The True Meaning of Teamwork

Home : Stories by Catw00man : RCR 2008 AU : Path of Thorns - The True Meaning of Teamwork

Summary: Shifty learns a lesson.

AUTHOR: Catw00man
EMAIL: catw00man@cryptoffic.com
RATING: R
SERIES: Path of Thorns
CHARACTERS: Kevin Harvick, Clint Bowyer, Jeff Burton, Kevin POV
COMPLETED: August 12, 2008
WORDS: 3,568
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 after the Daytona 500 and includes the garage “incident” between Clint Bowyer and Jeff Burton where they ended up yelling at and pushing each other post race. I was listening to Clint’s scanner and he did start screaming all about how Jeff wasn’t a “teammate.” Here’s my take on the resulting squabble.
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Post Daytona 500 - Daytona Motor Speedway, FL - February 17, 2008

Apparently Junior is the only teammate he can get along with anymore.  At first I thought he was just cock whipped, but picking a fight with Burton on the radio?  It’s unforgivable.  I saw it on track and I saw the damn replay from one of the SPEED guys and Clint’s way out of line.  Jeff would’ve sacrificed more than second place to keep pushing him, but Clint changed lines.  And now he’s talking about who’s a “real” teammate?  How about who’s a real friend?

Catch sight of them both in the garage as I pass between haulers and my eyes go wide when I see something I never expected from Clint.  Jeff was trying to smooth things over.  How dare he make a comment about what a lousy teammate he is?  We’re in this to win!  Not to hold hands across the finish line.  I don’t blame Jeff at all for getting in his face.  Shit.  Last year we were a team.  Last year we all were in this together.  But now that fucking Earnhardt has invaded it’s all falling apart.

Apparently Clint’s got it in his head his shit don’t stink and he needs to know that’s not gonna fly.  With either of us.  Watch Burton grab him, getting in his face and I swear Clint all but laughs him off.  Dammit Shifty, what happened to you?  You used to be a friend.  Not someone to publically mock a teammate or violate another’s bed.  Stupid bastard.  This ends now.

Wait until they round the corner outside the garage and move into the dark out of view of the cameras I know are watching them.  Step out from my hiding place between the haulers and cut them off.  Then I grab Clint by the front of his firesuit and slam him back against the outside of the garage.  It’s obvious I’ve taken them both by surprise and now it’s Jeff’s turn to smile when he finally sees Clint taken down a peg.

“What the fuck is your problem, Bowyer?  You think because you get Earnhardt’s dick shoved up your ass on a regular basis it makes you some kind of a god?  You’ve forgotten your place and it’s about time you knew it,” I snarl at him, barely able to contain my rage.  As I expected Jeff looks around, making sure we have relative privacy.  I didn’t even have to ask to know he’s on my side.  Clint’s been out of line all during Speedweeks.  This is the last straw for us both.

“What the fuck is your problem, Harvick?” he spits out and tries to push me off.  But I’m not having any of it.  Not now.  Slam him back against the wall and let Jeff worry about if anyone else is around.  I only have eyes for Bowyer.

“My problem is you, Clint,” I growl back.  Narrow my eyes and lean closer, only speaking loud enough for the three of us to hear.  “You’re really one to talk about being a good teammate.  You don’t even know how to be a good friend.  Don’t think I don’t know you were in on Earnhardt’s fucking prank.”

“Oh what the hell was it now Harv, they shaving cream your truck or something?”  I hear the annoyance in Burton’s voice and it’s all I can do not to take his head off.  But when he continues I realize his anger is  just displaced rage from Clint.  “You changed your fucking line, Clint!  What the hell was I supposed to do, stop so I could push your regal ass?”  Feel his eyes on me again as he directs his next question to me, “So what did the idiot do to you, Kev?”

“Fucked Earnhardt in my god damned bed!” I snap and look over at Jeff as I continue to hold Clint firm.  See his eyes go wide, even in the darkness, and I don’t blame him for doubting me.  I never would’ve dreamed my friend would’ve stepped so far over the line either.  He turns to glare at Clint, obviously trying to sort out if my words are actually true, but the look on Clint’s face says more than my words ever could.  At least he’s got enough of a conscience to realize he should be ashamed.

“Are you serious?” he asks but the question is obviously more directed to Bowyer than me.  “What the heck is your problem, Rookie?  Have you lost your mind?”

