DMA Fireworks

Home : Stories by Catw00man : The Storm Series : DMA Fireworks

Summary: Jeff and Dale settle in for a private little New Year’s Eve celebration…or do they?

AUTHOR: Catw00man
EMAIL: catw00man@cryptoffic.com
RATING: NC-17
SERIES: Storm Series
CHARACTER: Jeff Gordon/Dale Earnhardt Jr, Jeff POV
CATEGORY: Romance
PROMPT: Taming the Muse #99 (#74 for me) - Clamp
COMPLETED: June 16, 2008
WORD COUNT: 6,658
DISCLAIMER: I own NOTHING and am affiliated with NO ONE mentioned here. Not the drivers, not the teams, no one. This is all fiction and fun. In other words...NOT REAL, NOT REAL, NOT REAL. ;-)
DEDICATION: This one is for Mick and Zippit who are always happy for some Storms. Hope you enjoy guys!
AUTHOR'S NOTE2: Thanks to Zippit for the awesome beta on this.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Ok so this thing has already kinda gone AU, since in the first fic I had Jeff win the Championship in ’04.  Also, he made the trip to Paris with Jimmie for the ROC race.  *shrugs*  Oh well, my fic, my rules, right?  Also this is seriously a case of the muses taking control and changing things to their liking. Sometimes I think they are smarter than I am!
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Mooresville, NC: December 31th, 2004

“Eight ball in the corner pocket.”

“No way in hell are you making a triple bank shot, Dale.  I don’t care who you are.”  Grin at him and shake my head as he lines up his shot.  He’s good but there’s no way he’s puling this off.  Watch as he leans over the table and…is there something a little different about how he’s holding the cue?  Catch the devilish glint in his eye and in an instant I know I’ve been had.  He’s just been messing with me all this time, making me think I stood a chance.

Watch him pull back the cue smoothly, hitting the ball with a polished stroke I’ve not yet seen tonight.  Who knew he was such a hustler?  Eyes widen as the black ball bounces into one, two then three banks before slowly rolling to the corner and for a moment I think I might get lucky.  Hold my breath, hoping for the ball to stop at the edge but no, it has just enough momentum to drop into the pocket, clinking against the other balls.  There goes my twenty bucks.

Shake my head and reach into my back pocket to settle up and chuckle at his smirking face.  “You were totally hustling me.  Isn’t there a rule against that or something?”  Toss the twenty on the table as he  moves around it, putting the balls back on the table.

“Hell no, it’s called home field advantage.”  He snatches the twenty and makes as if to sniff it.  “Mmmm I knew your money would be sweet ,Gordon.”  A broad grin breaks out on his face and I shake my head at him again.  “Don’t worry.  I’ll give you a chance to win it back…if you’re man enough to take me on again.”

Roll my eyes and reach up with both hands to crease the bill of my new camouflage hat, fingers lingering over the worn fabric.  “Oh, I think I’m man enough to take you.”  Wink at him and make a show of licking my lips which seems to get him a little off balance, and I smile as he starts to shake and fiddle with the heavy, silver bracelet on his wrist.  I still love that I can make him flush.  He really is sexy when he loses that cocky attitude…not that I don’t adore his brash nature just as much.

“Yeah, ain’t no doubt about that,” he replies, ducking his head for just a moment.  Then he rolls the cue ball at me and that gorgeous redneck confidence is back in full force.  “Loser racks,” he tells me with a grin and it’s obvious he’s enjoying himself. 

Catch the cue ball and spin it on the table before walking over to the end table between couches to pick up the triangular rack.  “So, what does the winner do?”  Arch an eyebrow suggestively and grin when he fidgets with his bracelet for a beat before answering.

“Oh, that comes later.”  I swear his eyes seem to flash a deeper shade and now it’s my turn to shiver when it feels like he’s undressing me with his gaze.  “For now, I’m grabbing beers.  You good with Bud or you want some whiskey?”

