Page 66 of Full Throttle 2
Lila lifted a shoulder in a barely noticeable shrug. “I called in a few favors from my old life.”
“My god, Lila! What did you promise them? I know you wanted to be as far away from that as possible. You didn’t have to do this for me.”
“Girl, stop. We’re family. I would do anything to protect you, just like I’m sure you’d do anything to protect me.”
“I would.”
“I know. And, honestly, that world wasn’t what I’ve been running from.” For a moment, Lila’s eyes clouded over. “I haven’t always done things to be proud of. Morality didn’t know me for a while. I made a lot of mistakes and things I wish I could take back, but I can’t. I can only show up and do good now.”
“None of us are perfect, Lila.” Colby had a flashback from her life just before she moved back home. “And neither of us should be beholden to our past.”
“True. Only my past isn’t so far from my present. It’s still affecting so many things.”
“I don’t care, and I hope you don’t either.”
Lila had been wrestling with telling Colby about Carrington. She allowed the words to flow out of her mouth. “My ex, Carrington Hughes, was trying to blackmail me in exchange for becoming a Lockwood sponsor.”
Shock was an understatement, and Colby’s face reflected it. “What?!”
“I know. I’m so sorry?—”
“Wait. I don’t understand.”
“Carrington knew that Lockwood had been in financial trouble for a while. He is the majority owner in Glenmore.”
“I’ll be damned.” Colby shook her head. “What exactly did he want in exchange for the sponsorship?”
“Me,” Lila spoke softly. “He and I have a colorful past. Carrington wanted me to pack up and continue to be hiskept woman.”
Understanding finally dawned on Colby. She didn’t judge Lila for her choices. She was just grateful that Lila didn’t sacrifice her happiness for Colby’s racing career.
Lila spoke quickly as she glanced down at her hands. “I would have done it, but Brian thinks he’s found an answer to Lockwood’s financial problems.”
Colby held her gaze. She was angry on her behalf. “I would never want you to do something like that for me. I know we’re bleeding money, but one way or another, we will figure something else out.”
“Thanks for not judging me.”
“Thanks for saving my career by stopping that god-awful article from coming out.”
For the first time in her life, Lila felt proud. She was part of something, and for once, it was positive. “After talking with my old friends, you really do have more people on your side than you know.”
“So, that part is really over?” Colby couldn’t believe it.
“Yes, it’s over.” Lila pulled Colby into a tight embrace.
They held each other for a moment before Colby broke the silence between them. “One crisis down and two more to go!” Colby laughed sarcastically. “Now we just need to solve our money issues, and I can then go on to have a long and successful career.”
“That’s only one crisis.” Lila frowned. “What’s the other, so we can get to fixing it? There’s nothing the James women can’t do.”
Just as Colby was about to spill her innermost thoughts and feelings, there was a knock on the door. They both looked surprised.
“Are you expecting anyone?” Lila asked.
Colby shook her head. “No.”
Lila walked across the room barefoot to the door. “Security is still outside, right?”
“They should be.”