Page 3 of High Velocity

“Oh, please, how many times do I gotta tell ya, call me Owen.You makemesound like an old man.”

“You are an old man.”Her dad joked.“Compared to me.”

“Shut it.”Owen joked right back.

Charli laughed as she walked with the two best men in her life.Their time together was precious, and she planned to make the most of it.

The National Anthem played at noon as it always did, and throughout the afternoon, she watched most of the races and cheered when Bradley won his heat.She then followed her dad down to the pits for the car’s final once-over with his friend and mechanic, Harvey.After, the Ferris men joined them for hamburgers.

“Car is ready.Feeling good about this one,” Liam said before he turned to Charli.“And my girl suggested a few tweaks to Harvey we think will make the performance even better.”

Charli lit up at her dad’s praise.

Just before go-time, the Chaplain, Mr.Linzel, said a prayer for the drivers and everyone at the track.Charli helped her dad with his gear then watched him strap into his car.They exchanged a wave as he taxied out to the lineup, and Charli gave a salute to Harvey before she went to the stands.With a pair of binoculars and walkie-talkie in hand, Charli climbed to the highest row above the track.

Twenty cars began a slow progression around the loop before eventually gaining momentum.When the green flag dropped, it was full speed ahead.Liam started in the middle of the pack and would bide his time before making his move.Plenty of time when there were a hundred laps to complete.

Charli was so intent on the race that she startled when a body pressed against hers.She turned to meet Roark’s gaze.

“Hey,” he said.“Thought I’d experience the nosebleed section.”

Charli couldn’t help the snort that escaped.The small section of stands only went ten rows high.

Roark nodded down to the handheld radio.“Talking to Harvey?”

“Yeah.Letting him know what I see with the car, how it’s handling and what the other cars are doing around him.”

Roark simply nodded before turning his attention to the track.Both remained silent, watching the action until cars started to pull into the pits for fuel and adjustments.Charli radioed to Harv, suggesting a track bar adjustment that would loosen up the car in the turns as well as lower the PSI in the tires for better grip.

“Car’s too stiff, pushing the corners.Needs to be easier.”

Roark chuckled.“If it was easier, everybody would do it, right?”

“Right.”Charli laughed.

“Pretty amazing how much you know at your age.”

Charli tried not to bristle at that comment, which in her mind, pointed out their five-year age difference.Instead, she took it as it was intended.A compliment.

“This is only your second summer in the pits.How’d you pick up things so quickly?”

“Dad’s been teaching me a while, and I guess I just have a knack for it.It’s both fascinating and fun.And it’s important to Dad so it’s important to me.Gives us something in common, something to share.”

Roark stared at Charli, his brown eyes glinting with true interest.“Do you wish you lived here year ‘round?”

“Yeah, I do,” she answered immediately.“I love it here, and I miss my dad when I go back north.”

Roark nodded then turned his attention to the race.Charli watched her dad circle the track, gaining positions with each lap.She felt the smile spread across her face.

“You’ve got a beautiful smile,” Roark said so softly, Charli almost thought she imagined it.But when she turned to face him, his stare was unwavering.

Heat blossomed in her chest and spread throughout her body with a pleasant buzz.

Was he leaning closer?

Charli watched Roark’s gaze drop to her mouth before meeting her eyes again.The space between them seemed to lessen as they drifted toward each other.Time stood still as Charli waited for the warm press of his lips to hers.But seconds later, Roark suddenly pulled back, eyes hard.He turned away, cursing himself.

“Charli, I—”