[chapter three]
Disclaimer: If you've heard of them, I don't own them. Everything else is mine, so no stealing, pretty please. ;-)
A/N: Nothing noteworthy this time. :-)
**
(The following Monday)
"Don't sit there!" Casey scolded as Junior flopped down into the middle of his overstuffed loveseat.
"Why? It's my couch." Junior said, looking at Casey questioningly.
"If you sit there, then Jimmie and Denise can't sit by each other." Casey said, as though explaining to a small child.
"Woman … " Junior began.
"Don't 'woman' me." Casey warned with a grin. "I told you I was on a mission."
"A mission to hook up your two best friends, who have known each other for years and are perfectly capable of making up their own minds about their feelings for each other?" Junior shot back.
"Yes." Casey said solidly. "Everyone needs a push now and then."
"I didn't need a push." Junior said, sticking his tongue out at his girlfriend.
"Yes, you did. Me having head trauma and almost dying was a push, and don't tell me it wasn't." Casey threw back. "So, shuddup."
Junior smiled and stood to wrap his arms around Casey affectionately. "You're worth all the sleepless nights and worrying I did. I guess."
Casey punched him lightly in the ribs and motioned to the other, larger couch. "Sit there and snuggle with me. I'm sure that will be hell." The doorbell rang and Casey jumped. "Behave yourself, and remember, Operation Get Jimmie and Denise to Hook Up is in effect right now."
"Hon, you need a better Operation title." Junior teased, popping open a beer.
"Keep it up, Earnhardt. You'll be sleeping alone tonight." Casey shot over her shoulder as she opened the door to greet her friends.
"Uh-oh. That's not a good start to the night." Denise laughed and stepped inside. "Junior's already in trouble."
"He always is." Casey said affectionately, closing the door behind Jimmie and Denise. She smiled at Jimmie as he kissed her cheek, and took Denise's sweater with an outstretched hand. "Have a seat. Pizza is en route and the movie in the VCR."
"Sounds great." Jimmie said. "If I stay awake, that is. We had a marathon meeting with Rick today. I thought I'd never get out of there. I was almost late picking up Denise."
"Well, I'm glad you're here now." Casey said, giving Denise a quick hug. "I feel like I haven't seen you in ages, even though we live in the same house."
"I know. My roomie and best friend has deserted me for a man and a race team. It's hurts, but I'm working through the pain." Denise teased. "Any other jobs opening up in DEI, Junior?" She said, walking over to the couch.
Junior caught Casey's pointed look, and with a slight roll of his eyes, threw himself onto the couch, leaving Denise to sit down on the loveseat. "I'll keep an eye out. How's the job hunt going?"
"Painful." Denise muttered. "Many resumes, no calls. Yet, anyway."
"You'll get a flood of calls soon." Jimmie said confidently, sitting on the loveseat as well. "It just takes time, you know."
"I know." Denise sighed. "Just frustrating. Okay, enough. Movie?" She smiled, and Casey nodded.
"Movie." She flicked off the lights and walked across the room to sit near Junior on the couch. He automatically draped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her against his chest. She snuggled down and smiled softly as he kissed the top of her head. Within minutes, all four of them were absorbed in the plotline of the latest James Bond movie.
Casey snuck occasional looks to Denise and Jimmie, who were seated comfortably on their own sides of the loveseat. She scowled in the darkness and tried to figure out how else to get these two people together.
"Stop it." Junior whispered to her.
"Stop what?" She whispered back.
"Stop spying on them." Casey could practically hear his smile in the dark.
"Shuddup." Casey whispered back. Junior chuckled and Casey could feel his chest rumble against her back. She turned to face him and dropped a kiss lightly on his mouth. "Watch the movie."
"Yeah, right." He muttered, kissing her again.
"Quit it." Casey whispered urgently. "There are people here."
"People are watching the movie." Junior whispered back. Casey wriggled away from him and Junior huffed slightly. She laughed to herself and went back to watching the movie.
Denise watched her best friend glare good-naturedly at Junior as he tugged on her hand to pull her back against him. She loved how cute the two of them were together, but was still vaguely concerned about the obvious attitude Junior had thrown around at the track regarding this Adam person. She never fully trusted a man who got jealous so quickly over a seemingly innocent event. She hoped Casey wouldn't be hurt by Junior - a man who'd been used to living by his own rules, not someone else's, for a long time.
Jimmie's eyes flickered away from the screen and over to Casey and Junior. He'd spent much of the weekend in Atlanta with Junior, and he'd observed how much Junior watched Casey during his downtime. Jimmie felt as though Junior were trying to 'will' any guys in the pit area away from Casey merely with the power of his glare. Jimmie was pretty sure Casey was oblivious to Junior's glares, but he knew that Casey sensed something amiss about Junior's attitude towards Adam. Jimmie found the whole situation odd, but hoped the two of them had come to some resolution.
Casey giggled as Junior tickled her slightly, and Denise and Jimmie looked at each other. Jimmie exchanged smiles with Denise and wondered what she was thinking at that moment. As she smiled at Jimmie, Denise wondered what was going through Jimmie's mind right then.
(Three hours later)
"I think there was sparkage." Casey said proudly as she collapsed on the bed.
"I have to admit, they would make a cute couple." Junior said grudgingly. "But I still don't think you should have to play matchmaker." He playfully smacked her bottom and she slid over several inches. "You have more important things to do."
"Like what?" Casey asked, cocking her head slightly.
"Like being my devoted and loving girlfriend, and looking adorable at all times." Junior teased.
"You better put an ad in the paper for a new girlfriend if you think that's all I'm good for." Casey answered. "I can take you or leave you, Earnhardt."
Junior looked at her for a moment, his gaze turning serious. "Don't say that." He said softly.
Casey returned his gaze steadily. "Can I ask you something?" She asked tentatively. Junior simply nodded as he looked down to trace circles with one finger onto her hand. "Why did you go so wiggy about Adam?"
Junior sighed slightly, then looked up again. "I'm not sure. I just had this sudden flare of jealousy. I didn't like him looking at you like that. I don't want anyone flirting with you or looking at you the way he was."
"We were just talking. He's a nice guy, and we were getting to know each other." Casey said honestly.
"I didn't like it." Junior repeated.
"I'm the only girl in a sea of guys at the track sometimes. I'm going to have guys look at me every once in a while. Don't turn into the jealous, stalker type of boyfriend. It's an unattractive trait." Casey said. "You, of all people, should understand about getting attention simply for showing up. You think I don't ever hate all those girls who throw themselves at you? But I know it's part of the culture, and I'm hoping I have nothing to worry about. I trust you, and I want you to trust me. We were just talking."
Junior nodded, cowed. "I know. But I couldn't help it."
"If I ask you something, will you promise not to get mad?" Casey winced at her own words. Junior nodded again, and she continued. "Did you start liking me for me, or because I was a challenge, since I was with Jimmie?"
Junior's jaw dropped slightly, and he stared at her. "Don't ever ask me that again." He whispered. "Please."
"Then tell me, and I'll never ask again." Casey replied.
"For you. From the moment I met you, it was for you." Junior answered gruffly. "So excuse me if I'm territorial - I'm not going to lose you now that I've got you. You're mine."
Casey shrugged and smiled softly.
"Well, all you had to do was tell a girl."