Melanie and Elizabeth weaved their way through the crowds of people heading for the many rows of metal stands that lined the track. Elizabeth still wasn't ready to put herself in the Ryan pits just yet even though there was a big part of her that wanted nothing more than to down there with Jason.
In the week between the qualifier and this race she had spent the majority of her time finding one reason or another to be at the Ryan practice track. Most of her time was spent with Leo but there were several occasions that Jason had been there when she arrived or had chosen to join them. She was still torn by the thoughts that ran rampant through her mind when it came to just what she was thinking in terms of Jason Morgan. It was so easy being with him. In so many ways it was just like hanging out at the garage with Leo was but there was also an intensity to it that she never felt with Leo. Her desire to see Jason and be near him almost petrified her in a way. She could feel herself falling without a safety net in sight.
Melanie sat down next to her friend as the seats around them began to fill. She was more than a little shocked when Elizabeth phoned her that morning and asked if she wanted to join her at the track that afternoon for the race. If the request had come eight or so months ago it would have been all the norm but since Elizabeth and Billy's untimely break-up Melanie didn't think she'd been to a race once.
She gave her friend a sideways glance out of the corner of her eye sensing that Elizabeth's intense scanning of her surroundings was a sure sign she was searching for none other than Jason Morgan. It was more than obvious to Melanie that Elizabeth had more than a passing fancy when it came to the newest addition to Ryan Racing – even if she never dared admit it. The talk of Jason from Elizabeth had grown ever more frequent in the last several weeks and Melanie knew the signs well that her friend was falling hard and fast. "You see him?" she asked nudging Elizabeth with her elbow.
"What?"
"Did you find Jason yet?"
"Jason? I wasn't looking for Jason…"
"Yeah right," she spouted interrupting her before she could say she was looking for Leo. Melanie had gotten tired of hearing that tired excuse already. "Leo right? You were just looking for Leo," she scoffed.
"I was," Elizabeth stressed.
"When are you going to give it up already girl? What kind of a dummy do you take me for? Besides it's okay if you like the guy. He's pretty easy on the eyes if I do say so myself," Melanie laughed.
"I don't like Jason Morgan," Elizabeth stated sounding more like a high school teenager than the grown woman she was.
"Whatever." Melanie threw her hands up in the air as if she was admitting defeat. "You want a drink or something?"
"Yeah, a beer would be great."
"Okay. I'll be back."
Elizabeth waited until Melanie had zigzagged her way out of the row before she went back to her hunt for Jason and his dazzling metallic blue car.
The many Ryan drivers milled around the garage as the starting time for the race was fast approaching. Jason and Tom gave his car their customary before race once over with Leo stationed beside them doing the same for his own vehicle while across the garage in the far corner stood Billy barking orders to any mechanic that would listen to him. His agitation over losing the qualifier and pole position to Jason was more than a little apparent. Not to mention that he hated the way Jason Morgan seemed to waltz into the pack with immediate acceptance – something he had never been able to do not even while he was dating Elizabeth. It was just one more reason for Billy to despise Jason.
"So you ready to win this race?" Tom asked patting Jason on the back as he reached for his fire suit hanging from a hook next to the workbench.
"He better be!" A booming voice said from out of nowhere.
Jason turned around to see the image of Jake Russell striding his way across the garage floor. "Jake!" he uttered with sheer disbelief in his tone.
"In the flesh," Jake laughed grabbing Jason in a bear hug.
"What are you doing here?" Jason finally asked when he pulled back from the older man's embrace.
"You want me to go?" Jake cocked his brow.
"NO – No!" Jason said instinctively reaching for his arm. "I'm just surprised to see you."
"That's the idea boy!" Jake laughed again. "So how are things looking under here?" he asked reaching for the creeper perched against the wall.
"Jake," the piercing female voice caught Jason's attention. He turned to see his mother with her arms crossed and tapping her foot sternly on the concrete. "Remember your promise," she said.
"I know woman. I know," Jake said as he waved off her remark.
"What promise?" Jason asked.
"I'm merely here as a spectator and nothing else but that doesn't mean I can't give things a little look see while I'm here." He flashed Alison a mischievous grin – one that made Jason smile himself.
