Chapter One

January 12, 2004, Mooresville, North Carolina

Carmen Andrews and Frank Phillips are happy to announce their engagement.The bride-to-be is the daughter of Mrs. Dierdra Andrews of Emporia, Virginia and attended Greensville County High School. She was awarded a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design from the Art Institute in Atlanta, Georgia and a Master's degree in Art History at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She is employed as a Graphics-Marketing Manager at Mars Incorporated in Charlotte, North Carolina.The groom-to-be is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Francis Phillips of Emporia, Virginia and attended Greensville County High School. He was awarded his Master's degree in Computer Science from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He is employed as a Software Developer at EMC Optics in Charlotte, North Carolina. A February 2005 wedding is planned.

Elliott stared at the letters in front of him trying to make sense of it all.

She was getting married. To Frank!?

Sure he knew they'd been dating for a few years but married! Charlie failed to mention that little bit of information the last time he talked to him, which was THIS MORNING!

Did he think that Elliott didn't read the Lifestyles section of the newspaper? Well, as a matter of fact …he didn't. But when he walked into his office that morning someone had been so kind as to put that particular section on his desk opened to that particular page and he had a feeling it was his brother.

So he'd screwed up. He knew that, but this was no way to treat someone that lost the love of their life nearly ten years before because he wanted to go and do something to make a better life for her. How did things get so messed up?

He heard a soft knock on his door and looked up into the concerned eyes of his sister-in-law. "How ya doin, El?" she asked, noticing the lines that wrinkled his forehead, his confusion more than obvious and his pain only slightly less.

"I guess you saw this huh?" he asked before taking a deep breath. She nodded. "How should I be doing? That's supposed to be me. It was always Carmen and Elliott… me and her…" his voice faded to a whisper and it was all he could do not to cry.

Angie walked around his desk and knelt in front of him giving him the best hug she could muster as she did her best to comfort him, wanting nothing more than to beat her husband over the head with that damn newspaper for putting it on Elliott's desk. He had a very important year to concentrate on and Hermie was going to screw that up. "I could kill Herm for this… I don't know why…"

"No, Ang. I would've found out anyway. It's better that I know this now rather than ten years down the road when I'm shuffling down the streets of Emporia with my walker and I see them and their kids all happy and cheerful walking my way… This is a good warning."

"Elliott. Stop that. You've got to move on. It's been nearly ten years since you two split, you need to get on with your life…"

"But…"

"Uh-uh. That doesn't count. You got engaged to a woman you never loved, why you did something like that I'll never know but hey, it's your life."

He turned his chair towards the window a small laugh escaping at the sight of an overcast sky. Suddenly the weather was just as gloomy as he was.

"I know you never stopped loving her El, but something happened. Things change over the years and you two grew apart. It happens to high school sweethearts all the time."

"It didn't happen to you and Hermie… besides, we didn't drift apart. Things were fine before I left. We were looking forward to seeing each other… I had the ring Angie," he quietly admitted. Something he'd never told anyone. Not Charlie, not Hermie. Why he'd just told Angie he didn't know but he did. "I was going to propose to her that summer. We should be married now, with two little Carmen's running around getting into trouble just like she did."

He sat quietly for a few minutes then turned towards Angie realizing she hadn't spoken since he'd stopped. She stood near the door of his office, tears streaming down her face. "I'm so sorry Elliott. I had no idea. Look I'm gonna go. If you need anything…"

He nodded and turned back towards the window. This was a hell of a way to start out the new year.

---

Carmen looked up at the soft knock on her door, smiling at the short round man that was her boss. "Hi Mr. Williams. How are you today?" she asked cheerfully, motioning for him to come in.

"Obviously not as good as you," he chuckled. "I saw this mornings paper. I guess it's official now?"

She cocked her head to the side along with an eyebrow. "It was official 6 months ago we just hadn't set a date yet. Now… what can I do for you?"

"We're moving your position and Johnny's gonna take over this department."

