by Tara Wentz
Joshlyn lowered the camera when Kellen came out to get in her car. This time she was dressed in a yellow jumpsuit with matching gloves and boots. In her research online, she found that the material on the jumpsuits, gloves, and boots were made of a fire-resistant material. Joshlyn raised the camera and snapped several more pictures.
Kellen smiled for the camera and then raised her helmet. With one last grin at Joshlyn, she pulled her long hair up and slid the helmet over her head.
“Here kiddo, better put these on for now,” Bob said, handing Joshlyn a pair of protective headphones.
Joshlyn pulled them on just as Kellen ignited the engine. The loud rumble from the car still made her jump.
Kellen gave a thumbs up as she rolled away from the tent towards the track. She winked as she passed Joshlyn and gave the car a little gas.
Kellen glanced in the rear-view mirror and saw Joshlyn raise her camera once again. She smiled to herself. Damn, she’s beautiful!
****
After time trials were over, Kellen pulled the car back around to her tent. The crew helped her park and then raised the hood so the engine could cool down. Kellen pulled herself up and out of the car. As soon as her feet hit the ground, she reached up to remove her helmet. Pulling it off, she shook her head so her hair would fall free around her shoulders. She raised an arm and rubbed it across her forehead. Kellen glanced around, trying to spot Joshlyn and found her off to the side, snapping pictures of none other than herself.
Joshlyn lowered the camera to stare at Kellen. Lord have mercy! I need a cold shower just watching her get out of the car!
Joshlyn grinned and walked over to where Kellen stood. “Hey there, how’d it go?”
“I think it went well. They should be bringing times by here pretty soon. What have you been up to?”
“Oh, you know, a little of this and a little of that.”
Kellen smiled at Joshlyn’s flippant remark. “Oh, really? Well, how about we get a bite to eat real quick before the race starts.”
“Sounds good to me,” Joshlyn replied. She reached to turn her camera off, but took one last glance at the picture in the frame before doing so. I hope that picture turns out half as good as it looks here!
Joshlyn stowed her gear and followed Kellen out the back tent flap and over to some tables where several coolers sat.
“Help yourself. Drinks are usually in the cooler on the end there,” Kellen pointed.
Joshlyn grabbed a bottle of water and a pre-made sandwich and followed Kellen to another bench.
They sat quietly and ate their light meal. When they finished, Kellen took their trash and tossed it in the trash barrel. She sat back down, but this time straddled the bench and faced Joshlyn.
“Was it terribly boring waiting for time trials to get over?”
Joshlyn took a sip of water before replying. “Not at all. You would not believe all the pictures I got. I find it all very fascinating, Kellen.”
“Good. I was afraid you’d be bored to tears.”
“I do have a question for you though.”
Kellen cocked her head slightly. “What’s that?”
At that angle, Joshlyn could see Kellen’s eyes without any shadows or sun causing her to squint. Her eyes had a slight almond shape to them and the irises were big and colorful. When she smiled, slight little lines creased the corners.
“Joshlyn?”
“Sorry,” Joshlyn said, shaking her head. “What did you say again?”
“Actually, you were the one asking. You said you had a question?”
“Oh, right…yeah, ummm…Oh, those two women wearing the really short shorts next to Emerson’s tent?”
Kellen nodded and laughed. “Yep, pit lizards!”
Joshlyn laughed with Kellen and kept chuckling until Bob brought Kellen’s time slip over and handed it to her.
“Here ya go. Not bad placement today. It’s gonna be a hot one, though so watch yourself out there and holler if you need to,” Bob said. He tipped his hat and walked back towards the tent.
“Not bad placement, but not good either.”
Joshlyn glanced at the paper and saw that Kellen was starting in fifth for this race. She looked back up to Kellen only to find her chewing on a lower lip.
“Why is it not good?”
“It puts me starting right next to Billy,” Kellen said with a frown.
