by Kaylee Ryan
“Also,” Jackie adds, “it’s a lot of travel. It would be more difficult for someone with small children to take on this role.”
“So, because I’m single and have no family, I get this… extreme job offer?” Okay, maybe not exactly extreme, but to me it is. I’m sure most would enjoy getting out of our three-story medical services building and spending time outdoors. I should be honored they’re asking me. Instead, I’m freaking out. At least on the inside. Never let them see you sweat, right?
“No.” Jackie’s voice is firm. “You are our best, and I’ve told you this before. Jonah asked me who our best was, and I said you. No questions asked. It’s a bonus that you do not have small children.”
I admit that I took the “no small children” as a dig that I have no family to mention. It’s a sensitive subject for me. One that I’ve learned to deal with but I can still get edgy when I let myself think about how alone I really am.
“The job, of course, comes with perks. You work when they travel, and you are off the remainder of the week, during racing season. You will also receive an increase in pay as the job responsibilities have changed,” Jonah explains. “Twelve thousand dollars a year increase. I know it’s a lot to ask, and is unorthodox, but I truly believe this is a good move for KHP.”
“What about my patients? I have regulars.” I point to the bread on the corner of my desk. “They’re counting on me.”
“So are we. We’ll make sure they are well taken care of. When you come back during the off-season, they can resume seeing you for their care.”
“This is… a lot. I mean, do they really need a massage therapist with them all the time?”
“No, they don’t. However, this will keep us at the forefront of spectators’ minds. You will have a uniform that represents both Bishop Racing and KHP clearly. As you are at the track, it will be a walking promotion. In return, Blaine will mention our partnership every time he’s interviewed.”
“What makes you think this guy will win often enough to make that happen?”
“He’s the youngest driver to win a championship. The youngest to ever win back-to-back, and he’s well on his way to winning his third consecutive. Trust me, he’s the real deal.”
“I’m just a little shocked with all of this. I mean, I don’t know anything about racing.”
“You don’t have to know about racing to do your job, Aubree,” Jonah says gently. “You just have to accept the position. Be there if the crew needs to be worked on, injury or not, and we’ll pay you to do it.”
“You’ll get to travel,” Jackie adds. “The team travels all over the United States for the races. I know that’s something you’ve always wanted to do.” Her voice is soft as if she too is thinking of the fact that I have limited family. I’ve not told Jackie about my life growing up, just that things at home were not good and that it’s just me.
“Can I think about this?”
“Of course, you can. They are off this weekend, then heading out of town for Northern Ohio the following weekend. I would need to know this week so that we can organize acceptable accommodations as well as arrange a uniform.” Jonah stands from his chair and offers me his hand. “I look forward to your decision.”
I watch as he walks out of my office, then turn to Jackie. “I don’t get it. Is this a thing? Sponsors sending people to be with the race team?”
“No, not usually, but this is different. That one mention has brought an influx of patients not just for massage, but to the facility as a whole.”
“So, we have him give a shout-out every week. Easy.”
“Not really. It was more than just a thank-you mention. It was details about how we helped his crew member and that because of us, because of you, they were able to be at the races with him.”
“Why me?” I sound like a broken record, but I just can’t seem to wrap my head around it. I’ve always lived in the shadows. I work hard and keep to myself. It’s not that I don’t appreciate the opportunity, this is just… overwhelming, and nothing like this has ever happened to me before.
“Like we said, you’re our best, and you don’t have small kids who you would be leaving at home. You also already have a relationship established with Bishop Racing.”
“Right.” I laugh humorlessly. “Blaine was pissed that I was there.”
“Really? When we talked to Kevin, his crew chief, he said you got along well with everyone.”
“Tell me, Jackie. Am I going to lose my job if I say no?”
“No, you won’t lose your job, but my guess is that you’ll be looked over for future promotions. Jonah has it in his head that this is the future of marketing and sponsorships for KHP. He’s convinced this will work. That having you there, to offer massages to Blaine and his crew will get more shout-outs and thus, more exposure for KHP.”
“Do you hear how ridiculous this sounds?”
She shrugs. “It’s not my area of expertise. I’m a physical therapist who runs the rehab department. I know shit about marketing.”
“What would you do?”
“I’d take it. You get to travel, for free I might add. It gets you out of the office.”
“But my patients.”
“Will see you when the season is over.”
I have a gut feeling that turning this down is not going to be a good thing for me. But can I do it? Can I travel with Blaine, the guy who so obviously can’t stand me to be in his presence, or anyone really? I won’t be able to escape his cranky ass. “I need to process this, to think about it.” Can I give up my patients? The ones who treat me like a member of their family? Can I give up that feeling of… belonging?
“That’s fine, just don’t take too long.” Jackie stands and walks out of my office.
I don’t go out to lunch like I had planned. Instead, I find a granola bar in my desk and eat that staring at my now full afternoon schedule. When my next patient’s status changes to say arrived, I grab my phone and send off a quick text to Maria.
Me: Hey, I need some advice. Can I stop by after work?
Tossing my phone on my desk, I turn my focus to my patients and getting through the remainder of the day.
