Taste the Sweet Nectar

Home : Stories by Zippit : RCR 2008 AU : If I’d Never Known Your Love - Taste the Sweet Nectar

Summary: He just wants a taste….

AUTHOR: Zippit
EMAIL: zippit@cryptoffic.com
RATING: R
SERIES/SETTING: If I’d Never Known Your Love
CHARACTERS: Clint Bowyer, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Clint POV
COMPLETED: February 12, 2008
WORDS: 3,363
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 takes place after the Sound and Speed fan event in Nashville, Tennessee. This event included autograph sessions for both Clint Bowyer and Dale Earnhardt Jr.
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Sound and Speed – Nashville, Tennessee – January 12th, 2008

Shake my head and lean back into the comfy plane seat, watching the clouds drift past the window. For once, I’m not staring at Junior’s mouth. God, I’m surprised I haven’t been caught. It’s not like I don’t know he belongs to Kev...I just want a taste. I’ve had to deal with Kev walking around with a just fucked look for the past few weeks and I want to know what’s had him so blissed out. He just stole a kiss under the mistletoe right? Oh, who am I kidding? The length of time they were gone? Kev probably fucked him to the moon and back. Athena and I didn’t even see Kev the rest of the night then D gets a call and says she’s heading home. I’m half tempted to ask D when she comes ‘round the shop or when I’m over at KHI, but then she sometimes has the same secret smile Kev wears and I really don’t want to open that barn door. Both Athena and I know D shares everything with Kev. It’s unsettling and we’ve discussed maybe one day being like them, but not now. We’re happy just being us. Maybe when we’re ready we’ll take up their standing offer.
 
Glance at him goofing around with Mike and Josh and he makes a goofy face at me, all scrunched up with his tongue poking out. Laugh and chuck a stray pillow which he ducks easily. Been nice getting to know him better. Was hard with him being pulled in all directions most of the time, but he’s an RCR boy now. Not to say he wouldn’t stop by and talk when he could, especially with Kevin. With everything Kevin’s telling me, I keep wanting to know what the other side of the coin’s like. Shake my head and flick my fingers against the wall below the window. I’m getting too involved in all of this. He’s just my friend and whatever happens between him and Kev is their business. I need to get this stupid curiosity out of my head cause Athena? She’s all I need. Something big, fat, and fluffy hits me in the stomach and I look down to see a pillow tossed there by none other than the laughing Earnhardt. “What’d you do that for?”
 
I’m given a bright grin and I can see why everyone’s so in love with him. It’s the sweet, eager to please look in his eyes. “Needed to get your attention. You been out of it since we stepped on the plane. Gonna land soon and was wondering if you and ‘Thena would want to come over to hang out?”
 
Look at him curiously as he fends off a half tackle from Josh and consider his words as he’s overtaken by the mini scuffle he and his DMP love to engage in. There’s nothing to his words other than wanting to get to know us I think. He’s not Kev for which I’m grateful. Definitely don’t need two, no three, Harvicks running around. D’s about as bad as Kev anyway and if we added Junior to the mix? God help us. There’d be no safe place left.
 
Scrunch the pillow in my hands and lob it at Junior, laughing at the sight of them frozen in mid-scuffle while Mike’s retreated to the safety of a seat. “Yeah sure, I’d love to and bet Athena would too. Tell her to meet us there if she can?”
 
“Sure. Door’ll be open when she gets there. Straight shot from the entrance to the house, all she’s gotta do is follow the road.” He scrambles around for something until Mike hands it over the back of the seat he's in. Then Junior tosses it to me and I see it’s a plane phone.
 
“You’re pulling out all the stops aren’t you?” Get a cheeky grin in return before Josh drags him back into the scuffle and laugh as they end up in a tangled heap in the aisle with both of them half squished against seats. Reach out a foot and nudge the small of Junior’s back. “That can’t be comfortable.”
 
“It ain’t,” Junior says as he shoves at Josh who climbs off him and settles back into a seat with a laugh. I watch Junior slip back into his seat and my eyes linger over his ass. Jeans pulling tight as he moves and fuck, bet that ass is all perfect to fuck. Damn you, Harvick. This is all your fault. Jerk my gaze back to the window as my fingers remember to dial.
 