Chapter Nine
Kellen waited patiently behind the pace car and tried in vain not to look to her right. She knew Billy would be there. No doubt he’d be looking right at her. As soon as the green flag flew, her goal was to get out fast and get away from him as soon as she could. The more distance the better.
The pace car pulled off and the green flag waved. Kellen put the hammer down and around the first turn got under the number four car in position. As long as she could keep a car length between her and Billy, she felt she’d be better off.
Kellen thought back two years ago to the accident and wished there was something she could have done. Maybe that’s why she felt so outraged by Billy’s actions. She watched him take pit road without slowing down. It all seemed surreal as she watched him plow into the back end of another car, pushing it directly into Kellen’s crew. Most of them made it back over the wall, but Peetie never had a chance. She exited her car as quick as she could, but Peetie died almost instantly. The look on Billy’s face was one she’d never forget. He looked her right in the eyes, raised an eyebrow, and shrugged. In her heart, she felt Billy did it on purpose. He showed no remorse and in the end claimed engine failure.
“How do pieces of shit like that live with themselves,” Kellen murmured.
Mind on your task, Kellen! Think of what’s waiting for you at the end.
Kellen grinned and gunned the car once more.
****
Joshlyn snapped photo after photo until her arms needed a rest. She walked over to Bob and bumped his arm with her shoulder.
“How’s she doing?”
“She’s doing great. Driving with a vengeance if you ask me,” Bob said.
“You can tell that from here?”
“I can tell because I’ve watched her race many, many times. She never gets out that fast and so early in the race.”
“Maybe it’s better that she does. From where I’m sitting, the further from Billy she is, the better.”
Bob chuckled. “I couldn’t agree with you more, little lady. I tell you what; there isn’t any other person I know that gets her that fired up that quick.”
“Sounds like he’s deserving though. Do you really think he had engine failure?”
“Between you, me, and the higher power? No, I don’t think he had engine failure. Billy Baker has had it in for Kellen for a long time.”
“Old history between them?”
“Actually, it’s old history between their fathers.See, Kellen’s pa was an old dru—” Bob stopped abruptly.
“It’s okay, Bob. She’s already told me about her father.”
Bob nodded and continued. “Her pa was an old drunk and he never did right by anybody. That includes Billy’s pa, Bill Sr. They were out drinking one night and Jeff, that’s Kellen’s pa, started spouting off. They got into this huge fight in the middle of the bar and both of them got kicked out.”
“Does Kellen know this story?”
“Oh yeah, she’s the one that had to go bail Jeff out of jail afterwards.”
Joshlyn nodded and waited for him to continue.
“Anyhow, they continued to fight in the parking lot and damaged several cars. Bill Sr. grabbed a ball bat out of the back of a truck and started taking shots at Jeff. By this time, the cops showed up and took them both to jail.”
“It’s a wonder neither one of them got hurt up to this point.”
“Oh, they both took their turns and had plenty of bruises to show for it, but neither was seriously injured. Kellen showed up and bailed Jeff out, but Bill’s wife, Wanda, refused. She said she’d had enough and he could find h
is own way out this time.”
“Ouch!”
“Yep, but you know, he deserved it and so did Jeff. He should have kept his butt in jail that night, too.”
“Why didn’t he?” Joshlyn asked.
“Kellen got tired of the calls. She was going to let him sober up, but he kept calling. Finally, she went and bailed him out, and told him to leave her alone. It wasn’t long after that he tried to rob one of the convenience stores, shot a clerk, and ended up behind bars for a long time. Wouldn’t you know that he blames her for that?”
Joshlyn didn’t say a word, but her dropped jaw said plenty.
“He’s a right old son of a bitch, Joshlyn.”
“That’s insane! So, what happened to Bill?”
“By the time Bill got out of jail, Wanda had already packed her stuff and left. Three days later they found Bill in his truck with a bullet in his head.”
“Wow. That’s terrible. So, does Billy blame Jeff for his father’s death?”
