Page 111 of Octane

“Yes, finally the race is starting.”She moves from her warm spot next to me and watches the race on the edge of her seat, wringing her hands together, nervous as if she doesn’t already know how it ends.

“You do realize you already know what happens, right?”

“Shh!” she waves her hand at me, telling me to be quiet.

I bite my lip to keep my laughter inside. I could stay like this forever. There isn’t anything that I need more than her love. I could lose everything else as long as I still have her. Sawyer is it, and if she’s all I have for the rest of my life, I will die the happiest and richest man in the world.

SAWYER

Over the past ten months,I’ve grown exponentially. As an individual, as a partner in a relationship, and as a driver. I’d been with Daniel for so long, I didn’t know who I truly was on the inside. I didn’t know what constituted a healthy relationship. I didn’t know how to ask for help, and I never took it when it was offered.

Then I met Jackson. He has been there with me every step of the way, staying back until I need him, but he is never out of reach. He has rescued me in so many ways. From Daniel, from myself, from my fear and self-doubt. He’s laid every brick that I’ve climbed in my journey. I still don’t know what I did to deserve him.

Most people would have run the other way when faced with someone like me with skeletons and baggage such as an abusive partner. Not Jackson. He planted himself firmly in Daniel’s path as my shield and never wavered.

Now we have the rest of our lives ahead of us, and fear of the unknown is nowhere in sight. Because I know, with Jackson, I have nothing to be afraid of. As if hearing my inner monologue, he takes my hand and squeezes it gently. He doesn’t have to re-watch this race with me. He saw it already. We both did. But needing reassurance that all of today’s events actually took place, I have to watch it.

“And there’s the black flag signaling the final lap. We’ve got Powell Racing leading the pack five cars wide, there’s no passing this crew. If they finish in the top five positions, we will watch as history is made here at the Auto Club today, folks.”

“That’s right, never before has one team had their drivers place in consecutive positions, securing the top of the leaderboard, in the same race.”

“What’s this? They’re coming around turn three, and that’s Sawyer Stone inching forward, flanked by Nate Allen and Tim Mitchell to her left and Robby Carson and Ryder Hall to her right. Will all five drivers cross the finish line at the exact same time, Jim?”

“I can’t believe it, I’ve never seen such an exciting race before, and I’m a lifetime fan, Mike.”

“Wait, what’s this? Powell Racing is barreling down the front straightaway toward the finish line and— I don’t believe it! Allen, Mitchell, Carson, and Hall have eased off the throttle just enough for Stone to speed through the finish milliseconds before they do.”

“I don’t believe it! I don’t believe it! Stone wins the race! Sawyer Stone wins the race!”

As the announcers lose their minds on the television screen, tears prick my eyes. I remember hearing Joe and Jackson in my ear during that final turn. They told me to keep it steady and lead the team home. I didn’t know they had something planned. The team came together, wanting to honor my struggle and survival from last season.

Even Robby wanted to be part of it.

As I cross the finish line, the crowd is louder than I’ve ever heard it before. The roaring cheers spur me on and have me racing a final victory lap with my hand out the window, waving to all of them. Thanking them for their support and praise. For believing in me. For welcoming me and allowing me to prove myself.

I come to a halt on Victory Lane, and Joe takes my steering wheel from me. Jackson and the rest of the team are already here waiting. Jackson helps to hoist me out of the car and onto the roof. With my hands waving in the air, I turn in a slow circle, taking it all in.

I made it.

Carissa and Daddy enter the crowd of people around me then. Jackson helps me down off of my car, and I hug Carissa tightly. Suddenly, I can hear Jackson’s voice over the loudspeaker and Carissa spins me around.

Oh, my God, this isn’t happening!

There, on one knee in front of me, is Jackson. Holding a black, velvet box in one hand and the microphone in the other, he speaks to me.

“Sawyer, my life has been a whirlwind since I met you. We’ve only known each other for a year, yet I feel like I’ve known you my whole life. You’ve taught me so many things about love and about life. About the kind of person I want to be.”

I look down at him, tears puddling in my eyes, lost in wonder and amazement at his words. Because he’s done the same exact thing for me.

“But I can only be that person with you by my side. I want to continue this journey with you. Will you let me walk next to you forever? Will you make me the happiest man on earth and become my wife?”

As loud as the arena was just moments ago, I swear I can hear a pin drop as soon as he finishes talking.

I bite my lip as a wave of emotion overtakes me. Wiping tears from my eyes, I look at him and give him my answer.

“Yes, Jackson. I will marry you!”

The crowd goes ballistic around us. Jackson places an absolutely stunning ring on my finger, wraps me in his arms, and kisses me like he’s never kissed me before.

Abandoning the popcorn, Jackson lifts me from the sofa and carries me to our bed. He’s got a long night ahead of him, because I plan on worshipping every inch of his body tonight.

It has been a long, arduous journey, but I survived. I proved that I had what it takes. In life, in a relationship, and on the track.

I am worthy.

Tonight, I came home with respect, adoration, a win, and to top things off, a fiancé. I did it.

In racing, and in life, I finally got my checkered flag.