"What did you say babe?" Shane asked. "Where are you?" I repeated. "Oh, sorry i'm at Jr's coach we are all playing thunder. You can come over here if you want". I agreed and Shane told me which coach was his. I walked quickly, the tempature had dropped to about 57 degrees and the wind was really chilly. I pulled the collar up and my jacket. I was startled when I heard footsteps behind me. I walked a little faster, and so did the footsteps. I stopped and turned around, there was no one there. "Dangit Shannon it's just your imagination" I said, continuing to walk. I reached Jr's coach and knocked on the door. Martin answered "Shane your woman's here" he yelled. I walked up the stairs and saw that there were alot of people there. I walked over and sat down next to Shane. "What's wrong you look pale" he said brushing my hair with his hand. "Nothing just chilly outside" I said. He didn't believe me "Seriously babe, what's up?" I looked at him "you are gonna think im crazy but I swear someone was following me here." Shane looked a little worried "it was probably nothing" he said trying to sound calm. I could tell he wasn't. He put his arm around me and held me close. We sat and watched as the boys took turns playing thunder. "Hey Shane where do you start?" Jr asked not taking his eyes off the T.V. "29th" Shane answered with a little sadness in his voice. "Hey kid, buck up. You know it isn't where you start, but where you finish." Martin said. Shane nodded.
**********
I spent a couple of days hanging around the track with Shane and the guys. Finally the day came for the trucks to race at Daytona. It was Febuary 13th and the trucks would race 3 days before the busch series. The day had flown by between driver's meetings and interviews. Finally it was time to race. I watched as Shane got into his truck. I gave him a quick good luck kiss. I couldn't believe that I was going to torture myself like this. Here I was sitting on top of Shane's pitbox watching the man I love race. Shane is out there doing exactly what Bobby was doing when he died, and it scared me. All I could do was watch quietly and listen to him over the radio. The race went well, Shane started 29th and finished 14th. I was happy for him, Carl Edwards had won. The few times I had met Carl he had seemed like a nice enough guy. We packed it up and headed back home. Shane wouldn't have to race again for another month or so, but I knew he would be busy getting ready for it.
When the plane finally landed I was exhausted. I knew I needed a nice long bath and a nice comfortable bed. Shane dropped me off and headed home himself. He called me about 10:45 to say goodnight. I drifted off to sleep, with thought of Shane dancing in my head. When I woke up Monday morning I looked at the clock. "Crap" I said jumping out of bed. By the time I had showered and got to the shop it had been open for 2 hours. "Im sorry Billy" I said running past him to the counter to answer the phone. I worked until way after closing. Shane had called numerous times letting me know what was going on with his day. My phone rang at quarter til 9. I looked at the caller Id but didn't recognize the number. "Hello?" I answered "Shannon?" the female voice asked. "Yeah?" I answered still not knowing who it was on the other end. "Hey this is Delana" I had to think for a second. "Oh yes," I said finally figuring out who she was "how are you?" I asked. "Good, I called Jr and got your number. Um, Shana Mayfield and I are going shopping and out to lunch tomorrow. We would really like it if you could come." she said sweetly. "Well I have to work but i'm sure I could slip out." I answered. "Good" she said "we will meet you at Concord Mills at 11:30. In front of Bass Pro Shop". I agreed and hung up. I finished up my work and left a note for Billy that I would not be in tomorrow. I locked up the shop and headed for Shane's. We had plans for me to come over after I got off. I was running a little early and thought I would surprise him. I pulled up to his house and saw an unfamiliar car there. I let myself in, quietly, with the key he had given me. I stopped when I heard screaming in the kitchen. "Dammit Beth I love Shannon NOT you" Shane yelled "get that through your head. Shannon is the one that I love and I wanna be with." he spoke slowly as to basically let it soak into her head. "No Shane you don't love that slut! You love me dammit". Then there was silence. I walked into the kitchen and there they were. Beth had her arms thrown around Shane's neck. Her lips planted firmly on his. I took his keys, which were on a seperate key ring from all the others, and hurled them at the couple. They hit Beth right where I wanted them to, in the back of her head. "Ouch" she screamed and turned around. When she saw who was standing in the doorway of the kitchen, an evil smirk formed on her lips. "Oh my god" Shane said walking towards me but it was too late for explanations. I ran out the door sobbing as my feet punded the sidewalk I quickly got into my car and peeled out of his driveway.
The next morning....
I had decided to take a few days off and get away. But not before I spent a day shopping and being pampered with DeLana and Shana. I met them at Concord Mills at 11:30. They were already there waiting when I pulled up. I got out of the car and walked up to the bench they were sitting on. "Hey sorry if im late" I said to the girls. They both insisted I wasn't and that they were early. We decided we would shop first, then eat lunch. I wasn't being very sociable. I appologized to them while we were sitting down eating lunch. "Is something wrong?" DeLana asked concerned.