“You know, I reckon he does. He hasn’t come right out and said so, but he’s had this vendetta against Kellen ever since. If that’s not blame then I don’t know what is.”
“That doesn’t make sense, Bob. Why would he have a vendetta against Kellen? I mean, none of that was her doing.”
“I’m not rightly sure, but I’m guessing it’s because she’s the only one around to take his frustration and blame out on.”
“Hmm,” Joshlyn murmured. “What about Wanda?”
“Nobody’s heard from her since; not even Billy.”
Joshlyn shook her head. “It’s sad, for all of them involved.”
“That it is, my dear. Now it’s time to pay attention to the race. You might want to get your camera back out because the finish is coming up. They are three laps from the end and trust me, you don’t want to miss this finish,” Bob said with a huge grin.
Joshlyn grabbed her camera again, snapped her long lens in place, and waited patiently to see what was going to happen.
****
Kellen felt the adrenaline kick in and tightened her hands on the steering wheel. Three laps to go and she was in second place now. She glanced in her mirror and saw Billy coming up behind her. She pushed to full throttle and pulled away a little. She knew that with the down force on this short track she could be a little more aggressive without having drastic results. She hugged the curb around the corner and hit the pedal again.
“I got my eyes on you, Billy!” Kellen screamed. She knew he couldn’t hear her, but it made her feel better to vocalize her thoughts. “You’re not getting by me today and that’s a promise.”
Kellen’s eyes shot to her rear view mirror when she felt her car jerk. Billy was right up against her bumper, tapping her. She weaved a little, trying to get him off her. They were on the straightaway now, heading for the second turn that would take them to the white flag. Kellen put her foot down again and took the corner as fast as she could. She could see the white flag flying and set her mind for the last lap.
“What the hell…you bastard,” Kellen whispered as she watched Billy come right up on her bumper again. He tapped her again, causing the car to pull towards the wall. Kellen pulled the wheel towards her to get back in line again.
The two cars bumped and shifted down the first straight away and into the first turn. Billy tried once again to close in, but Kellen shook out of it quick and didn’t give him a chance to clip her car again. As they started to round the next corner, Kellen kept one eye on the road and the other on Billy.
“C’mon you son of a bitch. You want to play? Bring it on!”
There wasn’t much room between Kellen and the number one car and if she planned it right, she had an idea that just might work.
Kellen watched as Billy drew closer. As they came out of the final turn, she knew he was waiting to bump her again. She took her foot off the gas pedal slightly and when Billy went for the bump, she beat him to it.
Kellen bumped the front of Billy’s car and hit the gas at the same time. When they came out of the corner, Kellen shot in front of the number one car and came down the straight away.
****
“Holy shit!” Bob exclaimed.
Joshlyn continued taking pictures, but lowered the camera after Kellen bumped Billy’s car. She watched as Billy’s car slammed sideways into the fence and Kellen overtook the lead car.
With scant inches to spare, Kellen took the checkered flag.
Bob jumped up and down and grabbed Joshlyn in a big bear hug. His excitement bubbled over and Joshlyn found herself laughing and crying at the same time.
“I can’t believe it! I just can’t believe it!”
“Bob, I can’t breathe!” Joshlyn forced out.
Bob released her but kept an arm over her shoulders. “Oh, sorry. Wow, what a race! She’d sure make her grandpappa proud today.”
Joshlyn could see the pride beaming in Bob’s smile. He couldn’t have been happier if Kellen was his own granddaughter. Joshlyn suspected that Bob probably considered her kin as it were.
“Has she ever won a race before, Bob?”
“Of course she’s won races before, but never in the fashion that she won this one today. Did you see that move she put on Billy?”
“I saw it, but I have to admit that I don’t really know what happened.”
Bob gave a big belly laugh. “She put a lesson on that boy today. One I’m sure he won’t soon forget either.”
Joshlyn laughed and celebrated with Kellen’s crew while she waited for Kellen to make her way back over to the pit.
