Getting Worse
Chapter 11 Getting Worse
“Shit!” Dale whispered.
“Relax. Just stay here!” Carly whispered back.
“No. I don’t wanna look like a chicken shit.” He murmured as he slid out from under the car. He helped Carly up. He stood behind her, and waited for his doom.
Scotty walked out to meet Pamela and Juan. “No serious damage, Pamela. The car will be fine to race. How are you? Were you injured at all?”
“No, I’m fine. I just need more practice, that’s all. My schedule says there’s more practice tomorrow morning?” she said.
“That’s right.” Scotty answered. “Be here at 9am sharp. We get 3 hours of practice before the Cup cars go out. We should be able to get this car dialed in to your liking.”
“Cup cars? They’ll be here?” Pamela’s eyes lit up. “Do you think Carly will let me drive her Cup car?”
Carly felt an instant surge of anger flow through her. She barely started to move forward when Dale grabbed the back of her firesuit.
“Stop! Calm down honey. Temper – remember?” he whispered in her ear.
Scotty answered Pamela. “No, I don’t think so. Against DEI rules. You’re not certified by NASCAR to drive a Winston Cup car. Just stick to this ARCA car for now.” Scotty chuckled.
Dale let go of Carly. She walked out towards Pamela. “Hello.” Was all she said.
Pamela looked in Carly’s direction. “Oh! Hello, Carly. Thank you for your help this afternoon. I am glad I found you, actually. My father is having a cocktail party in honor of my first stock car race. I’m inviting all sorts of people from the racing world. I would love you to be there. I’m also inviting Dale Jr. and your other DEI teammates. And some other NASCAR drivers, Jeff Gordon, Ryan Newman, Jimmie Johnson, and others. Also some of my friends from Formula One, and some from Indy – I can invite Tom Cruise if you want to meet him! Please say you’ll come, Carly! It’s Saturday night, at my penthouse in downtown Atlanta.” She handed Carly an invitation. Engraved of course, in gold foil. She had one with Dale’s name on it too. Please see that Dale Jr. gets this! I really want him to be there. It’s important to me. Would you… OH!”
She had looked back into the garage, and saw Dale. Carly looked around at him, and she could see him cringe.
“Why Dale Junior! It’s so good to see you! Why, you haven’t changed a bit since we dated so long ago!” she gushed.
Dale took a couple of steps forward, and stood right behind Carly. “Hello, Pamela.” He said.
“Well, come over here and let me look at you! Don’t just stand there, give me a hug for old times sake!” she insisted. She pushed her way around Carly and threw her arms around Dale’ neck. Dale made no move to return her hug.
“What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue?” she said. “And what is this you’re wearing? Have you been underneath those cars again? Dale Junior, you’re a famous racecar driver! You shouldn’t be working on cars! Let the mechanics do that!”
Dale sighed. “Pam, I work on my own cars. You know that. I always have, and I always will. Just leave me be, ok?” he gave a fake smile.
“Oh, sorry dear. I do remember you telling me that before. OH! Where are my manners? Dale, honey, I want you to meet my boyfriend. Dale, this is Juan Montoya. Juan, darling, this is Dale Earnhardt Jr.”
“Montoya.” Dale said as he stretched out his hand.
“Mr. Earnhardt. I believe we met at an IROC race.” He said, shaking Dale’s hand.
“Yeah, we did, as a matter of fact.” Dale said.
“Congratulations on the Daytona 500. I saw the race. Good driving.” Montoya said.
“Thanks.”
“Well, Dale Jr., Here is an invitation to a party that my father’s giving in my honor! I really want you to be there. Your stepmother will be there, and your brother. And Carly too, right Carly?” she said hopefully.
“I’ll try, thanks Pamela.” Carly answered politely.
“Dale Junior?” Pamela asked.
“I’ll –uh- check my schedule.” He slipped his hand onto Carly’s shoulder. Pamela’s eyebrows shot up.
“Oh! Well, I’ll take that as a yes. See you both there!” She whipped around and strode out of sight.
