[chapter four]
Disclaimer: If you've heard of them, I don't own them. Everything else is mine, so no stealing, pretty please. ;-)
A/N: Denise, the only one I knew for sure was Peyton. ;-)
**
(Friday, Darlington Raceway)
Casey was scribbling last year's lap speeds into her log when Jade jogged up. "Hey Case." He said, slightly out of breath.
"Hey boss. What's up?" Casey asked, smiling at the man.
"Can you head to the red hauler and pick our qualifying number? Tony just called a team meeting and I have to be there, for some reason or another, and I don't want to spend all morning waiting to pick." Jade said quickly.
"Not a problem. I'll also grab the schedule sheet, and pick up another bag of ice. Anything else?" Casey asked efficiently.
"Nope, that's it. You're a peach." Jade smiled. "See you in a while." Casey grinned as Jade loped away, then turned to grab a cardigan and head for the NASCAR hauler in the infield. She walked quickly through the infield area and past the garages, smiling and greeting the faces that had become so familiar to her over the last several months - tire changers, officials, and engine builders.
Casey approached the large hauler and called good morning to several of the folks inside. Pit members in every colour of the rainbow were milling around, some with coffee cups in their hands, others with statistics, tire pressures and team notes. Casey grinned at the organized chaos around her, and sat down on the ground near the front door, ready to pick the team's qualifying order number when called. She began writing again when a shadow fell across her page.
"Hey stranger." Casey looked up to see Adam Higgins smiling down at her. "Is it okay if I talk to you?" He teased.
"Hey yourself." Casey said. "Pull up some ground and have a seat." Adam beamed at her and sat down. "How's it going?" She asked.
"Good, except that Robbie is in a pissy mood this morning. You?" Adam asked.
"Okay." Casey said. "Everyone seems to be pissy today. Or tired. Or both."
Adam nodded, then pointed to her notebook. "Whatcha writing? Super secret team notes? Can I see?"
"Hardly. They wouldn't let me walk around with that, knowing you ruthless people were just waiting to steal them." Casey stuck out her tongue and Adam laughed. "Actually … well, it's kinda silly. I have a couple of friends who I know would make a great couple, and I'm trying to engineer a way to get them together. Right now, I'm trying to write a card to send anonymously with some flowers to the girl in the equation." Casey looked at him and cocked her head. "Got any brilliant ideas of what to say? You seem like the kind of guy who recites poetry." She teased.
Adam threw back his head and laughed. "I could probably recite movies, but poetry isn't my thing." He said. "Why do you have to engineer?"
"They are both sort of shy, and I know are afraid of making a move. We've all known each other for years, so they are probably afraid of getting rejected or killing the friendship. So I'm going to do it for them." Casey said proudly, but with a giggle.
Adam looked concerned. "Remind me never to go to you for love advice." He said seriously, then smiled. "Okay, we'll have to think of the perfect quote. How about something from 'The Hunt for Red October' or 'Die Hard' … "
**
Casey high fived Adam as they parted ways in the garage area, he heading for the Gordon garage and she towards the Brew Crew. She quickly walked up to Jade, Junior and Tony Sr, who were gathered around the rear of the racecar, talking intently. "You qualify 32nd, here's the schedule, and eavesdropping on the RCR guys, they are going to put a lot more tape on the nose than you guys are for qualifying. And they are restocking ice now, so I'll go back and get some in a minute."
The three men stared at her for a moment, and she shrugged. "What?" She asked with a smile. "A girl can't meander by a garage and listen in on what's being said just by looking cute and slightly lost?"
Tony Sr grinned and slapped her on the back. "Good work, Case. Thanks." He turned to his driver. "Don't be late." He said warningly, then stepped back into the garage area.
"Turning into quite the spy, hon." Junior teased, giving Casey a quick hug. "Nice one."
"Also, the Hendrick guys are planning to bitch about the spoiler height on the Chevys here. They are convinced they are way slower than the other manufacturers. Might ask Tony about it, see if he wants to get with them." Casey said evenly.
"How do you know?" Junior asked, his brow furrowed. "We were just saying the same thing, but didn't hear anyone else bitching."
"Adam told me. He was the number-picker for Gordon's crew this morning." Casey said. "Ooh! And I think I figured out what to say on the mystery card for Denise. Not that that's what I was working on." She grinned and winked at Junior.
Junior's featured tightened at the mention of Adam's name, but he regained composure quickly, but not before Casey noticed. "Dale." She said warningly.
He looked at her evenly, then relaxed. "What's the card going to say?" He asked, sighing slightly.
"It's going to say 'I want to be what you are. See what you see - love what you love.' I think. It's from Dracula. Granted, they were talking about being a vampire, but still, the sentiment is there, don't you think?" Casey asked.
"I think you're insane." Junior said with a smile.
"But in a good way." Casey laughed. "Think she'll like it?"
"I think she'll wonder who's stalking her, and why they are sending her anonymous flowers." Junior answered.
"You don't understand women at all, do you?" Casey teased.
Junior shook his head seriously. "Evidently not."
"You understand me." Casey added.
"Just when I think I do, I don't. I swear to god." Junior said with a laugh. His laughter died when he saw several crew members from the 2 team stare appreciatively at Casey as they ambled by. One nudged the other, and they both laughed. "This is going to take getting used to."
"What will?" Casey asked, oblivious to the stares.
"The fact every guy wants my girlfriend." Junior said nastily.
"Just like I have to get used to every girl throwing herself at you. I seem to be dealing okay, so far. Just don't pick up any more panties, yeah?" Casey teased. Junior scowled at the crew members, then returned his gaze to the woman in front of him.
"You don't have anything to worry about."
**
Denise struggled to close the door with her foot as she heaved an enormous bouquet of flowers into the house. She hastily put them on the dining room table and grabbed the card. She read the words four times, and flipped the card over to find out who had sent them. No signature, no phone number, nothing.
She glanced around, as though she were being watched, then grabbed the phone.
"Guess what!" She shrieked into the phone.
"What?" Casey yelled over the noise of the garages.
"Someone sent me flowers! Anonymously! I don't know if I should be creeped out, or really flattered."
"De, that's so exciting!" Casey said enthusiastically. "You have a secret admirer! This is great!"
"I don't know many people around here - I can't imagine who would have sent this!" Denise threw back. "Weird, eh?"
"Weird, but cool." Casey agreed. "We'll have to found out who it is, and get you two together." She said sneakily. "If you could pick who they would be from, who would it be?"
"Shuddup, Casey. I'm not telling you all my secret crushes." Denise shot back.
"You have some??" Casey practically screamed.
"Sure. Jude Law, Tom Cruise, Peyton Manning … " Denise trailed off.
"Anyone else?" Casey wheedled.
"I gotta go, I have another
call. Wish Jimmie and Junior luck for me!" Casey stared at the dead phone
in her hand and smiled broadly. Operation, well, Operation Something was well
underway.