Four hours later, I drop into my chair and close my eyes. I’m mentally exhausted. My new patients were not as chatty, so my mind was able to wander and worry and process this new predicament I’ve found myself in. I don’t know why, but this feels like a punishment if I go, and possibly an even bigger one if I don’t. Grabbing my phone, I check to see if Maria got back with me.
Maria: I’ll make dinner. See you when you get here.
Me: I’m on my way.
God, I love my best friend. I’m so grateful to have met her my first day here in town. I’m not sure how I got so lucky, but I’m keeping her. As fast as I can, without being negligent, I wrap up my afternoon charting, close down my laptop, but leave it sitting on my desk. Work is the last thing I want to do tonight. Locking up my office, I head to Maria’s house. I really need her to help me work through this.
When I pull up into Maria’s driveway she’s already standing on the front porch holding two wineglasses. “Thought you could use this,” she calls out, holding the wineglass up in the air, as I climb out of my car.
“You have no idea,” I say, approaching her. She hands me the wineglass, and I take a big gulp.
“What’s up?”
I spend the next ten minutes telling her about what happened at work today. I also fill her in on what happened when I went to the Bishop Racing shop, something I’ve not divulged up to this point.
“Wait, why am I just now hearing about this?”
“I don’t know. I guess I figured it was a one-time deal.”
She nods. “So, what are you going to do?”
“I don’t know,” I sigh and rest my head back against the rocking chair. “What would you do?”
“Do you want my honest opinion, or do you want me to tell you what you want to hear?”
“Honest. Always, honest.”<
br />
“I think you’re scared. You’re comfortable in your job, with your patients, you’ve started over, busted your ass to get where you are, but now that you’re settled you’re… complacent.”
“Complacent?” Is that what I am? My mind races with the possibilities this new assignment can bring me. Jackie’s right. I’ve always wanted to travel and see the world. Anything outside of my home state of Tennessee. Complacent. I’m comfortable, stable in life. Is that so wrong?
“Yeah. You’re okay with sitting home alone on the weekends. I get it, Aubs, I do. I understand that your life growing up sucked hairy donkey balls, but your life is what you make it. You didn’t let your childhood bring you down. You fought, left that small town, and came here. Worked two part-time jobs while putting yourself through school. You got a good job, and you became satisfied because it’s more than you’ve ever had.”
Tears prick my eyes. “I’ve worked so hard,” I say, fighting back the tears. “I am happy where I am. I have a good reliable job, food on the table, a nice apartment, you and Isaac.”
“I know, sweetie,” she says, reaching over and resting her hand on my knee. “But you can be happier. Open your heart. Fall in love. Travel. One day get married, have babies. There is so much more waiting for you in this world to conquer. You just have to have the guts to take it.”
“I got here on my own,” I remind her.
“You did. I’m damn proud of all you’ve accomplished. However, you close yourself off. I just happened to meet you when you were down on your luck and had no one. You let me in, but you’ve kept everyone else at arm’s length.” She removes her hand, and sits back in her rocking chair. “I think you should take it. Who cares how Blaine feels? So, what if the guy doesn’t like you. All the others did. This is a great chance for you to travel and see the world.”
“I’ll be working, and it’s not like it’s Europe.”
“You’re right, but it’s not just Tennessee either.”
“I’ll be working,” I say again. “Not like I’ll have time or the money to sightsee.”
“They drive, Aubs. They travel together, and you will get to see so many new cities and add some states to your visited list. Maybe you won’t be able to go out and explore, but it’s more… you know. It’s more than being here in Tennessee having dinner alone, spending the weekends alone. Consider it training for you too. To open yourself to the possibility of more. It’s a few months.”
“She’s right, you know,” Isaac says.
“Where did you come from?” I ask, looking up at him.
“Came to tell you dinner is ready. Look, Aubree, we’re here for you. We always will be. If something happens and you want to come home, I’ll come and get you. I know you’ve never flown on a plane, you big chicken.” He smiles.
“I can’t ask you to do that.”
“You didn’t ask. I volunteered. You’re family to us, Aubree. We—” He steps up on the porch and stands beside Maria, placing his hand on her shoulder. “—want you to be happy.”
“Fine, I admit that it’s out of my comfort zone.”
They both laugh. “We’ll come and get you. Just say the word.”
“Right, but if I go and then leave before the season is over, chances are I lose my job.”
“So, you find another one.” Isaac shrugs. “Don’t let the fear of the unknown or the what-ifs keep you from living life.”
“We want you to find what we have. One day our kids are going to be playing together, right out there.” She points to their huge front yard. “I’m not saying you’ll meet someone on this adventure, but you just might learn to live a little, and that, my friend, is a good first step.”
I take a minute to let their words sink in. They’re right, even though I hate to admit it. I’ve never been a risk taker, never been one to step out of line. I’ve made a life for myself here, and I am comfortable, something I wasn’t sure I would ever have. I never want to lose that.
“Besides,” Maria says, “it’s a raise, twelve thousand dollars a year. That’s a thousand dollars a month before taxes, my friend.”
