April 22 – Talladega 500 - Talladega SuperSpeedway

Noelle leaned against the wall in the garage and watched Junior talking to Tony Sr. about the car. It was almost seven in the morning and she was exhausted. Time was flying and she was already five months pregnant.

The time seemed to be flying by and it didn’t look to be slowing down anytime soon. She was still working at DEI, taking on a little more each week it seemed. It had come down to the point to where she wasn’t going to the races as much as she would have liked. Today would be the first actual day she would be able to spend any amount of time with her husband in almost a month. Junior’s schedule was crazy. When he wasn’t at the track, he was doing interviews, commercial shoots, press conferences and who knows what else. Jade kept him so busy, that when he was home for three days, he really wasn’t home other than to sleep…and sometimes, that wasn’t even possible.

“You awake?” Junior stopped in front of her and nudged her. Noelle’s eyes opened and she looked at her husband. “Go back to the coach and sleep, hon. You need your rest.”

“I want to see you.” Noelle said in an almost whine. Junior looked over his shoulder at Tony Sr. who was now talking to someone else. He took her hand and led her back in the direction of the coach. “What are you doing?”

“Going with you to take a nap.” He laughed. “I need some time alone with you.” They walked in silence for a few minutes. “How you been feeling?”

“Tired.” Noelle sighed. “And fat.” Junior looked down at her and laughed. “Thanks…that’s just wanted I wanted. My husband to laugh at me.”

“Baby, you’re not fat.” He stopped and stood in front of her. “You’ve just got a baby belly as Teresa called it. Kinda like a basketball.” He rubbed her stomach. “Come to think of it…it looks like you’re carrying a basketball under here.” Noelle smacked his hand away and he hugged her. “I don’t have to be back out here for a few hours. Let’s go spend some alone time together.” He winked at her and led her back to the coach.

“This is nice.” Noelle sighed as they laid in bed together with Junior’s arms around her. “I’ve missed you.”

“Same here.” Junior kissed her neck. “What’s been going on with you? Kelley said that you stopped by her office the other day and were all frantic about something?”

“It was work related. Actually had to do with your schedule. But it got fixed. So no need to worry, you made it here, didn’t you?” Noelle chuckled.

“Was there any doubt?” Junior asked.

“Yeah, actually there was. Budweiser had you shooting a commercial Friday that would have made you miss qualifying. So you should be thankful I talked Derek into rescheduling it for next month.” Noelle rolled on her back and looked at him. “I went to the doctor Friday afternoon too.”

“And?” Junior rubbed her stomach and smiled. “What’s the good news?”

“She’s doing fine.” Noelle said wondering if he’d catch on to what she just hinted at. Junior smiled and kissed her.

“Good. No problems then?” He asked. Noelle shook her head and tried not to laugh when Junior realized what she had said. “She?”

“Yep, she.” Noelle propped herself up on her elbows and smiled at him. “The amnio results came back and that happened to be one of the results that Dr. Shaw told me.” Junior fell on his back and ran his hand over his face. “What’s wrong?”

“A girl? Wow.” Junior said in awe. “I was kinda hoping for a boy, but a girl is good. Damn…I’m gonna be beating the shit out of her boyfriends aren’t I?” Noelle laughed and cuddled against him. “Did you tell anyone yet?”

“Nope.” Noelle closed her eyes and yawned. “I figured I’d tell you first, we’d pick out a name and then tell people.” Junior rested his arm over her shoulder and squeezed. “A boys name was easy enough…this is a little harder.”

“Any female form of Dale?” Junior laughed. “Or we could just name her Dale.”

“Junior, I’m not naming my daughter Dale.” Noelle groaned. “Pick something else.”

“Leigh.” Noelle scrunched up her face. “I like Maddie too.” Noelle shook her head. “Why?”

“Your niece’s name is Madysn. Too close. Not to mention you call her Maddie. She might get a little upset that the new baby took her name.”

“Good point.” Junior sighed. “I have no idea. I like Dale.” Noelle slapped his stomach. “Ok…not naming her Dale. Can we try for a boy after she’s born?”

“No!” Noelle laughed. “One at a time.”