“Crown and Pepsi for now,” I tell him with a grin.  I have a feeling before long he’s going to have me swilling beer as much as he does but for now I’d like something with a little more bite.  Who knows, maybe it will improve my pool game.  As it is I still had three balls left on the table last time and he wasn’t even trying.  I have a feeling my wallet’s going to be a lot lighter before the night’s over.

Watch him leave the room to head down the short hall to basement bar and begin gathering up pool balls to stack into the rack when I hear a low vibrating sound from across the room.  Look up to see his phone flash and I know I should ignore it…or call out to let him know it’s ringing.  But I can’t.  Tonight has been so perfect and I want it to stay that way.  I’d love nothing more than to share New Year’s Eve with someone I actually want to be with for once and I can’t let anything ruin that.

Cross over to the phone quickly and hit the button on the side to ignore the call.  Glance down at it and see that it’s Martin.  I bet he’s calling to invite him to some “DMP” New Year’s Bash.  Look back down the hall when I hear the clink of ice in a glass and my decision is made.  They’ll take him away from me.  Kelley may have understood, but his punk friends never will.  Reach down and shut off the phone before he calls again and then hurry back over to the table finish racking the balls just as he reenters the room.

“Your whiskey, sir,” he teases me with that sexy, crooked smile of his before waving the glass my direction and I cross over to take it from his hand.  Hold it to the side and I can’t help myself.  I need to remind myself that this is really real and not just a dream.  Side my hand behind his neck and without even a word I pull him into a kiss that grows deeper by the second.  Press my body against him as my tongue slides against his and I can taste the beer and hint of wildness that I’ve only known with him.  Tonight is ours.  I swear I’ll do anything to make sure it stays that way.

Hear his low moan against my lips as his strong arm wraps around my lower back and pulls me even closer.  God, am I glad he’s gotten more aggressive.  Much as I love his naïve, sweet side, I adore his commanding Earnhardt nature just as much.  Yield into his touch, only breaking the kiss when I need to gasp for breath, and lock eyes with him as I try to catch my breath.  Smile slowly and then lean forward to tug teasingly at his lower lip with my teeth.

“Mmmmm , is this what I have to look forward to for beating you?  If so I might just need to whup your ass on track on a more regular basis.” 

Chuckle at his words and squeeze the back of his neck before sliding my hand down to run over his ass.  Nip at his neck and then purr against his skin, “Actually I was just thinking about what I wanted to do to you the first time I saw that red felt pool table.”  Pull back enough to look into his eyes and I swear they flash at me and grow a deeper shade of blue.   “You remember that night.  When you gave me the whole tour….”

Wet my lips when I see him shiver and lean forward to draw my tongue across his lower lip.  Feel his hands run over my lower back and I blow against his neck, just below his ear as I hear his husky voice.  “I ‘member.  Tell me, Jeff.  Tell me what you wanted to do.”

Tilt my head more so I can suck at the base of his neck, my tongue drawing random patterns on his skin that has him shivering in my arms.  Slide both hands down to his ass and pull him suddenly against me as I growl against his skin.  “I wanted to bend you over that table and fuck you mindless until you couldn’t even remember your own name.  I wanted to see your pale skin spread out before me as I worshipped every inch of your body and turned you into a quivering mass of want and need.”  Let my voice drop and grow even huskier.  “I wanted to unleash the storm on you and lose complete control.”

Gasp when he pushes me back suddenly, moving with me until I’m the one pressed back against the pool table and I shiver at the intensity in his eyes.  “I felt it, ya know.  Felt it in your eyes.”  His voice is more like a growl as he presses me back and kisses over my throat.  Throw my head back and hell I wouldn’t even care if he completely turned the tables on me now because I want to be owned as much as I want to have him.  Feel his hands side up under the front of my shirt and God do I ever love the feel of his hands.  “I want it, Jeff.”  Feel his breath ghost along my neck and try to rub my body against his as he leans me even further back.  “I wanted it then…but you can be so…fucking…intimidating...”  Shiver again at the erotic drawl to his words and look up at him when he pulls back.  “…and I like being intimidated.”