It was so great to have Jake back no matter what the circumstances. Suddenly the center of his world had returned as he watched Jake walking around his car with Tom in tow. It just felt so normal – natural for the three of them to be together again. Jason's posture relaxed and he knew he had the tiger by the tail in terms of today's race. He hadn't realized how apprehensive he was about it all until Jake's presence made it all fade into the background. How he had missed that man.
"Hi, mom," Jason said acknowledging her at last. There was a part of him that hoped beyond hope that she had come back with Jake to be there for her son. Even at this age Jason couldn't help but wish for her acceptance – her love. He knew it was a foolish desire on his part since she had gone above and beyond what was necessary to make sure he knew where she stood in terms of his life choices. Hell she had basically run away without a backward glance. Yet something inside of him, the little boy that still loved his mother, wanted – needed for her to embrace him and all that he stood for.
"Jason," she returned monotone. "How are you?"
"Better now," he said his eyes trailing to where Jake stood.
"I can see that. But don't think this is something permanent. Jake hasn't finished his rehab. He will be coming back to Texas with me after this race."
So much for the loving mother he had hoped for Jason thought. "I only want what's best for Jake's health. If that's Texas then so be it." It took all the strength he had in him to say that without wreching. "Hey Leo," Jason called to his friend leaving his mother standing alone. "I want you to come meet someone." Leo joined the group on the passenger side of Jason's car. "Leo this is Jake Russell – my crew chief."
"Don't you mean MIA crew chief," Jake corrected giving Jason a half smile as he offered his hand to Leo.
"Nice to meet you. I've heard a lot about you, sir."
"Don't believe everything you hear son. Especially from these lunk heads." Jake laughed as he tussled Tom's hair and slapped Jason on the back.
"We really should be getting to our seats," Alison interrupted the obvious bonding she was witnessing. She wasn't all that anxious to be in the stands watching her son whirl around the track going hundreds of miles per hour but she also wasn't all that keen on the commardiery she saw between Jason and Jake. It certainly wouldn't make her job of getting Jason to stop racing any easier.
"I guess we better," Jake agreed looking down at his watch. "You boys need to be getting out to the starting line. Good luck son." He reached and pulled Jason into around bear hug as he tried to hide the tears that had found their way from the back of his eyes.
"I don't need luck now that you're here," Jason said matter of fact.
"Jake," Alison's impatient voice stopped any further conversation.
"See you in the winner's circle," Jake announced as he disappeared from Jason's line of sight.
Alison and Jake made their way passed several more of the Ryan garage bays before Jake stopped short and began heading off in the direction of half open door he was sure separated him from Pat Ryan's office.
"Where are you going?" Alison questioned as she stopped and starred at him more than a little bewildered with trying to keep Jake in line.
"There's someone I need to see," he announced answering yet not really answering her at all.
"Who?" She pressed.
"Never mind. Here," he said fishing in the back pocket of his jeans producing her ticket. "Go grab your seat and I'll be up in a few minutes."
"Jake, I don't think..."
"Ali, please," he said cutting her off. "Just go sit down."
She shook her head in disgust when Jake turned his back not allowing her to protest further.
Pat Ryan looked up from his desk as the soft knocking on his door startled him. He had been embroiled in thoughts of what it meant to have three of his drivers starting the race in the ranks of the first ten positions. "Enter," he said.
"I see your manners haven't changed," Jake gave his old friend as wiley smile.
Pat did a double take at the sight of Jake Russell standing in the doorframe. "Jake?"
"You look like you just saw a ghost man. Hell I ain't dead yet," Jake chuckled as he watched Pat's face blanch at the sight of him.
"I just didn't expect to see you," the other man said trying to gain his bearings. Seeing Jake this soon was the last thing he expected – or wanted for that matter.
"I guess so." Jake motioned to the chair across from Pat's massive desk silently asking if he could take a seat.
"Sit, sit please," Pat said. "How have you been?" he asked.
"Good. Rehab's going good. I'm making good progress." Jake scanned the photos and trophies strategically stationed around the make shift office. It was as if Pat Ryan had placed each one purposely so that no matter the angle he could see and savor each one of his victories. "I remember that day," he said pointing to the picture of himself and Pat standing side by side. "That's one of the first races you ever won with me as your head mechanic." The very sight of it brought back a flood of memories for both men.
"Yeah it was," Pat agreed.