“Can we practice anyway?” Junior pushed her on her back and leaned down and kissed her just as there was a knock on the door.

“Rise and shine!” Tony’s voice came through the door.

“You didn’t lock it?” Noelle laughed as Junior groaned and rested his head on her chest.

“Whatcha up to?” Tony walked into the back room and turned around. “Ok…maybe it’s not a good time.”

“What do ya want?” Junior got up and helped Noelle stand up. They walked out front and found Tony sitting on the couch.

“Just wanted to see if you two wanted breakfast. Hollie’s making eggs and bacon over at my coach. I think she’s feeding the entire Nascar crew, she’s been going at it since before six.” Tony looked at them and noticed they were smiling. “What’s your deal?”

“Just a secret.” Junior laughed and hopped up on the counter.

“Uh huh…got some kind of secret strategy for winning today or something? Lemme guess…you’re gonna tell me you don’t want to run with me today.”

“Now why the hell would I want to do that?” Junior laughed. “I have a good chance of winning today, I don’t need to be carrying your sorry ass around the track.” Tony flipped him off.

“Ahhh….brotherly love.” Noelle sat down on the couch and rubbed her stomach where the baby had kicked her.

“Yo! You guys awake?” Another pound on the door and then an entrance by Matt Kenseth.

“Hmmm…I didn’t know we were throwing a party this early.” Noelle groaned as Matt walked in. “Morning Matt.”

“Hey gorgeous.” Matt came over and kissed her cheek than sat next to her. “What’s with the pow-wow already?”

“Nada.” Junior hopped off the counter. “I’m telling them hon.” Noelle shrugged.

“Telling us what?” Tony asked. “Lemme guess…you’re pregnant!” Noelle whipped a pillow, hitting Tony in the head. “And violent…must run in the family.” Everyone laughed. “C’mon, tell.”

“It’s a girl.” Junior said with a smile.

“Wow! Congrats!” Matt said getting up to high-five Junior. “Thank God there’s not going to be another you running around.” Tony got up and shook hands with Junior as well. “Did you name her?”

“Dale.” Junior laughed as he got a glare from Noelle. “Seriously, we haven’t decided yet. She just told me this morning.” He smiled at Noelle who grinned back.

“Hmmm…just the concept of Junior being married and a daddy is odd.” Matt rubbed his chin and shrugged. “It had to happen someday I suppose. I’m still pissed you didn’t tell me you two got hitched in November instead of January!”

“Yeah, who would have thought I’d ever settle down?” Junior sat down next to Noelle. Noelle leaned against him and closed her eyes and yawned. “Hey Smoke, tell Hollie we’ll be over in a little while. I think Noelle wants to go back to sleep for a bit.”

“Can do.” Tony said as he left with Matt. “Just don’t be late for the meeting.” The door slammed shut and Junior kissed the top of Noelle’s head.

“So where were we?” Junior asked running his hand over Noelle’s back. “Wanna go back to bed?”

“To sleep.” Noelle stood up and took his hand. Junior frowned. “I’m sorry hon, I’m tired. You try being pregnant.”

“That’s ok….I like my figure the way it is.” Junior stood up and posed for her. Noelle rolled her eyes and went to the bedroom. “What? You used to laugh at my jokes!”

“When they were funny!” Noelle yelled as she climbed back in bed and pulled the covers over her. 

*******

The fans were screaming as the drivers went through the introductions. Noelle sat with Tony Sr. in the pits and watched on a monitor.

“They sure do love him.” Tony commented as Junior waved to the crowd before climbing in the bed of a pickup for his ride around the track. “And to think that they thought by him getting married, he’d lose his fan base.” Noelle shrugged and watched Junior waving at everyone. “You ready to watch your hubby win?”

“Of course.” Noelle smiled. “I’m always ready.” She got up from her chair and walked over to the pit wall and leaned against it. Junior came over a few minutes later and stopped in front of her before jumping over the wall. “Bringin home a checkered?”

“You know it.” Junior took her hand and led her down the road to go talk to a few of the other drivers. It wasn’t a secret that Junior was one of the best restrictor plate drivers Nascar had. Dale Sr. had been another one and it seemed to be in their blood. It also helped that Junior loved these types of races. “Hey Hollie…where’s the old man?”

