never til now • alex bowman

chapter 2

"Why all of a sudden you want to start coming to my races again?" Denny asked his blonde sister while pouring some tea into two glasses.

"I forgot how fun and exciting these races are." She said, which wasn't too much of a lie but with the boy on her mind, it kind of was. She just could not get over Alex Bowman. Something about him just made sense.

"I'll see about adding you. It's still weird for you all of a sudden to have an interest in racing again." Denny said with a small laugh to his younger sister.

" You're the best big brother." She said with a cheesy smile making him roll his eyes playfully.

"Daddy, Molly spilled her drink!" Dennys oldest daughter, Taylor came running into the kitchen. The little girl turned to catch a glimpse of the girl sitting at the island, a smile so big growing on her face, "Aunt Mags!" She yelled running to her aunt.

"Hey TayTay!" Magnolia said scooping her niece up in a hug while Denny went to clean up the mess that his younger daughter, Molly, made in the living room.

"Are you coming to the race this weekend? Cause we are and I want Aunt Mags there!" Taylor said making Magnolia smile softly.

"Its Bristol I most definitely am!" She replied making Taylor yell in excitement. She ran into the room, leaving Magnolia alone in the Kitchen. She opened her phone and typed a certain name into the search bar of Instagram, his feed appearing on the screen. She scrolled down through his feed, looking at the pictures, smiling every time she saw his dogs. Just then like a miracle, his username appears on the top of the screen.

alex_bowman:
hoping you aren't standing me up for the dinner date.

She laughed and looked at the door frame to make sure her brother was not coming in and then looked back down at her phone, tapping the notifications.

magnoliahamlin
can't stand you up if I don't have a
time or place! (;

alex_bowman
too good.
today at 6 at Port City?

magnoliahamlin
It's a date.
Bring tissues for the stand up :)

She put her phone down and walked into the living room to find Denny, Taylor and Molly sitting on the couch watching a television show.

"Hey I'm going to head out. I just remembered I have dinner with a friend I need to get ready for." She said with a small smile to the girls.

"Alrighty. You you need us, you know where to find us. Say bye to your Aunt Mags." Denny said making the girls wave and shout a bye to his sister as she slipped out the door. It was only a short drive back to her apartment where she was greeted by her golden retriever, Dolly.

She spent the rest of the day planning and getting ready for the evening, listening to the sweet medleys of country music.

Once fitted and ready to go she stopped by her full body mirror to make sure her look goes together. She had on a red semi floral dress that was loose fitting and off the shoulder, her light blonde hair in curls, makeup done and a pair a small heels. She picked up her purse, phone and keys and headed out the door to her car.

Arriving at Port City, she walked in and greeted the hostess, told her the reservation name and she walked her back to where her jaw slightly dropped. Alex stood up with his big white smile, hair styled, a black button down and khakis with his vans. If he wasn't already attractive in his fire suit, it definitely got her attention now.

"Hello Miss. Hamlin I'm glad you can make it." He said reaching out for a hug that she gladly took the offer, breathing in his fresh cologne.

"Sorry I disappointed you and actually showed." Magnolia said with a smile making him chuckle as they took a seat. He too couldn't help but admire the blonde in front of him, how pretty she looked in an outfit not designed for the race track.

They got lost in conversation, letting the minutes and hours pass by. It was only interrupted by a ding from her phone, which was just a message from her brother of something funny he saw on TikTok and sent it to her.

"It's been really nice getting to know you Mags." Alex said as he walked her to her car.

"You too. You're just as goofy as you are on TV and on social media." She laughed making him shaking his head with a smile.

"See you this weekend in Atlanta?" Alex asked making her nod softly.

"I got my brother getting me VIPs and I'll be to as many as I can." Magnolia laughed.

"Actually, Mags, I want you to be my VIP for the weekend." Alex said sending cold chills down her spine.

"Awe, that's too kind. I'd love to." She said as she held her warm smile at him.

"Amazing. Tonight was fun. Talk to you later, and see you soon." With that she thought she was going in for a side hug, but Alex wrapped both arms around her and squeezed just enough pressure to make her feel his warmth, and actually a safe feeling.

"Thank you for tonight. Goodnight, Alex." She said with a smile as she pulled away, watching him turn and walk away. She got in her car and took a deep breath, looking at herself in the rear view mirror, "You're in deep with this one."

She got home awhile later, undressing and taking her make up on and crawled in bed, flipping on the television to one of her comfort shows. As she sank down in her bed, her mind wondered to Alex and their whole interaction tonight. She thought about how for the first time, she won't be a VIP for Denny Hamlin  and Joe Gibbs Racing, but for Alex Bowman and Hendrick Motorsports. Slowly she drifted off to sleep, a small smile resting on her lips.

I'm sorry, I promise I'll get into a rhythm with posting so it's not a surprise. I also have a writers block for NASCAR, you'd think because of the off season I would be able to write but man it's taking a toll. I promise I'll get my shit together 💜