Author's Note: Hey guys. Here is a quick update...the last until the middle of next week. I have very limited Internet access and time. But the family situation has calmed down. I'll still be away another week but thanks for the e-mails of concern and prayers. Hope you enjoy this. More to come in approximately 7 to 10 days! Thanks! -Mal

Nathan squinted as the sun shone its intrusive light directly into those baby blues of his. He wiped the sweat from his brow and sighed. It was time to go home. He had put in a full day's work and he was tired. Besides, he would need his rest for the next day. It was race day.

Race day was always important and whether he competed or not, Nathan was always on attendance. But it was important to him. He lived and breathed it, just like he used to feel about basketball. It wasn't just some hobby or random past time. And he had something to prove. To his uncle, to his mother, to his brother, to his father…and any and everyone who had ever doubted him in life. More importantly, Nathan had something to prove to himself.

He took a deep breath. The race was over 24 hours away but he couldn't get rid of the nerves. Butterflies were churning deep in his belly and his whole body was covered in a mist of light sweat. Perhaps it was to be the most important race of his career so far, or at least one of. Cooper had done so much for him and working with and racing at Cooper Lee Enterprises Inc. had opened more doors than he ever imagined but Nathan had bigger dreams. And a win or top three finish in tomorrow's race would be just the stepping stone he needed.

Just as he was about to leave, he heard the unmistakable roar of an engine. Nathan loved cars and nothing got him going like a fired up engine. It was almost orgasmic. He turned and saw a driver get out of the car. The person took their helmet off and long, auburn hair fell down her back. He grinned. It was Daytona.

"Hey", he called out.

"Hey, knuckle head", she smiled. "Thought I'd find you here."

He had known her pretty much his whole life. Her father was a good friend and fellow racer of Cooper's. Whenever he had spent time with his uncle, she was always around. And ever since he had moved to Charleston, Daytona, one of the best female racers in the country, was a permanent fixture down at the track.

"What are you up to?"

She shrugged.

"Nothing much. Just getting ready for tomorrow."

Nathan nodded.

"Nice car", he motioned to her set of wheels.

"You bet it is."

"Where'd you get it?"

She gave him a smile and played coy.

"A friend let me borrow it for luck."

"What friend is that?"

"Jeff Burton."

Nathan's eyes grew as large as saucers.

"Jeff Burton? Get out of here! Really?"

"Yeah. And he's gonna be here watching tomorrow. This baby here he rode in a race not long ago. Mello Yellow sponsored it."

"It's a beauty."

Daytona popped the hood.

"Just in case you had any doubt", she folded her arms.

Nathan whistled.

"Hell, no. This is a hell of a car. I hope I get to race in something like it some day."

A smile crept to Daytona's lips.

"Why not tomorrow?"

"Come again."

"I got this for you. I want you to race it tomorrow."

Nathan couldn't believe it.

"You did that for me? Why?"

She shrugged.

"Because you're my friend and I believe in you. And I want you to win. Besides, I knew you would like this car."

"You're right…I love it but I can't accept it. Sorry."

"Can't or won't?"

"Both, I guess. Look, I appreciate what you're doing but I think I'll stick with Old Faithful over there", he pointed to the orange car he had been racing for over a year.

"Okay. Suit yourself."

"Don't be mad."

She smiled.

"I'm not mad, Nathan. I just wanted to do something nice for you. I just…"

Her voice trailed off.

"You just what? Say it."

"I don't know. It's just that you haven't seemed happy lately and I wanted to do something nice for you. I just missed seeing you in a good mood."

Nathan just looked at her.

"You know, that's pretty cool of you."

"Nate…"

"No, I mean it. It was a nice thing to do and I appreciate it. I probably don't say it enough but you're a good friend."

"Are you gonna be okay for tomorrow?"

"I'm cool."

"Are you going to be okay in general? I've been worried about you."

Nathan sighed.

"Yeah, I've had some things on my mind but it's cool. I'll be fine."

"Anything I can help with? You know, if you want to talk…"

"Nah. It's all good. Besides, I'm just trying to focus on tomorrow. You know, clear my head."

"Keep your eye on the prize."

He smiled.

"Yeah. All 15 grand of it. I could seriously use the cash."

She nodded.

"Well, good luck. And I'll be watching."

"I know you will."

Daytona winked at him and they knocked fists like she was one of the guys. He watched her get back in the car and pull off. Taking one last look around, he took a deep breath. His cell phone rang and he looked at the ID half expecting it to be Cooper. It wasn't.

"What do you want, man?" Nathan answered, rolling his eyes.

"Hello to you too."

"I'm busy."

"Okay…"

"I can't really talk. I'm racing tomorrow and I'm trying to prep."

From the other end, Lucas nodded.

"Race day, huh? Sounds cool. You got a lot of competition?"

"Look, in case you didn't realize it, I'm still really pissed at you from the last time we talked. I'm really not in the mood to chat."

"Yeah. About that. That's why I called."

"Luke…"

"I'm sorry, bro. I mean that."

"Whatever", Nathan mumbled.

"Just hear me out, okay? I was a dick. What else is new? And I'm really sorry."

"About which part? Cheating on your wife or lying to her?"

"Both."

"And accusing me of being happy and wanting to get with her? That's really shady. I mean it, Luke. It's an all time low, even for you."

"I know. Look, I know you didn't tell her on purpose. And I also know it was a hell of a position I put you in knowing what you knew and having to remain silent to your best friend so you wouldn't betray your brother. That's not fair."

"It's not. I said some pretty shitty things. But I didn't mean them. I was just pissed."

"Whatever. It's water under the bridge now. I'm just sick of you putting yuour shit on me."

"No more. I promise. I just wanted you to know that Haley kicked me out."

"Good."

"She didn't tell you?"

"She's not really talking to me either at this point."

"Oh. Well, she booted me out on my ass and I think she's going through with the divorce or at least the separation."

Nathan sighed. He was mad and had a right to be. Lucas brought all his problems on himself and deserved everything he got but he still couldn't help but feel a little bit sorry for him.

"Where are you staying? With your parents?"

"That was the plan. I tried but it lasted all of six hours. Try having famiuly dinner with Mom, Dad, Grandma and Grandpa and Keith."

"Ouch. I'll pass."

"So did I."

"What now?"

"I'm crashing with your mom."

Nathan wasn't surprised. He was glad Deb and Lucas were close. And she had that maternal warmth about her to everyone. Deb Lee was always willing to help someone in need.

"That's cool. The basement isn't that bad."

"Acvtually, I'm in your old room."

"My room? Why?"

"Apparently Deb has a border."

"Oh", Nathan frowned. "You mean the new chick from out of town who is working with her at the Den. Yeah, she mentioned something about that last time I talked to her. How is it working out?"

"I don't know. There's something about her…"

"Dude, don't tell me you're trying to sleep with her too?"

"Relax, bro. It's not even like that. I am done with all women for a while. I need to get my head right."

"She must be a real dog then", Nathan smirked.

"Actually, wise ass, she's pretty hot. But she has an attitude and she seems kind of stuck up and she called the cops on me."

Nathan raised his eyebrows.

"Nice. I like her already."

"Anyway, I just wanted to call and talk. And apologize. I felt like I owed you that much. Are we cool?"

"Yeah", Nathan sighed. "We're cool."

He had no choice. Like it or not, no matter what happened, they would always be "cool". He didn't want to be another Keith and Dan. He and Lucas, despite his faults, were better than that. They were brothers.