Author's Note: Thanks for all the reviews...good and bad, lol. I do read them all and I appreciate those who read and take the time to express their opinions, which we all have. In response those who feel that I am copying another story on this board, I am sorry those people feel that way. Writing is important and I respect anyone who expresses their creativity in a public forum and I would never intentionally plagarize someone else's work. With that said, based on the sources of said reviews, I think this is more personal and goes beyond the surface of fan fiction. Regardless, I am going to continue to write and update this story because I know the intent of the reviews are to garner an angry reaction from me and then force me off the board. Neither is going to happen. I am not blocking anyone or arguing. I will continue to write and readers are welcomed to continue to review, no matter how scathing it's going to be. And if you feel strongly about this, then you should report it to the moderator. And if they agree and I am kicked off the board, so be it. It was fun while it lasted. And if not, I will continue to update. There is really nothing else to say on the matter...

The sun had begun to set, setting a pretty pink glow across the evening sky. Nathan stood on the side of the track drinking watered down soda pop, munching the stray pieces of crushed ice in his mouth. He stared out at the empty lanes before looking up at the empty stands. The crowd had long since filed out, leaving behind mostly the crew who worked for Cooper Lee Enterprises.

Nathan sighed. His whole life was that track. He lived and breathed for the lines of pavement just a few feet ahead. And a few hours before he had nervously stood beside the car that he was going to drive in one of the biggest races of his career. His nerves were so much on edge that his legs had begun to shake in his racing suit. His heart raced as he placed the helmet on top of his head. So much was riding on one night, one single event. It was almost too much. He had a good mind to quit right then and there. Give it up. Walk away. But he couldn't. He knew that when he turned around and looked at Cooper and Daytona who were waiting for him. Smiles covered their nervous expressions as well. So instead, he winked at them, mouthed a quick, silent prayer and hopped in the vehicle.

The race was all a blur. Usually he was in control, aware of his surroundings, alert to every sound and sight. But with his heart in his throat, he cranked the engine and just let go. He drove with feeling, pure heart. There was no technique or method or procedure. And in the end, when all was said and done, he had won. It was over and Nathan Lee had managed to take it all with a first place finish.

He still couldn't believe it. His heart was still pounding. His knees still felt weak. But something was missing. He should have been joyous, jubilant over his victory but he wasn't. He was happy but something didn't feel quite right. Something was missing.

"Who's the big winner?"

Nathan stumbled forward as the large weight pushed into his body. He looked up to see his uncle Cooper jumping on his back, a large grin plastered across his handsome face.

"What's up, man?" Nathan managed to squeak.

"What's up? You tell me, man! That shit was awesome! I knew you had it in you!"

Nathan blushed and shrugged, modestly blowing off the compliment.

"Whatever. It's cool…"

"Cool?" Cooper exclaimed. "Dude, what the hell are you talking about? That was fucking brilliant! You smoked the rest of the field!"

"I wouldn't go that far…"

"Nate!"

"What?" he couldn't hide his growing smile. "Come on, man. 42 almost had me. He gave me a run for my money. He was like on my ass the entire time."

"Well almost doesn't count. And when it came down to it, you took him. You won, man. Quit being so humble. You did it just like I knew you would and I am damned proud of you."

Nathan nodded.

"Thanks."

"So are we gonna go celebrate or what?"

Nathan shrugged. The last thing he felt like was a big party. He wasn't in the mood to drink or be around a whole lot of people. And he wasn't up to gloating about his victory. In fact, he was tired. Damn near exhausted. Going home and collapsing into bed sounded like heaven.

"I don't know, Coop. Maybe later. I…"

"Pussy!" Cooper laughed out loud, punching him in his shoulder. "What are you, punking out on me now?"

"No, man. I just…"

"You just what? Come on! Go home, get out of those clothes, get dressed and we're gonna paint the town tonight. Have a few beers, hang out with the guys…it'll be fun!"

Nathan just looked at his uncle. Like he had much of a choice. Cooper wasn't taking no for an answer.

"Alright", he finally sighed. "Um, I'll go home and get changed and we'll hook up later, okay?"

"Now we're talking!" Cooper flashed him that million dollar Lee grin. "I'll see you at home, man. Oh and one more thing, Nate…"

"What's that?" Nathan asked.

