Beer Boy Blues

Home : Stories by Catw00man : RCR 2008 AU : Path of Thorns - Beer Boy Blues

Summary: D gets to spend some quality time...alone.

AUTHOR: Catw00man
EMAIL: catw00man@cryptoffic.com
RATING: PG-13
SERIES: Path of Thorns
CHARACTERS: DeLana Harvick, DeLana POV
COMPLETED: June 21, 2008
WORDS: 2,744
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. ;-)
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This fic takes place during the Bud Shootout where Dale and Clint were racing and Kevin was commentating in the booth. He was supposed to just "visit with them for awhile" but he stayed the whole race. Here’s my explanation. LOL
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Harvick Coach - Daytona Motor Speedyway - Daytona, FL - February 9, 2008

Watch the door to the coach slam shut and breathe a sigh of relief.  I should at least have a couple hours to myself away from the mad men of RCR.  Turn away from the door and the residual “pissiness” Kevin left behind and head straight for the bedroom to change into something comfortable.  Unbutton my blouse along the way and as the quiet of the coach settles around me it almost makes me want to thank Junior for getting Kevin in the announcer’s booth tonight for the Shootout.  Almost.

I’m still too upset at those men to even think about thanking them for anything.  To be honest I have no use for any of them right now.  Shake out of my blouse and unhook my bra, tossing them both over the dresser carelessly.  I know Kevin will whine about it later but then I can bitch about his socks in the living room area so as it usually is with us it’s a wash.  Pull open the top drawer on my side of the dresser and dig around in the clothes until I find a soft cotton tank top and my faded, comfy yoga pants.  Perfect.  Kevin hates this stuff, and since I’m in no mood to cater to him it’s perfect.

Slip the light cotton over my head then slide out of my dress pants, tossing them aside as well.  I slip into the soft, well worn longue pants and finally start to relax.  It’s been a long couple days of media for all of us and I really wasn’t expecting it.  Pick up my favorite black scrunchie from the dresser and pull my hair back.  I’ve spent most of the day with it in my eyes and I’m so ready to not have to deal with it anymore.  Right now I just want to be DeLana, not the owner of KHI.

Drag my fingers through my pony tail then head back to the front of the coach feeling fifty percent better with the change of clothes.  The rest I’ll take care of with the pint of Häagen-Dazs vanilla I have waiting for me in the freezer.  There’s nothing better  than getting a little alone time with some ice cream to make a girl feel like a woman again.  Or maybe that’s just me.  Smile slightly at the thought then a little more when I reach my treat.  Pull it from the freezer, grab a spoon and I’m good to go.

Head back over to the couch in the living area and toss Kevin’s smelly socks to the floor.  He can deal with them later after I point out what a slob he is.  Drop down on the couch, curl up in the corner and proceed to do something I’d never let Kevin do.  Peal the lid off the brand new pint of ice cream, set it upside down on the floor and then dig into it with a soft, satisfied “Mmmmmmm.”  I’d never let him eat from a container because he’d end up parked in front of the TV with a gallon of ice cream making a total mess.  This is different.  This is Häagen-Dazs for heaven’s sake.  It breaks all rules.

Reach behind me to grab the flat screen remote off the end table behind me and turn up the volume when I see the Shootout pre-race coverage starting.  As I expected they are promoing Kevin’s appearance in the booth.  I wonder what they’d think if they knew how dead set against it he was.  Kevin wants to be on the race track and it’s blasphemy for him to be sitting out when those two are in it.  I mean J.J Yeley and Dave Blaney are in the fricken race.  There’s no way he should be on the sidelines.  That’s why he tried to dodge the SPEED crew every chance he got since we’ve been here because we knew they’d be after him.  But thanks to Junior….

Suck another bite of sweet, frozen vanilla off the spoon and lean my head back against the cushions.  I still can’t believe this stupid game of one-upsmanship those two idiots have going.  I thought it was bad when Kev was pranking Daddy…but these games are nothing like that.  He and Junior are locked in some kind of idiotic battle of wills that no one’s ever going to win.  What is it with men?  Why do they think everything is always a competition?  I swear no sooner did Dale realize Kevin was ducking the media he sent DW to our coach telling him Kev had invited him to talk about the broadcast.  And now here he is sitting on national TV talking about the one thing he’d sooner be a million miles away from.

