[chapter one]
Disclaimer: If you've heard of them, I don't own them. Everything else is mine, so no stealing, pretty please. ;-) Warning: Contains "colourful" language.
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[Daytona, 2002]
Kendall McPherson finished lining her eyes with dark kohl and stepped back from the mirror to survey the results. She had just re-dyed her hair that morning, returning it to its usual raven black, and she had on one of her favorite outfits - leather pants and a black shirt. It was Jimmie's first real day "in the spotlight" and she wanted to look her best for him - and for all the media who would no doubt be watching his every move during Daytona qualifying.
Her hands shook a little in excitement as she smiled into the mirror, before whirling around when she heard Jimmie emerge from the bedroom of the hauler. "Ready to go, hon?" He asked with a nervous smile.
Kendall took his outstretched hand and gave it a little squeeze. "Absolutely. You look like you're going to throw up." She teased and Jimmie laughed.
"I'm a little nervous, yeah." He admitted, looking her up and down. "You look ready to kick some ass." He teased in return.
Kendall bent down and tied her Doc Marten boots securely before standing again. "Ready to rock and roll, Mr. Superstar."
"Not a superstar yet." Jimmie said, biting his lip and running a hand through his hair anxiously before pulling on a cap.
"You will be." Kendall said, her voice full of confidence. "Let's go."
Kendall and Jimmie stepped from the hauler hand in hand and were immediately surrounded by a swarm of photographers and newscasters. Jimmie smiled and gave them sound bites as they all walked swiftly towards pit road, where qualifying was due to start in a few minutes.
Jimmie's pace quickened as he spotted Chad and Ron standing near the car, his face breaking into a smile at the sight of familiar faces. Kendall trailed beside him, peering around at the crush of people and the packed grandstands. She knew it would be amazing to see the first time but this…
This was overwhelming.
As Jimmie stopped to say hello to Dale Earnhardt Jr, Kendall smiled at the other driver shyly and dropped Jimmie's hand, looking around again as she took a few steps away. With a start, she felt someone grab her waist from behind and grind against her backside.
She spun around to see a photographer leering at her and her face flushed with anger. "Hey, sweet thang. Those tight leather pants are wasted on these guys." The man said, gesturing to Dale and Jimmie, who were oblivious to the exchange.
Kendall put her hands on her hips and glared at the man. "Fuck off, asshole." She said forcefully, spinning back around to rejoin Jimmie and Dale. What she didn't realize was that newscasters and photographers were surrounding Dale and Jimmie, and that all of them had heard her loud words, though none knew what had provoked them.
She didn't realize what a faux pas she had just created before Jimmie had even set foot near his car.
Jimmie took her hand again and then ambled towards the Lowe's car, smiling and saying hello to everyone he passed. He and Chad conferred on the setup of the car as Kendall stood beside them awkwardly, not sure where to go or what to do. They really needed a handbook for wives and girlfriends of race car drivers…
She felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned and squinted into the camera pointed at her face. "Can I ask you a few questions?" The man with a microphone asked. Kendall looked to Jimmie for guidance, but he was busy talking with Chad. Sighing inwardly, Kendall nodded, unsure what to say.
"Who are you?" The man asked.
"I'm Kendall McPherson. And you are?" She answered in her best 'tough girl' voice - a voice she had perfected over the years.
"The press." The man said shortly. "You dating Jimmie?"
Kendall nodded. "That's right."
"And who were you just propositioning while Jimmie talked to Junior?" The man asked, trying to hide a smile.
Kendall looked confused. "No one. I didn't say that at all."
"But I heard you." The man said, looking at her quizzically. "I was right there. You were talking about..." He lowered his voice. "…fucking."
"I wasn't saying that at all. Some guy grabbed me and…" As Kendall tried in vain to explain, she could feel the hole she was digging get deeper and deeper.
This was not a good start to the
season at all.