Feel him flinch under my arm at the name and I know he never expected to be called “Rookie” again.  But he deserves it.  He’s acting like a total fool all full of himself and it’s going to stop.  Shit, I’ll beat it out of him right now if I have to consequences be damned.

“No, I haven’t.  Maybe June didn’t want to put up with your crap anymore, Harvick,” he snarls at me.  Then he looks to Jeff and snaps, “Maybe I don’t want to put up with being pushed around anymore.”  He shoves my arm hard off his chest and I stare at him in confusion.  I don’t even know him.  Not anymore.  The Clint I knew would never act like this.  He was a friend.  One of the best I ever had.  Take a half step back when he pushes past me and walks away and for a moment all I can do is look at him.

But not for long.

Shoot Burton a look and in an instant a plan comes to mind.  He wants to be Earnhardt’s toy?  He wants to forget being a teammate?  I think I know exactly what to do.  “Jeff, grab some 200 mph tape.  We have a rookie to train.”

Catch the dark grin that crosses his face and I wonder how many people know how dark Burton can be.  I’ll say one thing for him, you shouldn’t get on his bad side and that’s a lesson Clint’s gonna learn tonight.  Nod to Jeff as he rushes back into the garage and I hurry after Bowyer, not wanting him to get away.  Call after him and I’m actually surprised he stops.  Idiot.  Now all I have to do is stall him until Burton gets back.

“What do you want, Harvick?  Haven’t I taken enough shit tonight?  I was the one spinning in the grass instead of grabbing the checkers, or didn’t you notice?”  The arrogant tone in his voice almost causes me to snap but that would instantly send him away.  Still, when did he get so “entitled”?  He’s got one win under his belt.  I mean sure he finished third in the Chase but that’s over and done with.  He’s got a long way to prove himself.  Right now he’s nothing more than a oneshot wonder like Truex or Mears.  Give it time maybe he’ll be somebody or maybe he’ll fade into the background like McMurray and Newman.  Jackass should know better.

“Hey, at least you weren’t on fire this time.”  That actually gets the barest hint of a smile and I dig my short nails into my palm to keep from decking him.  “The point is your little ‘spat’ with Jeff is gonna roll tonight on SPEED.  Right or wrong no one needs to see that shit.  You know better.  And you know you’re gonna hear it from RC.”

Watch him reach up to fiddle with his left ear and I know I took the right tact.  Get him off guard, make him think about the tongue lashing he might get from Richard instead of what I’m gonna do to him.  See him shift on his feet and I know he has no idea what’s coming.  Catch sight of movement over his shoulder and see Jeff’s not only got the tape I wanted he’s made an end around on us to head us off.  Lock eyes with him through the darkness and I see he’s already reading my mind.  Perfect.

Grab Clint’s arms when Jeff attacks and pin them behind his back as he puts a large strip of tape across Clint’s mouth.  He struggles hard and almost breaks free but I hold firm and growl low in his ear.  “You stop fighting you get to keep your clothes.”  That makes him go still and I know he knows I’m not bluffing.  If he knows anything about me it’s that I’m a man of my word.  I know he’s not gonna go along willing, but between me and Jeff we should be able to keep him in line.

Jeff looks over at me after making sure the tape is firmly affixed across Clint’s mouth and I tilt my head towards the motor coach lot, not wanting to tip my hand just yet.  He nods back and takes Clint’s left arm while I hold his right and we force him to start walking in front of us.

“You got a good idea, Harv?”

“Don’t I always?”  Smirk at the sound of his snort and I know he’ll follow along with my plan.  I may not always get the last laugh, but I can pull my own weight and tonight I’ve got a good plan in mind.  Clint wants to jump ship, it’s time he learned there are consequences.

“So how did you know they were in your coach?” Burton asks in a hushed voice as Clint tries to jerk out of our grip.  But he doesn’t stand a chance when we both tighten our grips on his arms and jerk them further behind his back, twisting them almost in unison.  Damn, it really is nice to have an ally for once.

“Found fucking boxers in the sheets and between the couch cushions, not to mention the place was ransacked.”  Force Clint to start walking again and I swear I never thought I’d hear the end of it from D when we got back to our coach.  Once again the world was my fault and apparently I’ll be buying a new mattress as well as new 3000 count sheets.  It’s idiotic with as many games as we’ve played, especially considering we’d already all but invited both of them into our bed before.  But apparently it has to be on D’s terms or I pay the price.  I’m just glad she didn’t find the boxers in the couch or I’m sure I’d be replacing that too.

