[chapter five]
Disclaimer: If you've heard of
them, I don't own them. Everything else is mine, so no stealing, pretty please.
;-)
**
(several weeks later)
Kick sat alone on the pit wall, watching the cars line up for qualifying. She swung her feet happily, reveling in the fact she was finally at every race, doing what she was trained to do, instead of sitting in Daytona Beach, filing papers and answering questions.
Pit officiating was just a way cooler job than anything else she had done for Winston Cup.
She waved at several pit crew members as she watched the activity around her, waiting for her 'charges' for the day to be rolled out - today she was on duty for the 8 and 31 crews.
Finally, the Budweiser car made an appearance and she walked over to give it the once-over before it was sent out on the track. She jumped when she heard a voice dangerously close to her ear.
"You make that outfit look way sexier than anyone else ever did."
Kick spun around and smiled as her eyes met the flashing blue eyes of Mr. Drakkar Noir himself.
"I imagine most other officials would deck you if you said that to them." Kick teased and Junior laughed out loud.
"'magine so." He grinned. "I'm Junior, and I'll be your babysitting charge this weekend."
"I'm Kick Grayson. I'm your mean-ass official this weekend." She returned, holding out her hand for him to shake.
"Kick? That your real name?" Junior asked.
"Nope." She smiled.
"What's your real name?" He drawled with a lazy grin.
"I don't think we know each other well enough for that." Kick smiled, unable to keep the flirtatious lilt from her voice.
"What does a guy have to do to find out?" Junior threw back.
"I'll get back to you." She smiled. "Aren't you supposed to be working, or something?"
"Yeah." Junior looked her up and down. "Aren't you?"
"Yeah." Kick grinned. "Go away. I'm working."
"How about a beer later?" Junior asked boldly.
"I'm thinking that would be frowned upon." Kick laughed. "They told us in Winston Cup Official School not to go drinking with the drivers."
"It ain't against the rules. A guy on my daddy's team a few years ago hooked up with an official. Married her and everything." Junior said evenly.
"Wow. An engagement proposal from Junior. Wait til I tell the girls." Kick smiled and winked.
"Aw, hell." Junior smiled and ran a hand through his hair. "How do I get myself into these messes?"
"Now I'm a mess?" She looked mockingly angry. "Thanks a bunch. Bastard."
Junior clutched his heart as though wounded. "Damn. C'mon, one beer."
"We'll see." Kick said mysteriously. "Now, go away. I'm very important here."
Junior laughed as he walked away, throwing a look over his shoulder one last time at the prettiest girl on pit road.