"Those were the good old days weren't they?" Jake asked suddenly feeling nostalgic.
"You might say that." Pat wasn't in the mood for a walk down memory lane with the man who had the potential to waltz in and reclaim Jason Morgan. "So if your rehab is progressing does that mean you'll be returning soon?"
"I wish," Jake said with a snarl. "I still have at least another month or two to go. This little trip is only a reprieve for good behavior," he said with a laugh.
"Oh," he said with almost relief in his voice. The last thing he needed was for Jake's recovery to be too quick and him lose Jason before he helped him achieve his goal of a Winston Cup. "So you're just here for the race?"
"Yep and I wanted to see Jason. How's he been handling things here at Ryan?"
"Fine. He had a rough start but he seems to have found his stride again."
"I knew he would."
"I'm sure you did," Pat agreed not knowing what else to say. For a few minutes the pair sat quietly as an awkward silence filled the room. It was obvious that the friendship that they once shared had sustained more damage than either wanted to admit. "I should really be getting to the pits."
"And me to my seat. Thanks again for taking Jason onto your team. I really do appreciate it, Pat." Jake offered him his hand which the other man accepted hesitantly accepted.
"Like you said it's a win win situation for me." With that said Pat Ryan exited his office with Jake Russell rolling his eyes behind him.
Melanie followed behind Elizabeth as she snaked her way through the jagged line of stock cars that seemed to fill every empty space from their seats in the stands and the Ryan garage. She laughed silently when her friend said that she just wanted to go and wish Leo luck all the while Melanie was more than sure that the idea of seeing Jason Morgan as well had crossed the petite brunette's mind a time or two. Not to mention that it gave Elizabeth another opportunity at bringing her two best friends together. While Melanie wasn't too thrilled with the prospect of being thrown in Leo Jorgenson's direction one more time the thought of watching the sparks fly between Jason and Elizabeth got the better of the red head.
With Melanie in tow Elizabeth approached Leo. "Liz!" The tall blonde shot his friend a killer smile. One that had Melanie nearly wanting to melt. Why hadn't she just stayed in her seat, she thought surely she would have been able to see the sparks created by Elizabeth and Jason from across the infield. Yet there she stood feeling her insides turn to mush and disliking every minute of it.
"I wanted to come and wish you good luck today," Elizabeth said. "Not that you'll need it. You're going to do great."
"From your lips to the racing god's ears," he joked thrilled to see her standing there. More and more it was beginning to feel like old times for him. And while he knew that she had some sort of feelings coursing through her for Jason Morgan, Leo didn't get the feeling like he would be shut out of her life again because of them. Maybe that was why he pulled Jason into their conversation. "Hey man," he whistled getting the other blonde driver's attention. "Look who came to wish us luck," he grinned.
Jason turned his head from the last minute conversation he had been having with Tom only to see Elizabeth Ryan's tiny frame standing next to Leo's much taller one. He felt his palms begin to sweat and his mouth go dry. Every time he saw her she looked more beautiful to him than the last. "Hi," he eked out as he joined them.
"Hi," she replied her tone almost breathless. "Good luck today. You and Leo should rule the track." She smiled softly.
"Let's hope so. Jake's here." Jason didn't know what made him tell her that but something inside of him wanted to share his happiness with her.
"Really?" she said more than a bit surprised. "He's back for good? I didn't think he would rehab that quickly."
"No not for good." Elizabeth saw just the hint of sadness in Jason's expression as he said that. "Just this race. He said he couldn't stay away."
"Now that I believe," Elizabeth laughed recalling in the short time she had come to know Jake Russell what a stubborn old man he could be. "I'm glad he's here for you," she said tenderly resting her hand on Jason's arm.
"Thanks," Jason answered as he tried so hard to keep his emotions in check. Even through the thick fabric of his fire suit he felt her touch set a slow burn to his skin. He wanted to believe the butterflies he felt fluttering around in his stomach were purely nerves for the race that was just about to begin but deep down he knew better.
"They're calling for the drivers meeting," Tom announced more than happy to break up the scene before him. "You two better get a move on."
"Good luck," Elizabeth said again squeezing Jason's hand this time.
Both Leo and Melanie glanced at each other as they watched their friends slow to part each giving the other a knowing quick look. Seems it might be time for them to do a little match making of their own. One good turn deserved another as they say.
