Fate.

3

I wake up as JH gets up.

"Mornin' JH," I mumble, sitting up.

"Sorry I didn't mean to wake you up," he apologizes.

"You're good," I say. "You ready for the race?"

"For sure, hopefully I can win again," he grins.

"You never know," I say getting up. I pull some clothes out of the dresser that I keep here. "JH do you have a hoodie I can wear?"

"Yeah, always," he says tossing me one of his NEMCO hoodies.

"Thanks," I say before heading to the bathroom to change. I put on JH's hoodie, denim shorts and my Vans.

"You ready?" Chase asks from the other side of the door.

"Yeah, one sec," I reply before walking out and nearly running into him. "Sorry."

"It's fine, lets go," he says grabbing my hand.

"Can I get my bag first?" I laugh.

"Yeah," he chuckles. I quickly grab my bag then we head out to JH's car.

*****

It's almost time for pre-race ceremonies, right now they're doing driver intros. JH has to go to the back of the field due to wrecking on his second lap in qualifying. But Austin Cindric was fortunate enough to get the pole.

I'm on pit road with Chase when JH comes to his car. He would be starting tenth if he hadn't wrecked. I quickly hug him and we wait for pre-race to begin. Once the pre-race ceremonies are over I turn to JH.

"This may not be what we wanted but you have a great car, before you know it you'll be up there leading the field," I say then give him a quick hug. "I believe in you JH."

"Thanks Sav," he grins, getting in. I help him with his helmet and the window net as he gears up to go racing.

"DRIVERS START YOUR ENGINES!" the grand marshal announces and the engines roar to life. We go to sit in JH's pit box for the race. I'm given a headset so I'm able to talk to him.

"Let's sweep the weekend," I tell him.

"10-4 sis," he responds.

*****

With three to go there's a wreck involving Noah Gragson and Justin Allgaier which means overtime.

"What brought out the caution?" JH asks.

"Gragson and Allgaier wrecked, there's gonna be overtime," I reply.

"10-4," he says.

"Mike, is he gonna have to come in for gas?" I ask his crew chief.

"He's gonna have to if he wants to make it," he replies and I radio JH to tell him.

"10-4," he says. Shortly after he comes down for a fuel only pit stop.

He wasn't the only one to come down, everyone did. Fortunately he won the race off pit road putting him out front.

"You got this," I tell him.

When they restart the driver behind gives him a push. He pushed him a bit too hard and sent him into the wall.

"No!" I exclaim, standing up with my hands behind my head.

Turns out the driver behind him was Cole Custer, who ended up winning.

"Uh oh," I say sitting back down. "This'll be 2016 all over again."

"Custer better watch out," Mike states.

After the burnouts, in Victory Lane JH walks up to Custer so I run down there. They get into a heated argument and JH throws a punch right as I get there. Custer goes to punch him back but his crew holds him back.

"That's payback," JH says as I pull him away.

"At least you got a top ten finish," I say trying to cheer him up.

"Barely, I almost had that win," he says angrily.

"Calm down JH," I say putting my hand on his shoulder as Noah walks up. "Hey Gragson."

"Hey Grayson," he says angry as well.

"I bet you had a nice conversation with Justin," I say sarcastically.

"Oh yeah, I swear he would've fought me if we weren't teammates," he says.

"Just like Todd at Canadian Tire," I joke as JH's boss walks up. "Uh oh."

"John Hunter I need to talk to you," his boss states then they walk off.

"That can't be good," Noah and I say in unison as Chase walks up.

"Where's JH?" he asks.

"Talking to his boss," I say pointing in the direction they went.

"There's no way that will end well," he states.

"Nope," I say worriedly.

Shortly after JH walks up with a sad look on his face.

"What'd he say?" I ask.

"I can't race next week which might jeopardize my hopes for the championship," he replies sadly.

"I'm sorry," I say hugging him.

"Don't worry about it, it was the fault of that asshole Cole Custer," he says angrily.

"Let's just head back to your house," I recommend.

"I thought you had to talk to those guys about moving in with one of them," Chase comments.

"Oh yeah, y'all head to the car. I'll be there in a little bit," I say before walking towards the Cup Series haulers. I decide to go to Ryan's first.

"Hey is Ryan in there?" I ask one of his crew guys.

"Yeah, he's in there with Chase and Bubba," he replies.

"Perfect, thank you," I say as I walk in and head to the back.

"Hey Sav, what's up?" Ryan asks, spotting me.

"I came to ask you and Clyde if I could move in with either of you," I reply.

"Yeah sure," they say in unison.

"So who are you gonna stay with?" Bubba questions.

"Probably Clyde," I respond. "Sorry Ryan,"

"It's fine," he says with a smile.

"Can I move in this week?" I ask Clyde.

"Sure," he replies.

"Cool, I'll see y'all tomorrow," I say before walking out. When I get back to the car I see JH and Chase waiting.

"Did you find someone to stay with?" Chase questions.

"Yeah, I'm staying with Clyde," I answer.

"Who?" he asks.

"Chase Elliott," JH responds.

"Oh," he says in realization.

"I'm moving in this week," I say excitedly.

"You know Ellie is going to miss you," Chase states.

"I know, I don't want to leave her but it's what's best for me," I say.

"Yeah I get what you mean, I have four younger sibling," he says.

"Wanna stay and help me pack?" I ask him.

"Sure I'd love to help out my best friend," he replies.

"Me, you, and JH can do that Monday," I say.

"Cool," he grins.