Shake my head and turn down the volume when I hear his familiar voice then turn to ignore the TV all together.  He should have said no.  But somehow since Dale “challenged him” by saying his teammate would love to make an appearance he has to try and do more.  I wouldn’t put it past him to stay the entire, stupid race plus some just to show he could, as if that proves something.  He was still complaining about the whole thing as he stalked out the door and I bet he didn’t stop until they shoved him in front of the camera.  What that man will do to spite someone.

Snort softly to myself then reach to the back of the couch to grab the blanket draped over it and situate it around my legs.  Then I take another bite of ice cream as I glance over to see my husband smiling that smile of his and babbling away as half the country falls in love with him.  If they only knew what it was to live with him they might not be so fooled by that smile.

Run the edge of the spoon over the still hard ice cream, making it into a perfect, creamy curl and lick my lips.  I always keep my ice cream in the very, very back of the freezer because I love it to be as hard as a rock when I pull it out.  Kevin always thinks that’s stupid because it’s so hard to dig in and pig out.  What he doesn’t get is that this is an art form, a way to unwind.  The longer it takes to enjoy the better.  Why can’t men ever seem to understand that?  But when have men ever made sense anyway?

Automatically frown when I think of the idiots of RCR then reach up with one hand to try and force myself to stop.  I keep frowning like this I’m going to end up with a permanent crease between my eyes and I’m totally putting all the blame on Kevin.  He’ll definitely be buying me Botox if this doesn’t go away.  Rub lightly at my forehead, feeling the slight lines and try to shake it off.  Stupid men.  I swear just when you start to think you know one, BAM, they do a 180 and do something completely ridiculous.

For God’s sake look at Clint.  Clint was a normal guy, a nice guy.  To be honest he reminded me a lot of Kevin in a way.  And then he makes a stupid bet and loses his mind.  I swear I’ll never forgive him for what he’s done to ‘Thena.  Here she and I were looking at wedding books and planning our next couples getaway when that idiot has to go and start “experimenting” with Earnhardt.  I still think he’s completely lost his mind.  I mean it’s one thing to experiment.  We’ve all been there.  It’s all part of what makes life interesting, at least it always has for me and Kevin.  But to leave your girlfriend who gave up her whole life for yours?  It’s beyond idiotic!

Stretch my legs out on the couch, blanket still wrapped around them and dig out a larger bite of ice cream.  It’s starting to soften and it’s getting easier…just like Clint obviously is.  Roll my eyes and I don’t get it.  If the moron was that curious Kevin and I would have been more than happy to show him the ropes.  I think we always made that perfectly clear, especially Kevin.  He was always all about the innuendo with Clint when we were all drunk.  I was always half expecting to walk in on them at some point groping each other like teenagers or with Kevin buried inside him trying to get him to call him God.  Truth of the matter I would have loved to watched…and then gotten some of my own of course.  With ‘Thena there I know there would have been plenty to go around.  But no.  He’s an idiot and she’s broken hearted and it’s all Kevin’s fault.

Honestly I can’t even begin to know what he must be thinking.  It’s not like one stupid experience completely changes you.  But that’s how he’s acting.  He’s acting like the sun rises and sets on Junior and it doesn’t make any sense.  Kevin said in Vegas he looked like he was going out on a date.  Has he totally lost his mind?  Junior isn’t looking to settle down with someone like Clint.  Hasn’t he been listening?  All Earnhardt ever talks about is finding someone to give him an heir, some lucky girl, or unlucky depending on your point of view, that he happens to stick his dick into and get pregnant.  Because that’s all he’s really looking for isn’t it, a human incubator for his “legendary seed?”

Roll my eyes and stab at the ice cream again.  Stupid jerk.  All he thinks about is himself, that’ s perfectly clear.  Otherwise he never would have done what he has with Clint.  All he does is take, take, take just to satisfy his own libido.  Honestly I can’t even figure out why he wants a kid.  Anyone who knows him knows his entire existence is racing.  He even admits it.  So why on earth does he want to have a son when he and his mom would be nothing but second place.  You’d think with his history he’d know better than to do that to a child.  But he’s a man, and I’ve yet to meet one who actually learned from someone else’s mistakes.

Glance down at my ice cream and frown when I see it’s already half gone.  I better quit.  I’m already going to have to spend an extra half hour on the treadmill for this splurge.  The last thing I need is Kevin ribbing me about pigging out and eating all my ice cream in one night.  I could always put the empty container back in the freezer considering he knows better than to touch my Häagen-Dazs, but I don’t need it.  I’ll just regret it later.  And regret is something I don’t do.

