“One more race, babe.”
She lifts her eyebrows. “One more race and then what?”
I pick her up in my arms and twirl her. “Then the whole fucking world will know KJ Lennon is mine.”
KJ
Laguna Seca is always a formidable track. This was the last place my dad saw me race. I came in fourth that day. Of course, I was disappointed, but Alexander Lennon was always proud of me. I could’ve come in last, and he’d still be happy.
For some reason, I’m more nervous than ever before. My stomach is in knots. I don’t know if it’s because I know after today there isn’t holding back with Declan.
As I look around from the pit, I see my man sitting with my crew chief. He usually sits with our spotter, but not today. He gives me a wink, and I return a salute before making my way to my starting position.
As the green flag is waved, I channel my father. He taught me how to stay calm under pressure and not let dirty drivers get to me. Yeah, I may have an uphill battle because I’m a woman in a male-dominated sport, and yes, I’m sure some drivers want to put me in the wall because of that. The only way to show them how good I am is to win. And that’s what I intend to do today.
“They need you in the media tent, KJ,” Declan says as he peeks his head into the garage. I needed a few minutes to compose myself after the race.
“Coming!”
Tossing my hair into a messy bun piled high on my head, I take a sip of water and make my way down the tunnel. Several shouts of congratulations ring out as I pass by the other teams.
“KJ, wait up,” Zander yells from his pit. “Congratulations. I sure hope you keep that shit up next year when we’re on the same team.”
I laugh. “That was something, huh?”
I ran in second place almost the entire race, right behind one of Zander’s teammates. But with two laps to go, I took him on the inside for the lead and the win.
“When things settle down, call me. Maybe we can get together, okay?”
I nod and head off to the media staging area.
“You okay, babe?” Declan asks as he takes me by the hand.
“Yeah, just excited about the win.”
“Are you excited about anything else?”
I know what he’s fishing for. He wants to know if it’s okay to let the cat out of the bag about our relationship. I smile at him as I make my way up to the table.
Jim, the interviewer, congratulates me on my win and coming back from my injury. I thank him and my sponsors before thanking Declan.
“I know you’re all aware that this was my last race with O’Donohue Racing. I want to thank Declan for an amazing year. His support and understanding this season gave me the confidence to do as well as I did.”
I glance over at Declan, who is beaming with pride.
Clearing my throat, I do something I’ve wanted to do for months. I announce to the world just what he means to me. “I love you, Declan.”
Two Years Later
KJ
Last season I raced for Donavan Racing, and it was my best year ever. I won the championship. Declan and I celebrated by getting married.
Today is the first race of the new IndyCar season. I’m excited to see who wins, even though I know it won’t be me this year.
“Did you make popcorn?” I ask Declan as he makes his way into our living room from the kitchen. Our beach house is more than I could’ve ever imagined. From the location to the guest house where Maureen lives, Declan thought of everything when he surprised me with it.
“Do you think I’d forget to feed you both?” he asks as he lays his hand on my belly. “I don’t want my two girls to go hungry.”
The man makes me swoon when he mentions our baby girl, Alexandra. Apparently, I got pregnant on our honeymoon. I couldn’t imagine last year would be my last racing season, but what a way to go out, a win and a baby.
“Is Moe coming to watch with us?” I ask as I take the bowl and bottle of water from him.
“I don’t think so. She’s busy knitting that blanket you asked her for. Thank you for that. I know she appreciates it when you include her.”
Squeezing his hand, I lean my head over for a kiss. “She’s like the sister I never had. Well, next to Andi anyway.”
“Speaking of Andi, what is going on with her? She seemed upset when she came over the other day.”
“What do you think? She broke up with her latest man. She and Franco are still playing cat and mouse, even after all this time. I guess when Franco found out Andi is no longer attached, he asked her and Jacob to meet him at the race in Phoenix.”
Declan raises his eyebrows. “Did they go?”
I pull up Franco’s Instagram and show Declan. He posted a photo of the three of them at the track. Franco looks thrilled, and so does Jacob. My best friend, well, she looks like she’s ready to bolt. I know she likes Franco a lot, but he’s had a revolving door of women over the last two years. And as a single mom, she can’t be one of them.
Declan shakes his head when he looks at the photo. “I think Franco Cavanetti is head over heels for your best friend.”
I kiss my husband on the cheek. “I think you’re right. This year is going to be interesting. I just hope they both come out the other side in one piece.”
The End
Want to keep up with all of the other books in K. Bromberg’s Driven World? You can visit us anytime at www.kbworlds.com and the best way to stay up to date on all of our latest releases and sales, is to sign up for our official KB Worlds newsletter HERE.
Are you interested in reading the bestselling books that inspired the Driven World? You can find them HERE.
To Kristy-Thank you for opening up your world for others to write in. I race you!
To Cara-Thank you for sharing your market wisdom and teaching me the ropes.
To Reggie-Thank you for another great photo.
To Ryan-Thank you for bringing Declan to life.
To Missy-Thank you for helping me bring my best words.
To Natasha-Thank you for being my cheerleader.
To the fans of the Driven Series-Thank you for taking a chance on me.
Check out my website angelanicolebooks.com for my other works.
Mastered Hearts Series
Rescued Hearts
Enlightened Hearts
Avenged Hearts
Hidden Hearts-must be read after Avenged Hearts
Three of Hearts
Game Winner Series
A Love Like Nun Other
His Runaway Goal
Through Rosie-Colored Glasses
Lazzari Mafia Family
Protecting the Donna-part of Susan Stoker’s World
Red Blades MC
Tommie’s Revenge
Standalone
Trouble-part of Corinne Michael’s Salvation Society
Angela Nicole resides in Central New York with her husband, William. Angela spent the last twenty-three years working in higher education. Wondering what to do with the conversations that were going on in her head, she put pen to paper, fingers to keyboard and wrote. Writing is quite a change but a change that she loves. As an avid reader, Angela fell in love with romance novels that feature alpha men with hearts of gold.
Check me out on social media so you get updates about Full Tilt—Franco and Andi’s story which is coming soon.
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Driven
Fueled
Crashed
Raced
Aced
Slow Burn
Sweet Ache
Hard Beat
Down Shift
UnRaveled
Sweet Cheeks
Sweet Rivalry
The Player
The Catch
Cuffed
Combust
Cockpit
Control
Faking It
Resist
Reveal
T
hen You Happened
Hard to Handle
Flirting with 40
Hard to Hold
Hard to Score
Owned: A Driven World Novel (The Driven World) Page 11