Smile when I hear her hello, “Hey, Junior’s invited us over to his place to hang out. You up for it?”
 
“Sure, you guys on your way home right now?”
 
“Yeah, should be landing in a bit.” Glance to Junior who says “twenty minutes” which I pass on to her.
 
“Oh no, I’m heading off to dinner with the girls in a few minutes. I wasn’t sure what time you’d be back and it was time for a girls’ night out.”
 
“It’s alright. Drop by when you can, Junior said the door’ll be open and it’s an easy drive to the house.”
 
Junior chimes in loud enough to be heard, “It is! You can drive right up to the door half drunk. Josh did it once.”
 
“Hey! Only at your urging. You shoulda been the one driving, you were nearly sober. Fucking tolerance is insane,” Josh says while mock glaring at Junior.
 
Mine and Athena’s laughter twine on the phone and she says, “Sounds like you and Junior are having fun. He isn’t that bad to have as a teammate, is he?” She teases lightly. We’d all shared the same concerns about Junior rolling into our territory, but honestly not much has changed other than we now have a fourth team and someone else to knock down a peg.
 
“No, he isn’t.” We’ve been instantly adopted into the DMP and it’s odd, it being so effortless. You always hear about how it’s his inner circle filled with those he knows genuinely care about him and will close ranks around him. Sometimes it’s envy you hear in peoples’ voices when they talk about it, others it’s admiration for him maintaining that separation from the rock star life he leads. I’d ask Martin, but something went so sour there it’s turned into a Wisconsin blizzard whenever the two of them get anywhere close. That one Trackside last year, I think Athena showed it to me, the moment Martin came on the whole atmosphere changed.  I should ask Kev if he knows anything about it.
 
“Enjoy yourself with the girls, I’ll see you soon.” Hang up and I’m not sure where to put it. “Hey, June?” Wave the phone at him and he takes it from me and tucks it into its slot against the side of the seat.
 
When he’s done, he looks to me and asks, “She gonna be able to join us?”
 
 Shake my head, “No, she’s got plans with the girls, but she’ll try and get out quick so she can stop by.”
 
He nods at my words, rubbing his palm along the felt of the armrest. “You hungry? We can call someone now and have it delivered ‘bout the time we get to the house or I can whip something up.”
 
Junior cooks? Dale Earnhardt Junior cooks? Gape at him and he fidgets, running a hand through his hair and tugging at the zipper on his jacket. And then Josh jumps in. “Yo, Earnhardt, thought you were too tired to do battle in the kitchen or were you lying and saving it all up for Bowyer? Cause I got some requests otherwise.”
 
I didn’t think Josh was even listening in. It’s true what they say about his posse and it makes his easy acceptance of me and Kev even more of a surprise. We’re teammates sure, but whatever happened with him and Martin has to make him wary. He’s willing to take a chance on us which is more than I can say I’d do in his place.
 
Junior laughs at Josh’s words and the tension drains as quickly as it came. “Yeah, yeah, you fat ass. What’cha want? I figured you pigged out enough at the catering tables you’d have been set for the next two days.”
 
“Bastard. Take it easy, June. Order us some Pie in the Sky pizza. Ain’t gotta be all Susie Homemaker for Bowyer here even if he is your new teammate.” There’s a smile on Josh’s face as he ribs Junior and I wonder if being able to banter is something you pick up from hanging around with him or if it’s something Junior picks out in his friends. Know I’m never gonna be able to match Kev and I doubt I’ll ever match Junior or most of his DMP. Bet Junior’s a match for Kev. So’s Delana. Now hearing the three of them argue would be something.
 
Figure it’s time I chime in, “Hey, pizza’s fine with me. Never had any from that place before. Why don’t you save those cooking skills for the next party you throw your new teammates?” Give him an innocent smile to hide what I’m really feeling. He really shouldn’t go to so much trouble for us. We’re his teammates, not people he needs to impress.
 
“You should work on that poker face of yours. It ain’t worth shit.” There’s a gleam in his eyes which I think means he’s taken my words as the challenge they are. “Oh just you wait, I’ll show you some damn good food. Maybe it’ll even be at a 500 celebration party.” He smirks at me and I know my life’s gotten a whole lot more interesting with Junior running around the shop now.
 
