by Tara Wentz
“Not at all. You’re passionate about what you do and that’s very admirable.”
Joshlyn could hear the intensity in Kellen’s explanation. She wished they had had the conversation in person so Joshlyn could see the passion as well.
Rolling out of bed, Joshlyn headed to the shower. She needed time to check her equipment before Kellen arrived.
****
Kellen finished her breakfast and put her dishes in the dishwasher. Crouching down, she scratched Chigger under the chin.
“You ready for your chow chow now, big boy?”
Chigger’s hind end and tail wiggled as much as it possibly could for his size. He was always ready to eat.
Kellen set a bowl of food down for Chigger and watched him eat. When she first got him, Chigger was so timid he wouldn’t even eat in front of her. He’d grab a few bites and then go hide to eat them. She knew he had been abused, but to what extent she’d never know. Now Chigger didn’t even mind making a pig out of himself in front of her and nothing could make her happier. Well, almost nothing.
“It’s going to be a good day, boy. I’m taking Joshlyn to the race.”
Chigger raised his head at the mention of Joshlyn’s name, making Kellen laugh.
“You like her already, huh?”
She patted his rump, saying, “Yeah, me too, boy. Me, too.” Standing, Kellen glanced at the clock. She had just enough time to get her gear, let Chigger out, and then head over to pick Joshlyn up.
Kellen pulled up outside Joshlyn’s house just as Joshlyn was coming out the door. She hopped out of the SUV and ran around to open the door.
Flashing a smile, Kellen said, “Hi.”
Joshlyn’s eyes met Kellen’s and she smiled in return. “Hi, yourself. I hope you haven’t been waiting long.”
“No, not at all,” Kellen responded without breaking eye contact. “Matter of fact, I just got here so it was perfect timing.”
Joshlyn shouldered her camera bag and climbed into the vehicle. She could feel the heat of Kellen’s gaze on her and wanted to tell her to stop. Not because it annoyed her, but because of how that look made her body react. There was something dangerously sexy about a smoldering look, especially when that person had no idea that’s how they looked. Joshlyn wondered briefly if Kellen would see the same in her own eyes. Would she know how Joshlyn felt by looking into the depth of her eyes or would she see the secrets and lies that Joshlyn constantly kept hidden? Give it a rest, Joshlyn; we’ll cross that bridge IF we get there!
Joshlyn snapped her seat belt and fiddled with the clasp on her camera bag while Kellen hopped back into the SUV and reached for her seat belt. She stopped in mid-motion and watched Joshlyn, who was fidgeting with her camera bag as if she was nervous. Her bent head and pink cheeks made Kellen wonder what was going through her mind.
Acting on instinct alone, Kellen let go of the seat belt and leaned over the console towards Joshlyn. Slowly she brought her hand up to lay it against Joshlyn’s cheek. When Joshlyn looked up at her, Kellen bent her head close and captured Joshlyn’s lips with her own.
The kiss was meant to assure. It was a kiss to say, “I’m glad you’re here.” The kiss gradually became more as Joshlyn’s arms came up and closed around Kellen, pulling her even closer.
Joshlyn moaned as Kellen’s tongue insinuated itself between her lips. She wanted this woman more than she wanted anything at this very moment. She let the kiss continue for a moment longer before pulling back.
Joshlyn kissed Kellen lightly on the lips and smiled. “If we don’t get a move on, I’m afraid you might not make it to your race at all.”
“We could always skip this race if you wanted,” Kellen said, wiggling her eyebrows.
Joshlyn laughed. “Oh no, you promised me pictures and pits so buckle up and let’s hit the road.”
“Yes ma’am,” Kellen said, giving a mock salute.
“Is it true that race cars don’t have speedometers?” Joshlyn asked once they hit the main road.
“That is true.”
“Why is that? How do you know how fast you’re going?”
“Well, all tires are different which affects the speed. So instead all cars use tachometers which measure the number of revolutions or turns per minute also known as RPM’s.” Kellen hesitated, making sure Joshlyn was following along.