“Fuck,” I breathe and reach up to pull him down into a hard kiss and I’m done laying back.  He wants to be commanded, to be owned, to be intimidated?  I’m all for it.  Thread my fingers through his long curls and somewhere in the back of my mind I feel my hat pushed off my head.  Press tight against him and then turn him until he’s the one backed up against the table.  Run my hands possessively down his back and then pull his shirt over his head as I move back to really see him…and he’s everything I ever dreamed.

Groan low as the deep red of the felt just seems to make his skin glow and I can’t keep from touching him all over, wanting to possess every inch of him.  Lean closer to kiss along his collar bone and bite softly at his shoulder.  “You intimidated yet, Dale?  You want me as much as I want you?  You want me to bend you over the table and have my way with you?”

“Oh hell, yeeeeeah,” he moans and the sound of his voice alone is enough to have me hard enough to pound nails.  “Dammit…like I could ever say no….” 

Trail my hands down his chest to unfasten his worn jeans and bend him back enough to tongue and suck one of his nipples.  His words are music to my ears and if I have my way he never will resist me.  I don’t know what happens when we get back to the track but for now, every day, every moment belongs to me.

“Don’t,” I finally whisper to him and nip a little harder at his nipple before sliding my hand inside his jeans to stroke him through his boxers.  “Don’t ever,” I murmur again and then slide down his body, tugging his jeans and boxers down and off as I go.  Trace a stripe up his cock as I hit my knees and then take him deep into my mouth, loving to get a little taste before I have him.  His long moan is everything I want to hear and I rummage though his jeans for the tube I know he’s been keeping on him to save time.  We still can’t get enough of each other and I can’t believe it’s taken us this long to make it to the pool table.  Maybe the bar could be next to ring in the New Year.  Bob my head over him a few more times and then crawl back up his hips to pull him into my arms for a deep kiss, savoring his hands running down my sides.

I know I told him I’d bend him over the table but part of me wants more than that.  There’s just something about staring into his eyes when he comes undone that drives me completely out of my mind.  That connection, I swear I’ve never felt it’s match and I hate to give it up for even one time because every time with him is something to be cherished.  Cup his face in my hands as I kiss him and then pull back to gaze into his eyes for a breath before tracing my thumbs over his cheeks.  “Slide up on the table, Dale.”  Voice grows even huskier at my next words.  “I wanna watch you.”

Sharp intake of breath and his eyes widen at my words.  He nods eagerly, licking his lips as he does exactly as I ask and I smile down at him because this position will probably be easier for us both since he does have the height on me.  Not that I couldn’t manage it I’d just rather look at him so beautifully laid out before me.  Press him back on the table, the rich red a dark contract to his pale skin, and I run my hands all over him, over every single inch of skin that I know by heart.  I swear I could map him out blindfolded because his body is forever etched in my mind.  Pull him up enough for a kiss and then move back slightly to pick up the tube I found before.

Stand before him again and now it’s my turn to tremble at the hot look in his eyes.  I know he likes to watch me and there’s nothing I love more than giving him exactly what he wants.  Stand a little straighter and pull my shirt over my head, letting it drop from my fingers but never breaking eye contact.  Run my hands over my stomach, down to my waist band and side my thumbs along it before unbuttoning and unzipping the denim.  See his eyes darken more with desire and there’s only so long I can draw out the show with those eyes on me like that.  Push my jeans down, baring myself to him and the seductive curl of his lip makes my knees week.  Shit, I bet he has no idea of the full effect he has on me.