"Huh? What? You're doing what? I just got this department on its feet and now you're moving me?" she questioned. This was so typical of a company. Bring her in to do all the dirty work then toss her down the totem pole, watching as she smacks her head on each notch. "Figures."

He shook his head. "Now, Carmen. Give me a chance to explain things to you. We're promoting you."

Her eyes widened at the thought of more money and a big corner office at the corporate headquarters. "Really? Am I moving to New Jersey?" she asked with trepidation.

"Um, no. Actually you don't have to move at all. You're right where you need to be but there will be quite a bit of traveling involved, at least 3 or 4 days a week."

She chewed on her lip knowing this wasn't going to go over well with Frank, at all. "Traveling where?"

"All over the country. You'll start out in Daytona but that's going to be more of a 2 week thing than a 3 or 4 day thing."

"Wait… Daytona? Exactly what department are you moving me to?"

"M & M's Racing. You're going to be head of the marketing."

"Oh geesh… But my degree's in Graphic Design Sal. Not marketing."

He cleared his throat. "Look Carmen. The deal is, you've been here a long time. You do a good job and graphics are as big a part of marketing as the products are. And quite honestly I'd rather have a designer as my marketing director because you know what looks good. You know what's going to get peoples attention and that's what we need."

"Okay, I see the point there but why do I have to go to the races. What's that got to do with marketing? I mean the marketing is already way over done at the track I would think with M & Ms being absolutely everywhere. I guess… I mean I don't know anything about it. I've never watched a race or been to one but… I've seen jackets so I know it's out there."

"That's why you need to be there. You need to get a feel for the sport and the fans. You need to get to know the drivers. You don't understand the atmosphere that comes with NASCAR Carmen and that's why you need to be there. And you'll need to work with the car owner to get a feel for what they're looking for. You know like for paint schemes, that kind of stuff. Also, what it comes down to is you making sure the driver keeps up appearances and makes our company look good. Make sure he's wearing an M & M's shirt whenever he's doing an interview. You know, keeping the sponsors happy."

"Isn't that what their publicists do, Sal? I'm really not sure this is a job for me."

He sighed. "You're going to be getting paid a hell of a lot of money to have fun and keep the big guys at corporate happy, Carmen. Can't you just deal with that?" He was starting to get impatient now. Any other person in this department would jump at this chance. Why did she have to be so stubborn?

"So what you're saying is, you're gonna pay me to go to the tracks, make sure M & Ms are being properly displayed at all points in time, find out what the fans want, have fun and I'm gonna get a big promotion?"

"Yup."

"Uh-huh, what's the catch?"

"No catch."

"Fine, when do I start?"

"You've got to be in Daytona at the beginning of February so just be ready." He stood and straightened his jacket . "One more thing."

She looked up at him with wide eyes. "Yes?"

"We've got a meeting with Robert Yates at 1. In my office."

"Um… okay?"

Sal laughed. "He's the car owner Carmen. You'd think you'd know a little more about NASCAR being in Charlotte."

Carmen watched as he walked out of her office. "Yeah, you'd think." Her ringing phone drew her attention before she could get lost in her thoughts. "Carmen Andrews."

"Hey baby," she heard softly over the line, bringing a small smile to her face.

"Hey there," she responded. "What's up? Did you see the paper this morning? The announcement looks great."

Frank chuckled. "Absolutely. Anyway, I'm taking you to lunch today, so be ready at 1 okay. I've got a meeting with Connor in a few minutes so we're gonna have to go a little late."

"Oh, um. Yeah, I can't. Sal just came in and we've got a meeting with Robert Yates at 1, whoever he is," she said in a slight rush.

"Robert Yates? Why are you meeting with him? You've got nothing to do with the race team."

She gave a nervous laugh. "Yeah, that's the thing. Um, I do now."

"What?! When were you going to tell me? I think I have a right to know."