When she was gone, Dale spoke. “F**king bitch.” Was all he said. Everyone in the garage laughed. Carly threw her arms around his neck.
“Why, don’t just stand there, give me a hug for old times sake!” Carly laughed in her fake southern drawl.
Dale laughed. “You, I’ll hug any time.” He said as he hugged Carly back. “Is she not a piece of work, or what?” Dale said, referring to Pamela.
“I still don’t know how the hell you put up with her, Junior! What was going through your head?” Jack asked him.
“I plead insanity, Jack. I just don’t know.” Dale answered, shaking his head. He looked sideways at Carly. “Tom Cruise?”
What’s this about Tom Cruise?” he smiled.
Everyone laughed, including Carly. “I was trying to explain about rubbing fenders. You know, “rubbin’ is racin’”? And I asked her if she ever saw Days of Thunder. She proceeded to tell me that she had dated Tom Cruise. I asked her if he was cute, and she laughed and said he was “short” and that he’d be perfect for me because I was short. Then she offered to introduce us!”
“Oh yeah?” Dale laughed. “What did you say?”
“I didn’t have to answer. That’s when Ken Schrader taught her about rubbing in racing. She panicked and spun into the wall.”
Everyone laughed again. “I met Tom Cruise once. He is short.” Dale said. “So how ‘bout it Carly, you wanna go out with a short actor wannabe racecar driver?” He grinned.
“Give me Tom Cruise the fighter pilot any day, and hell yes!” she teased. “You’ve lost that lovin’ feelin’…” She started to sing. “Oh, that lovin’ feeling..” She continued as Dale started to chase her around the car.
“Get ‘er, Jack!” Dale yelled. Jack grabbed her.
“Jack! You’re supposed to be my friend!” She laughed.
Dale grabbed her. “I’ll teach you about Lovin’ Feelings…”
“Okay! Lets quit goofin’ off! Get these tools picked up.” Scotty said. “Come on, Carly, help. Junior, wind up that air hose, will ya? Jack- get those lug nuts swept up! Lets get the hell outta here. I gotta call the fab shop – we need new left side fenders and panels. And I guess a new name decal. Damn. I hate to take your name off of this, CrackerJack!”
Dale looked at the name decal. “I thought you were only CJ when you played softball?”
“Oh yeah, and when I drove ARCA. There was a driver named Corey Grant. Didn’t want any mix-ups.” She smiled.
“CJ. Is that where he gets “CrackerJack?” Dale smiled.
“That” Scotty interrupted “and the fact that she explodes like a firecracker!” Everyone burst into laughter. Even Carly laughed, as she turned beet red.
~~**~~
Carly fell asleep on the plane back to Mooresville. She sat next to Dale with her head on his shoulder. He just stared at her as she slept. They were in the back of the small plane, where they had some space to themselves. They hadn’t talked about Pamela’s party, and Dale was dreading it. He knew Teresa would beg him to go. And he would have a hard time disappointing Teresa. He would probably wind up going, and hating every minute of it. But at least he’d have Carly there. He touched her cheek with his fingers. Her eyes fluttered open, and she looked up at him.
“Hey.” She yawned. “Are we there yet?” she asked sleepily. She leaned closer to him, and slid her hand up his shirt, running her fingers through the hair on his chest.
“That tickles!” he whispered, trying not to laugh.
“I can’t help it!” she giggled. He grabbed her arm and drug it out. “Awe, Dale!” she laughed.
“Shhh! Stop it!” he whispered. A few heads turned in their direction. Dale just smiled.
“Now see what you’ve done?” he lectured her. “Can’t you wait till we get home?”
She giggled again. “Ok. I’ll try. But if Tom Cruise comes along…” They both laughed.
The seatbelt lights came on as they approached the airport. Carly straightened up in her seat, and buckled her belts. Dale did the same. He leaned over to whisper in her ear. “Carly, come spend the night at my place tonight, ok?” he asked.
She smiled. “Okay – but are the rumors true?” she whispered.
He looked surprised. “What rumors?”
“About your bedroom.”
