Short Track Lovin' ✅

Chapter 3: Watermelon Capital

Summer 2015

Despite the high hopes after the fun weekend that they had at Hickory Motor Speedway and the discussions, Chase didn't hear from Sarina in the week that followed. Not only did he not hear from her in the week that followed, but a couple weeks went by without a phone call. He didn't want to feel down on it, but it was a kick in the ass.

There were times that he thought about throwing the crush to the side. As they say, some crushes don't turn out right as the other person simply doesn't like you in return. In those cases, you're supposed to let go and move forward. He was almost at the blink of doing that, but thought about holding on for a bit longer.

There was a spark between them. They could have great conversation together without any issues. There were even some flirting in that conversation. She was pretty. She had a charming personality. She had the perfect puzzle that he was looking for in a girl. There was no way that he could just let go that easily. He just had to put a little more effort into it.

He got the opportunity that he wanted as following the Dover weekend, the XFINTY Series had a weekend off. That meant that he could spend some time hanging around the late model scene, crossing paths with Sarina. Glancing at the schedule it worked out perfectly as that weekend meant a home-game race for him with the CARS tour running Watermelon Capital. It was a track that he knew quite well, having traveled up to that part of Georgia many times.

Upon arriving at the track, he knew that he had to stay focused on racing first. He owed it to Ricky Turner and the guys with the effort that they put into the preparing the car and doing everything that he needed during the day.

However, that didn't mean that he couldn't be partially distracted during the day. There were going to be a couple down times and he knew that'd give him opportunity to cross paths with Sarina once again and check in with her. Perhaps he could get that lack of conversation turned into more conversation.

As the team was unloading the car and getting everything set for the day, he found his eyes lock on her as she leaned back against her late model, discussing something with her crew chief. Taking a deep breath, he knew he'd get nothing done by standing there and staring.

He slowly made his way down the row of cars, shaking a couple hands and trading some gestures with a couple of the drivers that he had grown close to during his late model days. It didn't take long for him to make his way down to her end of the pits and as he reached her stall, her eyes immediately fell on his.

"Uh oh," she starts. "Chase is here to stalk me again...." He felt his cheeks immediately flush red in embarrassment. It was almost enough to make him turn around and run, or at least give Bubba and Ryan a kick in the ass when he saw them next weekend. Was he really that much of a pain earlier this year?

"I just came to say hello," he offers as she crosses her arms. She had dealt with boys in the pits before and just because he was the sweeter variety, it didn't mean that she couldn't read his mind. Besides, she also had a file on him now.

"Right...and ask me why I haven't called you, right?" His cheeks go a shade darker as she just laughs. She knew how to read his mind, and didn't mind using that to her advantage right now. "Just as I thought. If you want the truth, I've been busy working and racing this thing. Not everybody has it as easy as you have it, Elliott." He shook his head, understanding. That would be a decent excuse, supposedly, even if he wished people would keep saying that. Just because he had the last name and landed the grand opportunity, it didn't mean he was lesser than the rest in the pits.

"I understand. But, you also need to realize that a break here and there and some fun would be worth your while." He didn't mean for that slip out so casually at it did, but perhaps hanging around Bubba was having a good effect on him. Maybe they were onto something with their suggestions.