Happy Hour (Racing on the Edge)

by Shey Stahl

  Torres suspended for post-race incident

  LONG POND, PA. – Darrin Torres, along with five Gibson Racing crew members from the No. 14 team, and Frank Rudd, crew chief for Torres, received a range of penalties for his involvement in an altercation following Sunday’s NASCAR Winston Cup Series race at Pocono International Raceway, NASCAR officials announced Monday.

  Winston Cup drivers Jameson Riley, driver of the No. 9 Simplex Ford battled with Darrin Torres, driver of the No. 14 Wyle Products Chevrolet, throughout the Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500. Around lap two hundred, Riley pulled away to a two and half second lead when Bobby Cole, Riley’s teammate clipped the left rear of the No. 14. The remainder of the race was quiet until the last lap. Riley took the checkered flag and was currently making his victory lap when Torres left pit road and made another lap. The two cars collided right outside of the tunnel turn. No word was released as to why Darrin Torres went back out on the track. Gibson Racing has declined to comment.

  Riley was reportedly unresponsive when safety track officials got to him. He was later air lifted to Pocono Medical Center where he is listed in critical but stable condition and expected to make a full recovery.

  Following the incident Darrin Torres was escorted to the NASCAR hauler and later police escorted away from the track. Crew members from Gibson Racing, Riley Simplex Racing, and Banner Racing were involved in a pit road altercation after Riley was transported. It was reported that members from Riley Racing and Banner Racing, entered the pit of Gibson Racing where the altercation took place.

  Fines issued as followed: Torres, driver of the No. 14 Chevrolet, was fined $50,000 and suspended until Dec. 31 for his role in the post-race incident. He was in violation of Section 12-4-A (Actions detrimental to stock car racing: damaging another competitor’s car after the completion of the race, use of improper language) of the NASCAR Winston Cup Series Rule Book.

  Frank Rudd crew chief for the No. 14, was fined $10,000 for violation of Sections 12-4-A (Actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 9-4-A (The crew chief assumes responsibility for the actions of his or her driver, car owner and team members).

  Crew member for the No. 14, Peter Fowler, was suspended from NASCAR competition until Sept. 17, placed on probation until Dec. 31, and fined $5,000. He was in violation of Section 12-4-A (Actions detrimental to stock car racing: Involved in an altercation on pit road after the completion of the race, damaging another competitor’s car following the completion of the race, use of improper language).

  Crew member for the No. 14, Kevin Henderson, was suspended from NASCAR competition until Sept. 17, placed on probation until Dec. 31 and fined $2,500. He was in violation of Section 12-4-A (Actions detrimental to stock car racing: Involved in an altercation on pit road after the completion of the race, throwing an object at another competitor, use of improper language).

  Crew member for the No. 14, Jason Sole, was placed on probation until Dec. 31 and fined $2,500. He was in violation of Section 12-4-A (Actions detrimental to stock car racing: Involved in an altercation on pit road after the completion of the race, use of improper language).

  Crew member for the No. 14, Mike Daniel, was placed on probation until Dec. 31 and fined $2,500. He was in violation of Section 12-4-A (Actions detrimental to stock car racing: Involved in an altercation on pit road after the completion of the race, throwing an object at another competitor, improper use of language).

  Kyle Wade, crew chief for Riley’s No. 9 Ford, was issued a $5,000 fine for use of improper language, which is in violation of Section 12-4-A (Actions detrimental to stock car racing).

  Crew member for No. 9, Spencer Riley was placed on probation until Dec. 31 and fined $2,500. He was in violation of Section 12-4-A (Actions detrimental to stock car racing: Involved in an altercation on pit road after the completion of the race, throwing an object at another competitor, improper use of language).

  Cole and Harris fined and placed on probation

  Drivers Bobby Cole driver of the No. 90 Riley Simplex Racing and Ayers Manufacturing and Tate Harris, driver of the No. 10 Banner Racing and Donco Oil, along with their crew chiefs, received varying penalties for their involvement in a garage area altercation following last Sunday’s race at Pocono International Raceway.