“Haven’t you been in my room?” he looked puzzled.
“No! I’ve only been at your house for parties! You do have quite a party house! But I’ve never been in your room. So, is it true?” She grinned.
“Is what true?” he asked again.
She giggled again. “Mirrors!”
Dale turned red. “Oh! The mirrors!”
“On the ceiling?” Carly asked.
“Yeah. I got mirrors. You mean there’s rumors going around about the mirrors??”
“Yep! I always wondered if it were true!”
“Hell, I was a lot younger when I put those up.” He started to laugh. “So – you ever slept under a mirrored ceiling before?”
“Uh – No, actually I haven’t!” she whispered.
“Oh, baby, we’re gonna have fun tonight!” he smiled.
~~**~~
And fun they did have. So much so, that they did not sleep a whole lot. Carly woke up feeling exhausted, and again sick to her stomach.
“You ok, babe?” Dale asked her. “You look pale. You want some water?”
“Yes, please. Oh. I’m so tired. God, I hope I don’t have the flu. I hope I didn’t give anything to you!” she worried.
“I feel fine. I’m worried about you, though. You wanna go to a doctor?” he asked, brushing her hair back.
“No! I’ll be fine. I felt this way yesterday, and I was fine by 9 o’clock. Of course, I had to go down to Atlanta, to meet Pamela. I felt this way Tuesday too, but after I got that disastrous phone call. I was fine by the time I got dressed. It must be nerves. Actually, I felt this way when Chad showed up. That’s what it must be. Ugh.” She sipped her water.
“Better?” Dale asked.
“A little. Geez, a lot has happened in a week. Chad, 2 races in one weekend, A Vegas show, a fight with Ty, Pamela Morgan, the list goes on. I just think I’m not used to the pace of Winston Cup. Busch was never this busy. Oh, Dale, how do you deal with this schedule?”
“I don’t know, babe. You just deal. Take it one day at a time. Not a whole lot else you can do. I’m so glad I have you in my life now, though.” He smiled at her.
“I’m glad I have you too. I hope I can make it in this business, Dale. I wonder what would be happening to me right now if I weren’t with you. I wonder if I could even handle it.”
They laid back down, and looked at their reflection on the ceiling. He rubbed her back. “You’d be fine. And Carly, there’s no way we would have been working together and been able to stay apart. I think fate started us towards each other the day you stepped out of Kyle Petty’s racecar. Even with Jeff Gordon involved, and the girlfriends I’ve had. Don’t do the “what if” thing. There is no “what if”.” He smiled at her.
She smiled back. “I think you’re right.”
~~**~~
After they rested for about 30 minutes, Carly felt better. She had packed everything she needed for the day. Dale gathered up his stuff, and they flew down to Atlanta on the company plane with their teammates. ARCA practice went well, Pamela did ok, though she still thought the ARCA car wasn’t as nice as a Formula One car. She ran a decent qualifying lap, and would start in the 15th position. Juan had gone to Laguna Seca raceway in Monterey, California to practice for an upcoming race. Carly kind of wished she was back in California too. She missed her friends and her brother. She kind of missed Laguna Seca too. That was a fun road course, with great “S” curves. But you could only drive that track with small cars, or motorcycles. Stock cars the size of her #81 car would never make it around. She sat on her car hood, daydreaming of road racing, while she waited for her turn to practice. If she closed her eyes, she could mentally drive the entire course at Laguna Seca. She could also mentally “see” Sears Point. She had done the Russell racing course there many times. Her first Winston Cup start was last year at Sears Point (Infineon) raceway. Carly chuckled at herself for refusing to call it Infineon. It would always be Sears Point to her. She did reasonably well. She finished 18th. And was still on the lead lap! Jeff Gordon had won that race. Boy, she and Jeff had partied that night. She put her hands over her face and chuckled to herself. That was before they found out they were cousins. She was lost in her memories when she was interrupted by a familiar voice.
“What’s up there, cutie?”
“Jeffy! How very funny that you’re here right this moment!” she laughed.
