His Lucky Charm

Different Paths

The season came to an end.

Strip was second in the championship. Chick was in third. Strip held his trophy high. He was happy but... he was still angry.

He glanced at the first place position. He was so close.

He looked across and met Chicks gaze. The two stared at one another blankly. Strip cleared his throat and grabbed the champagne as he sprayed the winner.

He forced a smile and laughed. Chick just sprayed the winner and walked off when he was able.

Chick got to his motorhome and just got ready to go on break.

Strip walked over to Lynda. She was smiling to happily. She rushed over and kissed him. He stumbled but smiled as he kissed her. He picked her up and kissed her. "What are you so excited about? I didn't get the championship."

She just laughed as he put her down. "And? You're my number one and that's all that matters.  Plus... I bet next year will be your year."

He just kissed her forehead. "If you say it, I'll
believe it."

Tex was back in the motorhome putting up some balloons. He had a cake in the middle of the table. He had sent Lynda to get him while he took care of all this.

He heard a knock. "Come in!" Tex turned around and threw confetti at the two. "Congrats kid! P2 in a championship is amazing!"

Strip just chuckled as he took confetti off his face. "Thanks Tex." His eyes widened as he saw balloons and cake.

"Going all out now huh?"

"Of course! Kid..." Tex sighed and walked over to him. "You are the first Dinoco driver to be on that podium since your father."

Tex held his shoulders. "You are going to be someone that this sport will fear, simply because of how good you are." Lynda smiled at that.

"How do you know?"

"Because I see your father in you. And he is a champion."

Strip just hugged Tex. Tex hugged the boy tight. "I know a lot happened this season... but remember there is always another season."

The group laughed the night away. Strip danced with Lynda as Tex sang along to a country song.

Strip just laughed as Lynda sat back down.
"Hun I'm tired." She said as she moved her hair out of her face. Strip just laughed.

"Ahhh okay." He said as he grabbed his drink and sipped on it. He wondered how Chick was doing.

Chick was in his car, driving home. He lived in North Carolina, and had a long drive ahead of him. But he didn't really care... it was nice to get away from racing for a little while.

He tapped the wheel as his mind drifted to when him and Strip would drive home after karting competitions.  They would be belting along out country music and just having the time of their lives.

He wondered if things will work out for him next season. He wondered if he would ever beat his frie- rival. It's rival now.

He wondered if he be able to knock him down a few notches.

Nah. He wouldn't be able to do that cleanly...

He just sighed as he drove.

Strip woke up the next morning in his motorhome bed. He felt Lynda next to him. She was still asleep. He kissed her cheek gently as he carefully got out of bed.

He felt around for his shirt, but ultimately gave up and went to make coffee.

He leaned against the counter, letting the coffee machine do its thing. His mind wandered to when he was younger.

Well... when both of them were younger.

Him and Chick.

"Strip! Wait up!" A brunette with shoulder length hair yelled. The older and taller smirked as he sprinted ahead of him.

"Never!" He chuckled. Chick just laughed as he  caught up and tackled Strip. Strip laughed as he fell.

"Told you I'd catch yah!" Chick snickered as Strip just pushed him off of him. He laid on the grass and looked at the sky. "That's alright by me..."

Chick just looked at his friend and smiled a bit. He copied Strip and looked at the sky. "Think we'll make it to NASCAR?" The brunette asked.

Strip smiled a bit and closed his eyes. "Yeah. We will... I bet we'll both be champions." Strip said as he thought of those cars going top speeds on the track.

"That would be so cool." Chick said as he stared to fall asleep.

"Yeah..." strip started to fall asleep as well underneath the warm sun, the cool breeze, and the soft grass.

The boys fell asleep shortly afterwards and dreamed of cars, trophy's , and sharing podiums together.

Strip heard the coffee maker stop making noise. He just continued to look out the window. "Damn..." he sighed as he turned and just grabbed two cups.

He added creamer and some sugar to one, and just creamer to the other. He just walked back to his room and placed Lynda's coffee on her bed side.

He put his on his bedside. Carefully he lowered himself and into the bed and kissed her cheek. "Beautiful... time to wake up."

"I'm not awake. I'm sleeping." She mumbled. Strip nearly laughed.

"Ahh I see. But I do need you to get up. We have to leave in an hour." He said as he kissed her face a bunch.

She just laughed and wrapped her arms around him. "Fine fine I'm awake."

She pulled him into a kiss. He smiled as he just melted. "Morning."

"Morning, Rookie."

"You do know I'm not a rookie anymore right?" He said raising a brow.

"You're my rookie."

He just chuckled and kissed her head. "Fine. I'm your rookie. I'll happily be your rookie, but, for you to wake up, you need to drink your coffee." He said motioning to the coffee on the side table.

"Yeah yeah I will." She sat up a bit.