"Don't get too pretty on me. Save something for the old guy. I'm scouting the ladies too, you handsome bastard and competing with you is hard enough. So try to cut me some slack, okay?"

Nathan laughed.

"Sure thing, man", he said as they bumped fists.

He watched as his uncle walked towards the parking lot, grinning and bragging about his nephew's victory to anyone along the way who would listen. He took a deep breath. It was going to be a long night. The perfect conclusion to a very long day.

"What's up with the long face?"

Nathan turned around. It was Daytona.

"Oh. Hey. What's up?"

She managed a small smile.

"You tell me."

"Nothing much", he sighed.

"Ready for the big victory party?"

"Like it matters anyway", he smirked. "Coop's just gonna drag me out and try to get me hammered. No use in fighting with him anyway. That dude always gets his way."

Daytona nodded.

"So you are coming…right?"

"Yeah, I'll be there", he took another sip. "You?"

"Yeah", she nodded enthusiastically. "I wouldn't miss it."

"Okay", he started to walk away. "I guess I'll see you around…"

"Nathan, wait!" she tugged at his jacket.

He turned to face her.

"What's up?"

"Nothing", she said, in a more reserved tone as the wind blew her long hair in her face. "It's just that…I don't know. You look really, sad, I guess is the word. Upset even. I just want you to be okay."

"I am."

"I mean, this is a big day for you. You should be proud. Instead it looks like you lost your best friend."

"Daytona, I'm good. I…"

"You can talk to me, you know", she said in a soft voice looking right at him.

Nathan looked away.

"Yeah, I know. It's just…I can't explain this. It's weird. But I'm okay. I'm happy."

"Racing is still what you want…isn't it?"

"Yeah", he answered without hesitation.

"Okay."

"Look, I guess I'm overwhelmed. I wanted this and I'm glad I got it but I still wasn't expecting it. I'll be okay once I get to the party and stuff…"

She nodded and smiled at him.

"I hope so. After all, what good is a victory if you can't share it with the people that mean most, right?"

He watched as she walked away but her words remained with him. Sure he had her and Cooper and a bunch of good friends and co workers in Charleston but there were other people he wished he could share his new with. And in time he would. His mother and brother. But as his hands fished for his cell phone, he found his fingers automatically dialing a set of numbers all on their own.

He put the phone to his ear and waited with bated breath as he heard it ring. His heart began to pound, even more so than when he had been racing. And just when he mulled the notion of hanging up, he heard the voice on the other end.

"Hello?"

"Haley…"

"Hello? Who is this?"

He took a deep breath and tried to find his voice.

"Hales, it's me. It's Nate."

His heart sunk at the brief silence on the other end of the line but it was taking a while for her to finally find her voice as well. After a few seconds, it came.

"Oh. Um, hi."

"I…I just called to see what's going on, see how you're doing."

"I'm fine."

She didn't sound fine. And she didn't seem too happy to hear from him either. But who could blame her?

"That's good. That's really good. Listen…"

"Nathan, I'm sorry. You kind of caught me at a bad time. I'm uh, I'm real busy. If you could just call back or I'll call you…"

He bit his lip. There it was.

"Okay. Um, alright. Whatever. That sounds good. You can call me or I'll call you later, I guess."

"Okay."

And the next sound he heard was a click. He closed his eyes.

"Yeah, I just called to say I miss you and I'm thinking about you. And today was the best day of my career so far and I won this race and I should be jumping up and down right now popping champagne and screaming at the top of my lungs but it doesn't feel right because I can't share it with you. And I called to share it with you because none of this feels right without you, Hales. I love you. I always have. And I'm sorry I never told you. And I'm sorry I let my brother dick you over and I'm sorry that you're hurting right now. And most of all I'm sorry that you're pissed at me because that hurts, not having you around and well, just knowing that you're mad."

He poured out his heart but he spoke to a dial tone. She was gone. Haley had been gone for a long time.

Nathan put the phone back in his pocket and pulled out his keys. It was time to go home and change. It was time for the party, the victory celebration. He rolled his eyes. It was the last thing he felt like doing but all of a sudden knocking down a few brews didn't seem so bad. He had always chastised his older brother for drowning his troubles in booze and there he was about to do the very same thing. But tomorrow would be another day. At least that's what his mother always told him. And with the dawn of a new day, he hoped it would bring much needed peace.