"You like him?", Jr. wanted to confirm, raising his voice a little,having the wrong idea, totally.

"Yes. As a friend. He's the younger brother I never had."

Jr. didn't say anything after that.

"No comeback?", I egged him on playfully.

He still didn't say anything.

"Something wrong?"

"Nope", he said with a shortness in his voice.

I could tell something was going on. I tried to get it out of him. "Then why are you acting like this?"

"Like what?"

"Like...I don't know..."

"If you don't know, then what are you accusing me of?"

"I'm not accusing you of anything", I said raising my voice a little.

"Then stop."

"Stop what? You are the one acting like something is up. I'm just trying to find out what it is."

"Nothing to find out."

Having just about had it, I said, "I need to go to sleep."

"I'm not stopping you."

Puzzled with Jr.'s behavior, I didn't have time to solve a mystery tonight. I rolled my eyes and myself and faced the wall.

Jr. was gone when I woke up. There wasn't even any evidence he had even been here, except for the little tiff that jumped back in my head. What was up with him, I pondered.

Shaking my head, I got up and got ready. I drank my coffee so fast I may have even chugged it. The anxiety I was feeling was overpowering. I wanted so badly to lead out my first Nascar race. The day had finally come.

I grabbed my cell phone and powered it up, needing to remember what my evening held. I was scrolling through to today's date, when I heard voices outside.

I perked up my ears to try and hear, but it was useless. Too much noise to make anything out.

I had a voicemail from Lila asking about any further thoughts to Donald's offer. I quickly called her. Damn, voicemail. I was coming down later for the race later.

"Hey...I talked things over with Todd. It's a go. See you soon." I hit the end button.

I headed down to pit road. I hope noone saw me practically trotting. I was a little excited about riding behind the pace car and being able to be the first one to lead out. I had always followed the actions of the car in front of me. Today was my day.

"Hey Todd", I said, spotting him by #4.

"What's up? You ready to put the pedal to the metal today?"

"That I am. How's she looking?"

"Sounds good, runs good. No news is good news."

"Great. Lila should be here anytime. We should probably get up with my afterwards to see what had to be done."

Todd nodded, just as I caught a glimpse of green and white from the corner of my eye. I casually turned my head, letting my eyes do most of the work for me.

Jr. was walking by, signing autographs as he went. He glanced over my way, but with sunglasses covering both of our eyes, neither of us knew if the other was watching.

I smirked quietly to myself and leaned against the car.

"Good luck today", Kasey said, walking over.

"Thanks. You too", I said returning the gesture,

I happened to glance back ar Jr, who was staring me down., I could tell even If I couldn't see his eyes. His body language and the look on his face told me something was definitely up with him.

I didn't have time to find out right now and I wasn't sure if I wanted to know, either.

The pace car took us onto the track. I looked in my mirror and saw the other forty-two cars behind me. They were just as hungry as I was to start this race. We were not only seconds away from starting, but in Los Angeles of all places. Even if you did shitty out here, the atmosphere and party town would make up for it.

The pace car merged to the left and I punched it as soon as I could. The utter feeling of knowing everyone was behind me was breathtaking. Before long, the more experienced of the drivers had forced me back a few spots. I stayed in the game, with my normal pit stops, #4 running just as good as I ever has.

I finished 4th, while Jr trailed in 19th. Kasey won and waved the checkered flag from his car, before he did burnouts for the fans.

Back at pit road, I hopped out, leaving #4 to talk to some reporters. Afterwards, I heard someone pissing and moaning. Something about a 'piece of shit car'. I turned my neck so fast , I almost broke it.

Jr. was pacing back and forth, cussing out his crew, then kicked his helmet clear across the way. He actually kicked his helmet like it was a football! I still wondered what was up with him.

"Nice finish, DeArmen", Tony said, passing by.

"Thanks Smoke!"

I looked back over and saw Jr. walk across to the garages. Maybe he was over it.

"Good job out there", Lila said, walking up with Mary Weber.

"Very well done", Mary said, opening her phone. I held a conversation, as Lila and I did the same. I looked at me as I closed the phone. "Mr. Trump would like to invite you to out this evening to discuss things a bit further."

"That sounds nice...", Lila began, being interrupted by Mary taking charge.

"Mr. Trump has requested just Miss DeArmen. However, he has given me specific details to go over with you", Mary said to Lila.

"Are you okay with this?, I asked her.

"Yeah, sure", I said.

I walked into the garages to check on Jr. without checking on him. He was sitting on a tool chest, leaned over with his hands in his hair.

I made my way over, but I ran into Brad. "Looking good out there, DeArmen", he said passing me and high fiving me.

I got caught a few times before I finally made it, only to find him gone. I tried to look around without being obvious, but there was no way.

I gave up and headed back to my coach to unwind before I had to get ready.

My phone rang just as I got out of the shower. The caller id said out of area. I had no clue who it could be. I let it go to voicemail and yet again, got dressed up. Maybe I would get lucky again and the shoes would be comfortable.

Once again, I walked down to the place the limo was at before. Only this time, I was alone. I could hear the party starting up behind me. Expecting to run into someone as I left, it never happened.

The limo ride was peaceful and I eyed everything I could. Passing the Hollywood sign, I wondered what kind of stress all the stars go through. I convinced myself I might just have it easy.

The Hollywood hills were beautiful, the roads winding. Then I realized I was in a neighborhood. "Where are we going?", I asked the driver.

"Mr. Trump has requested your presence at a cocktail party."

That much was evident. I just didn't realize it was at a mansion instead of a restaurant.