“Okay.”
“The revolutions indicate how hard the engine is working. Without going into a bunch of boring details, let’s just say that the higher the RPM’s, the faster the speed.”
“Ah, ok. And they don’t have keys to start the car either?”
“Nope. There are a lot of differences between stock cars and regular cars you see on the road every day.”
“Which is why the tires look different, too?”
Kellen grinned. “Exactly. The more rubber touching the track the better traction you’ll have. That’s why there are no treads on the tires either.”
“Hence the reason races are not run if it’s raining.”
“Right! You catch on quick.”
Joshlyn blew on her nails and rubbed them on her shirt. “I’m trying. How disappointed would you be if I told you I checked a few websites to learn a few things?”
Kellen laughed before responding. “I wouldn’t be disappointed at all. We all have to learn somehow, right?”
“Yep. I have to be honest though. I probably wouldn’t even bother if it wasn’t for you.”
“I’m flattered,” Kellen said, blushing.
The remainder of the drive was made with some bantering back and forth about the track, the other drivers, and Kellen’s car. Time passed quickly and before Kellen knew it, they were already pulling into the gates of the track.
“Ah, here we are.” Kellen parked the SUV and they made their way through the link fence to the pit. As they grew closer, Kellen reached over and clasped Joshlyn’s hand in hers.
“Don’t want you to get lost.”
Joshlyn gave her a funny look. “How would I get lost here? Trust me; I plan on following your every step.”
“Ok, then I wouldn’t want the pit lizards to hound you. How’s that for honesty?”
“Pit lizards?” Joshlyn asked with a chuckle.
“That would be the groupies who hang out down here just waiting to snag a driver. You have to watch your back with them. They are a ruthless bunch of women.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
“Unfortunately, no. It’s happened before and it’ll happen again.”
“Point well taken,” Joshlyn said, tightening her grip on Kellen’s.
They walked through the garage area and passed car after car. Kellen stopped a couple times to say hello to a couple fellow drivers before stopping next to a car that Joshlyn knew was not hers.
“This is Emerson’s car. I just want to say hello before we move on down to mine, ok?”
“Sure. I’d like to see him again, too.”
Kellen walked around the back of the car. “Watch your step here.”
Joshlyn stepped over some power cords and followed Kellen through a flap in the tent.
“Hey there, Emerson. How’s it going?”
Emerson stood up and shook Kellen’s hand before giving Joshlyn a quick one-arm hug.
“Hey. It’s a going. You ready for today?”
“More than ready and I even brought along Joshlyn to cheer us along. Although I think she’s going to take some snapshots, too.”
Joshlyn didn’t return Emerson’s hug, but oddly enough didn’t feel too uncomfortable. Maybe it was quite possible that she finally found she didn’t need to feel jumpy every time she turned around. At the mention of snapshots, she brought her attention back to the conversation.
“Do you mind if I take pictures of you, too, Emerson?”
“Shoot, I don’t mind at all. You snap to your heart’s desire. Maybe I could talk you out of some once you get them printed.”
“Absolutely.”
Emerson put a hand on
Kellen’s shoulder and got a grim look on his face. “Listen, K, I thought I should tell you before someone else does that this race might not be as easy and lighthearted as we had hoped it would be.”
“Oh, why is that?”
“Your friend and mine decided to make an appearance today.”
Kellen started pacing and shaking a hand back and forth. “No, no, no…not today. Please say not today?”
“I’m sorry, Kellen,” Emerson said, nodding his head.
“Son of a fucking bitch!” Kellen hissed before sitting down and putting her head in her hands.
Chapter Eight
“Listen, K, I’m sure things will be fine. We just have to keep our heads up out there and watch our backs,” Emerson said. He knew Kellen wasn’t going to handle the news well.
“What the hell is he doing here? I thought Billy Baker was banned from the circuit.”
“I don’t mean to interrupt, but who is Billy Baker?” Joshlyn asked, looking between the two.