Flip open the cap of the lube and pour it into my hand before tossing it to the floor as I continue to hold his gaze.  Then I reach down to stroke my already painfully hard cock, slowly coating myself with the cool, sticky substance.  Slide my thumb over the tip and arch my back a little to give him the full effect and I swear he looks like he wants to devour me whole.  Watch his tongue trace his lips and smile when his left hand slides over his thigh to match my strokes over his own throbbing need.  Holy shit, that’s all I need to see.

“God damn Dale do you have any idea how hot that is?” I growl against his lips as I move forward to claim them again.  Spread his legs wide and slide my hand between them to fondle his heavy sacs and trace his tight hole with my still slick fingers.  I know he’s more than ready for me, but there’s nothing more I like than to tease him until he can’t stand it anymore.  Slide just the tip of my finger inside and I know I’ve got him.

“Some of your own medicine, oh fuck, Jeff please!”  He really doesn’t have patience and I wouldn’t change it for the world.  Ease him back onto the table again and then hook my hands under his knees, having no desire to make him beg anymore no matter how sweet it is.

“Don’t worry, Dale, I’m in no mood to tease.”  Run my hands under his thighs until he hooks his knees over my shoulders and I can finally slide home.  “Oh hell yessssssss,” I hiss and throw my head back as this tight muscles clamp down around me but only for a second.  Grip his thighs as I slam into him hard but slow until I finally catch his gaze again.  Slow even more as I take in his parted lips, heaving chest and desire laden look in his eyes and I want to burn it into my memory along with every other moment with him.  Memorize him just another moment, feeling that amazing connection and reach for both his hands, lacing our fingers together before I thrust into him hard again.

“Oh yes, Jeff, please.  Gimmie it all.  Gimmie alla it.”  And I could never deny him.  Slam into him harder, finding a quick but steady rhythm that has us both moaning and crying out with every thrust.  Squeeze his hands even tighter as I lean over him a little more and I hate to let go, but I want to see him crash over that edge with me, want to watch the ecstasy play over his face as he falls.  Pull one hand free and move it to his cock, squeezing and stoking him hard as I pound his ass again and again until all too soon I feel the end approaching.  Watch him, worship him with my eyes, and take in how the sheen of sweat over his body makes it glisten and how his taut muscles stretch and flex.  He really is the most perfect thing I’ve ever seen.

“Dale…” I groan his name and there’s nothing I can say, nothing else I need to say when he’s looking at me like that.  Stroke him harder and then I see it the instant before it happens, bliss, pleasure and unabashed emotion on his face as he shakes hard and comes in my hand without ever turning away.  Just as it always does the intimacy of the moment makes me lose my mind and I’m following him over the edge, screaming out his name as I reach for his hand again so we can ride out the waves together.

Slump forward when his legs slide off my shoulders and kiss his stomach softly as I rest my head against him.  Feel his hand toying with my hair and I don’t care, don’t want to move, just want this to go on and on.  Relax into him completely and sigh softly as I slide my fingers through his again and again.  I swear this beats New Years in Times Square any day.

Shift my head, brushing my cheek against his skin to look up at him and the lazy smile he shoots me warms me inside more than it probably should.  But when has any of this been about what we should or shouldn’t do?  “Mmmm, so, later do you wanna--”

“Where’re you at Earnhardt?  Host of the party shouldn’t be off hiding….”

Head snaps up when I hear a voice I don’t immediately recognize and I try to get on my feet when Junior suddenly sits up.  “Shit, Martin, what the hell?” he mumbles as he looks over my shoulder and I scramble to get all our clothes sorted out.  Toss him his jeans, but then when I see the side of the pool table I use his boxers to clean up our mess.  I hear the laugher of more people than I’ve seen in weeks and I struggle into my jeans before stashing his dirty boxers under one of the couch cushions.  Why are they here?  I turned off the phone!  Why are they here?

Pull my sweater over my head and then snatch the 8 camo hat off the table to slide on my head just as the “party” arrives.  Spin around and I see that Dale’s managed to get dressed too, but anyone with eyes can see we’re both more than a little disheveled.  Look through the crowd and I recognize Martin and Jade?  The others though, I really don’t know and I grab my whiskey from the end table with a shaky hand as I feel all eyes on me.  Why couldn’t they stay away?  Why could they just leave us alone?

