The simulator wound down from the training session and lowered Jackson to the floor. The room was only illuminated by the glowing screen behind him. Ray looked at the clip board in front of him and checked a couple boxes off.
"Still lookin' good, kid." he told Jackson. "Keep this up and you don't have a thing to worry about."
"Tell me something I don't know." Jackson replied with a chuckle, rolling his eyes.
"Well, did you know that you can save fifteen percent or more by switching to Geico?" Ray joked, unable to restrain himself.
Jackson winced. "I'm embarrassed. That was embarrassing."
"Oh, come on, now." Ray nudged the younger car, laughing.
Sighing, Jackson drove out of the training room and into the lounge area. They were alone in the building, as it was late and everyone else had gone home. Storm backed into his favorite cozy spot and switched the over-sized television on.
"Alright, then." Ray continued. "I will be back in the morning to pick up where we left off. Can I get you anything before I leave?"
Jackson yawned and considered the question. He would really be down for a quart of oil, but he knew his crew chief had been working hard all day. He also didn't want to seem overly demanding, so he declined.
"Nah, no thanks." he said, relaxing and acting genuinely uninterested.
"Alright, then." Ray drove out into the hallway of the facility, but as he passed the kitchen area, thought better of himself.
Entering the kitchen, he got a tray and went scrounging through the room. The kid had been training hard all day, he thought to himself. Everyone appreciates a good snack now and again.
Ray reentered the lounge with a can of oil and a few assorted snacks, and set the tray down next to Jackson. The racer looked over in surprise.
"Go on, Storm. You deserve it." Ray smiled and promptly drove away.
Jackson smiled a bit at the kind gesture. Tired, and in an auto-pilot state of mind, he said "Thanks, Dad." as Ray drove through the door.
Immediately Jackson realized his mistake and cringed. Ray stopped so fast his tires squeaked on the polished floor.
"What?" Ray backed up a little. "What was that?"
"Uhm. Uh." Jackson panicked. "I - I said thanks! This is rad."
"Rad, huh?" Ray repeated. "You kids don't say that these days. I'm embarrassed. This is embarrassing."
Jackson groaned at the mockery and ignored the truck, wanting to hide in shame. Ray smiled and continued on his way. Not so deep down, he was pleased that the kid appreciated him.