The Hendrick Guys- what next?

Part 7

A couple weeks later...

Your POV

You arrive at the track for your first race and get ready, when you come out in your race suit to your surprise, everyone is here. You walk over to Will and he hugs you, he's stood with Alex, Chase, Mahkaila, Ryan, Kyle with Owen and some of the Hendrick guys. You assume they've all come cause they are racing in Charlotte tomorrow and are all here at the same time anyways.

"You didn't all have to come! Now the pressure really is on!" You shout and laugh.
"Don't be silly, you've got this!" Will shouts back to you biting his lip looking you up and down.
"My eyes are up here, Byron!" You whisper to him with a wink and he laughs.

You leave them to get to your gokart, putting on your helmet that Will bought you and strapping in before taking some practice laps.

Soon after, the race starts. You feel sick with nerves but you stay in fourth for a few laps, you try over and over to pass and get into third position until you go wide at one of the bends and pass under them to gain third spot. "Yes!" You shout to yourself with a huge grin. "Two more to try pass, you got this girl!" You say to yourself, as self-motivation is your only way through this race not having anyone to talk to.

A couple of karts come off the track bringing the rest of you to a halt. Before long, the race restarts and you manage to get a good restart and jump straight into second place. You get right to the back of the person in first place, but are just a little too slow to catch them, you finish the race in second place by half a karts length of first place.

You come to a stop and are greeted by the one who finished in first.
"Wow, great first race out there! Look forward to racing you more often, girl!" She shouts and fist bumps you, you nod and she walks away as you take off your helmet.

You get out and look up to see Owen running towards you and all the guys cheer for you.
"(Y/N)! You did so good!" He shouts and hugs you, you crouch down and pick him up hugging him back.
The others are stood laughing from where Owen sprinted from. You head over towards them and put Owen down.

"You did amazing, baby!" Will shouts walking up to you pulling you in to hug you. You can't help but notice Alex going awkward behind Will.
"Yeah, you were on fire! No one would believe this is your first race!" Chase shouts and walks to you fist bumping you.

"Hi, (Y/N)? Is it true this was your first race?" Says a random man stood behind you, you turn to see a good looking guy, around your age, stood in front of you smiling at you. You freeze a little staring at him too much until Will nudges you.
"Sorry, yeah, this was my first race." You say back to him shaking your head to gain focus again.
"You did great out there! I was just wondering if you have any sponsors?" He asks and you turn to look at the others, Will and Chase shrug and Alex gives the guy a funny look as though he's profiling him.

"Hey listen, I have a sponsorship deal waiting for you. Here's my number, call me if you need a sponsor!" He says enthusiastically handing you a card with his name and number on and winks before walking away.

"That's so freaking cool, what the fuck!" Mahkaila screams and you stand in shock, not knowing how to react.
"Wow, this gets better and better!" Will shouts putting his arm around you and kisses your head.
"I don't like him." Alex mumbles and you all look at him and ask why.
"He just... I don't know. Something about him seems off, don't you guys think?" He says asking you all, everyone says no or shakes their heads and laughs, you give him a puzzling look and head off to change.

You walk out and go straight to where Chase parked his truck and Will's GTR.
"You wanna drive?" Will looks at you with a smirk holding his keys out, you smile at him having a think about it.
"Nah, you can drive for once." You say back to him, he raises his eyebrow and smirks.
"You feeling ok?" Chase asks and you laugh at him and watch him wink and get into his truck with Mahkaila.

"Hey Alex!" You quickly run to Alex grabbing his arm as he's about to get in the back of Chase's truck and you close the door before he can't get in, he looks at you with genuine fear in his eyes.

"You look scared? Just wanted to let you know, my friend is in the area for a few days. You know, the one who helped Will? She's a counsellor." You whisper and watch him shake his head, still looking scared.
"Ok that's fine, no counsellor?" You give him a 'are you sure?' Look and he nods.
"That's absolutely fine. Just know I'm still trying to help." You whisper looking down at his hand as you hold his hands in yours smiling.
"Thank you, (Y/N)." He whispers and smiles at you before climbing into Chase's truck

The next day...

You sit back and watch the race, staying close to Alex's pit to listen in. A caution comes up and some of the crew talk to you and then a familiar voice taps your shoulder.

"Hey, (Y/N)! How are you? I've not seen you for a while?"
Alex's mom. You freeze and don't know what to say to her as she hugs you, you slowly hug her back.
"Hey! Yeah it's been a while, I'm sorry I've not been around much, I-"

"I know, you and Alex aren't together anymore. It's a shame, he really liked you." She says cutting you off and nudging you, your heart sinks and you start feeling sick.
"How is he?" You ask, feeling stupid for asking.
"You're his PR, you see him quite often. Shouldn't you know how he is?" She asks and you don't know what to say.

His mom looks at you for a short while before speaking again.
"He's been real quiet lately, he told me you started racing! That's cool! He still talks about you a lot. But, I feel like there's something he's hiding from me and maybe even you guys." She says looking away from you and leans back on the wall.

You turn to look at her, confused and curious.
"What do you mean?" You ask her and she shakes her head.
"He seems to disappear often through the night, I thought he was maybe going to see you at first, but he's just getting quieter now so I'm not sure." She says and you scratch your head trying to think.

"I'll try talk to him. Don't worry." You say nudging her and she smiles.
"I've missed you guys." You add on and watch her face light up.
"We don't hate you, feel free to come around when ever you like!" She says laughing a little.
"Hmm. How about tomorrow?" You ask with a grin.
"Sure thing! I'm making homemade pizza tomorrow!" She shouts excited and you laugh.
"Sounds delicious! Don't tell Alex though, let it be a surprise." You say winking and she does the same back.

None of the boys end up winning the race, it's a close finish but Ryan Blaney takes the checkered flag.
You all have a quick debrief and head off home soon after, you tag along with Will and of course he ends up staying the night at your place.

You both shower and change into comfy clothes before getting into bed to snuggle up and watch movies.
"Well done today by the way, not really spoken much about the race." You say hugging Will, he runs his hands through your hair and doesn't say anything.

"Hey Will, I'm going to Alex's for dinner tomorrow. His mom invited me over." You say and his hands stop and there's a short silence.
"(Y/N)? Is Alex ok? Like, for real tell me the truth." He asks and you shrug.
"Honestly, I don't know Will. He's been so stressed this season and been so off with everyone. His mom was talking about him when you guys were racing, she said something is up too. So I'm going around to their place tomorrow after I'm done at the office." You whisper to him and he starts running his hand through your hair again.

"Do whatever you need to do to help him. You helped me when you were with him." He says and you shoot up to a sitting position.
"Do you not remember what happened after I helped you?!" You look at him shouting and watch him think about it before his eyes widen and he shakes his head.
"Umm, yeah maybe don't help him that much!" He says and you laugh at him.