“What the hell are you guys doing here?” I hear Dale ask but there’s no anger to his tone.  I can see the grin on his face from here and the easy way he grasps hands and half hugs what must be the members of his “posse”… and I couldn’t feel more on the outside.  I don’t belong here.  I don’t belong with them and Dale’s going to see it.  Tug the hat a little lower on my head and try to be as inconspicuous as possible.

“It’s New Year’s Eve isn’t it?  Damn June I don’t think I’ve seen you in a month,” Martin tells him as pushes on his shoulder and smiles…until he looks over Dale’s shoulder at me.  I see the barely disguised anger and what is probably disgust as he looks at me and I look away, not wanting to face it because with one look…I know he knows.  “Apparently your phone isn’t getting reception anymore,” he says, giving me a pointed look before he continues, “so we just decided to bring the party to you.  Don’t worry, we followed etiquette and there’s a girl for every guy…even Gordon.”

Practically jump out of my skin when I hear my name and my head snaps around to lock eyes with Martin again.  Dale’s so busy greeting his other friends that I know he doesn’t see and I try to disappear into myself a little more.  The hint of a smirk on Martin’s face tells me everything I need to know.  He’s come to reclaim his territory and I have no doubt that means getting rid of me…and I don’t see how I stand a chance.

“So, who’s got the keg?  Snooter?  Mike?” Dale asks and I hear them tell him that “Snooter” is setting the keg up outside while “Mike” gets the pit fire going on the back porch.  It’s like everything is already orchestrated and it probably is.  I have no doubt this has all happened countless times before…and I’m only in the way.  Down the rest of my Crown but there’s no way I’m going to make it to the bar without making my way through all of them so for the moment I try to fade into the back ground…but someone apparently isn’t going to let that happen.

Eyes widen slightly when I realize what Martin’s doing and I shake my head at him but it’s too late.  Before I know it some busty brunette has her arm around my waist and is pressing a beer in my hand asking how well I know Junior and if I can introduce her later.  Look over at Martin and narrow my eyes.

It’s going to be a long night.

~*~*~

It took me a good hour to finally peel that stupid bimbo off of me.  She obviously had no idea who I was, or that I was “famous” and I’m glad.  If she had I’d probably never gotten rid of her.  As it was I only got her to leave me alone by telling her that June and I were on the outs and if she really wanted to get to know him she might distance herself from me.  That got her to drop me like a rock and I can only wonder where Martin found someone who’s IQ was no bigger than her bra size.

Sip at my Crown, this time mixed with nothing but ice, and take a long drag off my cigarette as I stare out over the darkness of Dale’s backyard far from the loud voices and crackling fire.  This is where I belong, in the darkness, out of the way.  Reach down to scratch the top of Killer’s head as he leans against my leg and I still have no idea why he’s out here with me.  Maybe he doesn’t like the crowd anymore than I do.  But since I finally cut away from the herd he’s been my constant shadow and there’s something comforting about that…like I still have a little piece of Dale somehow.

Or maybe I’m just drunk.

I  would’ve gotten out of here a long time ago, slipped out without notice because ever since the party started no one’s really been worried about me, not when there’s so much catching up to do.  But apparently the house rules are that all the keys are confiscated as soon as the keg is tapped.  I have no idea who actually found my keys but I’m pretty sure I know who’s responsible, not that I understand why.  I’d think Martin would want me as far away as possible, that they all would.  But I guess it’s a lot more fun to ridicule then drive away so instead I’ve been the entertainment for the night anytime Dale’s out of earshot.  Why won’t they just let me leave?

“You know those glasses aren’t supposed to be out in the yard.”

