Shane and I hopped into a rented truck that he had gotten for the week. We drove to the speedway. I had been to Daytona since I was about 10. I realized how muched it had changed. Shane drove through an entrance into where all the driver coaches were. It was still early and alot of the drivers were starting to file out towards their garages. Shane helped me carry my bag inside and dropped it on the floor. He took me in his arms and held me close to him. I nuzzled up into his neck. "Im so glad you are here" he said softly. He kissed me on the cheek and pulled away "I have to go check in with the crew and get ready for qualifying" he said "wanna come?". I nodded and grabbed my cell phone and clipped it onto my belt. Shane reached into his back pocket "before I forget" he handed my a pass for the garages and the coaches. Shane walked into the back bedroom and changed into his fire suit. I couldn't help but stare "what??" he asked. "I have never seen you in your fire suit..... nice" I said smirking. He smacked me on my ass before grabbing my hand "c'mon" he said as we walked out the door. There was a guy waiting on a golf cart outside Shane's coach. Shane jumped on the front and I sat on the seat in the back. We slowly made our way to the garages dodging drivers and crew people who were scattered everywhere. We pulled up and hopped off the cart. Shane's crew chief, Rictchie Wauters, was standing there talking to one of the other crew guys. Shane walked up and started talking. I stood there studying the truck, "Hm Harley Davidson" I thought to myself. It had been so long since I rode on a bike. I missed the feeling of freedom it used to bring. I thought about all the times my dad and I had gone on weekend rides to the beach. Going through the different areas and terrains. I shook my head to snap myself out of the daze I was in. "Baby" Shane said walking towards me "this is Ritchie" I shook the mans hand. He smiled politely. He asked me a few questions as the guys started wheeling the truck out to Shane's qualifying spot. He drew 10th, I walked down to pit road with Shane and Ritchie. Truck number 1 had already headed out onto the track. Shane quickly get ready to get into the car. He pulled himself into the car and started strapping himself in. I leaned my head in the window and he looked up from the buckle he had just done between his legs "good luck, be safe" I said smiling. He brushed his hand across my cheek, I leaned in and gave him a quick kiss on the lips. I started backing out of the window, before I was fully out Shane stopped me. "Hey baby?" I put my head back inside "yeah?". "No worries?" he asked knowing that I was scared and just trying to hide it from him. "Im cool" I said still trying to keep my nervousness from him. He smiled, "Love you, see you soon". I could tell by his words that he was trying to ease my uneasiness. "I love you too" I said pulling myself out of the car. I walked over to the pit wall and hopped over it. Quickly it was Shane's turn to go. He took his laps and came back in. When he pulled himself out of the truck he had a bad look on his face "that lap was shit" he said agrily. I stood back, I knew that he was upset and I was the last person he probably wanted to see. I told Ritchie that I was heading back to the coach and to let Shane know if he asked. I wandered slowly back to the coach. I stopped quickly when I heard someone hollaring my name. I turned around to see Jr jogging towards me. "Hey girl what's up?" He asked. "Not much just heading back to the coach. Shane had a bad qual run and I thought it best that I wasn't around." Jr laughed "yeah I know the feeling". Jr and I stood there talking for a few minutes. "Well I better get back to the garage" he said looking over at Tony Sr who was getting annoyed. "see ya around" I said turning and continuing my journey to the coach. I walked to the gate and showed the gaurd the pass that hung around my neck.
****Meanwhile****
"Oh my god I can't believe her. It's not enough she has Shane now she wants Jr too?!??!" Beth said standing off to the side watching Shannon and Jr chatting. "Well maybe they are just friends" Mel said quietly. "Yeah, who can just be friends with Dale Jr?" she said fuming. She watched as Shannon and Jr soon parted ways. She followed Shannon making sure she didn't notice her. She watched as she walked to the guard and showed the pass around her neck. "Oh this keeps getting better and better!" she said sarcastically to Mel. "She has a pass to the coaches" she pointed at the #15 rope holding the pass. "I guess she is staying in Shane's coach" Mel said. Bethany got angry and stomped off leaving Mel.
********
I walked into the warm coach. It was cold outside, even for Florida in February. Im glad the coach was warm. I put my bag on the bed and slid off my shoes. I crawled under the covers and turned on the T.V. I started watching the re-run of trackside. Before I knew it I was asleep.
When I woke up the room was dark except for the T.V. I walked into the living area and Shane wasn't there. I rubbed my eyes trying to see the wall so I could find the light switch. I turned it on and let my eyes adjust to the light. I found my cell phone, which was sitting on the side of the bed. I scrolled the phone book looking for Shane's name. I hit send and waited until he answered. "Hey sleeping beauty" he answered. "Hi" I said in a groggy voice "where are you?". Shane was talking to someone else in the background. I waited patiently for his answer.