Tug the blanket off my legs then turn to get up.  I’ve never spent a lot of time looking back.  That’s probably one of the reasons Kevin and I work so well together.  Most women wouldn’t pick up midweek to elope in Vegas.  But I’ve never regretted that.  We wanted to be married so why look back.  That’s the same reason we’ve decided not to have kids.  With Kevin’s racing and my over seeing KHI there just isn’t time for any more of a family.  Those guys in that shop are my kids and I’ll do anything to make sure the team is a success, even if it means making sacrifices.  Because in my eyes, sacrifices are a whole lot better than regrets.

Lean over to grab the lid for the ice cream then push up off the couch.  Cover the small plastic pint and carry it back over to the freezer, making sure that it ends up at the very back.  Stupid men.  Why can’t they see things like women do?  Why do they have to screw everything up for themselves to maybe realize they did something wrong?  Is it really so hard to just open your eyes and see the bus before stepping off the curb?  Why do they all act so much like children?

Shake my head and head back to the couch, pulling the blanket up around me this time as I snuggle down into the cushions.  I’m glad I don’t have to deal with going to RCR for any reason.  I can’t even imagine what all this battle of wills has turned into because I know Kevin only tells me the good stuff…or at least the stuff where he was the one doing the one upping.  Just like in Vegas I know there was more to the night than the fire alarm sprinklers because he came home way too pissed for winning a battle.  But I didn’t ask.  To be honest I don’t even want to know.

Pull the blanket almost up to my chin as I rest my arms on my chest and look up at the TV screen.  It looks like Junior’s leading if that familiar red car out front is any indication.  What a surprise.  The king is back in Camelot.  And would you look at that, he’s even got his favorite black knight on his rear end giving him a push.  This keeps up he’s going to end up in victory lane which is great for RCR.  We all need to see his move validated I think because it’s not right to see the king locked out of the castle.  Watch the redesigned Budweiser 8 car continue to lead the pack as Clint attempts to stay with him and I’m not surprised at all when Dale shifts lanes and leaves him behind.  You really should pay attention to that Clint because it’s just a preview of what he has in store for you.

Narrow my eyes at the screen for a moment and I’ve finally had enough.  I’m sure Junior’s going to win the race and Kevin’s going to spin into a realm of pissed off that I’m not going to want to deal with.  Throw the blanket towards the other end of the couch and get up.  I’ve had enough of this race for tonight.  Turn around slowly until I see my cell phone on the table and I move across the room to pick it up.  I need to talk to someone sane, someone who’s not a stupid man.  Not to mention if I’m on the phone when Kevin gets back maybe I won’t have to listen to him bitch.  

Scroll through my phone as I head back to the bedroom and set it to dial Athena’s number.  I have no doubt she’s watching the race and as much as Clint and Junior were running together….  Well I have a feeling she might like a distraction.  Stupid idiots.  Why can’t they just grow up?  She picks up on the second ring and I instantly know I’m right by the tone of her voice.  Poor thing.  I should’ve insisted she come to Daytona.  But noooooo, Kevin didn’t want the distraction.  As if he doesn’t deserve it.

“Hey ‘Thena, it’s me.  Yeah, I was watching it too.  Pretty boring so far, don’t you think?”  Walk over to my bed and turn around backwards to sit then lay down across it on my back.  Stare up at the ceiling as she answers and tells me about Endy trying to join her on the couch.  “Yeah, he does that when we aren’t home.  Just be firm and he’ll behave.”  Now why does part of me feel like I should’ve given her this same advice a few months ago?  Slow smile crosses my face as she’s obviously reading my mind, at least a little bit

“No, no you see that’s where you’ve got it wrong.  You can train a man.  It’s just a lot of hard work that I’m really not sure is worth it.”  Laugh and instantly relax into easy man bashing conversation.  I may hate the reason, but it has been nice to have a girl friend around.  I never have had a lot of girl friends with as much time as I always spent in the garage around racecar drivers.  Most women never understood it at all.  That’s the good part about Athena.  She gets it.  Now if I could just get the men in my life to be half as smart….

These authors spend lots of time to write these stories. If you took the time to read this PLEASE take the time to give them some feedback. Happy writers write more ;-)

Catw00man - catw00man@cryptoffic.com