“Hmmm….last time I saw him he was talking to Gordo about something.” Hollie looked up from the notebook she was writing in. “Hey sis.”

“Hey. Sorry I missed breakfast.”

“No problem. Junior said you fell asleep.” Hollie laughed. “Your man is a pig…how the hell you can afford to cook for him, I’ll never know.” Junior frowned and walked away. “How you doing?”

“Good. Did Tony tell you the good news?” Noelle sat down next to Hollie and watched as she shook her head. “It’s a girl.”

“That’s awesome! What are you naming her?” Hollie threw the notebook down and leaned forward. “Something good I hope!”

“Junior keeps saying Dale and I’m going to smack him if he says it again.” Noelle laughed. “I don’t know yet. I’m sure we’ll figure something out.” Hollie looked lost in thought a minute. “Whatcha thinkin’ about?”

“Jocelyn.” Hollie said suddenly. “That’s a pretty name.” Noelle looked down at Junior.

“Jocelyn Leigh Earnhardt?” Noelle asked out loud. “Has a ring to it. It’s a hell of a lot better than him wanting to name her Dale!” Both girls laughed as their husbands walked up with Kevin Harvick. Noelle’s good mood suddenly clouded over when she saw him.

“How you doing Noelle?” Kevin asked trying to make conversation. “Taking care of that baby?”

“Yep.” She said coldly. She turned her attention to Junior. “I’m going back to help Tony Sr. Catch ya before you get in the car.” She turned her back quickly and walked in the direction of Junior’s pit. Junior watched as she stopped and said something to Junior’s teammate, Michael Waltrip.

“What’s with her?” Tony asked Hollie. Hollie shrugged and went back to her notebook. “Anyway…as I was sayin….” Junior nodded to Tony, but kept his eye on Noelle. He didn’t like the vibe he had gotten when Kevin walked up with them. “What do you think Jun?”

“Huh?” Junior looked at him. “Yeah…good idea.” Tony raised an eyebrow and looked at Kevin. “I’ll see you two on the track.” He headed off after Noelle, leaving the other two men standing confused.

“I don’t think he was listening to you.” Hollie laughed. “That boy has more on his mind than anyone I know.”

“He’s probably still pissed off about what I told him the other day.” Kevin shrugged and walked off toward his pit. Tony and Hollie both looked after him and then at each other.

“Got me. Today was the first time I’ve heard anything about it.” Tony shook his head. “I gotta see Zippy. Be back.” He blew a kiss to Hollie and left.

Back at Junior’s pit, Noelle was going over the check list with Tony Sr. She jumped when Junior tapped her on the back.

“Got a minute?”

“No, not really.” Noelle held up her clipboard and then nodded at Tony Sr. who was counting tires. “I’m kinda helping out here.”

“I just have a question that needs answered.” Junior leaned against the toolbox and looked at her. Noelle sighed and faced him. “Is the baby mine?” Noelle dropped the clipboard she was holding in shock. “I need to know.”

“What the fuck kind of question is that?” Noelle yelled a little too loudly, causing Tony Sr. to turn around along with most of the other crew members. “Of course the baby is yours! Who else would be the father?”

“Keep it down, Noelle. You have Martin’s crew looking at us.” Junior hushed her.

“I don’t give a flying fuck who’s looking at me!” Noelle yelled. “You’re asking your wife if the baby she’s carrying is yours? Don’t you think that’s a little obvious?” Junior shrugged. “What or who even put that doubt in your head, Dale? Why don’t you tell me that?”

“Just something I heard.”

“Instead of going on a rumor, why don’t you just ask me?”

“I did and you’re actually being defensive about it, so it’s making me wonder.” Junior crossed his arms over his chest and glared at his wife. “I just want a straight answer.” Noelle felt her eyes stinging with tears. Just the mere idea of him accusing her of sleeping with someone else tore her apart. “It’s Kevin’s isn’t it?” Without thinking, Noelle reached up and slapped Junior across the face, then turned and walked away.