“Billy Baker was…is a fellow circuit driver. Two years ago he caused one of the biggest fuck-ups in this track’s history.” Emerson paused long enough to glance quickly at Kellen. She looked as disgusted now as she did the day it happened.
“Problem is that it happened right out there on pit road. You’re only supposed to be going a certain speed so accidents don’t happen, but Billy came off the track and didn’t slow down much.”
“Much? You have got to be kidding me, Emerson!” Kellen responded haughtily. “I don’t think he slowed down at all. If he had then we wouldn’t have lost Peetie. Peetie never even saw him coming.”
Kellen stood and paced back and forth in front of Joshlyn. Her furrowed brows and twisted lips told Joshlyn all she needed to know about how Kellen felt about Billy.
“So if that’s the case then how is he here racing today?” Joshlyn asked.
Kellen threw her hands in the air. “That’s what I’d like to know!”
“Billy was suspended while an investigation took place. From what I heard, they put him on two-year probation, but he sent an inquiry in asking them to take a better look at his engine. He says that the engine locked up or something like that and he wasn’t able to slow down.”
“Engine locked up my ass! That doesn’t affect your Goddamned brakes! Emerson, you didn’t see the look on his face after the accident. There was no remorse there whatsoever. He didn’t give two shits that his carelessness caused the death of one mechanic and the injuries of two others!”
“I know, K, I know.” Emerson stuck his hands up in surrender. “Listen, you have to put this behind you. It’s gonna eat you alive if you don’t.”
“I’ll put it behind me the day that piece of shit pays for what he did!” Kellen said as she stormed back into the tent.
****
Kellen knew she needed to cool down and felt horrible that she’d walked away, leaving Joshlyn standing there. She didn’t want Joshlyn to see this ugly side of her and was embarrassed she couldn’t keep it under control.
Kellen had no more than rounded Emerson’s car when she ran smack into the person she loathed more than anything right now. Billy hadn’t changed at all since the last time she’d seen him. His long stringy hair still looked like you could ring a vat of grease out of it. She swore he had more teeth missing than he had in his head.
“Whoa there lil’ lady. You better watch where yer goin’ before someone gets hurt,” Billy said, grabbing Kellen by the arms.
Kellen yanked her arms away and took a step closer. “Don’t you ever touch me again.”
“Hey, I’s just walkin’ here when you ran inta me.”
“Stay away from me, Baker,” Kellen said, her voice rising with each word.
“Whatsa matter, Kellen? Ya act like ya done lost yer best friend or somethin’,” Billy said with a crooked grin.
“You lousy son of a…”
****
Emerson sighed and looked at Joshlyn. “Peetie was a good friend and one of the best mechanics. He’d been working with Kellen’s team from the start.”
“Was Billy responsible for what happened or did his engine really lock up?”
“I honestly don’t know, Joshlyn, but everything seemed fine before that. To make matters worse, it’s like Billy knows how much he gets under Kellen’s skin.” Emerson scratched his head before continuing. “He always talks smack when he’s around, but after the accident he started making comments. Comments that seemed more like threats.”
“Threats?”
“Yeah. Suffice it to say that they always set Kellen off.”
“That’s not—” Joshlyn stopped mid-sentence when a loud commotion from inside the tent drew their attention.
Emerson ran for the tent with Joshlyn close behind.
****
“Git her the fuck away from me!” Billy yelled from his spot on the ground.
Two other drivers were standing a couple feet away with Kellen promptly subdued between them. Billy had his hands between his legs, cradling his genitals.
“You want to start some shit? Then let’s go, but you damn well better be ready to finish it. I’m done with you, Baker!” Kellen sneered.
Joshlyn walked quietly over to Kellen and took her hand.
“Hey,” Joshlyn said, trying to get Kellen’s attention. “How about you show me your car, huh?”
Kellen blinked once then twice before looking at Joshlyn. Slowly she felt the rage inside settle enough where she could think straight. “Um, yeah. It’s, uh, over here.”
Kellen took one last look at Billy before turning and walking away. She didn’t say another word until they approached her tent and car.
