Somewhere In My Car {A Kasey Kahne Story}--Complete

Chapter 9: Roots and Wings

Kasey was lying on the couch when his phone went off. The words "we need to talk" never were good and knew that Madison had a lot on her mind. He texted her back that he would meet her for lunch in Birkdale and they could talk. The next morning, Madison showered and got ready to meet Kasey. As she drove to Birkdale, her heart started to race and didn't know exactly what she was going to say to him. She pulled into a spot and walked into Brixx Pizza where Kasey was already sitting at a table in the back corner. "Hey" he said getting up to hug her. "Hey" she said hugging him, sitting down. The waitress took their order and Kasey looked at her. "So what's up Madison?" he asked. "Kasey I don't know what this is we have going on, but I'm not sure anymore. I want to be with you, but I think with so much going on now isn't the time to bring this back up again." "Where did this come from?" he asked. "The other night when you told me you loved me. It brought back so many memories of high school with you and these past weeks have made me realize what we had was special, but we're not in high school anymore and we're different people. Your career is just starting and I'm balancing this new job and trying to keep a low profile." Kasey sat back and looked at her in shock. "So you're saying you don't want to be in a relationship?" he asked. "I think that's exactly what I'm saying" she said paying her bill. "I have to go Kase" she said getting up to leave. Kasey sat there for a minute wondering what in the hell just happened.

Kasey drove to the shop after lunch to see Kale helping set up the car for the weekend. "How did lunch with Maddie go?" Kale asked. "She told me it wasn't a good idea for us to see each other anymore because I'm just starting off and wants me to enjoy it" Kasey said slumping against the car. "Can you blame her?" Kale asked. "Sounds to me she really does love you and has set you free to experience life." "Yeah but why does it have to be so complicated?" Kasey asked. "That's love bro" Kale said.

The season flew by and before they knew it, the season was over and everyone was getting ready for the off season. Madison who had grown to love her job decided that it wasn't for her and decided Nashville is where she needed to be. Homestead was the last race of the year and as Madison packed her bag she also packed her last box. "The moving truck is here" Heather said. "Ok" Madison yelled back. She carried the box to the living room and set it down. "I have to get to the airport" Madison said. "Ok see you Monday" Heather said. "Ok" she said. Madison drove to the Concord Airport and met Brian to board the plane. He knew way back that something had happened between Kasey and Madison because they didn't talk anymore, but he never brought it up. "Hi Madison" he said. "Hi" she said. He knew this was her last race and was upset she was leaving, but knew it's what she wanted. "Excited for your last race?" he asked. "Yeah I guess" she said starring out the window. "Are you ok?" he asked. "Fine, just a lot on my mind" she said. When they arrived in Florida, Madison couldn't wait to get to the hotel and rest for a minute. "See you at the track at 2" Brian said. "Ok" she said. She dragged her bag to her room and set it down and walked out on the balcony. Just as she had begun the season in the Florida air, it was fitting she was going out the same way. He hadn't told Kasey she was quitting or moving for that matter, but he had been busy and with his new found success like she had thought, the ladies loved him.

Madison drove into the track for the final time this season and parked her car. As she waited for Brian, she saw Kasey from a distance. He looked over at her and smiled. She started to walk over, but figured it was best she didn't. As the weekend progressed, final interviews conducted, and a new champion crowned, Madison said goodbye to the life she had come to know over the past year. At the end of the race, Brian met Madison in the hauler and gave her a big hug. "Good luck in Nashville" he said. "I'll visit when I can." "Ok and good luck with everything" she said hugging him back. "Also you weren't half bad to work for." He handed her a box. "This is just a little something to show my appreciation for everything you did for me" he said. Madison opened the box and inside was a necklace with wings on it. The paper underneath it said: You were never meant to have roots, but your wings will take you anywhere your heart does. Madison started to cry and hugged Brian, thanking him for the thoughtful gift. "Have fun on your vacation" she said. "Have fun moving" he said with a laugh. He walked out of the hauler and into the madness that was outside. She gathered her bag and slung it over her shoulder as she made her way out of the hauler and over to her car where she saw Kasey getting into his. "Good season Kase" she said. "Thanks" he replied. "Anything exciting for the off season?" he asked. "I'm moving to Nashville" she said. His face changed. "So you're not coming back next season?" he asked. "No I got a job back in Nashville" she said. He walked over to her and closed the space. "Good luck Maddie" he said hugging her goodbye.