Billy pulled on his gloves as he watched the last of the scenes between Elizabeth and Jason. Even from across the room he could feel the sexual tension and that turned his world topsy turvy. Not only had Elizabeth been putting in appearances at the practice track but now she was showing up for races. This wasn't good. It was blowing his theory on their break up to bits. He couldn't have that. He just couldn't and he certainly wasn't about to allow Jason Morgan to have something that rightfully belonged to him.
Tom stood alone beside the workbench watching Melanie and Elizabeth exit the garage without so much as a goodbye for him. He felt his jaw clench and his hands begin to shake. He was losing her right before his eyes. Elizabeth Ryan was falling for Jason Morgan's charms and it was killing him.
Jason threw his leg through the window opening and before lowering himself into his car he let his body weight rest against the roof covering the large script spelling out his name. He looked back a few cars and gave Leo a thumbs up before his new found friend disappeared into his own thundering machine. Jason then turned back in time to see Billy standing against his black car just about ready to climb inside. Jason flashed his competitor or for lack of a better term nemesis a confident smile. That afternoon Jason Morgan felt that he had the world by the purse strings and he wasn't afraid of letting Weston know it.
Easily he slid into the racing seat and began fastening his five-point harness as Benny secured the fiber netting covering the open space Jason had just crawled through. Benny quickly slapped the roof of the car and Jason flipped the toggle switch and the engine roared to life. Easily he found his way to the pole and his first place starting position with Billy quickly by his side in his own second place start. Four cars behind the both of them Leo followed suit and sat in his rumbling car anxiously anticipating the start of the race.
Jason scanned the spectator stands and even though no one face was discernable he knew that Jake was among the crowd – and Elizabeth too. He couldn't help but smile at that thought. Elizabeth was there and even though he was sure it was more for Leo than him he didn't care. Elizabeth was sitting in the stands watching a race. Something Jason knew for a fact she hadn't done in a long time.
The line of cars behind him had grown substantially as he adjusted his goggles over his eyes and pulled the head set over his ears. He still wasn't sure if he would ever get used to another man's voice besides Jake's assaulting him during a race but somehow he had managed to make the best of it. He pressed the accelerator to the floor watching the RPM's climb almost nearing the red zone as he readied himself for the drop of the green flag.
As the green flag dropped and the cars on the track took off as if they had all been shot out of a cannon, Alison gripped the edge of her seat with enough pressure to turn her knuckles white. With her heart in her throat she watched the sea of gleaming cars circle the track at rapid speed. Repeatedly she had to tell herself to breath as she watched with her eyes half closed as Jason took command of the track. He weaved in and out of his fellow drivers as Alison looked on wide eyed fearing the worst each time he came in her opinion far too close to another car. When a car spun out behind him flying into the infield Alison let out a gasp. "I can't do this," she announced rising from her seat.
Jake who had been too enthralled in the action on the track to notice her anxiety gave her a quizzical look. "Can't do what?" he asked never really taking his eyes off the raceway.
"I can't sit here and watch this. I won't."
"Ali, sit down."
"NO!"
"Good god woman enough already – sit down and watch your son do what he does best." Jake was more than a little perturbed and that fact came through in his voice. While he completely understood Alison's fears he wasn't about to indulge them. She had lived through the harrowing experience of watching her husband crash and eventually die but so had Jason and somehow he had found a way to deal with all that encompassed. Jake thought it was high time that she did as well.
"I can't, Jake," she said her voice so soft he barely heard her.
"You can," he countered as he took her trembling hand in his own. "Ata boy Jas – keep up that pace and no one will be able to catch you!" Jake shouted wishing Alison hadn't found and taken away the stop watch he had stuffed in his pocket earlier.
In the distance Leo saw both Billy and Jason. He smiled realizing that even though Jason was behind Billy he was still in first place. Jason had actually lapped him. If he hadn't had to concentrate on his own strategy he would have been laughing his ass off. God only knew the ire that was spewing from Billy's mouth. Pity the crewmen who had drawn the short straw that race and was on the other end of Weston's headset.
