Short Track Lovin' ✅

Chapter 8: Distance Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

Summer 2015

Sarina could feel her heart beating through her chest as she glances between Chase and his mother.

This was why she didn't want to get into last night's conversation. This was why she didn't want to stay the night. This was why she knew everything would be a bad idea.

"Hey Sarina," Cindy says in a calmly matter, catching Sarina's attention. "It's nice to see you. I haven't seen you in a long time. How have you been keeping?" Sarina wanted to remain calm as it seemed nobody was freaking out by her appearance before them. However, this whole thing felt awkward.

"I've been doing great, Mrs. Elliott," Sarina replies. "Been keeping busy racing and trying to do the best that I can. I thought I'd take a little break and have a bit of fun this weekend at the track." Cindy smiles and with one more glance towards Chase, believing what he had told her earlier that morning. Besides, like he said, she trusted his word.

"I heard that Chase welcomed you to come han-"

"It's nothing like you're thinking. I can promise you that." Cindy then chuckles, remembering the reaction that Chase just had recently in the same fashion. It was almost fun messing them with a little.

"It's okay, Chase explained everything. I know nothing happened and you guys just hung out as friends. You can relax." Sarina then lets out a sigh as she takes a seat at the small kitchen table. Perhaps this wasn't as bad as she thought. After all, they were just friends – nothing more, nothing less. Friends allowed their parents to communicate, right?

"It just caught me off-guard to see you here when I came out. I thought I was going to be in big trouble." Cindy then laughs and shakes her head no.

"I know that Chase can behave himself. I raised him, right?" Sarina shakes her had yes with a smile. "Besides, it's nice to see you get out and have some fun. You always seem to be working way too hard. A little break once in awhile doesn't hurt."

"Hence why I accepted the offer and am having a fun time thus far this weekend." Cindy takes another glance between the pair as she didn't need to hear the words from Sarina to know that fact. Actually, she was getting ready to get used to seeing her around her more often.

"I'm glad to hear it." Cindy then stands up and gives Chase a quick hug. "I'll see you later. I better go so your dad and I can get breakfast."

"Bye mom," Chase says as he watches her leave. He watches the door close before walking over and placing a plate before Sarina. It was just pertend like usual and nothing strange just happened, right? "I made you breakfast." Sarina simply smiles in return.

"Thanks," she says as he returns to grab his plate. He then sits across from her, their eyes catching each other's. He could still feel the awkwardness from Sarina in what had just occurred.

"I'm sorry about that surprise from my mom. Most times, she leaves after the XFINITY race. I guess with the race at Berlin on Tuesday, she didn't follow normal plan. She likes to check in on me and make sure that I got breakfast and such." Sarina wasn't surprised, knowing that Chase was close with his parents. it was something that she had seen in watching him at local races, sometimes jealous of the relationship he got to have.

"In other words, she knows that her baby can't cook?" Chase laughs and shakes his head yes. "As long as she doesn't think we slept together or are together, I'm fine with that." Chase felt a bit of pain in his heart at the last words. They had a close night of discussion. She had told him everything that meant dearly to her. Why wouldn't she totally open up for him? "Did I say something wrong?"

"No, not at all." She then lets out a sigh as she puts her fork down, knowing better. It was written all over his face immediately, and she hated to see that after he was there for her last night.