A butler sort opened the door and held it for me with his white-gloved covered hand. I thanked him and walked inside, my eyes travelling everywhere they could possibly go. The large estate was something I only imagined ever seeing.

The pristine home embraced the quality of the French eclectic era. This home offered tastefulness and elegant comfort. Clearly an architectural design, this estate left no detail unattended.

I was nervous and my sotmach was turning. I knew noone there and noone knew me. Or so I thought. Faces I had never seen passed me as I made my way to where I didn't know. Compliments on my success started to rolls off the tongues of passerbys. I thanked the unfamiliar faces and smiled.

"Great race today", I heard beside me. I turned my head a nearly hit the floor. Will Ferrell of all people!

"Thank you very much", I was ecstatic.

Seeing him talk to me for half a second, prompted other to recognize me and do the same. I had said 'thank you' and 'pleasure to meet you' until my tongue was numb. I got a nod and raised glasses from Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes.

I accepted a glass of champagne from the 'ask jeeves' look alike and sipped it. It was sweeter than I ever imagined chapagne could be.

"Glad you could make it", I heard turning around to see Donald Trump, Jr.

"Thank you for having me", I returned, not knowing what else to say.

"There's someone I want you to meet." He started our retreat from the crowd by putting his hand on my back.

He led me through the crowd. Someone would stop and stare a moment as we passed by. I felt on the spot, but who wouldn't. We rounded the corner and I almost fainted. My heart started pounding like it was going to jump out of my chest and my mouth suddenly became dry.

Standing in a small crowd was the Don. Donald Trump, himself and his wife, Melania Knauss-Trump. I was on the spot now.

"Father, this is Lisa DeArmen. Miss DeArmen, meet my Father, Donald Trump, his Wife, Melania Knauss-Trump."

I extended my hand to them. "It is an honor to meet you both." Melania nodded. I must have known this was business.

"My son tells me you may need some convincing to help start the team?"

"No sir. I have actually made my decision. After discussing it with my PR Rep and my crew chief, we have decided that we are coming on board."

"That is a wise decision. You won't be disppointed. I would like to come watch you race sometime."

Wow!, I thought. "Thank you sir. I would very much like you both to attend", looking at his Wife, too.

She nodded, still having not uttered a word. "I'll let you and my son get back to business." That was our cue to leave, I gathered, after they turned their backs.

Donald walked me away again by gently putting his hand on my back again. Once we were far enough away, he spoke up. "I'm glad you have decided to help me start my team. I can promise you, you won't regret it."

"I'm excited. Where do we start?"

"Mary will draw up the paperwork, contracts, etc. I will set up a meeting with you, Lila, Todd and the entire crew. You don't need to do anything. We'll announce it next week at the banquet."

"What about my appearances..."

"Mary will coordinate everything with Lila. I will be in touch. Good Evening."

He walked off, leaving me to fend for myself. I just saw the business side of him.

I had the limo driver drop me off in downtown L.A. and I located a restaurant called Jack Rabbit Slim's. Just like in Pulp Fiction. I pulled out my credentials, hoping it would land me inside, and it did before I could show them.

I made my way through the crowd, finally making it to the bar. I ordered a beer, when I heard my name. I turned around to see Kasey and Elliott.

"What are you doing here? We came by, but you were gone," Kasey said.

"Another meeting", I said, desperately wanting to reveal my good news, but I kept it hush hush for now.

"Come sit with with us", Elliott said, grabbing my beer. I followed them back to the huge vip booth in the back.

"Look who we found", Elliott said.

As he stepped to the side, my eyes met Jr.'s. He was surrounded by Tony, Brad and Martin. I greeted everyone, having Jr. actually say 'What's up'. instead of his normal nod. I had to take that as I got it. We were, however, keeping ourselves a secret.

I sat down between Kasey and Martin, across from Jr, since he was already wedged in the circular booth.

"We were just getting ready to order", Kasey said.

"Great! I'm starving", accepting Kasey's gesture to share the menu.

"So, let me get this straight", Elliott started. You had a dinner meeting, but no dinner? That sucks."

"It was really short. Just drinks", I said, realizing I had actually only there for about thirty minutes.

Kasey pointed the the name of the dishes, most of which were named after celebrities. We laughed and pointed at each one, snickering. He bumped his shoulder against mine when I made fun of one.

I looked up as the waitress came over take our order. Granted, we all were desperately trying to hold on our laughter as the other tried to order food with a straight face.

"I'll have the Kevin Bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich", I started.

"The Gwyneth Poultry Sandwich", Martin said.

"Gimme the Colin Farrell Cheesesteak Sandwich, Tony ordered.

"I want the Stephen Spielburger", Brad, said.

"The Tommy Chimi-Chonga", Jr. said.

We were almost in tears by the time it was Kasey's turn. "I want the Arnold Hammenegger and Cheese on Brad Pitta Bread."

The waitress left and we all busted out laughing at each other. "Leave it to Kahne to order the most ridiculous item on the menu".

"Fuck off Smoke", Kasey retorted, lifting his beer to clink with the others.

The smile on my face met Jr.'s smile, which he added a wink to. I think I may have blushed.

He quickly looked away as Tony got his attention, asking him a question. "Who's up for a few shots?", he asked, focusing on me.

We all agreed. Since the race was over, there were a few days to spare. I looked at my Blackberry and saw I had already gotten over the email from Mary about siging all the paperwork, etc.

Kasey decided to be a little nosier than he should have and saw the text from Lila. "Team contracts?", he asked just a little too loud.

All eyes shifted to me as if asking for an explanantion. Shit! The cat was out of the bag.