"I just found out right before you called, Frank. I'm sorry. I was going to tell you tonight once I knew the specifics but since you know already, Sal gave me a promotion. I'm gonna be the marketing director for M & Ms Racing. Of course I'll have to travel some but it'll be a great opportunity to get out there and see more of what I'm doing and the money should be great."

"I don't think it's a good idea, CJ."

"Don't call me that Frank." Carmen shuddered when he called her that, only her brother and Elliott ever called her that and she wasn't about to let him start.

She heard him scoff in the phone before saying anything else. "Fine. But I don't think it's a good idea for you to do this."

"You don't trust me do you?" She couldn't believe this. She'd never given him any reason not to trust her and oddly enough he wasn't overprotective or controlling…ever. Except for now. He couldn't stand the thought of her being around a bunch of men and him not being there to oversee the situation.

"Of course I do. But you don't know any of those people. What are you going to do if you get in a compromising situation? I know you're not big into racing but those guys have reputations."

She rolled her eyes. "I don't believe you. I'm hanging up now. We'll talk about this later, if I even want to talk to you about anything when I get home. Goodbye."

---

Charlie picked up the phone on the first ring, somehow knowing it was Elliott. "What the hell is going on man!? How could you not tell me she was getting married?"

He held the phone a good distance from his ear waiting for Elliott to get it all out. He'd been dreading this call all day. Angie had called to inform him of what Hermie felt so moved to do this morning and he'd never wanted to beat a man to death more than he did right then. "I'm sorry Peanut, I didn't mean to leave that out but… well hell I just didn't want to tell you. I was kinda hoping it wouldn't happen."

"Don't call me Peanut right now, I'm very pissed at you," Elliott countered. Whenever Charlie actually went to the trouble of calling him Peanut it was only because he knew that Elliott wouldn't stay mad at him if he used it. Unfortunately it was a name that was used all too often and in the company of others who didn't understand its meaning. Elliott normally found people looking in the vicinity of his crotch forcing him to explain the embarrassing story of how he'd acquired the name. "Why Frank, man?"

"I wish I knew. I've been waiting for them to split up for the last 3 years but somehow my wishes never come true. Why is that?"

Elliott rolled his eyes. "Because I'm a dumbass and I never should've left without her. Thank you so much for bringing that up every time we talk."

Charlie chuckled. "I didn't bring it up man. You did and thank you for doing that. There's nothing I love more than letting you know what an idiot you are."

"Whatever… How long have they been engaged Chuck?"

Silence.

"Hello? I know you're there. Just spit it out, I can't possibly get more upset than I am now."

"*cough*sixmonths*cough*." Charlie hoped he didn't make out what he said but he knew that was impossible. Elliott's hearing was excellent despite all the time he spent on the track.

Click.

"Elliott? Hello? Elliott?" Charlie reluctantly placed the handset back in the cradle and leaned forward, burying his face in his hands. "Dammit."

---

Elliott stared at the phone in disbelief. "Six months?" He'd never been so angry with Charlie in his life, and he'd done plenty to piss him off but this, this was just the worst of the worst.

How could he keep that from him? He'd been home for Thanksgiving and Christmas. He'd seen Charlie and his wife, Megan, Deirdre, his parents, his sisters. No one had said a word to him about Carmen being engaged. Maybe they were afraid of how he'd react. Hell. Look at how he was reacting. Everything that any body said to him was pissing him off.

"Hey Elliott."

He turned angry eyes to the door to find his boss, Robert Yates standing there, briefcase in hand. "On your way to an important meeting I see," Elliott smirked, knowing Robert only took his briefcase with him when he wanted to feel important.

"And you are too. Let's go."

"Huh?" Elliott stuttered. "M-me. I'm… huh?"

Robert shook his head. "Have you checked any of your voicemails or emails or calendar this morning? We've got a meeting with M & Ms at 1. Let's go."

Elliott muttered a string of obscenities as he stood and slid on his jacket. He was ready to go to bed for a year.

-next-