Whole Lot More

Chapter Six

Chapter Six

The minute Brynne walked in from work early that night, she immediately walked over to the computer and turned it on.  She hadn’t even wanted to go to work in the first place that night, but she couldn’t call off on account of the fact that she had to stay home and talk to the guy whom she had thought was lying about being a race car driver.  So instead, she made it through half of her shift before saying she wasn’t feeling well and asking if they would be alright if she went home early.

It didn’t take long for the computer to boot up, and before she knew it, she was on the internet.  There Martin sat, waiting for her... knowing that she’d eventually be online that night.

MTJ: Long time, no talk.
FutureMrsTruexJr: Yeah, my computer was kind of broken, and I was pretty busy with work.
MTJ: Yeah I’ve been pretty busy with work lately, too...
FutureMrsTruexJr: So I’ve seen...

Martin chuckled.

MTJ: So, you did see... wasn’t so sure you’d be watching, but I figured it was worth a try.
FutureMrsTruexJr: If there’s one thing you’ll come to learn about me, it’s that I don’t ever miss anything NASCAR-related on tv.
MTJ: I’ll have to remember that...
FutureMrsTruexJr: I guess you’ll have to, huh?

He smiled at the obvious flirtation in their conversation, but groaned when he heard the door to his motorcoach open, and his two best friends just let themselves in.  They didn’t even say a word until they’d walked over and helped themselves to one of his beers.

“Hey MT.”

“Hey guys.”

“Whatcha doin’?” Josh asked, as Martin pointed to his laptop, and Josh only shook his head, “What the hell is with you and always being on that damn computer?”

“Just give me a minute,” Martin grumbled, turning his attention back to his conversation with Brynne.

MTJ: Sorry.
MTJ: I’d love to continue talking to you since its been so long, but a couple of jackasses just walked in, and won’t leave me alone.
FutureMrsTruexJr: It’s okay, I’m sure we’ll talk later.
MTJ: Actually...
MTJ: About that...
MTJ: How about...

Martin paused for a second.  How did you go about asking someone for their number online?  Especially someone that you had somewhat of an interest in?

FutureMrsTruexJr: How about what?  Is Mr. Busch Champ embarrassed?  Or is he flustered?
MTJ: Your number.
MTJ: Can I have it?
MTJ: I’ll call you later.
FutureMrsTruexJr: All you had to do was ask...
FutureMrsTruexJr: It’s... 836-429-1385
MTJ: I’ll talk to you later, Brynne.  I promise I’ll call.
FutureMrsTruexJr: Bye, Martin.

Martin shut down the laptop with a smile on his face, forgetting that Josh and Junior were there for a moment; but only for a moment.

“What’s got such a big ass smile on your face, dude?”

Martin looked at Junior and Josh and shrugged, “Nothing, but what’s not to be happy about?  Practice went good, this whole week is going good, so I’m happy.”

Josh rolled his eyes, knowing that wasn’t what it was, and that Martin was just trying to change the subject.  He’d let it go for now, but it wouldn’t be gone for long.

“So, Martin, my man...” Junior started, causing Martin to groan just thinking about what he could have to say, “Whose this Brynne chick you mentioned in your interview today?  You got all the little teenyboppers on your messages boards all up in arms.”

“She’s just a friend,” Martin rolled his eyes.

“Just a friend my ass,” Josh spoke up.

“What do you know Josh?  If I say she’s just a friend, she’s just a friend... God.”

“Why are you getting so defensive about her?” Josh asked, knowing there had to be more to it.

“She hot?” Junior asked, breaking the tense air around Martin and Josh.

“Junior!” Martin exclaimed.

“What?” he looked around innocently, “Do tell.  We all wanna know.”

“Yeah, well... get any thoughts out of your mind there, buddy.  And leave Brynne alone...”

“Friend my ass,” Josh grumbled under his breath, making sure Martin couldn’t hear him.  Junior snickered beside him, but had to agree with Josh.  Martin wasn’t acting like this girl was just a friend, and that made them all curious about her.

*

Brynne anxiously sat on the couch, half paying attention to what show she was watching on television, and half watching the phone out of the corner of her eye.

She couldn’t believe that she gave him her phone number.  Martin Truex, Jr.  Two time NASCAR Busch Series Champion.  He asked for her number, and she gave it to him.

And here she sat, just waiting for his call.  She’d never sat and waited for a guy's call before, she just always had the prerogative that if they called, they called.  If they didn’t, well their loss.

But for some reason he was different.

All along he’d made her do things she’d never done with another guy, and she couldn’t put her finger on  why.  Even before she knew who he was, he had this way of making her do things she never expected herself to do.

A ringing brought her body back to motion as she grabbed the phone up quickly and brought it to her ear, “Hello?”

A slight frown overcame her face when she heard nothing but a dial tone, and the ringing still continued.  “What the –”

Her cheeks reddened a bit when she realized it was her cell phone ringing, and not the home line, and that she had been too blinded by the fact that Martin was supposed to be calling her to tell the difference.

“Hey Julie,” she sighed into her phone.

“Don’t sound so disappointed,” Julie joked.

“Eh, sorry... I’m just waiting for another call and thought you might be it.”

“Another call, huh?”

“Yeah.”

“And who might this other call be from?” Julie questioned.

“You’d never believe me even if I told you...”

“Try me, you wouldn’t believe some of the stuff I’d probably believe.”

Brynne sighed again, ready for the backlash of one of her best friends not believing her.  “Martin,” she said quietly, “I gave Martin my number earlier and he said he’d call...”

“Martin?” Julie asked, “Martin Truex, Jr?  The real Martin Truex, Jr?”

“As far as I know...” Brynne replied, wearily.

“You lucky bitch!  Ah, I’m so much more jealous of you than I was just earlier today when he said YOUR name on television.  This isn’t fair, where do I meet a NASCAR hottie?  Come on girl, hook me up.  You know I love me some Junior.”

Brynne laughed, “I’ll have to see what I can do.”

*