“That’s just wrong, man.”  He shakes his head and twists Clint’s arm up his back a little more.  “You really do need to learn some respect, Rookie.”  Catch his glance when Clint says something under the tape we both ignore.  “I bet D pitched a fit.  I know Kim would have.  I bet she’d be having me pay to have the whole place professionally cleaned.”

“Don’t give her any ideas.  I’m already buying a new bed and sheets even Cleopatra would be impressed with.”  Smile at his laugh and turn Clint towards Earnhardt’s coach before I give Jeff a wink.  He’s gonna love what I have planned.  But Clint has it coming.  I just hope the media is somewhere holding Junior up because I want to make sure he sees his “prize” for the night.

Feel Clint stiffen in front of me when he catches sight of where we’re going and I hold his arm even tighter.  I catch something that might’ve been “fuck you” from under the tape but I don’t care.  I sympathized with him at first.  I really did.  When he called me on New Year’s day and let me know what happened I felt for him.  Earnhardt took advantage of him and the situation, there’s no question about that, and I understood the confusion he felt.  Hell, I’ve felt it myself.  I love D, and I do love women, but sometimes I wonder if I don’t love men a little more.  It’s a little disconcerting to find that out, especially if you’re already in what should have been a committed relationship.  Thankfully D is someone who seems to understand me…or at least she did.

But he’s completely crossed the line from confused and experimenting to dickhead, asshole idiocy.  I get him breaking up with Athena, even if I don’t agree with it, I understand why he did it.  He needed to know where he fell in the whole scheme of things and he didn’t want to lie to her or take away from her.  There is a twisted bit of nobility about that.  To be honest, I even understand the falling under the redheaded prick’s spell because I have no doubt with his whoring ways he has to be good in the sack.  But what I don’t get is turning on your teammates and betraying your friends.  I’ll never understand that because with all the stupid, rotten things I’ve done that’s never been one of them.  Now it’s time he learns a real lesson in teamwork.

Glance over at Jeff to catch his eye and tilt my head in the direction of Junior’s souped up golf cart.  It’s gleaming white and orange and it’s the perfect target.  Thankfully he hasn’t left yet but I have no doubt he will be soon.  He’s always one of the first to bolt.  Good thing this won’t take long.  Eye the golf cart as Jeff pushes Clint forward when he struggles and briefly reconsider my promise of letting him keep his clothes.  But he hasn’t put up too much of a fight and I do make good on my promises.  I just wish I knew what he was thinking when he broke into my coach.  Hell, after this I may never know.

“Get him over to the cart, Jeff.  This shouldn’t take long.”  Apparently my words woke the sleeping giant because Clint takes the opportunity to try and make a break for it.  He manages to jerk out of Jeff’s grip and he spins around fast, catching me in the jaw as he tries to rip his arm away from me.  Son of a bitch that hurt, but I don’t let go.  Instead I twist his arm behind his back until he’s off balance and then kick his feet out from under him.  The whole tussle ends with us both on the ground, his face pressed to the concrete with my knee in his back still twisting his arm behind him.

“God dammit Bowyer what did I tell you?”  Grind my knee into the small of his back and he squirms, still trying to get away.

“Fuck you Harvick,” he snaps.  He must have gotten the tape off his mouth when he tried to break free.

“You already had your chance, Shifty.  And now it’s too little too late.”  Smirk at his snort and twist his arm up his back even more until he stops squirming.  That’s right Clint, don’t fuck with me unless you can take it, and trust me boy, you could never handle me.

“So what do you have in mind, Kev?  Surely you don’t plan on trading insults with him all night.  Some of us do have lives that don’t revolve around Clint’s ass.”  Look up at Jeff and can’t help but smirk.  How is it he always seems to cut right through the bullshit of any situation?  At least I have one teammate left I can count on.

“Help me up with him and let’s get him to the golf cart.  There’s no way Earnhardt will miss him there.”  Lean back and only release the pressure on Clint’s lower back when Jeff’s got a hold of him.  Move to my feet and grab Clint’s right arm, same as before, and I know his shoulder is gonna be sore as shit tomorrow.  Pity I can’t seem to care.  Shove him forward then growl at him when he tries once more to struggle.  “Don’t tempt me Shifty or I swear to God I’ll tie you up out here butt naked and then call in the coverage.  I do have Dilner on speed dial you know.”

