High Octane Kind Of Love

Summary: Casey gets herself accepted into the family but what happens when her attraction to Jeff becomes more than just a crush?? Core Group and OC's

Rated: M

A/N: I want to make it known I'm not a Beth hater! I support her and Jeff fully and wish them all the best. Also, this is a complete work of fiction. I don't own or know anyone pertaining to the story.

Chapter One

Early March in North Carolina…

Casey's POV

It was a usual Saturday at High Octane. Most people here just considered me "eye candy". The truth was I really did love my job. If you can ride it we have it! Who wouldn't love being surrounded by ATVs, custom motorcycles, dirt bikes and a slew of other things everyday? Well, I guess most women wouldn't like it let alone love it, but that's just me.

I heard the chime above the door and looked up to see a few of H.O.'s regular customers. "Hey princess, miss me?" Shannon asked while walking towards the large counter I spent most of my day behind.

"Nope." I said smiling slightly. "And you call me princess one more time I'm gonna shove my foot up your ass." He laughed whole heartedly. "What are you guys dong here?" I asked looking around the sales floor. Jeff, Matt, and Beth were all looking around at various things.

"We," he said gesturing towards the group. "are shopping." he said smiling widely. Shannon was like a kid in a candy store every time he came in.

I came out from behind the counter. "Then get at it. I aint got all day." I wouldn't normally respond to customers like that but, they weren't normal customers. I met them six or seven months ago. Not long after meeting them the formalities had gone out the window. They'd been replaced by sarcastic remarks and the occasional bad joke.

"Jeez, I feel so loved." Matt said from a few feet away. "I come in here and this is the service I get." he said while walking towards me.

"You gonna report me to the boss man?" I asked grinning at him.

"Absolutely!" he said standing next to me.

"What are you guys looking for?"

"Well, I'm looking to get a new ATV." he said while walking towards them.

"And you two?" I asked looking at Jeff and Beth, who were browsing through our dirt bikes.

I liked Beth most days. I had got to know here somewhat from them coming into the store. She seemed nice enough. I had noticed that occasionally she seemed oblivious to how wonderful her life was and the amazing family she had around her. Those were the times I wanted to smack her in the forehead and tell her to wake the hell up.

"I'm looking to get my hands on some new dirt bikes." Jeff said without looking up at me.

"When you gonna get a real bike Hardy?!" I asked.

"When you get rid of that beater you call a car." he replied.

I wasn't entirely sure but, I thought I saw Jeff glancing at me every so often while they were shopping with a look that wasn't his usual smile. I shook it off when I heard Jimmy yell from the door of the shop.

"Yo, Casey, you gonna stand around all day?"

"And if I do?" I asked raising my eyebrow at him. Jimmy just shook his head and went back into the shop.

I turned my attention back to my 'waiting' customers. Boys and their toys was an understatement when it came to them. I let them browse while I went to answer one of the many phone calls the shop had received that morning. I placed a few parts orders and scheduled some jobs for the guys in the shop. I was finishing my last work order when Shannon beat some strange little drum roll on the counter with his hands. I looked up and smiled at him.

Jeff's POV

Beautiful day, beautiful woman by my side, and a trip to my favorite store. Could the day get any better? I thought to myself. I could hear Matt and Shan giving Casey a hard time, as usual. I couldn't help but glance over at her from time to time while I was looking over their selection. I was hoping neither her or Beth noticed.

It's not that I don't love Beth. I do. We've been together for years. Through good times and bed. She's seen me at my worst and she still loves me. She's the closest thing to a wife that I had. Most people considered her that anyway.

Marriage was a trivial formality as far as I was concerned. I didn't need a license to love someone. That's just the person I am. My random thoughts were broken when Casey spoke.

"When you gonna get a real bike Hardy?" she quipped with a smikr on her face.

"When you get rid of that beater you call a car." I said glancing at her again. With all the times we'd come in I had never noticed the way she looked. I mean obviously I'd seen her before. For some reason today I was more aware of the smirk she gave when she was firing back at one of us. They way her hair was falling down from the messy bun she had it pulled up in. I also noticed the way her eyes sparkled when she talked about her favorite things in the shop. I wasn't sure if she'd seen me glancing at her. I hoped not.

I quickly turned my attention back to Beth and the bikes she was looking at.

"I think these two are good." she said standing next to the bikes and smiling up at me.

"Sounds good." I said grabbing her hand in mine and smiling. It was more of a reassurance for me than an intimate gesture.

Casey's POV

"Yes?" I asked while raising my eyebrow at Shannon. He was smiling in kind of a goofy way which always worried me.

"Nothin'." he said still smiling. I rolled my eyes and looked at some invoices. "You gonna hooke me up, Case?"

I scoffed and looked up. "How many times have you asked me that?"

"I dunno. Like five?"

I chuckled a little. "And what do I always tell you?"

He sighed. "That I've lost my mind."

I grinned. "Today is no different." I said. I felt the need to use the tone of voice you would normally use on a small child, which caused him to pout.

"Fine!" he said walking off rather defeated.

Some time later Beth and the guys had finished their shopping. I smiled as they headed for the door.

"Thanks again, Casey." Beth said smiling sweetly at me.

"See you guys later." I said as they walked out the door.

Today was turning into a 'Smack Beth Day'. I would kill to have what she had. Not the relationship. I told myself. I would love to be surrounded by people who loved me and would have my back no matter what. I had close friends but nothing like the family group they had.

I sighed to myself and go back to work. Today had also turned into a day where I wanted nothing more than to be at home lounging on a floaty in my pool. Unfortunately, I had a job to do and the ringing phone and stack of invoices beckoned to me like the call of a long lost love, without the love part.

A/N: Reviews are greatly appreciated! Be gentle…jk. First one to review gets a cookie ;)