Mentally Leo ran through all the practice runs he and Jason had done the past few days. It was in those runs that Jason had given away what Leo termed as the Morgan trade secrets and for that Leo was thankful. They had helped him work his way up in the pack to sixth place with about fifty more laps to go. He couldn't help but feel proud of himself this would be his first showing in the top ten finishers in he couldn't remember how long. Jason Morgan's appearance at Ryan racing for Leo was two fold. He had found a friend and someone to finally put Billy Weston in his rightful place. The second was heaven on earth according to Leo Jorgenson.
Jason rode Billy's ass end hard and tight. He was having more fun than he should have been toying with him. He so loved being in the cat bird's seat. Jason teased him time and time again moving to the high side of the track only to have Billy's luminous black car follow suit. Jason grinned to himself at how predictable Weston could be. Or better yet how driven he was by his own ego. With the slightest movement toward the high side again, Billy overcompensated leaving an opening for Jason to whiz by him below which he did with the greatest of ease. "WOO WHO!" Jason yelled sure he blew out Benny's eardrums.
As Jason duped Billy and jetted past him Elizabeth found herself jumping to her feet yelling her lungs out. Jason had been in the lead the entire time but it was still such a thrill to see him one up Billy even if he hadn't needed to. "GO JASON!" she screamed again.
Melanie stood beside her friend grinning from ear to ear. She no longer cared that Jason was a NASCAR driver and how badly Elizabeth's last experience with a racer had turned out. All that Melanie did care about was the sheer excitement she saw permeating from her friend. Suddenly she was the old Liz – the one that lived and breathed this place.
"Hey," she nudged her friend. "Look at Leo," Melanie said drawing Elizabeth's attention away from Jason's blue metallic machine to Leo's bright green one.
"Oh my god! Go Leo GO!" Elizabeth said jumping up and down as she watched Leo pick off the number five contender in the race. She reached for Melanie's hand squeezing it tightly. "Look at him go!" she announced. "He's on fire."
Melanie found her eyes fixated on the green flash that was Leo's car. Silently she found herself willing him forward. "He's going for another!"
"GO LEO GO!" Elizabeth and Melanie shouted in unison.
Pat Ryan stood up and leaned against the rail almost pressing his face against the glass panel in front of him. He couldn't believe his eyes. He had drivers in first, second and fourth place. It was like a dream come true for him. Three Ryan racers in the top five place finishes – amazing!
He thought back to his time with Jake Russell earlier and thoughts of losing Jason once he recovered circled his brain. He couldn't let that happen. He couldn't allow his best shot at a Winston Cup just slip through his fingers. Yet he knew the minute Jake was well enough to come back Jason would be gone without a moments hesitation. He had to come up with a way to entice the stellar driver to stay. He wondered if he didn't already have a way – yet what could that cost him?
Tom looked down at his lap counter and noted that there were ten laps to go and Jason had a substantial lead on the pack – especially Weston. He smiled gleefully at that thought. Weston thought that his one win against Jason was the tell tell sign of what he was made of and well Tom knew that Weston was sadly mistaken. Not to mention that he had sorely underestimated Jason's abilities. "Sucker," Tom hissed.
There were two slower cars that he had lapped several times separating him from Morgan. Even though Billy knew he was really in second place he hated the appearance that he was in fourth place. It was something that he just couldn't deal with and set about changing it. He zig zagged his way past the first car in his way. It was an easy pass one that he could have done with his eyes closed. With less than five laps to go Billy knew he had considerable ground to cover if he intended to come out the winner of this feature. With that thought in mind he pressed hard on the accelerator dumping the clutch and down shifted hoping to gain an extra boost of power that would thrust him closer to his desired goal. However the driver before him toyed with him as though he was actually at war with Billy for the second place position. The driver's actions enraged Billy. "What the hell's this asshole think he's doing?" he shouted to no one in particular. Billy again dumped a gear and pressed forward.
As the white flag dropped signaling the final lap of the race to those in the stands, it looked like Billy Weston and the driver in front of him were playing some mock game of chicken – both trying their damnedest to one up the other. Yet all it took was one false move on Billy's part – he had over estimated the distance behind his front end and that of the tail end of the car in front of him and before he knew it he was spinning out of control taking out several cars in his wake before careening to a smoky halt in the grassy infield.
The checkered flag fell over the hood of Jason's car and while he took his ceremonial victory lap he looked on with great pleasure at Billy Weston throwing his helmet and kicking his car in the infield – for all his efforts not even finishing the race.