“Listen, Joshlyn, I’m really sorry you had to see that,” Kellen said with a shaky voice. Clenching her jaws, she continued. “I’m not usually like that, but that man sets me on edge and makes me angrier than I’ve ever been.”
Joshlyn followed Kellen over to a couple chairs and waited for her to sit down. “We all have things that make us vulnerable, Kellen. Don’t apologize for your feelings.”
“I know, it’s just that I hate that I let him get to me and that you had to see me so out of control.”
Joshlyn put her hands on the arms of the chair and squatted down in front of Kellen. “Trust me, Kellen; you are not the first person I’ve seen out of control. Don’t worry about it.”
Kellen stared into Joshlyn’s eyes, hoping she truly did understand. Slowly she nodded her head even though she wasn’t completely convinced. “All right.”
“So, this is your car, huh?” Joshlyn asked as she stood up.
Kellen stood and walked over to her car. It was bright yellow with a navy number thirteen on it.
“This would be her.” Kellen grinned.
Joshlyn walked closer, ran her hand over the top, and peeked inside the window.
“Hey, how come there’s only one seat in there?”
“Because only one person can drive the car at a time.” Kellen laughed.
Joshlyn shook her head and chuckled. “I don’t know what I expected. I should have taken a closer look that first day when Ami brought me down.”
“Well, you seemed a little distracted at the time.”
“Oh, and like you don’t even know what that was about, do you?” Joshlyn teased.
Kellen smiled, but didn’t say anything more. She loved this playful side of Joshlyn. It was nice to see her out of her shell and having a good time.
“Well, hello there, ladies,” Bob said as he paused at the tent flap. He wasn’t sure if he was interrupting anything or not.
Kellen turned and gestured for Bob to come closer. “Hey, Bob. This is Joshlyn Davis. Joshlyn, this is Bob Landers, my crew chief.”
“Hello, Mr. Landers. It’s really nice to meet you,” Joshlyn said, shaking Bob’s hand.
“Oh, just call me Bob, young lady. Mr. Landers is my papa’s name.”
Joshlyn smiled. “All right then, Bob. Kellen talks very highly of you. She
says you’re the best crew chief around.”
“Whooeeee, what are you gonna have to pay her after this one, Kellen?” Bob said, chuckling.
Kellen rolled her eyes. “She came up with that one all her own, Bob. All kidding aside though, you are the best.”
Bob blushed at Kellen’s high praise and changed the subject. “You better get a move on, kiddo, if you plan to qualify for the race.”
“Right. Joshlyn’s going to take some pictures and hang out with us today. That okay with you?”
“Absolutely. I’ll be the envy of all the guys,” Bob said, tucking a thumb in his pants loop.
Kellen stepped closer to Joshlyn and put a hand on her elbow. “I hate to leave you now, but I need to go do time trials. As soon as they are done I’ll have time to hang out some before the race starts.”
Joshlyn looped her arm through Bob’s. “Don’t worry about me. I’ve got the best chaperone. Go on, I’ll be okay.”
“You can take whatever pictures you’d like, just be sure to stay behind the pit wall, okay?”
“You bet,” Joshlyn assured her. “Be careful.”
Kellen leaned closed and gave Joshlyn a whisper of a kiss. “Always.”
****
After Kellen left to get ready, Joshlyn went about readying her cameras. She pulled her favorite digital camera out and checked the battery. The beauty of a digital was that you could snap all the pictures you wanted and erase the bad ones later. Her Mark III was no slouch. The self-cleaning sensor and five frames per second shooting speed were just a couple reasons she absolutely loved this camera. She grabbed a can of air out of her bag to clean her six hundred four point oh long lens, wide-angle lens, and macro lens so they were ready for later. Now she was ready to go. Gradually she started taking pictures. She snapped a few of the car before Kellen had to take it for the time trials. Joshlyn kept it to the forefront of her mind to watch out for cables and cords for she seemingly always got lost in her work. The price of her equipment alone was well worth the insurance policy she took out on it.