  Cole, driver of the No. 90 Ford, and Harris, driver of the No. 10 Dodge, were fined $10,000 each and placed on probation until Dec. 31. Ben Willing, crew chief for Cole, and Jeff Johnson, crew chief for Harris, were fined $5,000 each and placed on probation until Dec. 31.

  All parties involved were in violation of Section 12-4-A (Actions detrimental to stock car racing: Involved in an altercation with another competitor in the garage area after the completion of the race) of the NASCAR Winston Cup Series Rule Book. Willing and Johnson infractions under 9-4-A also included the crew chief assumes responsibility for the actions of his or her driver, car owner and team members.

  NASCAR later released a statement saying… “If any other driver is involved in an action deemed by NASCAR as detrimental to the stock car racing or NASCAR, or is disruptive to the orderly conduct of an event, the competitor will be suspended indefinitely from NASCAR.”

  After reading the article for the hundredth time that morning, I came to the distinct conclusion nothing would be enough.

  Nothing would ever be enough for what he did to Jameson.

  In the past, drivers had taken Jameson out, if you want to call it that—intentionally wrecking him. But never had it gone this far.

  Trying to kill another driver was not right. Join fight club if that’s your intention. To me, this was unacceptable. Something like this should have never been allowed to happen.

  I’d been sitting in his hospital room all afternoon, most of which was spent in the bathroom, throwing up that insanely mammoth style breakfast I demolished.

  Jameson was in and out. Sometimes he was alert and aware of who was in the room. Other times he was just downright lethargic. They assured us this was just the medication trying to help him heal faster.

  Around nine o’clock Monday night his eyes were fluttering open again.

  I was looking over a People magazine in the tiny chair next to his bed emerged in the lifestyles of others. I’m not gonna lie, this was just a cover. I was intently watching some ridiculously captivating reality show as well.

  Jameson groaned, “Fuck...”

  Well, at least he can still articulate his favorite word.

  “Sway...” he croaked and the sighed softly. I could tell he was still heavily sedated from the narcotics.

  I silently wished I had access to the same narcotics. They’d come in hand for this emotional rollercoaster I found myself on.

  Tossing the magazine on the floor, I leaned forward reaching for his hand.

  His rough fingers grazed lightly back and forth under my palm.

  “I’m right here, sweetie.” I soothed while pulling his hand toward mine.

  “Come here.” He begged with hooded eyes, a faint smile flickering across his lips.

  “I’m here,”

  “No...closer.” His eyes fell closed again trying to move over but winced in pain. Instead, he patted the space beside him. “Please...I need you...closer.”

  I knew what he wanted. He wanted me in bed with him.

  Wanting that just as much as he did, I cautiously maneuvered myself in bed. This was an extremely difficult task to do with the many broken bones covering most of his left side.

  I snuggled as close as I could get, without being too close. Jameson wasn’t having it and tugged me with his good arm even closer. Gently I laid my head against his chest, listening to his strained breathing.

  “Thank you honey,” Jameson whispered his voice gravelly and sexy. “I needed that.”

  I wanted to tell him that he couldn’t speak with that voice, it distracted me but I remained silent. Now wasn’t the time for that.

  Moments passed where we just lied there watching the television, well I was watching it, I wasn
’t sure if he was. I doubted Jameson could even focus on it but when I felt a strained chuckle, I glanced up at him.

  “What the fuck are you watching?” he finally asked squinting towards the screen in the corner of the room.

  “I uh...” I reached for the remote on the table beside the bed, turning it off. “I have no clue...it was just on.” I lied.

  Damn you reality TV!

  Now I could see why everyone watches that shit.

  “How are you feeling?” I asked snuggling against his warm body. It was hardly comfortable but at the same time, it was.

