Page 34 of Drive Me Wild (Owl Creek #2)

I drive up to the gate and punch in my code. When the gate swings open, I pull in my truck, and my buddy Tommy follows me.

We park next to the roll-up door, and I hop out and unlock it. He pulls it open while I turn my truck and trailer around.

“You’re sure you want to do this?”

“It’s time. Take your pick.”

“I want the Charger. It’s always been my dream car.”

“Did you bring cash?”

“Yeah, my bank wasn’t too happy about draining my account.”

“Listen, if this is going to break you—”

“Naw, man. This car is going to make me.”

Tommy chuckles to himself as I hand him the keys.

“Pull it onto the trailer, and we’ll get it over to your place.”

“I’d rather put my other car on the trailer and drive the Charger home.”

“Whatever you want.”

He hands me a thick envelope of cash, and we get his car hitched up. I take a look at the other two cars in the garage, knowing it’s their last night in my possession. Then I drive Tommy’s car to his place and unhitch it.

“I can’t believe you’re selling these cars. End of an era.”

“Things have changed.”

“I’ll say. First, you get a girlfriend and then sell your prize cars. What’s next? You gonna tell me you’re becoming an astronaut?”

“No, but maybe my kids are going to be rocket scientists.”

“Kids? What the hell, man? I didn’t know you had kids. No wonder you’re settling down.”

“Tommy, they aren’t my kids. They’re kids at the high school who I’m teaching mechanics to. Robotics club.”

“No shit?”

“No shit.”

He claps me on the back. “You’re a good guy, Caleb.”

I nod and climb back in my truck. That’s what I’m aiming for. I want to be a good guy. Like Buzz. Like Cole. I want to slough off the old me and stand in the light.

“Be careful out there, Tommy. That car is no joke.”

“Why do you think I bought her? Without you racing anymore, some of the rest of us have a chance to win.”

“Just be careful.”

“I will.” He leans into my window. “I know this doesn’t mean much coming from me, but I’m really proud of you, man. You’re figuring things out.”

“We’ll see.”

The following morning, I leave the shop in Clint’s hands and drive back to the storage unit to meet with the other two buyers.

Selling these cars was easier than I thought it would be.

It seems my reputation at the racetrack is serving me well now.

People are competing with each other to buy these.

I even got an offer on one car for a thousand over asking if I held it long enough for the guy to borrow money from his brother.

I drop off my sales records with the motor vehicle license department and deposit the cash in the bank. Then I drive back to the shop and try to keep my mind off Zoe.

There’s nothing I can do but wait for her to be ready to talk.