place.”
“Yeah,well,Jim doesn’t think so. Apparently, the entire night was my fault, and I’m the troublemaker. Shocker.” I click my tongue against my teeth and shake my head. “It’s bullshit, man.”
“You need to be treated for your actions now, not what you did ten years ago.”
“I wish. I don’t see it happening, though.” I grab the bowl and a pair of tongs, plopping the meat onto the grill.
“I’msorry,man. You weren’t exaggerating when you saideverything you do is judged. Shit, can you even breathe?”
I close the cover on the grill and pull out the chair closest to me. Chugging more of my beer, I take a seat across from Axel and pop a couple of chips in my mouth. “Nope.”
“Just keep your head up and in the game. Ignore the rest of the haters. You’re one of the team’s best drivers. I doubt Jim will pull any shit.”
“Maybe not, but if just one sponsordecides to dropme, I’ll be in a heap of shit.”
“Again, I doubt it’ll happen.”
“You’re too optimistic,” I say before finishing my beer.
“Nah, I just call it like I see it.”
I laugh because that saying was another one of Coach D’s favorites. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be where I’m at, and I wish I could tell him so. It’s been almost five years since he passed, yet it feels like yesterday. He was the dad I never had, just like my grandmother—sweet souls who would put my own life ahead of theirs. She took better care of me than myownmother did.
“Do you know who Neveah Walker is?” I blurt out the question, pulling my mind back to the present.
Maybe Axel can provide some insight. It’s worth a shot, right?
“Neveah Walker,” Axel repeats while rubbing his chin. “Why doesthatname ring a bell?”
I stand and open the grill cover, grabbing the tongs to flip the meat. The amazing smell reminds me just how hungry I am. “Have you heard ofWalker Tires, maybe?”