“Boy, what the hell is your problem?” Tony Sr. grabbed Junior’s shoulder after Noelle had left the pit. “Who would tell you such an absurd thing?”

“Kevin stopped me the other day before practice and asked if Noelle had come clean yet.” Junior rubbed his face where Noelle slapped him. “Then they acted all odd together when we were down at Tony’s pit.”

“I don’t want to hear another fucked up story like that come out of your mouth again! You know damn well that baby is yours. She doesn’t have eyes for anyone but your sorry ass. Right now I’m wondering why!” Tony Sr. was visibly angry with Junior. “You need to go apologize to her.”

“Not until I know the truth! Stay out of it Eury.” Junior pushed past his uncle and went to his car where he got his helmet out and started to get ready.

********

Noelle sat down on the steps coach crying. She couldn’t believe that Junior would even believe a word that came out of Kevin’s mouth. She sighed and stood up, brushing off her shorts. She couldn’t sit and cry all day. She had work to do and promised Tony Sr. that she’d help out in the pit with things that needed done during the race.

After a quick trip into the coach to freshen up, she headed back to the pits and to face her husband, who hopefully was already on the track.

When Noelle finally made it to the pits, they were already on lap 20. Noelle ignored the looks she was getting from the crew and climbed up next to Tony Sr. who immediately handed her a headset. She put it on and moved the mic away, so she wouldn’t be tempted to start yelling at Junior.

“Straight aways are boring.” Junior said into the mic. “It’s gonna be a loooong day.”

“You made it that way.” Tony Sr. said without thinking.

“What do you mean by that?” Junior asked. “Dude…who’s behind me?”

“Wallace and Stewart. Mikey’s in 18^th right now.” Tony said with a sigh. He looked at Noelle and patted her leg to let her know it would be ok. “Come in for 4 on the next caution.”

“Will do.” Junior said and the air went dead.

“He’s an asshole.” Noelle crossed her arms over her chest and looked out at the track as the cars went by. “Did you hear what he said?” Tony nodded. “I can’t believe he’d even ask me something so unbelievable.”

“Harvick’s just out to cause trouble. Him and Delana are having problems from what I hear.”

“Wonder why. So he’s having problems with his marriage, he decides to fuck with mine?” Noelle sat up as Junior clipped the wall. When she saw he was ok, she leaned back. “He needs to wreck.”

“Noelle!” Tony looked at her surprised.

“Not Junior. Kevin.” Noelle took off her headset. “I can’t stay up here. I’ll see you later.” She climbed back down the stairs and was stopped by Tony Jr. She told him she was going back to the coach and he nodded.

Junior came in 8^th and drove the car back to the garage. He did a few interviews and photographs, then headed toward the coach for something to each and a shower.

“Hey buddy.” Kevin said catching up with him. Junior ignored him and kept walking. “You can’t ignore me forever. That baby your wife is carrying is more than likely mine.” Junior stopped and turned around.

“Fuck off Kevin.” Junior glared at him.

“Truth hurt?” Kevin laughed. “I mean, c’mon. Did you really think she was going to stay faithful to you there, Junior? She’s got the wandering eye. I mean, hell. How do you know she hasn’t swapped places with that twin of hers just to see what Tony’s like? I could see those two doing that. Her sister probably wanted to see what you were like as well. It’s not exactly unheard of.” Junior balled up his fist and swung, connecting with Kevin’s jaw. Kevin stumbled back and looked at Junior in shock. “What the fuck?”

Junior jumped on Kevin and started pounding on him. Kevin got a few hits in, nailing Junior in the eye at one point.

“Junior! Kevin! What the fuck are you doing?” Tony yelled running at them. He grabbed Junior and yanked him off Kevin. Junior tried to break free of Tony’s grip, but failed. “You’re coming with me. Kevin, I suggest you get out of here.” Kevin walked off muttering something under his breath. “What the fuck is your deal?” He let Junior go, watching him storm off toward the coach.

Tony jogged to catch up with him. “Junior!”

“Stay out of it Tony!” Junior yelled back at his friend. “You don’t know what’s going on!”