Ok, so I don’t, but there’s no damn way he knows that.  I guess my threat gets to him because he goes still in front of us and I’m a little surprised when he doesn’t say a word.  Maybe he’s realized I’m not screwing around.  There was a time he’d never believe I’d follow through with a threat like that, but after his betrayal…anything is fair game.

Force him forward until we reach the passenger side of Dale’s cart and then give him a hard shove.  “Get on your knees, Clint.  On the floor board.  Just like you would for Earnhardt.  Let’s see that ass in the air.”  Smile when I hear Jeff’s laugh and shove Clint forward again, halfway throwing him into the floor board when he doesn’t immediately react.  Glance to Jeff to make sure he’s watching him then take the tape from him and walk around to the other side.

Our eyes lock when I lean in from the other side and I’ve never seen him more pissed.  Actually, I see a lot in his eyes.  More than I expected.  I just figured he’d hate me, but there’s more.  There’s hurt and betrayal all mixed in with hot country boy anger and it actually causes me to pause for a minute.  Clint has been my closest friend these last two years, even more so than Tony.  But that had a lot to do with how much time we spent together.

We were inseparable the year I got my second Busch championship and part of me missed that last year, missed all the insane flights and schedules you only get when you run both series full time.  You get real close when you spend so much time with someone and you get to know them better than you ever thought you would.  At least I thought you did.  I thought I knew him.  I thought there was a trust between us that even the girls wouldn’t break.  I guess I was right.  The girls weren’t the problem.  Earnhardt’s fucking cock was.

Reach forward and grab his wrists, jerking him forward so he almost falls flat on his face.  He barely catches himself on his elbows and with the sound they make I know it couldn’t have felt too good.  “You brought this on, Shifty.  Not me.  Don’t you forget it.”  Take his hands and force them over the brake pedal and I’m actually a little surprised when he seems to grip it willingly.  Pull back to unroll the tape and…he doesn’t even try to break away.  Force myself not to look at him, even though I can feel his eyes on me, and wrap his wrists in the tape, binding it around the base of the brake pedal to keep him tethered and on his knees.  Don’t stop until I have him tied up so good there’s no way he’ll break free without taking the brake pedal with him and sit back on my heels.

And that’s when I look into his eyes again.

He doesn’t say a word but I can see the resignation plainly written on his face.  The furious anger is gone and it’s replaced with…a hint of a flush at his cheeks?  He doesn’t say the words but I swear there’s shame written all over his face and I want to say something.  Hell, part of me wants to cut him loose because maybe I went too far this time.  I didn’t cross the line with Tony when he had his “incident” in Sonoma even though I had the adult diapers ready to go in his car the next week.  It was too much and I knew it.  Have I gone too far now with Clint?

“Beautiful, Harv.  You do have a mind for the devious.”  Look up when I hear Jeff’s voice and see him leaning over Clint to…reach in his pocket?  Clint squirms and at first I have no idea what he’s doing until he pulls out a silver Sharpie from Clint’s pocket.  We all tend to carry them and with Clint’s back car he normally has a silver one on him.  Now I wonder what the hell Jeff plans to do with it.

Watch as he uncaps the marker and then smacks Clint’s ass before leaning forward to write something across the black firesuit.  The way I’ve got him positioned his ass is sticking right up in the air and facing the door of Junior’s coach.  Apparently Jeff’s decided to leave Earnhardt a little message.  Stare at him for a moment then push myself up off the ground, forcing myself not to look at Clint again.  I may have just made the biggest mistake since Christmas…but it’s too late to turn back now.

“C’mon Kev,” Jeff tells me as he waves the Sharpie at me.  “You need to sign too.  Wouldn’t be right if you didn’t.”  What exactly is right about any of this?  Take the marker and see that Jeff has scrawled “Now you see what real teamwork can do, Rookie” across his ass with his name to the side.  Twirl the marker between my fingers for a moment then lean forward to add my own message to our fourth teammate before signing my own name with a flourish. 

Jeff’s message was for Clint, but there’s no question who mine was for.  Fucking enjoy him Earnhardt.  I hope you understand how lucky you are.

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Catw00man - catw00man@cryptoffic.com