“Why is it funny that I’m here. I work here. And 30 or so other racetracks.” He grinned.
She put her hands on his shoulders, and put her forehead to his. “Guess what I was just remembering?” she smiled.
“What?”
“Sonoma. Last year. You won Sears Point, remember?”
“Yeah?”
“Remember that night, after the race?”
“Ohhh yeah!!!! Ooo, Carly-baby, why are you conjuring up those memories, huh?” he grinned. “Do you miss me?” he teased.
“Jeffy. Don’t ask me that.” She smiled.
“Why?”
“Because. There’s no right answer to that question. Lets just say, that we had a hella good time back then, didn’t we?”
“Carly, is there trouble in Paradise? Every thing ok with Dale?” he said, as he sat down beside her on her car.
“Actually, couldn’t be better. He’s a wonderful man, Jeff. Just like you are. How could I get so lucky as to have both of you?” She said, getting tears in her eyes.
“Stop it Carly!” he said, wiping her tears. “You deserve to be happy. I’m just sorry it can’t be with me, that’s all!”
“The sad thing Jeff, is that you do make me happy. You did make me happy.”
“Does HE make you happy?” Jeff asked, concerned.
“Yes, he does. More so every day.”
“Then why were you daydreaming about us?” he whispered. “Carly, are you sure about you and me? Because if there’s any chance…”
“Jeffy, stop! Don’t finish that sentence. Can’t go there.” She took a deep breath. “I was just thinking of California, my friends, driving at Laguna Seca, Sears Point, then I remembered the race last year, then my mind floated off into wonderland…you know how that goes. Jeff, we had a great time together. And I will always appreciate that. And you. You know, you were the first guy I let into my life after I was scarred by Chad. I was scared to death to be in love with you. You showed me that I could have a decent relationship, and not get hurt. Well, it did hurt when we ended it, but it wasn’t either of our faults. You’re such a good person, Jeff. Thank you for everything you did for me. Thank you for being part of my life. I hope you will always be in my life. I wish I could give back to you what you have given to me.”
“Hey- ok, stop! I hear you!” he said, holding her close. “You’re gonna make me cry! I don’t wanna do that here!” he laughed.
She laughed. “Sorry, babe.”
“Shhh!” he said.
“Oops!” she giggled. “I did it again, didn’t I?”
“Yes, and you didn’t even have anything to drink did you?” He scolded. He looked into her eyes. “I will always love you. You know that. I do want to always be a part of your life. Carly, make me a deal. When you and Dale have kids, I want them to know that we’re related. I want to be their cousin. I know that means telling a lot of other people, but that’s ok. I’m proud of you, and that you and I are family. I hope that’s ok with Dale.”
“What’s ok with me, Gordon. What the hell are you two talkin’ about?” Dale had walked over to check on Carly, and found her and Jeff deep in conversation.
“Don’t worry, buddy. Carly and I were just finishing the conversation that we started in my motorcoach last week, remember?”
Dale looked blank. He shook his head.
“Carly and Jeff are talking, Earnhardt busts in with posters, throws ‘em on the table, accuses Carly and Jeff of being related? Sounding familiar?” Jeff recounted.
Dale smiled. “Yeah. I thought you guys were through with that.”
Carly put her hand on Dale’s shoulder. “There were just a few more things left to say, honey. Jeff has one request. And it sounds good to me.” She smiled at Jeff, and he smiled back.
“What?” Dale looked at them suspiciously.
Carly burst out laughing. “Look at the look on his face! Geez, Dale, what are you thinking??”
“I don’t know! Why don’t you tell me!” he said.
“Calm down, buddy!” Jeff said. “I have one request. If it’s ok with you.”
Dale took a deep breath. “Spill it!”
“Look. Carly was just telling me how happy she is with you.” Jeff could see Dale relax some. “And, I’m glad. I want her to be happy. Look Dale, this is hard for me to say.” He lowered his voice. Dale leaned closer. “ If you two have kids, no, when you two have kids, I want them to know that we’re related. They’ll be my cousins too, you know. I want to be a part of their lives. I want to help them drive racecars. I want to babysit them when you two go on romantic vacations. I want to be their cousin! I know that means telling other people, but I’m ok with that now. But only if it’s ok with you. I’ll totally respect your wishes, Dale. What do you think?”
