7 Summers

Chapter 14: Chase's POV

Another week went by, and she was still unconscious. I was getting ready for my race in my hauler, I even skipped being on pit road to meet fans.

"Chase?" Alan comes into the hauler. I looked up from fidgeting from my helmet. "What's going on? Why aren't you in pit road?" He asks. I looked at the picture sitting next to my bed of me and Bailey. She was sitting on my lap, and smiling. We both were, that was the happiest time of my life. "They still don't know anything, huh?" He asks softly. I shook my head no and almost started crying.

"She will make it. Everything will be alright." He says reassuringly. Everyone kept saying that but she hasn't gotten any better. "She needs you to focus on this race. You know that." I nodded. Bailey would have told me to get my ass in gear, but it was difficult not to hear it coming from her. I put on my helmet, making sure the visor was down so no one could see how puffy and red my eyes were. I missed her so much. A whole bunch of girls were screaming my name, but I didn't care. I didn't want any of them. I wanted Bailey.

I was stopped for an interview.

"Chase, what has been going on the past week? It's been rumored that you've been through hell and back?"

"Blaney start that rumor?" I asked.

"Is it true?" His look said yes.

"Someone I know got into a car accident monday." I proceeded to say that I was going to win and how grateful I was for my sponsors and stuff, that old speech. I got into the car and fired it up, then took off with the rest of the field.

***************************************
It felt weird to win. Almost like I didn't want it. But I wasn't picky when it came to wins, but this one just didn't feel right. Like somethin was missin. Because somethin was missin. I got out of my car and walked towards the flag stand, grabbing the flag. I waved it in the air, and my mother came running towards me. She must have known.

"Honey. Its gonna be okay, we'll get you a flight out of here as soon as we can and get you back to Bailey." She says, looking almost like she was gonna cry, which caused me to almost cry. I loved Bailey, and it sucked that I couldn't tell her that.

"Chase! What a finish!" The Marty came over. "How do you feel?" He asks.

"I'm grateful. I truly am. I mean...wow." and that's when I saw those green eyes staring right back into mine. "Bailey."

"What?" Marty looked at me like I was crazy.

"Hi." She says, smiling at me. I wasn't sure if what I was seeing was real. I quickly took off my helmet and gloves after handing the flag to my mother. I still had my helmet in my hand when I hugged her. I never wanted to let her go. All my tears came flowing down and I just held her in my arms. Mama explained everything to Marty, and everyone went "awwww" but I didn't care. I had her in my arms once again.

"Darlin. I'm so glad you're okay. I'm so so so sorry. I can't even begin to tell you how sorry I am." I said, my voice was super shaky.

"I'm so happy you won." She says, her voice was equally shaky. "I heard you in the hospital room." Bailey says.

"So you're not mad?" I asked, looking at her.

"No."

"If I was you I would have kicked my ass by now." I was super happy to see her smile again. "I'm never gonna let you go." I hugged her tighter again.

"You're gonna have to if we're gonna take this thing to victory lane." She giggles.

"Ride with me." I said, holding out my hand.

"Okay." She says softly, I held onto her legs making sure she wouldn't fall out. She stepped out, and I followed her. I held up her hand and mine. In that moment I felt something change inside of me, something good. I wanted to be the best version of myself for her, and me. I wanted to spoil her any chance I got, any time she's sick, I want to take care of her, give her flowers just because I can, do anything I can to make her happy. I smiled at her, because there was no way in hell I would let this woman go. Bailey meant too much to me. 

"Why are you smiling at me, you should be smiling at the camera." She giggles. I pulled her closer and pressed my forehead to hers.

"Because I love you, Bailey." I pressed my lips to hers, and her body instantly came alive. She kissed me back with the same passion as I did. Her arms were wrapped around my neck, as she lightly played with my hair. 

"I love you more, Chase." She says as she pulls away. We both stood there wrapped up in each other's arms, and I wouldn't have it any other way. 

"Chase! Is this the rumored Ryan Blaney's girlfriend, Bailey Rose?" Marty asks.

"Nope. All mine." I smiled proudly, listening to Bailey's little giggle.

"Did you ever date Ryan Blaney?" He asks her.

"For a brief time back in high school." She chuckles, then looks at me. Her green eyes were sparkling brightly, like emeralds.

"And there you have it folks! Chase Elliott will win here at the Charlotte Roval!" I didn't hear the rest of what he was saying because I was too busy kissing my girlfriend. I didn't mind. After spending two weeks without her, I was so eager to kiss her and hold her in my arms.

"You're happy." Bailey giggles.

"You're all giggly." I pointed out, and she rolls her eyes. "We should go back to my place. It's closer than going to Backwater."

"I'm okay with that." She laughs. I grabbed her hand and was in such a hurry to get out of there, but I had to go to my RV and change clothes and shower. 

"So...you're all back to normal?" I asked her.

"I have a slight concussion, but other than that I'm fine. Doctor says if I pass out randomly don't panic." She laughs, which made me laugh. After I had showered I saw her laying on the couch staring at the ceiling, then she looks at me and smiles. 

"Ready to go home?" I asked her.

"Yeah. But I need to call Jonah and tell him I'm okay." I handed her my phone as I walked her to my car. I just smiled, happy that she was alive.