His Lucky Charm

Fun Night

Strip brought her in. It was a bit loud but she liked loud. She liked being surrounded by noise and people. It reminded her of home.

She followed strip over to where Jackson and the others were. Jackson looked at her. "Oh! Lynda!" He noticed the dress change. He wasn't too pleased about that.

Lynda just smiled as strip leaned against the counter and ordered another mocktail. "You drink before races?" She asked him.

He looked at her. "Hm? No no. I don't drink period." He said as he sipped his mocktail.

She smiled a bit at that. "Oh? Howcome?"

"Drinking ain't all that great." Strip said realizing she liked the fact he didn't. Chick just laughed. "That's why he's the most boring of the group."

"I think that's why he does so well in the races." She said with a bright smile. The guys all laughed.

"Touché little lady." He chuckled.

She was mingling with the racers well. Eventually Jackson was a little drunk, and Lynda was enjoying a mock tail with the other racers.

She was having the time of her life. She finally felt like she was having fun and just enjoying herself. Suddenly a song started playing and Strip immediately started singing with Chick.

She was laughing to herself cause he swore he wasn't drinking but he was having fun as if he was.

He danced around with the group. She was sitting down next to Jackson who was humming to the song. She stood up with a smile and extended her hand to him. "Wanna dance?"

Jackson looked at her. "Not now, Lynda. I'm a bit tired." She sighed a bit and was about to sit down.

"Hey Jackson, can I dance with sunshine?" She turned and saw Strip placed his drink down. Jackson chuckled and nodded. "Go ahead. Probably a better dancer than me." Jackson sipped another beer.

She turned and looked at Strip. She mouthed thank you as she followed him out to where everyone was dancing. He nodded. "Since you're from the south, I'm assuming you can dance?"

She laughed. "Of course I can. How dare you assume." She said with that smile. He stared slightly and then smiled.

"Aight then..." he extended his hand to her.

"...may I have this dance?" He said with a small smirk.

"Absolutely."

The two danced and had a grand ole time. Eventually Tex got on the mic. "Lady's and Gents! Let's give a round of applause to our pole winner!"

The group started to clap for Strip. He only shook his head, feeling a bit embarrassed. "Get up here Strip. And say some words!"

Strip motioned to Lynda to stay there, he jumped on stage and sighed with a smile as Tex handed him the mic. "Well... it's crazy being able to be here and celebrate with you all. Thank you for being here, and thank you for sticking by me. You will never regret it. I promise." He smiled.

Lynda watched him and smiled a bit. She knew he was going to be a champion. She had a feeling he was going to run this world for a long time.

He smiled as he raised his drink to the group and they all cheered. He was their rookie. He glanced at her a bit and winked.

She just laughed.

He got back down and walked back over to Lynda. "How was that speech?"

"8/10." She said as fixed her dress.

"What would've made it a 10/10?" He chuckled. She thought. "Hmmm... maybe if you smiled a bit more. Everyone would've loved that." Strip just laughed. "Alright. I do that next time."

A few hours went by and everyone was starting to leave. Strip was saying his goodbyes as Lynda made her way over to him with a semi drunk Jackson.

"Hey, thanks for inviting us Strip." She said as Jackson stumbled a bit. Strip turned towards her. "No problem... uh..." he looked at Jackson.

"Do you need help getting him home?" Strip said as Hicks walked over next to him. She shook her head.

"I'm good. I've got him. Not the first time I've had to take him home drunk." She said with a chuckle. Strip frowned a bit.

"We'll help you get him to the car at least." Strip said turning to Chick. Chick sighed as he helped strip drag Jackson to the car.

Chick did almost drop the man but we don't talk about that. Strip got him in the car. Lynda looked around and frowned. "I forgot my wallet at our table."

Chick nodded. "I'll go grab it." He rushed in.

Lynda then pulled out her wallet and pulled out the 10 dollars. Strip looks at the ten and then her. He saw a face that showed gratefulness. "You have given me one hell of a day... and that's not a bad thing."

She gently took his hand and put the ten in his hands. "Thank you."

He held it and then folded it. "You know, you're something." He said moving his gaze to her face.

"Is that a bad thing?" She smiled as she put her arms behind her back. He simply shook his head.

"Not at all."

Lynda just smiled. "Have I made an impression?"

"You have no idea." He said with a slight chuckle. He had... this feeling in his chest. He looked at her.

"You do know I'm serious about being your friend?"

She looked at him surprised. "Oh... I thought you were joking."

"I don't joke... well, I don't joke well and you know that." He said with a soft smile. She laughed at that.

"True... well then. I might call you then. See yah Strip." She waved and turned.

He put the ten dollars in her purse without her seeing. He waved as she pulled out. Chick came running out as she did. "I couldn't find her wallet."

Strip watched her leave the parking. He looked at the ground and held his head. Chick looked at him surprised. "You really like her..."

"Yeah...yeah I do."