Chapter 21 YellaWood 500 #6
“You?!” Carry said, stepping back slightly stunned. “How could you be jealous of me?”
“Because my walk away move can’t match yours,” she said firmly. “Try as I may, I know that his head turns hard to watch your hips swaying as you walk away.”
“That’s funny,” Carry said as she recovered herself. “We had an argument back in the apartment about that very subject. The girls said that Greg nearly fell out of his seat watching me walk away.”
“I can believe that,” Veronica said. “I’ve seen him do it, in front of me.” She pulled Carry in close and hugged her soft. “I hate that we have this one man between us. It’s limiting us so much on our own relationship with each other.”
“Well, that’s why you wanted to put him on the spot tonight,” Carry confirmed. “We might as well get this over with.”
“Alright. Let’s get in my car and head over to Greg’s house,” Veronica said as they headed to the door. “The car’s open, so go ahead and get in. I’m setting the alarm and locking up. I’ll be there in a moment.”
“Alright. I’ll be in the car, waiting,” Carry replied and headed out the door to get into Veronica’s car. Veronica finished locking the door, then got into the car also.
Ben Whittage paced back and forth at the private airport in Huntsville.
He knew that in a few short minutes, Cassie would finally land on the Pimico/Veronique jet.
He’d been counting the days until Cassie would finally be able to spend time with him.
He’d made extra payments to make sure that Veronique could do their photo shoot on the infield before the race.
Still, that wasn’t what was making him nervous.
No. It was the one point five carat pear shaped diamond engagement ring that felt like it was burning a hole in his pocket.
He watched as the jet was descending on final approach.
His chest began to get tight as he waited for what felt like an eternity for the jet to touch down safely.
The black smoke of the tires gripping the runway allowed his heart to stop pounding and his lungs to take in air again.
Another eternity seemed to pass as the jet taxied over to the terminal.
He reached in again, pulled out the ring and looked at it with a smile, then shut the box and put it back in his pocket.
He saw Cassie descending from the jet and his heart nearly leapt into his throat.
‘This is it, Ben old buddy. Just do it like you practiced half a million times and she’s sure to say yes,’ he told himself in his mind.
He could barely contain himself as she walked toward the doors, and he stood there like a sentinel waiting for his queen.
‘God, I forgot just how beautiful she is,’ he was thinking just before she arrived at the door.
He pulled himself together and opened the door for her to enter.
Keith grabbed the door out of Ben’s hands. “I got the door, Ben.”
“Thanks, Keith.”
“Go get her,” he replied. “She still doesn’t know what you’ve been planning. Just wait for everyone to get in the terminal first, so she has everyone here to see.”
“Right. I’ll go be with her,” he said nervously.
“Relax. It’s only the rest of your life your asking her about,” Keith said. “Now go!”
“Oh, Bennnn,,,” Cassie called from over by the soda machine. “Would you buy me a Dr. Pepper?”
“Of course my love. I’ll be right there.
” Ben nearly sprinted the forty-five feet over to the vending machines.
He pulled out a five dollar bill and slid it into the receptor.
When the light went green he pressed the Dr. Pepper button and the machine brought a one liter bottle of Dr. Pepper to the dispenser, then dropped ten quarters into the change slot.
He handed it to Cassie, “Here you are sweetheart.”
“Hey, Fred, I think you better get over there and help your cousin before he melts down. He’s about ready to explode,” Keith said.
“Are you telling me he’s going to do it here?” Fred asked.
“See the bulge in his left pocket?” Keith said and Fred nodded. “That’s the ring.”
“I’m on my way then. Thanks, Keith.” Fred moved quickly to the couple.
“Don’t mention it,” he said and turned to see everyone else finally making their way to the terminal and a cart full of luggage being driven over. “Come on already, you guys. This door is heavy and it’s already hot down here!” Keith called.
“Were coming,” Tessa called. “Don’t worry Keith, we’ll hurry.” They were halfway there when she turned around and waved the others on to hurry them up. “Greg! Get it in gear! You’re the last one off the plane! MOVE IT!”
“You marry the boss and now you start bossing me around,” Greg mumbled as he descended the stairs to the tarmac. “I’m coming!” he called back to Tessa. “Not so easy when you have a fully packed jet,” he muttered and put his phone back into his pocket.