  “Sore,” I felt him try to shift in the bed but groaned instantly when he realized that wasn’t happening. “Very sore,”

  The room was silent for a while; the only sounds were the beeping of the monitors he was hooked up to and the sounds of his unsteady breathing.

  He surprised me when he spoke, his voice just a raspy whisper. “Are you really...pregnant?”

  I smiled thinking of the little crazy irrational jelly bean inside me. “Yes,” I whispered back. Thoughts of little rusty haired grass green eyed baby floated around me.

  “I...uh...not that I’m upset or anything but I thought you were on...birth control?”

  I turned carefully in his arms to look at him. I thought I would see regret but I didn’t. All I saw gazing back at me was love. The love he had for me and our unborn child.

  “I was...apparently they’re not one hundred percent effective...so I’ve been told.” I replied sarcastically.

  “Really...fuck...they should put that on the box.”

  “That’s what I said...but when I read the box, they do.” I let out a soft chuckle. “You’d think they would put it in a larger print or something.”

  Jameson’s head leaned back against his pillow, his lips turned into a smile when his eyes closed again. “A baby...hmmm”

  “Do you want to see the picture?”

  His eyes flickered open and met mine, my favorite smile shinned. “You have a picture?”

  “Yeah,” I reached in the pocket of my hoodie and pulled out the crumpled photo. “That,” I pointed to the bubble on the black and white photo. “Is your crazy irrational jelly bean...it’s still cooking but it’ll be ready for racing sometime early March.”

  Jameson let out a soft chuckle kissing my forehead.

  “Who told you I was pregnant?” I asked curiously.

  “No one did...I had a feeling when I left but didn’t want to say anything.”

  Intuitive bastard...why couldn’t he have let me in on that theory before he left?

  At least then, I wouldn’t have been subjected to the insanity of Emma and her trying to sneak a peek at my girlie bits.

  I leaned back to look at him setting the picture on his thigh. “I’m...sorry about Axle.”

  I could see the sadness instantly in his tortured expression; he was still struggling with that. I knew the events directly prior to the race were hazy but he remembered what Alley told him.

  “I know.” He murmured with a nod.

  I watched as his eyes shinned with tears though none spilled over.

  His eyes squeezed tightly while he composed himself. Jameson never showed his emotions that way but he did when it came to that brown eyed little boy who stole a piece of his heart that day he spent with him, a piece that will be forever with Axle Nathan Taylor.

  Continuing to stare at our picture, Kyle knocked softly on the door before stepping inside. I could see his girlfriend standing outside in the hall waiting for him.

  “Hey bud, how are you feeling?”

  “Ready to race,” Jameson replied trying to give a thumbs up with his good hand that was wrapped around me.

  “Hah!” Kyle laughed. “You’re funny.”

  Jameson looked down and nodded. He knew he was going to be missing a few races and I think that bothered him.

  “I hear they’re going to do surgery on the wrist tomorrow morning.” Kyle moved closer sitting on the couch located just inside the door.

  “Yeah,” Jameson sighed shaking his head slightly. “They are putting in some pins...I guess.”

  Kyle stood and walked towards the bed. Jameson moved his arms from around my shoulder, reaching for Kyle’s hand. “I’m glad you’re okay bud. You scared me there.”

  “I know...I’m sorry.”

  Kyle reached for his cell phone in his pocket. “Can you repeat that?” he laughed pushing the phone towards him. “I want to record it.”

  I started giggling from my place beside him.

  “Not a chance.” Jameson glared at me before turning it on Kyle. “That’s the only sorry you will ever get out of me. Remember that.”

  “Oh I will.” He added while I continued to giggle. “I wasn’t sure you were capable of those two words.”

  Jameson groaned. “So what do we do about another driver?”

  “We got a few options around.” Kyle told him. “We can worry about that after the surgery when we know how long you will be out. That will determine who we choose.”

  Jameson and Kyle made small talk for a moment before pussycat doll came back in to deliver the good stuff once again. I knew I only had about fifteen minutes before he fell asleep.