Flinch when I hear his voice and clench my jaw, and the glass, so tight it hurts.  What fucking right does he have to give me shit?  It’s not like I was hurting anyone.  I just wanted to have a little more time.  Why is that so fucking wrong?  But it’s not just him is it?  They all would be giving me shit if they could but they do know who I am.  Apparently since we race together Martin has no such qualms.  Grind my teeth as I grit out a response, “Sorry.  Didn’t mean to commit a party foul.”

“Not a ‘party foul’” he tells me conversationally and I swear part of me wants to take a swing at him.  But I never would, especially at his next words.  “I’m just letting you know how things are done around here.”  Done without me of course.

Reach down to scratch behind Killer’s ears when he nuzzles against my leg and continue to stare out over the land.  Dale mentioned he wanted to get a pool dug back here and I can only imagine what he’ll come up with.  I have a feeling it won’t be a normal pool.  It will probably be an oasis for a lagoon full of bimbos.  God what the hell was I thinking?  He can’t want to be with me.

“Why are you here anyway, Gordon?  Why are you trying to control his life?  What are you trying to--”

Toss my cigarette and spin around to glare at him from under the bill of my hat that I still have pulled down low.  Sway slightly, a little unsteady on my feet and snap back angrily, “I’m not controlling anything.  Not manipulating him either.  He hasn’t done a damn thing he hasn’t wanted to.  Not my fault you can’t understand that.  What the hell is your problem, Truex?  Why couldn’t you just leave us alone?”

“Leave you alone for what?  So you could carve out everyone in his life but you?”  He advances on me and I almost trip over Killer when I try to move back, not wanting to be within easy reach.  “I don’t know what you’ve done to him but I know it’s not right.”  See his scowl as he motions with his hand and I stagger backwards again not wanting to be touched.  “Do you know how many heads I’ve seen him yank that hat off because it was his?  And now you’ve got him wearing a huge sliver bracelet when he’s never worn so much as a watch.  What the hell have you done to brainwash him, Jeff?  What did you do to my friend?”

Blink at his rapid fire words and it takes a moment for my foggy brain to muddle through them all.  The hat…the bracelet…it all runs together.  But brainwashed, I heard that.  And I didn’t do it!  “I haven’t done anything, nothing he didn’t want.”  I snap and glare, my voice rising in anger.  Take a staggering step forward and narrow my eyes even more.  “I haven’t forced him into anything.  You think Dale can’t take care of himself?  As for the rest maybe I didn’t want to be ridiculed the way I have been by all of you all night?  Maybe I knew you’d act like the jackass you have been and didn’t want any part of it.”

“Or maybe you thought he’d come to his senses and come back to where he belongs.  Maybe you were worried he’d throw you out on your fancy ass the way he should have weeks ago.”

The words sting and if I weren’t so drunk they probably would’ve had the desired effect and sent me to sulk further into the darkness.  But the Crown and the beer seem to have given me a confidence I never would’ve had and something inside me snaps.  I see his smug face, the half smile on his lips and puffed out chest like he just delivered the killing blow and it does something to me.  For once I do something I never, ever do.  I stop thinking completely.

Lunge at him, fist swinging contacting nothing but air but that doesn’t deter me.  I don’t stop until his back is against the ground and we’re both rolling in the dirt, trying to get the upper hand.  Vaguely feel a punch to the side but I don’t care.  He’s not going to take away the only real thing I’ve had in so long.  He’s not going to treat me like nothing when I’m the champion and he’s nothing but a pathetic wanna be.  Kick and punch, even bite anything that comes near me and I think I finally connect with his jaw before I feel hands on me, pulling me back.  Killer’s barking as I try to fight them all, but in the end there’s just too many and I’m dragged to my feet my two people I don’t even know.  Chest heaving I glare over at Martin and smile when I see blood trickling down his chin in the fire light.  Take that you stupid kid.

