Ty

It was finally time to head to Daytona to start the racing season and having Sam by my side made it so much more. It was the official start of the Xfinity season for both of us. We were rookies, fresh from ARCA with no experience. It scared the shit out of me, but I was ready and I knew Sam was too.

"Nervous?" Sam asked, looking down at the track as the plane made the descent towards the runway.

"Nah. I've been doing extra seat time and of course iRacing like crazy. Beat your ass a few times." I knocked his shoulders and he smiled at me.

"You're making your first xFinity appearance this weekend. You know how fans will eat you alive if you don't do well, that's what I meant." I know what he meant but I didn't want to talk about it. I saw the hate when the news came out. Silver spoon comments on top of the other ones saying I don't even look old enough to be off of training wheels yet.

"Fuck them. I don't owe or need to prove anything to them."

"I'm just worrying for you, that's all." Sam grabbed my hand, lacing our fingers together and I sighed.

"I know you are, and I'm sorry for reacting like that. Just tired of trying to live up to a name that no one cares about."

"I care and you know that."

"You're the only one." Sam looked at me, placing a kiss on my lips and gave me a reassuring smile.

"You got your team behind you, Ty, and a lot of fans. Even saw some fangirls flirting with you online. Got a bit jealous." I laughed at this and Sam hid his head into my neck.

"You don't need to be jealous of anyone, I only see you, always have and always will."

"Love you," he whispered.

"Love you more, sweet boy."

Sam sighed, laying his head on my shoulder as the plane landed in Daytona. The knot in my stomach grew and grew as I started to walk off the plane. I chalked it up to nerves because I always got like this at the start of the season.

A million eyes were on me, waiting for me to mess up and watch me fail. The weight of the world started to settle on my shoulders and I wish I could just push it off and live carefree like Sam does.

He doesn't let anything bother him and I'm so envious of that.

"Um, Ty, why is your father here?" My head snapped up from the baggage claim to see my father storming over.

"Oh shit."

"Ty Randall, get your shit and let's go." He grabbed my bag on the belt, stupid me for having a giant Monster logo on it.

"No." I reached for my stuff but he just took a step back.

"Don't make me drag you out of this airport son, you're done with this gay nonsense. Now let's fucking go before I call your grandfather and park your ass for the season. He gave you that ride and I'm more than capable of taking it back from you."

"You wouldn't."

"Fucking try me, Ty! I'm tired of you parading around with this clown." Hot tears filled my eyes when he pointed at Sam. I stepped in front of him trying to stop the darts being thrown at him but I felt them go straight to my heart instead. "You know what, fuck this, you're coming with me and if you even step out of line, kiss racing goodbye."

"Dad, you can't do this!" He grabbed my arm pulling me away from Sam and ignored everything I just said. "Dad, stop this!" I knew we were drawing a crowd but my dad was taller and so much stronger than me. "Dad, no... let me go back to Sam, please!" I was crying at this point, trying to get away from him but it was no use.

I looked behind me, staring at Sam as he was completely helpless, tears rolling down his face. When I reached out for him, he took a step forward but my dad just yanked me so hard I fell flat on my ass.

"Get the fuck up and go. If you so much as look at that boy one more time, I'm taking everything away from you."

I stood up, not looking at my dad or back at Sam, suddenly realizing all the good things in my life just weren't worth it anymore. If I couldn't have Sam then why even bother race?

"That's what I thought. This is just nonsense. Your mother told me exactly what you've been up to. When we get back to Charlotte I'm taking away your credit cards, your SUV and anything else. You're done with him, you hear that?" I was zoned out by the time we made it to his rental.

"Answer me boy."

"Yeah," was all I could say before my heart shattered to the ground and broke like glass. The pieces were way too small for anyone to pick up again.

I just lost the love of my life and I wasn't even sure how to live anymore.