“Umm, why are we discussing this?” Isaac laughs. “Take the money, promotion, and trip. Enjoy yourself for once.”
I shake my head at them. “I love you guys.”
“We love you too.”
“Let’s eat.” Isaac holds a hand out for each of us and pulls us out of our chairs. We follow him to the back deck and have dinner. There is no more talk of what I will or won’t decide, but I know what I’m going to do. I’m going to say yes. It’s time to start living. They’re right, and they promised to come and get me. That’s my comfort of home coming with me.
“You want to run that by me one more time?” I ask Kevin.
“You heard me,” he says, grinning.
“Why in the hell would you agree to that?”
“I have multiple reasons. One, they increased their sponsorship. Two, it would be nice to have her around. You’re bitching and moaning all the time about your neck being tight, and look what she did for Rick.”
“Why her?”
He shrugs. “She’s familiar with us already, and apparently she’s their best.”
“Why would they send their best out in the field? Sounds to me like she’s a fucking train wreck and instead of firing her, they are shipping her off with us.”
Kevin throws his head back and laughs. “You really think a corporation as large as KHP would go to those lengths to not fire someone? Come on, man, what’s your deal?”
“She rubs me the wrong way. Not to mention, we don’t have time to cater to her. We’ve got a goal set, and we’re going to meet it.”
“She’s not going to hinder that. If anything, she’s going to help. Keep the crew relaxed and healthy.”
“What does Ash think about this?” Surely his wife will have an issue with the sexy but irritating Aubree coming on the road with us to every race.
“She thinks it’s a great idea.”
“Really?” Surprise pitches my voice.
“Yep,” he says, popping the p, wearing a huge-ass grin.
“Call them back. Tell them no.”
“No can do, man. She’s coming with us to Eldora this week.”
“What?” I say louder than I intended to.
“Blaine, the hauler sleeps eight. The master, the four bunks, the table, and the couch. We have room for her.”
“Right, and all of her girly shit lying all over the hauler. Fuck me, I can’t believe you agreed to this.”
“Get used to it. It’s a done deal. I sent your mom to the bank with the sponsorship check an hour ago.”
“Fuck.” I run my fingers through my hair. “This is on you, Henderson,” I tell him. “You keep her out of my way. We’re not changing a damn thing to accommodate her.”
“Wasn’t my intention.”
“I’ve never heard of this before in my life. Am I being punked?” I look around the garage waiting for a camera crew to jump out and surprise me. I’m not that lucky.
“Apparently, your last interview resulted in lots of new appointments for them. They want to see how far they can get with this reach.”
“But we’re going to be traveling all over. KHP is based here in Knoxville.”
“They are, but they have facilities all over Tennessee. Not to mention, you can watch the races online, and some are even televised. They’re branching out with their marketing, which I think is a good move on their part. You have to do what works, right?”
“Keep her out of my way, Kevin, I mean it.”
He salutes me. “You won’t even notice she’s here. That is unless she needs to work on you.”
“I doubt that,” I mumble under my breath. “Fine, we leave tomorrow morning seven sharp.”
“She’s already been notified. She’ll be here. Don’t worry.”
“I’m not worried, hopeful is more like it.”
He looks down at his watch. “I gotta get home and pack.”
I wave over my shoulder as I feel a nudge against my leg. Looking down, I see Camber, peering up at me. “It’s all good, girl. I’m not sure what the hell these people are thinking, but I’ll deal. How bad can it be, right?” I scratch her right behind her ears, causing her to lean into me. She’s such a big baby and will give you all her love for a good scratch behind the ears.
I spend the next couple of hours walking through the shop and the hauler making sure we haven’t forgotten anything. Mom and Dad have an RV they’ll be driving to pull the T-shirt trailer. They don’t take it to all events, but with an event like the Dream, if you have an RV you take it. The closest hotels are at least twenty minutes or more away. Maybe I can put Aubree there with my parents, out of the way. Yeah, that’s a perfect idea. She’ll be out of the pits, and out of the way. Satisfied with my plan, I shut down the lights, lock the shop, and head into the house.
“Camber!” I yell, tapping my leg, and she comes running. I open the door for her, and we head to bed.
The next morning, I throw some essentials—jeans, T-shirts, underwear, and socks—into a duffel bag. I have a toothbrush that I leave in the toter home, as well as shower supplies so I just need clothes and food, which Mom took care of yesterday. Camber has a tote of food, and a few toys underneath the toter, so we’re good to go. “Come on, girl,” I say, calling her toward the door. I stop and grab my cell phone and the charger before locking the door behind me. When I turn to face the driveway, she’s there.
Aubree.
She’s in her red Impala. I can’t help but notice that the donut is no longer there. At least she listened and didn’t try to keep driving on it. “Let’s go,” I tell Camber, but I didn’t need to, she’s right on my heels. As we approach Aubree’s car, she climbs out, and Camber takes off running. “Camber!” I yell out for her, but it’s as if she doesn’t even hear me. She has one goal: getting to Aubree.
“Hello, pretty girl.” Aubree crouches down and lets Camber lick her face. “It’s good to see you too.” She laughs, a sound that washes over me just as sweet as honey.