“Don’t count on it, Earnhardt. You may’ve once held the title of restrictor plate king, but you’re not that now. You’ll be catering the party for one of us.” Flash of something in his eyes, but it’s gone behind the mercurial blue that meets my own.
 
“Can’t be too sure ‘bout that. Weren’t you the one that ended up on his roof and on fire last year?” Swear there’s an edge to his voice, but it can’t be. We’re just joking around. “Nothing’s for sure in racin’. But if any of us do win, I’ll be sure to cook.” At his wink, I feel like I was being stupid and imagining things. He’s Junior. He’s a good guy and I’m actually getting this chance to really get to know him instead of passing hellos or race talk.
 
“Pie in the Sky pizza then we’ll give Bowyer the grand Dirty Mo Acres house tour?” Josh asks, looking between me and Junior. Junior answers with a nod then the pilot’s voice comes over the intercom telling us to buckle up for the landing.

~*~*~*~

Dirty Mo' Acres – Mooresville, North Carolina – January 12th, 2008

Josh makes his excuses at the start of our third game of pool. He needs to wake up early for his job and that involves heading home before Junior decides to break out more beer. Chuckle as I hear them ripping on each other as they head to the door. Glance around the mini Tom Hanks tribute room and shake my head. I’d gotten the grand ol’ tour as advertised. It’s not a big house, but Junior doesn’t need big as long as it fulfills his needs. Wide, sweeping balcony, sinful pool, online racing room I’m envious of, top of the line electronics, go kart tracks, and the list goes on. It’s his own private paradise.
 
Wander over to the bookcase tucked in the corner and unsurprisingly it’s filled with movies starring Tom Hanks. Run my finger over the spines of the cases and I’ve actually seen most of these. When I’ve lost interest in trying to remember what each movie’s about, I look around the room and gravitate to the table pushed against the far wall. It’s nothing much, family portraits and moments from throughout the years, but it’s the picture most prominently displayed that catches my eye.
 
Junior and his Dad. The man who helped Richard build RCR into what it is today. The man whose shadow falls over the sport even seven years after his death. I never had the honor of knowing him, but I can imagine he’s a bit like Junior. Glance around the room once more and really, why did Junior chose RCR?
 
He had all those shops knocking at his door and even the two most viable options, RCR and HMS, were analyzed to death. So much pressure with us and yet he’s here, why? I’m distracted from my thoughts when I hear Junior’s cussing growing louder. ”What’d you do?”

“Stubbed my damn toe. Though a couple of beers’ll take care of it,” he says as he comes back into the room with two glasses in hand.

“So Josh stop complaining at all?” I ask as he hands me one of the glasses. Take a sip and it’s AMP mixed with some vodka. Can’t say it’s too bad. I’ve had worse combinations tonight since Junior made it his mission to showcase all the drinks AMP went with.
 
“Nope. Said something ‘bout how us drivers have all the luck. Women, cars, effortless jobs.” Junior rolls his eyes and grins at me. “Fat lot he knows and he worked as a PR rep too. He should know better.”
 
Laugh as I walk over to the pool table and lean against it, rolling a pool cue against the felt. I knew Josh then. He was Martin’s PR rep for his whole Busch campaign until about a month before the end of the ‘05 season when he just disappeared. Never got the real truth behind why. “Damn right he should know better. So, we still gonna play game three?” The balls are already racked on the table and all we have to do is break.
 
“I dunno. You wanna? I saw you eyeing the racing systems earlier. We can give those a try. You’ll need to stop by again so I can show you Whisky River. It’s fucking awesome.” He gives me that crooked grin of his. Yet another reason why Junior has an entire nation hanging on his every word.
 
“Are we gonna to be invited to the opening of the other Whisky River? Or be on its V.I.P. list?” He shouldn’t look so surprised. We, at RCR, like to know about new teammates. Think Kev and I spent a good two days delving into everything that was Dale Junior. Turned up lots of interesting things we didn’t know about, like his sports bar, but his fans have probably been all over it from the beginning.
 
“I dunno. Long time from now and who knows if you’ll even be in my good graces then.”
 
“We’ll have RC make you.”
 