“So instead of beating the shit out of random people, why don’t you tell me what’s going on?” Tony caught up with Junior and grabbed his shoulder. “What gives?”

“That’s not my kid.” Junior stopped and turned around. “Kevin said it’s his.” Tony doubled over in laughter. “I’m glad you find humor in this. My so-called wife is pregnant with someone else’s kid and you’re laughing. You’re a great friend.”

“You have got to be fucking kidding me.” Tony shook his head, still laughing. “You believe that shit?”

“He told me the other day. I ignored it. But today proved it. They act all weird together.” Junior crossed his arms over his chest and glared at Tony.

“Do you live under a rock?” Tony glanced around to see who was watching them. Thankfully everyone was doing something else and only a few people were really paying attention to what they were doing. Tony figured they weren’t going to do any harm and looked back at Junior. “She wouldn’t touch Kevin. You’re out of your mind. She’s only got eyes for you. That’s pretty damn evident. Not to mention, Hollie told me the shit Kevin pulled after he met her and then your whole thing at your dad’s party.”

“Still…I want an answer from her.” Junior turned and walked toward his coach leaving Tony standing watching him.

Junior stepped inside and found Noelle asleep in bed. He ignored her and went to the bathroom and started the shower. Noelle opened her eyes when she heard the shower come on, but didn’t move.

“Dale Earnhardt Jr., please report to the Nascar trailer.” The loud speaker broke the silence in the coach. “Dale Earnhardt Jr. to the Nascar Trailer.”

Noelle sat up in the bed and looked toward the bathroom, where Junior came out in a towel.

 

“Mother fucker.” He muttered as he threw on some clothes and left without saying a word. A few minutes later, Kevin’s name was called to report to the trailer as well.

Noelle got up from the bed and threw her clothes into her duffle bag and left the coach. She walked to Tony’s coach, hoping he was still there.

“Hi ya.” She said walking up to Tony as he was coming out of the coach. “Can I talk to you for a few?” Tony nodded and yelled into the coach that he’d be right back. Hollie yelled back ok and he let the door shut.

“What’s up?” he asked as they walked down the road away from the coaches.

“Why did Junior and Kevin getting called to the truck?” Noelle asked. Tony looked away from her. “C’mon Tony, you’ve never kept anything from me before. What gives?”

“They got in a fight. Junior jumped Harvick for saying that the baby is his.” Tony stopped and grabbed her shoulders, “Tell me that kid is not Harvick’s.”

“You on crack or something?” Noelle stared at him. “Why would you even think that this baby is Harvick’s. I never slept with Kevin! Nor do I want to!” Tony pulled her into a hug. “Why doesn’t Junior believe me?” She started crying and Tony hugged her harder. “Tony, I love Junior. I’d never do anything to mess up our marriage.”

“I know.” Tony rubbed her back. “Want me to go beat the shit out of Harvick for ya?” Noelle stepped back and wiped the tears from her eyes and smiled. “Junior got a few good shots in before I grabbed him. He’s got a nice shiner too.”

“Harvick or Junior?”

“Junior. Didn’t you see him?” Tony asked as they started walking toward his coach. Noelle shook her head. “He went to the coach, where were you?”

“There, but it was dark in there. I didn’t get a good look at him.” Noelle shrugged. “What I really wanted to talk to you about…I was wondering if I could get a ride back with you and Hollie tonight.”

“Sure, you’re not going to ride back with Junior?” Tony asked. Noelle shook her head. “I’m not going to ask why; I think I already know the answer. But I’ll do it since you’re my sister in law.”

“Thanks Tony.” Noelle gave him a kiss on the cheek. “I owe ya.”

****

That night, Tony and Hollie dropped Noelle off at home. Noelle unlocked the door to the house and went inside. She listened to see if Junior was home and upstairs, but there was no sound except for Buddy Love meowing from the laundry room.

Noelle let him out and walked through the empty house, turning lights on so Junior wouldn’t stumble over anything when he got home. After waiting up for him until three in the morning, Noelle decided to go to bed.

Chapters: 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12/13/14/15/16/17/18/19/20/21/22/23/24/25/26/27/28/29/30