In the two crazy weeks since the 500, Chance barely recognized himself. His world had turned upside down. The only constant was Heather. She was by his side through tedious interviews, long sponsor meetings, and dull parties. He was falling hard for her, which was equal parts thrilling and terrifying. Even his first race couldn’t compare.
Pulling his rental car up to a pothole-riddled parking lot, he navigated around some of the more serious ones, parking beside what had once been a building. It was razed three years earlier, a large sign advertising a mega-church that had never come to be. The land was for sale, and after nature had taken the land over, the price was right.
Chance had time to walk around the property, letting his imagination run wild. As he was heading back to the car, a luxury SUV pulled in behind him, the headlights bouncing up and down over the rough asphalt.
The real estate agent stepped out, briefcase in hand, adjusting his suit before slamming the door shut. He and Chance met halfway.
“Michael, so glad you could come out on short notice.” Chance extended a hand, trying to exude confidence despite feeling awkward in his button down shirt and slacks.
The agent shrugged. “It’s my job, and anything that gets me out of the office is a win in my book. Besides, I’m honored to meet you in person. Don’t let me forget, I’ve got a Indy 500 program guide that my son is dying to get autographed. Would you mind?”
“Of course not.” Chance was still getting used to the fame, but he loved the kids and their excitement more than anything. “So, what did you find on this property?”
Michael opened his leather case and pulled out a sheet of paper. “Zoned commercial, city water and power ready to go. The previous building was a furniture store, flattened in 2014. The church group went belly up, and the city took possession.”
Chance looked out over the weed laden two acres of possibility. “Meaning they want to dump it quick, right?”
Nodding, Michael said, “Yup. No one’s moved on it, since the area isn’t the best, but the last few years have seen things turn around. I’m not gonna con you by saying this is an up-and-coming neighborhood, but Georgetown’s not as bad as it’s been in years past.”
Chance looked back over the parking lot, which desperately needed TLC. The price was right, and construction could start before the end of summer.
With a smile that was equal parts humility and gratitude, Chance asked, “How soon can we submit an offer?”
He did his best to hide that smile when he stepped into the apartment. Heather was waiting, her eyebrows high and expectant.
“Well?”
Chance couldn’t keep his happiness hidden. A lump of emotion was growing in his throat. “We submitted an offer.”
Heather let out a squeal as she jumped into his arms. “Oh my god. That is amazing.”
“It’s just an offer, let’s not set the bar too high.”
“No.” She said between kisses. “I think we need to set the bar very, very high, babe.”
A heat rose to his cheeks. What was it about her? She elevated him in a way that Chance didn’t think was possible. He might never have gone through with his business idea if not for her. It was a gamble, but even if he lost everything, he’d never lose her.
“And how was your day?” He held Heather up, his hands squeezing her ass.
She shrugged. “A few calls for interviews. Motorsport, AutoWeek, one or two smaller places. Overall, still a pretty busy schedule. We’re waiting on the contract from Hoosier Tire.”
“That’s coming soon, I hope. We might need that cash as a down payment.” He smiled wide, kissing the nape of Heather’s neck.
She slid down his body. “A down payment. Can you believe it?”
“I don’t know if I believe anything anymore.” Her smile was the best thing Chance had ever experienced. He closed his eyes and kissed her, imprinting the image in his memory forever.
The interview was casual, much more so than some of the others he’d sat through. With an iPhone recording between the journalist and Chance, the two sipped on tea at a local coffee shop.
“So, this is probably a question you’ve heard from everyone. What’s ahead for Chance Pierce?” Penny Lombardi looked young, even to Chance. She was the kind of woman Chance might have drooled over, but those days were over.
Chance nodded with a smile. He had heard that question during just about every interview, but he didn’t mind. It gave Chance an opportunity to get his name and future brand out there.
“Penny, what’s ahead for me is racing, but probably not how most people will think. I made a promise, and it’s one I intend to keep. The 500 was my dream, and I’ve lived that dream. I’ll be retiring from racing as a driver, but it’s still alive in my blood.”
She eyed him. “Keeping your cards awfully close to your chest.”
“No, no.” He laughed and took a sip. “Just yammering on. I’ll be completely honest with you. I’m opening an indoor karting facility. I want to make people happy, and I’ve never seen anyone happier than getting out of a go-kart for the first time. It’ll keep me close to racing, but the pressure to deliver is gone. My job will be creating a fun environment, and if a kid gets his start in motorsports because of me? Well, that’s just a bonus.”
“Wow, definitely not what I expected. You know, many people thought you’d get a permanent ride after your stunning drive at Indy. Were there any phone calls?”
With a flick of his eyebrow, Chance said, “There were a few calls, as a matter of fact.”
“But you didn’t take a ride? Why?”
“I have nothing left to prove.”
Penny sat back, crossing her arms over her chest. “Do you really expect me to buy that?”
“What?”
“You finish second in the Indy 500 under some pretty trying circumstances, to say the least, and you don’t want another crack at it? You came from last on the grid in an under-performing car. Chance, that says a lot about you as a driver.”
“Flattery will get you everywhere.”
Penny exaggerated waving Chance away. “It’s not flattery if it’s the truth.”
“You got me there.” The laughter in Chance’s voice faded. “What happened on that last lap was unfortunate. Pointing fingers does no good. At the end of the day, it’s going to be Jack’s face on the Borg Warner trophy, and I have to live with that. Regardless, I won’t be running in next year’s race, or any race, for that matter.”
“Except on your go-kart track.”
“Except on my go-kart track, yes.” He smiled at the thought.
Penny waited a few moments, as if Chance might change his mind and take back the whole thing. “So when can we expect your new business to open?”
“Now there’s a question I don’t have an answer for. We’re still working on acquiring land. I promise to let everyone know as soon as I have an opening date.”
“Thanks, Chance.” Penny hit stop on her phone, sliding it into her purse. “What they did was bullshit.”
“Hm?” He lowered his eyebrows at her complete change in tone.
“IndyCar. What they did was political. You should have won, but they made a decision on what was best for ratings, not what was best for the sport. Jack Savage is an asshole, and everyone in the sport knows it. You threw a wrench into everyone’s plans, and IndyCar didn’t like it.”
“Haven’t heard anyone put it quite like that.”
Penny shrugged. “Well, it’s the truth. You were robbed, Chance.”
For as many times as Chance had thought the same thing, no one else had said it out loud. DJ and All-American Pro were thrilled to come in second place. The prize money and renewed interest in the team ensured that DJ’s team would be able to mount a charge for the rest of the season, with Billy Moore back at the wheel, of course.
Penny added, “Motorsport might be losing a future champion. I get it, though. You've been lucky. You've been damn lucky. I've interviewed my fair share of racers that aren't around anymore. Each of them talked about retiring, but none of them truly meant it. It's an addiction. Good for you for going sober.”
Chance left the coffee shop and wandered around Broad Ripple. He was getting used to Indianapolis, ready to make it his home. Heather’s schooling would keep them there for at least two years. That would be more than enough time to get his business off the ground. If it was a success, they might stay. If not, Chance didn’t know what the future held for him, but he would embrace it.