April 29,2000 – California (Napa 500 – California Speedway)

Noelle flipped through her notepad and listened to Jade talk. She nodded occasionally, making notes when needed. Junior was going to be some interviews for Fox Sports and he wanted Noelle to know what was going on.

“Why are you here?” Junior asked throwing his helmet into the car and looking over at her as she sat on an extra toolbox. “Shouldn’t you be over with Harvick?”

“Why would I be there?” She asked. “I’m working.”

“Hmmmfffphh.” Junior muttered and walked out of the garage. Jade looked at Noelle who shrugged.

“You two having a fight?” Jade laughed and elbowed Noelle. Noelle rolled her eyes and finished writing what she had been before Junior came in. “He likes you.”

“And how do you know that?”

“You should have heard him on the plane. He was talking up a storm about you.” Jade put his sunglasses on his head and looked at her. “He’s not happy about something.”  Noelle shrugged again. “Why didn’t you fly out here with us on Thursday?”

“I flew out with Teresa this morning. Ya’ll seem to forget I do have an actual job at DEI other than this project she has me on with you.” Noelle didn’t mean it to come out as snappy as it did. Jade looked a little shocked. “I’m sorry. I’m just stressed.” Jade nodded.

“Go take lunch. I’ll call you when I need you.” Jade offered. Noelle sighed and put her notebook on the toolbox. “Maybe you can have lunch with Junior. I’m sure he’s at the coach.”

“No, I just want to be alone. Thanks for suggesting it tho.” She smiled at him and walked out of the garage, saying hi to a few of the guys who were working on the car.

Noelle made sure her badge was showing as she walked through the garage area. It was a nice day out and she was enjoying the sun beating down on her. She walked around for a good twenty minutes before she realized she was in front of Junior’s coach. He was sitting in a chair, his head tilted back. It almost looked like he was asleep. She quietly walked toward him and jumped when he looked at her.

“What?”

“Why are you being a dick?” She sat at the picnic table and looked over at him. Next door she could see Dale Sr looking out the window at them. He waved at her and she waved back.

“I’m just trying to figure you out. You’re really something else you know that?” Junior adjusted his hat and looked at her again. She started to say something, but was interrupted by Dale Sr walking out of his coach and into the yard where they were sitting.

“Glad to see you here, Noelle.” He sat down next to her at the picnic table. “Has Junior asked you to my birthday dinner?” Noelle shook her head and glanced at Junior. “Why not, son?”

“Noelle…will you go to dinner with us tonight for dad’s birthday?” he asked with no emotion in his voice.

“Oh I can tell you really want me to go.” Noelle laughed. She looked at Dale Sr. and smiled. “I’d love to go. Happy Birthday by the way.” Dale Sr. smiled and thanked her then excused himself to go to the garage, but not before smacking Junior on the head as he walked by and telling him to shape up.

They sat in silence for a few minutes, both of them looking at the other, but not saying a word. Noelle bit her lip and stood up.

“I’ve gotta get back to Jade.” She waved to him. “What time is the dinner?”

“Be here at 6:00 and we’ll ride together.” Junior got up and went inside the coach. Noelle looked at the closed door for a moment and then started walking back to the garages.

*****

Dale Sr’s birthday dinner was at a decent sized restaurant at one of the hotels. Most of the drivers and their crew were there. Junior looked nice in dress pants and a Budweiser shirt. Noelle had thankfully packed a skirt and a nice shirt in the off chance she’d have to do some actual work. She had been surprised when Junior told her how nice she looked when she arrived at the coach.

“Beer?” Junior handed her a beer and she thanked him. He was starting to loosen up a little and actually chatted with her in the car on the way over. They sat down at the table with Dale Sr. and Teresa.

Everyone was having a good time as the night progressed. Junior even got her up on the dance floor and danced with her.

“Oh…I want to introduce you to someone.” Junior said grabbing her hand and leading her off the dance floor once the song was over. “I see that they just got here.” They walked to one of the other tables and Noelle could see Kevin sitting, talking to one of the other drivers. “Noelle, this is Delana, Kevin’s fiancée. Delana, this is Noelle, she works for DEI.” Noelle’s mouth dropped open when Kevin looked at them in shock. She managed to shake hands with Delana and say hello. Kevin motioned for her to follow him, but she ignored him. Junior protectively put his arm around Noelle and she shoved him away. “Noelle.”

“Leave me alone, Junior.” She walked away and hurried outside. She leaned against the cool bricks of the building and tried to comprehend what had just happened. She needed a cigarette and remembered they were in the car.

“Noelle, let me explain.” Kevin rushed outside and saw her standing off to the side. He walked up to her and she slapped him across the face. “Hey!”

“You’re an asshole.” She yelled at him. “I went off on Junior when I found out he had a girlfriend after I had slept with him. Now I find out that you have a fiancée?”

“You slept with Junior? You told me you hadn’t.” Kevin yelled right back.

“No, the question was whether I was sleeping with him or not. Not if I had slept with him.” Noelle shot right back. “And at this point, it doesn’t matter whether I did or I am because I never want to see you again.” She pushed past him and went inside. She found Junior sitting at the table with Dale Sr. Noelle watched as Kevin sat down at a table with is fiancé.

Noelle walked up to Junior and pulled him up. He looked at her confused as she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him full on the mouth. He kissed her back and then realized where they were.

“Ummm…” He said as he stepped back. Noelle blushed and sat down quickly, avoiding the look of shock on Dale Sr.’s face. He sat back down and ran his hand through his hair.

“Explanation?” Dale Sr. asked taking a drink from his glass. He looked at both of them, but neither of them said a word. “It would have been nice if you would have not done that in front of everyone.”

“Unbecoming of a driver…I know.” Junior finally said, a smirk appearing on his face. Noelle tried not to laugh and covered her mouth. Dale Sr. sighed and got up to go find Teresa.

“Why’d you do that?” Junior asked once his dad was out of ear shot. Noelle shrugged. “Wanna leave?”

“Oh that would look cute. I just kiss you in front of everyone and then we leave.” Noelle glanced around the room. Kevin was watching and didn’t look too happy. “You know they’d be asking if you left to get laid.”

“Well would I be?” Junior moved closer to her so they didn’t have to talk across the table.

“No.” Noelle crossed her arms over her chest and shook her head.

“You know you can’t go backwards.” He stood up and held his hand out for her to take. “C’mon, let’s go wish my dad a happy birthday and leave.”

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