After cleaning up and warming up the food, Ryan and I finally sat down to eat dinner. The chicken was a little dry and over cooked, for obvious reasons, but the potatoes were a hit. Creamy and extra cheesy.

I ate silently, waiting for him to ask how the visit with Jimmie had gone because I didn't even know where to begin. There was so much that was said, a new partnership formed, secrets uncovered, potential secrets looming. There were some parts of the conversation I could not even reveal.

Hearing his fork scrape the plate, indicating that he was done eating, I pondered whether I should just say something or wait for him to ask.

Nothing was said when he picked up both of our empty plates and utensils and placed them in the dishwasher, other than thanking me for a delicious home cooked meal. Still, nothing was said when I got up to pack up the leftovers and put them in the refrigerator. It was starting to feel awkward.

"Ry...."

"How did....." We both spoke at the same time.

"Let's go sit down. There's a lot." I suggested, so we went into the living room and sat down on the couch. I couldn't help but snuggle against him, curling up against his side, my head and hand on his chest, my legs tucked under me. For someone who was never a snuggler, this was huge for me.

"You look a lot better. Calmer, happier, like a weight was lifted from your chest. So I'm assuming you and Jimmie had a good talk. You also look a little...I don't know...hesitant. Do you want to talk about it?" He asked.

How does he do that? How can he read me without me saying a word?

I took a deep breath and released it slowly. "It did go well. Very well. There's just a lot to unpack and I'm trying to figure out where to even begin. First things first...we had a really good talk. We both got pretty emotional but the big thing is...he wants me in his life...as his daughter." I couldn't help but smile like a fool once I revealed that.

"That makes me so happy. I sense there is more though, so please go on." He smiled down at me then dropped a kiss on my forehead.

"Jimmie has been planning on starting a cup team and he wants me to be his partner. I said yes." I paused for a moment to let that sink in. He nodded his head for me to go on.

"There's a lot of factors in play that I really can't talk about. It's not that I want to keep anything from you, it's just that....well, there's some things that are not public knowledge and Jimmie asked that I keep it to myself. No one even knows about his plans to start a team, but Jimmie did say that I could tell you that much because he doesn't want me keeping any secrets from you, and I really don't want to, but it involves other people in the business. It's not that I don't trust you, because I do. But there is a whole domino effect that is going to take place and it's really not up to me to say anything." I knew I was rambling. But I just couldn't stop myself.

"Hey. I trust you too, and I get it." He stroked my hair softly and I breathed a sigh of relief.

"I promise, as soon as I get the green light, I will tell you everything." I vowed.

"I know you will. This is some very exciting news. I'm happy for you." He said.

"I'm excited. This is my chance to build something that is mine. Well, mine and Jimmie's. But I get to help build it from the ground up. Something that my grandfather is not a part of. Something new and something for me. I can't wait to get started." I could feel my nerves tingling in anticipation. I felt giddy. It was such a good feeling.

"Also, Jimmie and I have called a press conference for tomorrow afternoon in Richmond. We are going to address the media. I'm nervous, but I need to do it. It's the only way I'm going to get my life back."

"I am so proud of you." His words had me soaring. I felt on top of the world.

"There are some things that we may have uncovered though. Other things that my grandfather may have covered up." I sighed.

I showed Ryan the obituary I had found tucked in the stuck together pages of the journal. I told him about the speculation of my grandfather having another family. His eyes grew wide when he saw the picture of Natalie Payton and the first words out of his mouth were "she looks like you." I had never given any thought to that because my first thought was she looked like my mother, but I also look like my mother. I also filled him in on some of the supposed rumors and I reiterated to him that I know they are just rumors, but what if there were any truth to them?

"You realize if there is any truth to this, you could destroy your grandfather's reputation, which could in turn destroy Hendrick Motorsports if you keep digging." Ryan said cautiously.

"I know. Regardless of what my grandfather has done Ryan, I want you to understand that I have no desire to ruin Hendrick Motorsports. There are hundreds of employees that count on their jobs to support their families and I can't even imagine NASCAR without Hendrick Motorsports. I think the best way to beat my grandfather is to do it on the racetrack. Build a competitive race team with the best resources. Hire the right employees and let those actions speak for themselves. Take everything he taught me and use it against him in a business setting. I've learned a lesson about revenge, and it wasn't a pleasant one. But I need you to understand that there are things I need to know. I could have more family out there. I have to keep digging to find those answers."

"I know you do, baby. I know how important family is and I trust you to do the right thing. I just want you to be careful. Secrets are secrets for a reason and the last thing I want is for you to get hurt." He cautioned.

"Funny, Jimmie said the exact same thing." I chuckled. "I promise I will be careful, although I may have to take some extreme measures to do that digging, I promise you that I will not go public if I find anything. I just need to know for myself and I may need that leverage against my grandfather...if it comes to that."

"What kind of extreme measures are you talking about?" He asked, alarmed.

"Nothing illegal. I figured I could start with a private investigator." I replied, dismissing my initial idea of finding someone to hack into personal records.

"Okay. Do what you have to do. I support you." He said, after several tense moments.

"I think this weekend would be a good time for the hard launch we discussed a few days ago. I think standing in the grid with you Sunday for pre-race would be a great start. What do you think?" I asked.

"I think I love it." He grinned at me. "I want the world to know that you are mine."

"And you are mine Mr. Blaney. All mine."

We talked more for a while until I remembered I had not even started packing for the weekend. Not that I had much to pack, so I excused myself to go and borrow some clothes from Erin. Just a few more days and I could go home.

Chase was hanging out with Erin, so he left her apartment to go to the main house with Ryan while I went through Erin's closet. I told her about the press conference Jimmie and I had scheduled, so I figured I needed something nice. She loaned me a navy blue maxi dress and matching heels. I immediately grabbed a Ryan Blaney T-shirt to wear for the race. I have to support my man.

We were going through all of her unused makeup samples when her phone rang. She rolled her eyes when she saw the caller. "What in the world does he want?" She sighed.

"Are you going to answer?" I asked.

"Nope." She replied.

Moments later a voicemail alert popped up.

"Aren't you curious to see what he wanted?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.

"Yeah, actually I am." She chuckled, then played the message.

"Hey Erin it's William." The voice was slurred.

"Is he drunk? Did he drink one too many hard ciders?" I snickered, but then began listening to the message.

I miss you so much Erin. I was so stupid to ever let you go because you were the best thing that ever happened to me. I'm hoping you can find it in yourself to give me another chance. Some things have changed. I've changed. You told me if I ever wanted to step out of Chase and Kyle's shadows that I needed to make some big moves and stand up for myself. Well I did. Everyone knows Kyle is Mr. H's favorite and Chase is Mia's. Well my da...Jeff told me if I found dirt on Mia then she might just quit and he would be next in line to take over the team. I did it Erin. I was the one who found her mother's journal. Mia's gone and Jeff promised me that I would be top driver at Hendrick.

That dirty snake. He had the nerve to sound proud of himself. I should have known that he and Jeff were responsible for all of this. But there was something else in the message that caught my attention.

"Erin, go back." I said anxiously.

Erin replayed the message and I heard what had initially caught my attention...'my da...Jeff told me if I found dirt on Mia then she might just quit'

Erin's eyes were wide in disbelief. "Did he say dad, or almost say dad before he caught himself?"