Veronica and Carry were just entering the terminal when Denny turned back and called out, “Hey Garrelson. Coach is calling you. You better hustle up or she’s going to make you run lines, you Lazy Lucy!”
“Not you too,” Greg moaned as he stepped off the bottom stair. ‘I’d better pick up the pace since everyone else is already heading to the doorway.’ Greg noticed that Billy and Aarie were following Wendy and Katie but they were the last group ahead of him. “Everyone else already inside?” he called.
“Yeah, numnutz!” Denny called back. “Get your ass in gear, Garrelson.”
“Make one mistake in practice your freshman year and everyone becomes a critic,” he muttered as he started a soft jog which allowed him to catch Billy and Aarie.
“Let’s get in there boys, I’ve heard that something special is happening,” Greg encouraged as he passed them by, catching Wendy and Katie just as they entered the terminal door.
“I made it, Coach Tessa,” Greg said with a slight pant in his voice.
“Outta shape again, Garrelson. Maybe you need to run more lines,” said Tessa.
A moment later, everyone was gathered inside the terminal, where Keith was forming everyone into a semicircle.
Fred had strategically placed himself between Cassie and the group that had been gathering while Ben spoke with her after grabbing her a bag of flaming hot Cheetos.
Cassie was taking a swig from her Dr. Pepper when she saw the movement in her peripheral vision and turned.
It suddenly hit her that nobody was moving, and she started back towards the group.
Carry quickly motioned for her to stop and turn around.
Veronica joined in, then suddenly it was the entire group motioning her to turn around.
Fred had stepped back and Ben was now standing in front of her with the largest smile he could make.
She could hear his heart racing now, and she dropped her Dr. Pepper (which she’d fortunately tightened the cap back on) and it bounced across the floor as the flaming hot Cheetos went flying through the air because she had brought both hands up to her face on each cheek letting out a large gasp.
Ben just dropped to one knee in front of her and brought the ring box out from behind his back.
“Cassie Easthaus, I would consider it the greatest honor of my life if you would consent to marry me and be my wife for the rest of our days, so long as we both shall live. Please, will you be my bride?” He held his breath, and so did everyone else as a stunned Cassie shrieked in joy.
“YES!! YESSSS!! A THOUSAND TIMES YES!!” she screamed so loudly that the sounds of the luggage conveyor that had started was completely drowned out.
“Please accept this ring,” Ben said as he opened the box to reveal the pear cut diamond. Cassie bounced in place, so giddy that Ben had trouble grabbing her left hand. He finally caught it and put the ring on her finger.
“I LOVE YOU!” she screamed at the top of her lungs as he stood up.
“And I love you!” Ben firmly replied then kissed her deep and passionately.
The group erupted in applause, cheers, whistles and whoops. Carry leaned back toward Greg. “That’s how it’s done Greg. Pay attention.”
“Give me a break Carry, please. You know our circumstances weren’t like this.”
“Alright Garrelson, I’ll cut you some slack, but it’s the fourth quarter. You better start playing or you’re going to lose out in this championship game of hearts.”
“I hear you Carry. I hear both of you loud and clear,” he said, looking at Veronica.
The entire group watched them finish kissing before they started to disperse.
Wendy and Katie made their way over to gush over Cassie’s ring, with Carry and Veronica not far behind.
Tina had started that direction, but Mark had gently grabbed her hand to hold her back.
Molly, Lisa and Janet finally got through the men so they could see the ring.
Fred was congratulating Ben and moving him toward the guys.
Greg stood still, reflecting in his mind on all his failed attempts to ask Carry to marry him, but one stood out above the rest. Her last day at Pimico and the click clack of her heels pounded in his mind as he relived watching her walk away with the ring box still in a death grip in his right hand before it fell to the floor.
Movement to his left caught his attention and snapped him of the memory.
He observed as Mark moved Tina back to a corner, and he listened closely to their conversation in hushed voices.
“Tina, I need to know,” Mark was saying.
“I don’t know, Mark. I mean,” Tina began and let out a frustrated sigh. “I do want to get married someday, but I don’t know if I want that right now.”
“Well, let me ask this then,” he said softly as he peered into her eyes. “Do you love me the way that I love you?”