The Racing Blood

That's What Friends Do

     K.J. sat in the driver's seat of his #5 Farmers Insurance Chevy after he shut the engine off. He heard the crew beside him, cheering. The fans were roaring and chanting his name, except for the occasional boo, which K.J. was going to have to deal with. He put his Farmers hat on his head as a track official handed him a cold Coke. He took a drink and climbed out of his car, standing on the side.

     The sound of his crew screaming filled his ears as cold Coke rained down on K.J. He smiled and threw his own drink on the crew and jumped down from the window. Krista Voda, who was covering this race, walked up to K.J., smiling. "Kasey Kahne, Jr., being cheered by his team as he gets out of the. K.J., how does this one feel?"

     "Oh, man," K.J. said, smiling from ear to ear. "This one means more than any win before it. This one is for Eric Roop and his family. I want to thank everyone at KKR for giving me the car that could win the race. My crew was perfect all day. Thanks to Farmers, Sage Fruit, Quaker State, NASCAR and everyone else to keep us in this spo-" K.J. was cut off by Jules running up to him, wrapping her arms around his neck. "-rt. This sport."

     Krista laughed. "K.J. is being congratulated by Juliet Speed now! Congratulations, K.J.!"

    "Thanks!" K.J. said, smiling. Jules kissed his cheek, and K.J. grinned even bigger. He turned around to see Kasey and Kale rushing towards him. They lifted him into the air to the sound of cheers from the crew. Amira looked up at her grinning baby. For the first time in a long time, she could see the true happiness in K.J.'s blue eyes.

     Kasey and Kale put K.J. on the ground, and he stood with his crew. "Jules! Come get in the pictures with me, babe."

     Silence hit the crew. "What?"

     "Oh..." K.J. blushed as Jules climbed up beside him. He put his arm around her waist and looked at his crew and family. "Uh... Jules and I are dating."

     "SINCE WHEN!"

     "Yesterday," said Jules, smiling slightly. "You didn't tell your parents?"

    "It slipped my mind," said K.J. "My bad." The celebration wasn't halted by the random news. Instead, the party got even larger. They were happy for the win and for K.J. looking happy again.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

    "Scott, you want a beer?" asked Kasey, sticking his head out of the motor coach.

    "Yeah. Thanks, man!" said Scott. Kasey walked out and handed Scott and ice cold Bud before walking back to the grill.

    "K.J., can I ask you a question?" said Rex, sitting on top of the cooler.

    "Of course," said K.J. He sat on the ground with Jules on his lap, her head on his shoulder.

    "Why Jules?"

    Juliet looked at her older brother. "HEY!"

     "I don't mean it in a bad way," mumbled Rex.

     "I don't know, Rex. I just... I always have," said K.J. He looked up at his friend. "Is that bad?"

     "No," Rex said. "I'd rather it be you than anyone else. I can kill you easier." The kids laughter filled the air.

     Amira stood with Amanda near the motor coach, watching the children. "Amira, he looks so happy now," said Amanda.

     "I know. I honestly was afraid that I was never going to see that smile again."

     "I don't know how you did it. I... I couldn't have."

     "It was hard," said Amira, nodding slowly. "It was so hard."

     "You've always got Scott and I."

     "I know. Thanks, Amanda. It means a lot."

     "I hope that you always know that. We love K.J. He's been part of our lives as long as he's been alive."

     Amira smiled. "Just like we love Jules and Rex."

     Amanda nodded. "We got him through it. We'll always be here to get him through it. That's what friends do."