Read Online Pedal to the Metal: Love's Drivin' but Fate's Got the Pole (The 'Cuda Confessions Book 3) by Eden Connor - Free Book Online Page B

of the main building, where Wilson Hall adjoined Pell Hall, a rambling dormitory housing freshmen. My dormitory sat a few yards behind. The five story brick cube wasn’t much to look at, but Dexter Hall had the biggest rooms on campus. As soon as my rubbery knees would make the trip, I had to write an essay and study for a test.
    Ernie seemed delighted, as always, for the chance to tell a story.
    “Them three are like a bad romance. Richard believes, and I think Kolby knows on some level, that Dale can turn him into a top level driver, but that kid’s got two problems.”
    He stabbed a gnarled finger past my nose. “How about openin’ the dash compartment and handin’ me one of them Moon Pies?” He reached into the breast pocket of his jacket and pulled out an RC Cola.
    I glared, but pressed the button to open the glove compartment. “Francine’s gonna kick both our asses. You know you’re not—”
    “You wanna hear a story or do a half-assed imitation of my wife?”
    Growling, I snagged the Moon Pie. Spying another wrapper, I asked, “Hey, can I have that Bear Claw?” Now that the truck wasn’t moving, I was in no hurry to make the trek to the dorm.
    “If’n you think you can keep your big mouth shut, help yourself.” He tapped the top of the soda can and popped the drink open.
    Resigned to the cavalier way Ernie treated his health problems, I handed him his pastry and ripped the plastic off mine. Unbuckling the seat belt, I crossed my legs. I took a bite of flaky pastry, delighted to find the big diesel engine had warmed the cream cheese filling. Waiting for him to chug his fill and pick up where he’d left off, I nibbled the treat.
    “See, Kolby come up drivin’ Dodges, same as Dale. And when Dodge bowed out of NASCAR, Kolby ain’t never got comfortable behind the wheel of a Ford. It can be the fastest car in the world, but if it ain’t your ride, it ain’t never gonna feel right.”
    “So, that’s why he bitched to the press about Dale’s engine?”
    He nodded. “Without engineering support direct from Ford, Dale’s had to build Rick’s cars from the ground up. Something he’s more’n capable of doin’, of course. It just makes winnin’ easier of you’ve got all the expertise in the world on speed dial. Only makes sense Kolby would see him as the problem, but, I had a Chevy truck once. That bitch defied me every which way. The fella I sold her to swears he ain’t never had a better truck. People name cars after women for a reason, you know.”
    I chuckled, but Ernie’s story didn’t change my feelings about Kolby.
    “Then, there’s his drivin’. Racin’ folks used to say Dale Earnhardt could see the air. You know what that means?”
    I shook my head and took another bite.
    “See, the air on a racetrack can take you places your engine can’t. But, first, you gotta believe in it. Just ‘cause it’s science don’t mean everybody can grasp the idea. Kinda like global warming, I reckon. If you don’t believe in a thing, you can see all the evidence in the world and still deny it’s a thing. Hannah could see it. Good God, that boy could make a car do shit cars ain’t supposed to do, because he saw the air like nobody’s business. If Kolby would just listen, he could drive that good, too.”
    “Is that why Dale complains about him tearing up the car?”
    Ernie took another swallow of his RC Cola before he replied. “Nope. That’s about Kolby’s brother. The same year Ridenhour swapped to the Ford engine, Kasey Barnes joined the Cup circuit. Now, I guess them two boys growed up racin’ each other. Some days, Kolby acts like they’re still runnin’ down a country road. If he can’t beat Kasey, he wrecks him. Rubbin’s racin’, so they say. Knockin’ fenders is part of the sport. But, wreckin’ the car that earns everybody a livin’ instead of tryin’ to finish in the best possible spot?” Ernie shook his head. “That boy’s gonna give Richard a heart attack.