  Kyle politely excused himself before Melanie started her process of exams on Jameson.

  Being the crazy-irrational-hormone-enraged-pigizzle that I was now, watched every move she made and scrutinized every look Jameson gave her trying to decipher whether or not he’d be attracted to her.

  I’d like to blame it on my hormones but I seemed to be blaming everything on that these days. You’d think at some point my brain would need to take some sort of responsibility for herself.

  “Jameson,” Melanie touched his left leg over the blanket. “How are you feeling tonight?”

  His brow furrowed as he looked down at her hand before answering. “Sore but less groggy...I guess that’s better.”

  “Well the grogginess won’t go away just yet.” She tapped his IV. “It’s the morphine. You’re on a high dose right now to keep you relaxed. The more you rest, the faster you heal.”

  I could tell he was still sleepy or else he would have objected to being sedated so heavily.

  Melanie smiled one breathtaking smile at him. It was a smile that made me want to punch out all her pretty white teeth.

  “Let me know if you need anything, sweetie.” Her head turned to the side. “It’s not every day we have a NASCAR superstar in here.”

  Jameson smiled once at her and then looked away quickly without saying anything. I could tell she was making him uncomfortable, he didn’t like attention.

  Once she left the room, Jameson sighed heavily. “I hate this place,” he grumbled in a thick drowsy voice. “I just want to go home.”

  “I know...I do too.” I agreed running my hands over his stubby jaw.

  Gingerly I brought his lips to mine.

  I intended on kissing him just once but Jameson had other plans when his tongue glided against my lower lip.

  Without thinking, I slowly deepened the kiss. His right hand came up from between us, cupping the back of my head. My mind was screaming for me to stop this, he was in no condition to be making out right now but I couldn’t make myself do as such.

  Jameson moaned softly, his tongue dancing with my own. He tasted different, like medicine. His movements were slow but I could tell he wanted more. I was moments away from pulling away when he dropped his hand to mine, and then pulled it to his erection over the blanket.

  At least I know that wasn’t damaged, that would have been fucking tragic.

  Jameson groaned into my mouth. “God Sway...I need you.”

  “Jameson,” I whispered pulling away with a grin of self-satisfaction that I could arouse him so easily. “We can’t do that...in here...”

  Thoughts of straddling him in a hospital bed began flooding my perverted brain.

  I could blame baby hormones for that too, right?

  I think he knew we
couldn’t but it didn’t stop the pout he gave me before he muttered an, “I know.”

  “Soon...I promise.” I pulled back away from him. “You need to heal first.” I leaned in placing another chaste kiss on his lips. He once again tried for more.

  Both of us jumped when the door to his room opened—Jameson winced in pain.

  “Now, now...that’s how you knocked her up in the first place.” Spencer laughed at his weak joke before him and Alley barged in.

  “Can’t you put him on the do not let in list or something?” Jameson asked me quietly. His eyes drooping even more, he was fighting to stay awake.

  I realized how inappropriate our position looked so I cautiously removed myself from the bed albeit against Jameson’s struggles to keep me with him. He settled for me holding his hand.

  “We won’t stay long.” Alley assured me. Jameson’s eyes were already closing. “We just wanted to say goodbye, we have to go pickup Lane at my mom’s.”

  Jameson’s eyes opened briefly when Spencer leaned down and whispered in his ear. His mouth twisted into a faint smile as Spencer ruffled his hair carefully.

  Once they left he fell asleep quickly.

  When he woke up the next morning for surgery, he was grumpy.

  Actually, he was pissed, that was a better word to describe his mood. His pillows weren’t fluffy enough, he was cold, he was uncomfortable and he was hungry. He was acting like a goddamn child is what he was doing.

  When the nurses left, he admitted he was also incredibly horny and wanted to be alone with me, while I gave him a sponge bath.

  His words, not mine.

  Believe me...after seeing the way pussycat doll ogled his body during his physical exams, I was happy to be the one he was requesting do his sponge baths.