Dale smiled, and looked at Carly. “I think it’s a helluva good idea. Best idea you’ve ever had, Gordo!” Carly hugged Dale, then Jeff.
“How did I ever get so damn lucky?” she said.
Jeff kissed her on the cheek, and walked away. Sterling Marlin had been walking by when this happened. “What’s goin’ on, Gordon? Everything ok?” he asked.
“Just some family business, Sterlin’. That’s all. Family business.” Jeff replied, smiling.
~~**~~
The practice session went well. At the end of the afternoon, everyone flew back to Mooresville. Teresa had called Dale and Carly into her office for a quick meeting.
“First off, Carly – how is the ARCA situation with Pamela going?” Teresa asked.
“Good.” Carly answered. “She’s a bit spoiled, but she’ll live through the experience.”
Dale and Teresa burst into laughter. “A bit spoiled?” Teresa repeated. “That’s the biggest understatement in the world! Carly, I cannot believe how well you’re handling this. I thought you would have ripped her little blonde head off by now!”
Carly smiled. “It takes every ounce of self control I have to maintain my oh-so-cool exterior. I’m learning a lot from this, actually. But I sure can’t wait till it’s over!”
Teresa gave her a hug. “Thanks for taking this on. You have no idea how much I appreciate this!” she said. “Now – I hate to do this, but I have another huge favor to ask you…” she continued.
Carly scrunched her eyes shut. “Okay…what?” she asked.
Teresa laughed again. “Nothing as bad as Pamela…but I need your expertise here at the office.”
“Here? At DEI?” Carly asked.
“Yeah…I see that you used to work in HR?”
“Yeah – years ago when I was in college. Why?” Carly asked.
“Well…our HR person quit yesterday, her husband was transferred out of state…and it left us in kind of a jam. I really could use some help in the HR department, getting things sorted out. The admin that works there is doing her best, but she wasn’t fully trained on everything, and I’m hoping you could just help organize stuff and help us find a replacement.”
“Um…ok, but what about my driving schedule?” Carly asked nervously. The thoughts of the rumor still plagued her.
“That will take priority, of course. Just when you have some free time. Hopefully soon. I know you don’t have a lot of free time, but hopefully it won’t take long…”
Carly smiled. “Sure, I’ll be glad to help. Geez, I have to kick my brain into reverse to remember what I did at IDMS.”
“Is that the company you worked for?” Dale asked.
“Yeah. Integrated Defense Memory Systems. A Lex Morgan company, actually! A branch off of MMS. It was only a 2 year gig, a defense contract. We put the memory in the computers in ground fighting vehicles.”
“Ground fighting vehicles?” Dale asked again.
“Tanks, big guy. Big tanks…uh, “Bradleys” I do believe. Manufactured right in the heart of the Silicon Valley. And you thought we only produced computers there, didn’t you?” Carly laughed.
“Yeah, actually.” Dale answered. “I find that hard to believe.” He grinned.
“Fine. I’ll take you there, someday when you come home with me. You can see them, parked outside the plant. Hundreds of ‘em.” Carly answered back. “So Teresa, whenever you’re ready – call me!”
Teresa also managed to talk Dale and Carly into going to Pamela’s party. Neither one of them was excited about it, but they would suffer through it for Teresa. When the meeting was over, Dale and Carly decided to catch a movie. They had realized that they had never actually gone on a real date! So they decided they had better take advantage of this rare evening together. They had a good time, and wound up spending the night at Carly’s.
The next morning, it was back on a plane to Atlanta. Their motor coaches had arrived, and Carly was in hers, putting stuff away for the weekend. Carly had been even sicker this morning. A terrible dread had started to haunt her. She looked at her birth control pills. She counted the number of green pills that she had taken.
She could deny her fears no longer. She was 5 days late.
