FINALLY posting the last chapter! And I have two more fics now to post!

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5: The Better Racer

Neighbourhood dogs barked at the two NASCAR drivers, as they hopped out of the muddied Ford F150. Glancing toward the house, DW caught a pair of green eyes peering through the blinds of Ward's house. The curtains shifted and swayed shut. Darrell climbed the steps to the front porch, Harvick at his heels.

The door swung open as DW raised a hand to knock. Beyond the screen, those green eyes met with Darrell's. A woman stooped by the door frame in a white cotton button-up nightdress. She tucked a strand of her dark brown tresses behind her ear, then folded her arms. "Darrell," she voiced with even syllables. "Where is my truck?"

DW raised his hands. "Now, Tabitha, let me explain…"

"Ah no," Tabitha Burton shook her head. Pointing a finger at him, she exclaimed, "You said you were brining it back in one piece!"

"You mean you knew we took it?" Harvick cried. His mouth fell open.

Facing the younger man, Darrell replied, "Well of COURSE she knew! You really think I would just steal a couple of trucks? What do you take me for, boy? Of course I asked the lady first!"

"Does Ward know?"

"I don't know." DW turned to Tabitha. "You tell him yet?"

She nodded. "Yeah, he knows. He wasn't too thrilled about it. Said he couldn't believe I agreed to let y'all race 'em…"

"And it was very kind of you."

Tabitha eyed DW and grimaced. Stepping back, she said, "Why don't you two boys come inside, 'stead of standing out here?"

"Well, thank you, sweetheart!" Darrell smiled, and opened the screen door. He stepped into the house; Harvick followed suit.

The three paced down the hallway, passing closed doors. Harvick glanced into one that was open, at the cushy, cerulean sofas that lined a brick fireplace. He smiled. "Nice home you have here," Harvick commented.

"Why, thank you, Kevin!"

They stepped around a corner, into a kitchen. Along the wall to their left were cupboards and counter space; a refrigerator sat in the corner, against the back wall. An island of cabinets and countertop spread across the centre of the room, a long necked sink in the middle.

Tabitha turned right, and led the drivers into a sitting room. She situated herself onto a paisley sofa, stretching her arms across its back. DW eased into a matching recliner.

Kevin licked his lips. Furrowing his brow, he asked, "May I please use your bathroom?"

"Sure!" Tabitha responded. She pointed toward the hallway. "It's just back there, first door to your left."

"Thanks!" He disappeared around the corner.

Thundering steps resounded from across the room. The door against the back wall by the fridge opened. Ward Burton wandered into the kitchen and stopped. Puffy eyes, glazed with confusion, stared into the sitting room. Ward scratched the top of his bed-head and sniffled. "I wondered when you'd show your face here again."

The Winston Cup driver stumbled into the sitting room and fell onto the couch, beside his wife. Rubbing his eyes with the heel of his fist, he asked, "So are the trucks outside now?"

"Only yours," Tabitha answered, draping an arm around her husband.

Ward straightened his back and glared at DW. "Why? What happened to the other one?"

Clenching his teeth, DW stretched out his lower lip. "Harvick wrapped it around a tree."

Tabitha gasped. Ward slid to the edge of the cushion, big brown eyes looking into Darrell's. "Where is he? Is he hurt?"

DW wagged his head. "He's fine. He's in the bathroom right now."

Releasing a heavy breath, Ward scooted back, and closer to his wife. "Thank the Lord," he breathed.

Dragging feet drew the trio's attention to the hallway. Harvick strode into the room. He settled into the loveseat across from the Burtons, legs splayed, an elbow on each knee. Giving the CAT driver a close-lipped smile, Kevin voiced, "Hey, Ward!"

"Hey, Ward?!" the other repeated, saucer-eyed. He pointed toward the hallway. "That's all you have to say when you wrecked my wife's truck? Hey, Ward?"

Harvick swallowed hard. "I, I'm sorry, man. Look, I can pay for it!"

"You'd better pay!" Ward retorted. Grimacing, he sighed. In a lower tone, he added, "I'm just glad you didn't pay with your life.

"Drag racing," Ward muttered. He shook his head. "I can't believe you two!"

Tabitha slipped her arm away from Ward and rose from her spot. "Would any of y'all like a drink? I'm parched!"

DW nodded. With a grin, he replied, "Yes, ma'am! I could go for some of that famous sweet tea of yours!"

"It's far from famous, but you're welcome to it," she laughed. She turned to Harvick. "Kevin?"

"I'd like the same too, please."

"Sweet tea, dear?" Tabitha asked her husband, who shook his head.

"No thanks, honey. I'm all set."

Ward studied Harvick, head to toe. The Goodwrench driver's race suit sported scattered patches of dirt; his sneakers were worn but clean. Ward looked into Kevin's eyes. Closin his own, he heaved a sigh.

"Here you go!" Tabitha handed DW a tall glass of sweet tea. Ice cubes clinked against the sides as Darrell accepted it. She handed another to Harvick and sat down with a third.

"So how was the street naming thing tonight?" Kevin asked Ward, who grinned. He scratched his head.

"It was kind of weird, I guess. I grew up here. And to now drive by a street named after me…" He laughed. "Ward Burton Street!"

Chuckling, DW nodded. "That does have a funny ring to it! Congratulations, buddy!"

Harvick swallowed sweet tea. "Yeah, congratulations!" He tipped the glass toward his fellow driver.

"But enough about our night," Ward shook his head. "I want to hear about y'all's!"

Holding his palm out to Ward, DW looked the CAT driver in the eye. "Listen, Ward, I'll get that truck towed as soon as I can…"

Ward shook his head. "Forget the truck! I want to know who won!" He looked at each driver, who turned to one another and exchanged glances.

Smirking, DW wagged his head. "That, my friend," he voiced, propping his glass on his left knee, "is yet to be determined."

THE END