“Guess I wasn’t too much of a fancy ass to kick your ass, huh Martin?” I snap and that’s when I feel how much my own jaw is hurting.  Try to reach up to wipe at my mouth but two of Junior’s “buddies” are still holding my arms.  Struggle, jerking one arm free and glare at Snooter?  Or was it Steve?  I can’t begin to remember and I don’t care.  It’s not like it matters.  They’re all going to throw me out of here any moment anyway.  I’m sure I’ve gone well over the line now.   I’ll probably be lucky if assaulting a member of the “posse” isn’t a hanging offence.

Hear a low murmur around me but with my head ringing I can’t really make anything out.  It’s all a blur and probably more about how I just need to be dealt with.  I really don’t care about any of it until I hear the voice that makes my heart sink to my feet.

“Martin?  Jeff?  What the hell is goin’ on here.”  Stare at the ground when I catch a glimpse of Junior and some of his buddies storming over from the house and I just want to disappear.  What the hell was I thinking?  “Mike said you guys were-- Holy shit Martin, are you bleeding?”  Sense him turn my direction but I keep my eyes hidden under the bill of my--his?--hat.  “Jeff?  Are you ok?  What--?”

“Trux was provoking him, June.”  Blink at the almost contrite voice at my side.  I have to be hearing things, right?  Slouch a little more and feel the hand I jerked away from before steady me.  “We all were
a bit…actually.”  Hear the voice snort softly before continuing.  “Had no idea he’d damn near take Martin’s head off ta’fight for you though.”

“Hey!  I was holding my own!”  I know that voice is Martin’s and I flinch.  Why don’t they just put an end to this and toss me out already.  I’m sure I could make it to a hotel.  Hell, just call me a cab.  I’m sure a cab would love to come to DMA for any reason.  Just call one and throw me in.  I’ll get home somehow.

“Please Martin, he was all over you.  If Snooter hadn’t pulled him off--”

“Enough!”  Flinch hard when I hear the sharp Earnhardt tone and try like hell to stand without swaying on my feet.  Hell of a time to get drunk Gordon.  How are you gonna face him now?  Hear the shuffle of feet and then feel a hand I know so well brush against my jaw and tilt my head up.  Try to turn away but when his hand tightens on my sore jaw I concede and finally meet unreadable crystal blue eyes that seem to sparkle as they pick up the flickering light of the fire by the house.  Swallow hard and force myself to meet this head on, just like I did with Jimmie.  It’s over I’m going to at least face it like a—

“Jeff, are you ok?”  His voice is soft and I swear it sounds like he’s really worried about me.  Blink at him in surprise and in the face of his obvious concern I don’t have a clue what to say.  Wince when his thumb lightly traces my jaw but beyond that I think I’m ok.  “Did you really…fight for me?”

What do I say?  I was just trying to…I don’t know.  It was all so fast.  “I…guess you could stay that.”  Shrug slightly, actually grateful for the bodies at my sides now as the adrenalin wears off.  “I’m alright.”  Try to duck my head but he’s not having any of it and won’t release my chin.  “I didn’t mean to ruin…everything.  I know I don’t…belong here,” I whisper softly and then wince again when his hand suddenly tightens around my jaw before pulling away.

“Did you tell him that?” he snaps and spins around to face Martin.  Oh shit, I shouldn’t have said anything.  I shouldn’t have started this.  I should’ve just drank my damn Crown and waited for them to leave.

“Dammit June, I was just saying what we were all thinking.  No one’s seen you since the season ended.  Not even Josh.  I didn’t expect Gordon to take a swing at me!”

“And why not?  Because he’s too refined?  Shit Martin, I expected more outta you.”  Raise my head when I hear him taking up for me and try to shake off the drunken haze I let myself fall into.  He doesn’t need to fight my battles.  I’m not a damn woman who needs her honor defended.  Start to move after them as the argument continues until a voice at my side stops me.

