Race Day�..
�Hey baby� Shane said as I walked into the garage with Tiff by my side. Tiff immediately made her way over to Tyler and kissed him on the lips. I chuckled at their cuteness and turned my attention back to Shane. �How�s it looking?� I asked, leaning down I placed my hand on the side and peered into the engine. Shane smiled �it�s looking good, we have a serious chance of kicking ass� he said, wiping his hands on a shop rag. He made his way over to me and kissed me lightly on the lips. �Hopefully all that �luck� I had last night will transfer over to today� he whispered, obviously a reference to out late night romp.
I watched as Shane and Tyler made some last minute driver adjustments on his truck. Dazing off I thought about the weekend and how great it had been. The reporters had not mentioned anything about Beth, and I was sure as hell grateful.
�Babe we are heading down to put road� Shane said, jolting me out of my thoughts. I nodded and waited as the crew started to push the truck through the garage. Walking hand in hand, Shane and I followed behind them, stopping so Shane could sign autographs along the way. �I have such a good feeling about today� Shane said as we walked closer to pit road. I chuckled at his optimism �I think you will have a great race� I said. I watched as the crew did the final preparations, I had really missed being at the track. From the look on Shane�s face I could tell he had missed me being there too.
Standing next to his car I watched as Shane did a few pre-race interviews. When he was finished he turned to climb into his car, stopping for a second to kiss me lightly on the lips. �I love you� he whispered as he slid himself into the truck. Shane strapped himself in and put on his helmet. I stepped aside to let Tyler help him.
I stayed next to his truck during the pre race ceremonies, the entire time his hand clutching mine through the window. �Ok go get �em� I said as I leaned in his window. Even though he had his helmet on I could still see him smiling. �Be safe� I said before I pulled myself out. I walked over and climbed on top of the pit box, sliding on the headset that Ritchie had just handed me. I listened, chuckling as I heard Shane�s banter over the first few laps of the race. I had always loved listening to him; he always managed to keep me and anyone else who was listening in stitches.
**15 laps to go**
�Shane we have a better truck we can win this thing bud� Ritchie said, watching as the pace car ducked onto pit road. Shane sat silent; the only noise over the radio was the spotter. I knew Shane was itching for his first win and I was praying that today would be it. The radio stayed silent as both Shane and Todd Bodine�s crew were standing on the pit wall watching as their drivers battled it out. �Caution turn 4� we all heard the spotter say, turning to see who had wrecked.
The cars took forever to clean up and NASCAR announced that there was going to be a green, white checkered finish. �Shane, race your own race bud� was all Ritchie said as the pace car led the field and then turned off the track. I watched as the group of cars took the green. �Cmon Shane� I said to myself, grasping my hands together. Shane was right on Todd�s bumper as they took their laps, he tried to go high and low but couldn�t pass him. They took the white flag and we joined the crew, standing on top of the pit box watching as Shane tried everything to pass Todd. The last lap felt like it was slow motion. As the cars came out of turn 3 that�s when Shane did it. Bumping Todd from behind Shane passed him, taking the lead. We all watched on pins and needles praying that Shane could keep the lead. And that was just what he did, he took the checkered.
Hugging Ritchie I could hear Shane yelling over the radio. �We did it boys!� he yelled as well as a few whoo hoo�s. Shane stopped his truck on the front stretch and let down the window net. Climbing out of his truck he took off his helmet and ran towards the crowd of screaming people in the stands. Hurling his helmet into the crowd he threw his hands up in victory. I smiled and wiped a lone tear from underneath my eye. Shane climbed back in his truck and started to do a burnout.
I climbed off of the pit box and waited as Tiff climbed down after me. When she finally made her way to me we ran towards Victory Circle. Running down pit road we could still see Shane doing his burnout on the front stretch. Tiff and I arrived in Victory Circle before Shane did; I smiled when I saw how happy the crew was. They had been waiting for this for a long time. Tiff ran up and jumped into Tyler�s arms, kissing him. I watched as someone passed out hats to the entire crew. Sliding mine on my head I smiled as Shane drove into Victory Circle. He waited in the truck so the camera crew and reporter could get in everything. I sat back and watched as Ritchie stuck his head in the truck to congratulate him.
�Here he is, the winner of the Las Vegas 350� the reporter started, signaling for Shane to get out of his truck. As soon as his feet hit the ground I could see his eyes scanning the crowd looking for me. I wiggled my way through the crowd and made my way over to him. He wrapped his arms around me and spun me around planting a kiss on my forehead as he set me down. �Congrats baby, you so earned this� I said in his ear, laying my head against his chest. He pulled away so he could do his interview. I smiled and watched him, his grin stretching from ear to ear.
Shane answered the questions and thanked the people he needed to. �Well enjoy your celebration tonight� the reporter said, in an attempt to wrap things up. Shane was far from finished �Well hopefully I will be celebrating a lot more than just my first win tonight� he said. The reporter cocked his eyebrow before he asked Shane what he meant by the comment. �Well, hopefully tonight I will be celebrating my engagement as well� he said looking over at me. I wasn�t sure I had heard him right.
I watched as he walked over to me, the camera following his every move. Shane knelt down on one knee as Tyler handed him a small black box. He opened it and held up the most beautiful diamond solitaire set in white gold I had ever seen. Tears filled my eyes as I looked at him �Will you marry me?� he asked. Not waiting for an answer he slipped the ring on my finger and stood up �Well?� he asked, smiling. I couldn�t speak; all I could do was nod yes. The crowd erupted when they saw my response. Shane wrapped his arms around me and pulled me to him �Love you baby girl� he said still beaming from the events that had unfolded. I planted a kiss on his lips and felt as if the world around us stopped. Pulling away I looked at his blue eyes and smiled �Love you too Hmiel�.
