One Last Fling - Chapter 18
Cam
Despite the privilege of Cam’s upbringing, he’d been bracing for disappointment his entire life. He did it quietly. Politely. With the kind of internal flinch that came from knowing his dad’s standards weren’t cruel—but they were exacting. You earned your place. It was never handed to you.
So when his dad told him after the race that they needed to talk, Cam already felt the weight settle on his shoulders. They found a quiet corner off the paddock, away from cameras and celebration. His dad didn’t waste time.
“Hughes is making Lily an offer,” he said.
Cam nodded. Swallowed. “Good.” And it was. She deserved it. Any other result from today would have been an injustice so obvious it would fill him with rage.
His dad studied him. “You’re not surprised.”
“Dad. She’s the best driver they can get.”
“There’s more to it than that. You know how this goes. A narrative like Lily’s brings in money. Sponsors.”
“I know.” He sucked in a deep breath. “Where does this leave me?” Maybe Hughes would slot him in as reserve driver. A demotion for sure, but he’d still be in the mix. Of course, that would mean he and Lily would be working together and he wasn’t sure she wanted that.
“I apologize that this has taken so long to get sorted out. Hughes was closely watching Lily’s championship prospects. They didn’t want to let her go to one of the other racing series.” His dad drew in a deep breath. “But, Cam, I am happy to say that you are not out.”
Cam blinked. “What? Where?”
“Green Dragon reached out three weeks ago. Right after your win in Austin,” his dad said. “Mika Korhonen is retiring at the end of the season. But no one knows. It’s top secret.”
Cam’s breath caught. Mika was a legend in the sport who’d talked about retirement for the last three or four years, but he never actually did it. And Green Dragon? On the surface, they were a solid midfield team. But they’d hired a new lead engineer who was pursuing an aggressive development curve. Their car had been one of the fastest over the back half of the season. Everyone in the paddock was talking about them.
“They want you,” his dad said. “Two-year contract. No ownership ties from me. No assumptions.”
Cam stared at him. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because I wasn’t supposed to,” his dad replied. “And I was bound by my fiduciary responsibility to Hughes as a part owner. Honestly, behind the scenes, it’s been a real mess. I was trying to shield you from that. Believe me, I hate the idea of keeping a secret from my own son. It’s the real reason I didn’t come to Zandvoort or Austin.”
Cam laughed quietly. Everything was starting to make so much sense. “Bottom line, I didn’t blow it.”
“No.” His dad’s face lit up. “You did not. The question is whether this is what you want.”
Cam could hardly believe this was happening. “Yes. One hundred percent.”
“Great. I’ll loop you in on the terms of their offer. We’ll see where there’s room for negotiation. Most important, I will not be financially involved at Green Dragon. My investment at Hughes complicated things,” his dad said evenly. “Your career should be yours, and the only party I should be looking out for in this sport is you.”
Emotion tightened Cam’s throat. “Thank you, Dad. For everything.”
His dad nodded once. “Green Dragon’s car is quick. I’m excited for you. Next season could be very interesting.”
Racing against Lily. The thought hit Cam all at once, bright and electric. He stood before his dad could say anything else. “I need to find someone.”
His dad smiled. “Lily?”
“How did you know?”
“Cameron James Fowler. Everyone knows.”
Cam grabbed a quick hug with his dad, then hustled to the paddock. He spotted Lily near the Academy garage, trophy cradled awkwardly in her arms. She looked smaller than she had on the podium. Overwhelmed. Alone.
Not for long. Cam started toward her, certainty settling into place with every step. For the first time all season, everything was exactly where it needed to be.