CHAPTER SIX
SCOTT
“Where’s Davis? We’re going out to celebrate today’s great practice!” Ulysses exclaimed. Henry rolled his eyes at the boy’s enthusiasm, and I couldn’t help but smile, too.
“Jules,” I corrected automatically. Everyone stared at me.
Realizing what I said, I shrugged and let the topic go. Irritation surged through me that I corrected it just like that, just because Julie wasn’t here to do so. What did it matter if she liked being called Jules and not by her last name? Not my business, most definitely.
But speaking of her…
“Where is Jules?” I asked, scanning the crowd. All the other pit crew members were there, already discussing where we could meet up after dinner.
“She went to get something from the track tower,” another crew member, Anthony, replied. He was another one of the older ones, with muscles and power that were necessary for lifting tires. “Her father got her something and left it there with someone.”
The way Jack was mentioned, it was almost like he was some sort of god. I smiled in amusement. The old man was a legend, and it looked like people were going to talk about him for years to come. I couldn’t blame the talk because I admired the man too and wanted to be like him someday.
Which was why it was fascinating that Julie didn’t want to be associated with him much. On the one hand, I could understand—she didn’t want to be in the shadow of a great man. It probably also had a lot to do with people often taking advantage. When you were famous or connected to someone famous, people just couldn’t resist asking favors here and there without realizing when enough was enough.
“I’ll go get her,” I volunteered. “Indy, give me a call when you guys decide where to go, will you?”
Henry grumbled. “I’m not going with these lads. They’re young and wet behind the ears. Rowdy.”
The crew laughed and I grinned. “Indy, if you don’t go, I’m docking your pay.” They all laughed harder, and Henry shot me a look. I only grinned wider and sauntered off, hearing their conversation drift back to teasing the middle-aged man about letting loose and having fun for a while. He was a family man whose two kids already graduated from college, and his wife was at their home in Tuscany. Darla was a great woman, and I’m sure she wouldn’t mind if we took her husband out for a drink or two, coupled with some healthy fun.
It was great how my crew got along well and treated each other like family—and included me in it. I knew some drivers who didn’t give their crew the time of the day after practices or races, keeping things too professional. I was more laid back in that aspect, wanting to bond with them and get to know them. After all, they were handling my car and helping with my wins. In my opinion, trust and loyalty went both ways.
The tower was located at the other end of the race track, and I walked over while appreciating the weather. It had been cooperative today, and now the sun was pleasantly warm, set to go down in about an hour or so.
When I arrived at the tower, I chatted up some of the employees who’ve been working there for years. They told me they saw a brown-haired woman headed for the elevator towards the top floor—the rooftop. I pressed that button right away, humming to myself as I decided to invite Jay to the night out. The man had been working too hard on the business since I got busy with racing again, and he definitely needed a break or two.
When I got to the top, I went up two more flights of stairs to reach the rooftop. I opened the door, sauntered out, then swung the door closed.
“No, don’t shut the door, it won’t open aga—damn it!”
The door slammed shut. Julie raced for it and twisted the knob, which didn’t budge. Surprised, I gave it a try and realized it was locked.
Frustration welled up in her, visible on her face. “Great. I’d been trying to pound that open for a few minutes now. Didn’t you hear me yelling on the other end?”
“I didn’t,” I said. “Hold on.” I went back to the door, twisting and turning. It didn’t budge. I then used my shoulder to pound at it, hoping it would give way.
It didn’t budge.
“Damn.”
I pulled out my phone. No signal. I stared at her, and she nodded in confirmation.
“The only stupid rooftop with no signal,” she muttered.
Julie stalked towards the rooftop edge, then stopped abruptly. I watched as she carefully walked to the side, her eyes trained on the cement ground as she found a space. She then sat in the middle, holding her phone out in the air and glaring at it.
Fascinated, I kept watching until she turned her glare to me.
“Care to tell me why you were here in the first place?” I asked.
“My dad was calling when I got his package,” she pointed towards the side of the door. It was only then I noticed that there was a brown box there, set to the side. “I thought I’d get better signal here. Stupid tower.”
I stifled a laugh. “Stupid tower indeed.”
I walked over to the side, watching the race track below for any sign of people. There were none on this end. With a sigh, I sat down on the ground, too.
It looked like we were going to be there for a while.