“Let ‘em hash it out, Gordon.  Trux is just annoyed you whupped his ass.  You already proved to us you ain’t just here to screw around with him.  If ya were you never  would’ve knocked Martin’s block off.  Gotta say, that was pretty damn cool to see him taken down a peg.  Between you and me he’s been a little snotty ever since he got the championship and most popular driver.  I think it’s going to his head….”

Turn to look at the dark haired, taller man babbling beside me and after a moment I realize I was right before.  It is “Snooter,” and…is he sticking up for me?  Did I hear that right?  Stare at him as he continues to babble on about Martin and attitudes and something about rookie of the year and I have to make him stop because my head is pounding and his lisp is making it all run together.  “Is your name really Snooter?”

Laughter and a broad smile put me a little more at ease and the next thing I know I’m being jostled as he shakes my hand.  “It’s Josh, actually.  Josh Snider.  But you can call me Snooter if you want.”

Returns his smile tentatively and I have to wonder…does this mean I’m being accepted?  Look over to see Junior and Martin still having a heated conversation but can’t make out the words anymore.  Contemplate heading over to try and help sort things out when Josh pats me on the back.  “C’mon Gordo, let’s get warmed up by the fire.  Those two’ll join us when they’re ready.”

Hesitate a moment because I’m still not sure about all this but Josh isn’t taking no for an answer and he tugs me towards the fire pit built into the back porch.  Cast one more look over my shoulder at Dale and then let myself be led. 

A few minutes later I’m finally starting to get warm--I didn’t even realize I was cold--with a beer in my hand and easy conversation all around me.  Apparently showing I wasn’t going to be pushed out easily has earned me some respect.  Josh and a few of the others have already “made nice” with me, but honestly I’m still just trying to catch up.

Watch the fire burn, letting myself get wrapped up in the flickering flame until I hear the familiar voice I’ve been waiting for.  Head snaps up to see Dale walking back from the yard with Martin a few paces behind.  He shoots me a barely disguised glare but it’s a little different this time than before.  This time it looks more like wounded pride.  Look away from him as Dale gets closer and shoot him a small smile, hoping I didn’t ruin his night.  He smiles back and for the first time in hours I actually relax.  Turn to meet him but before I can a bunch of the girls come bouncing out of the house babbling excitedly.

It takes me a minute to figure out what’s going on, but when one grabs Josh standing beside me and lays a kiss on him I know it must be midnight.  Look towards Dale, unable to help myself, and cringe when I see the same busty, brunette idiot that was hounding me earlier wrap her arms around his neck and try to kiss him.  My shoulders slump before I can help it but then I have to chuckle when he pushes her away causing her to sulk and turn to Martin instead. 

Eyes widen when I finally realize his eyes are locked on me and my heart suddenly skips a beat.  He wouldn’t, right?  Not with his friends here.  He wouldn’t kiss me in front of them.  I know Kelley knows, and his mom, but that’s family.  There’s no way he would--

Gasp when he’s suddenly against me, taking my face in his hands, and I melt at his touch.  Wrap my arms around his neck and part my lips eagerly under his and in an instant the fire, the party, the “posse” and the girls completely melt away and there’s nothing but his kiss.  It’s like St Bart’s and Christmas and every other precious moment all rolled into one as his tongue slides against mine and I try to pull him tighter, wanting the moment to go on and on.  I know I can’t say the words,  know we aren’t there yet, but with my kiss I try to promise him the entire year to come and I hope it’s not wishful thinking to think he’s doing the same.

Suck in a breath when he finally breaks the kiss and all I see are his crystal blue eyes sparkling in the fire light.  “Wasn’t  gonna miss that for nothin’,” he tells me in a thick accent and I can’t help but beam back at him. 

“Good.  Wouldn’t want you to miss this either,” I tell him as I lean forward to kiss him again.  The future may still be unsure, but at least I have the now and I’m going to cherish every moment.  No matter where I spend the rest of my “new year” I know that a part of me will always be here, standing around a fire and drinking beer…with him.

~~Fin~~

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Catw00man - catw00man@cryptoffic.com