Laugh as he pouts and retorts, “Go running off to the boss, why don’t you. You’d think I’d get some protection from that.” He crosses his arms over his chest as he tries to glare at me, but he’s just as amused as I am if the slight smile curling his lips is any indication.
 
“You’ll be lucky to escape unscathed, Earnhardt. RC’ll usually look the other way when it comes to pranks, but he can be a good accomplice when he wants to be. You have to think he protected himself from your Dad somehow.” Smile brightly at the grin that spreads across his face and creates a warm spot of heat in the pit of my stomach. I try not to think about it too much cause Kev would skin me alive for even thinking about touching his Earnhardt.
 
I know all about “his Earnhardt” though thankfully, or maybe not so thankfully, there’s been no full disclosure. Never has been as long as me and Athena have known them. We never really wanted to know that much. But I wouldn’t have minded it this once, just so I could understand why the hell he’s been raving about Earnhardt nonstop. I doubt Junior even knows or if he does he’s a better actor than I give him credit for. He’s not uncomfortable around the shop or since we got back to his place to hang out, but then Kev’s always selective about who he announces his conquests to. I’ll never understand Harvicks.
 
My gaze travels down to linger over Junior’s ass as he moves to the other side of the pool table to line up a break. It’s all Kev’s fault too. If he hadn’t been extolling the virtues of Junior’s tight ass, I wouldn’t be half as curious as I am.  He sends the cue ball careening into the others with a loud snap then looks up at me and smiles. “It’s just the two of us now.”

What the hell does he mean by that? Is he coming onto me? There’s no way. He hasn’t been dropping hints all night like someone else I know but then maybe he was waiting for Josh to leave. What if I’m wrong? What if I’m reading too much into this because of Harvick’s stupid bragging? If he would just shut up about it, this wouldn’t be happening. He’s never talked this fucking much about his and DeLana’s other bed partners. God, I need to stop this before I lose my mind!  

“You want the striped or solid?”
 
“Stripped.” Goddamnit! That wasn’t supposed to come out. Fuck, fuck, fuck.
 
“Huh?”
 
Blush and play with the outside of my left ear as I stammer, “I m-mean striped!” The last ending on a squeak as I try to regain my composure under the heat of his gaze.
 
“You okay?” he says as he drags his hand down the side of his neck absently and my gaze follows, lingering on the pale juncture of neck and shoulder.
 
Clear my throat as I raise my eyes to lock with his. “No, I’m good. Though wouldn’t mind some water later.”
 
“Easy enough.” He smiles as he spins the pool cue against the floor before turning to take his shot and this time I don’t even fight the impulse to watch him. Damn you, Harvick. He said Junior unleashed was something to see, completely uninhibited and wild. It’s just us now and wasn’t this exactly how Kev got him? The two of them alone in Junior’s new office with nothing but time to kill. But we’re here on Junior’s turf and he has the advantage of familiar territory while at RCR he was ripe for the taking. Kev hasn’t been here before has he? I wouldn’t think so. Haven’t known him to leave that mansion of his unless he had to. Take a sip of my drink and hell, just imagine if I the first time I had him was here in his home. Harvick could never top that.
 
“Your shot. Missed mine,” he says as he extends the pool cue out to me, dragging me from my thoughts. Lick my lips as my eyes meet his, drowning in warm blue. Reach out and grab him, pressing my lips to his. I taste beer and Junior and the Tennessee sun until he shoves me back and wipes his mouth. “What the FUCK was that, Bowyer?! What the hell is wrong with all of you? Should I be expecting a visit from Burton next?!”

“I…I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for that to happen! Harvick’s--“

“Excuse me? What--” He glares at me then his gaze moves over my shoulder and his eyes go wide as his lips press together.
 
Turn to meet hurt, brown eyes and watch her leave the doorway. Glance back to Junior who glares at me and growls, “What the fuck you lookin’ at me for, Bowyer? Go after her.” Damn you, Harvick, fucking damn you. Four years, countless wins, even my first Cup win just walked away. Swallow hard, rub my hands together then wipe them against my shirt as I follow after her. Damn you, Harvick. I can't lose her, I can’t.

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Zippit - zippit@cryptoffic.com