Illicit Affairs

Epilogue

Two Years Later:

"A little to the left. Set it down gently...gently. Right there. Perfect." I directed the shop crew as they carefully lowered the newest championship trophy into its place in the trophy case beside the gift shop at Legacy Motorsports.

It gleamed under the overhead lights, tall, proud and commanding, perfectly positioned beside its twin. I stepped back, arms folded across my chest, smiling.

RYAN BLANEY -2025 CUP SERIES CHAMPION
CHASE ELLIOTT -2026 CUP SERIES CHAMPION

"We're gonna need a bigger trophy case if those boys keep it up," Jimmie said as he walked up behind me, two steaming coffees in hand. He handed me one, and I took it gratefully.

Legacy had accomplished more in two years than anyone thought possible. Twenty-two wins. Two back-to-back championships. Dozens of top fives and top tens. All thanks to two phenomenal drivers and a team no one believed in.

We silenced the doubters.

The ones who said we were too green. Too ambitious. My grandfather, who told me I was in way over my head. The media, who questioned Ryan's decision to leave the team who put him in championship contention every year for a fledgling one. They all called us untested. Unproven.

And yet, that little "untested, unproven" startup team hoisted the Cup Series trophy at Phoenix... and again at Homestead. We didn't just show up: we dominated.

I kept my promise.

I beat my grandfather on the racetrack.

Jimmie turned to me, his voice soft. "I'm so proud of you."

Those words still lit me up inside. "I love you, Dad."

It rolled off my tongue so naturally now. In the beginning, the word felt...foreign. Like trying on a jacket that didn't quite fit. But over time, with every race, we built together, every late-night strategy call, every early morning competition meeting, quiet moments of shared understanding... it began to feel right. It was right.

"I love you too, sweetheart." His voice cracked with emotion. He slung his arm around my shoulder and kissed the top of my head. That small gesture meant everything.

The best part of Legacy wasn't the wins or the headlines. It was that I got to build it with my dad. We weren't just co-owners, we were family. We were a team. Our bond, always there, just never really understood, had deepened into something I never thought I'd have. Something solid. Unshakable. Unbreakable....Unstoppable.

A lot had changed since then, not just professionally, but personally.

Chase and Erin are engaged now. Happier than ever.

And me? Well, I changed my last name a few weeks ago. Not to Johnson, though I'll admit, it was tempting.

These days, I go by Mia Blaney.

It has a nice ring to it.

Almost as nice as the one on my left hand.

Ryan, ever the traditionalist, had gone to Jimmie first to ask for his blessing. Jimmie laughed, then got misty-eyed. He'd given Ryan his approval years ago, but the fact that Ryan still asked? That meant something. That meant everything.

We kept our wedding small, intimate, and full of meaning. Just family and close friends, tucked away in Vail at the villa Jimmie owned. It was perfect.

Chani helped me find my dress and get ready. Evie and Lydia stood beside me, with Erin, my maid of honor.

And my dad? He walked me down the aisle.

"As much as I love having you here, honey, and as much as you love being here..." Jimmie gave me a playful nudge, "...don't you have a plane to catch? I imagine your husband is about to walk in here any second, wondering what's taking you so long. So go. Enjoy your honeymoon."

Husband.

The word made me giddy all over again.

Right on cue, Ryan walked in, a mischievous smile on his face as he tapped his watch. "Time's up, Mrs. Blaney," he teased.

And just like that, it was time for our next adventure together.

A/N: And just like that it's over. 😭😭😭😭 I guess I can tap that complete button now.

Thank you so much to everyone who enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Much love to all
XOXO  Layla 💋