****
Kellen whooped and hollered as she flew past the finish line. “Yes! Yes! Yes!” She yelled and pumped a fist. She took her victory lap and pulled back onto pit road. She couldn’t wait to see her crew and Joshlyn. She wasn’t even concerned about Billy. He got what was coming to him. Kellen was certain he wasn’t hurt because of how his car hit the fence. However, it was enough to let him know she meant business and he had better find someone else to mess with.
One of Kellen’s crewmembers lowered the netting on her window and helped her out of the car. She pulled her helmet off and was immediately swarmed. Back slaps and hugs followed and she could hear a cork pop somewhere.
Kellen removed her gloves and looked over the heads of the people around her. She knew Joshlyn had to be here somewhere. Feeling a hand on her shoulder, she turned abruptly. She was prepared to face Billy head on should she need to. Instead, she found herself looking into the warmth of Joshlyn’s beautiful eyes.
“Congrats, hot shot,” Joshlyn said with a smile.
“Why thank you, my lady,” Kellen said as she leaned in to give Joshlyn a hug.
“That was the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen, Kellen.”
Kellen blushed and wet her lips with her tongue. Why on earth was she feeling like a schoolgirl with a crush?
Joshlyn pulled Kellen in for another hug and placed a kiss against her ear. She took a deep breath of courage and spoke in a soft tone. “You think you might be interested in another victory lap after you take me home?”
Chapter Ten
Kellen’s stomach felt like there were a hundred butterflies floating around in it. She was more than ready to take the relationship with Joshlyn further, but knowing it was within reach made her nervous as all get out. It felt like this moment would never arrive. The post-race interviews and celebrations seemed to take forever and making it worse was the fact that Joshlyn was right there watching every word she said and every movement she made. Finally, the last interview was over and Kellen couldn’t get away fast enough.
Now, walking up the sidewalk to Joshlyn’s house, all she wanted was Joshlyn in her arms.
Joshlyn glanced over her shoulder at Kellen as she unlocked the front door. She smiled and pushed it open, waiting for Kellen to enter.
Kellen walked slowly through the door without taking her eyes off Joshlyn’s.
After closing the door, Joshlyn turned to Kellen.
“Sure,” Kellen nodded.
Joshlyn slid her hand down Kellen’s arm and started past her.
Kellen’s eyes followed Joshlyn’s hand as it moved down her arm. When her fingers briefly closed over hers, Kellen curled her hand and pulled Joshlyn to a stop.
“I’m, uh, not really thirsty…for, uh…” Kellen stumbled for the right words, stopped to take a deep breath, and then continued. “I don’t need anything to drink, Joshlyn. I just need you.”
Joshlyn could see the longing in Kellen’s eyes and took a small unperceivable step towards her. Knotting her hands in the front of Kellen’s shirt, she pulled her closer. Joshlyn lay her head against Kellen’s chest and felt her heart pounding against her cheek. She smiled to herself and turned her face to take in the leather and spice scent of Kellen’s shirt. It was a different smell than Joshlyn was used to, but assumed it was from the leather suit that Kellen wore while driving.
“I should probably take a shower,” Kellen whispered.
“I like the way you smell.”
Kellen was trembling and hoped in vain that Joshlyn wouldn’t notice. She was driving her crazy with the nuzzling and the soft touches. What she really wanted was for Joshlyn to throw her down and make mad passionate all night love to her.
“You’re shaking,” Joshlyn said, raising her eyes to Kellen’s.
“Mmm, yeah. You tend to do that to me,” Kellen responded.
Joshlyn slid a hand up Kellen’s chest and then behind her neck and pulled her in close. She leaned forward at the same time and placed her lips against Kellen’s. The slow, soft kiss Joshlyn started with evolved quickly into a fiery ball of untethered nerves waiting to explode.
Breaking the kiss, Kellen leaned her forehead against Joshlyn’s. “You are driving me insane, Joshlyn.”
