never til now • alex bowman

chapter 3

"Sometimes I worry about y'all." Magnolia laughed with her brother as they entered pit road. He still is oblivious that Magnolia's pass is given by Alex and soon she will split off with him when he arrives. She was dressed a little fancier, with a purple jumpsuit that the sleeves were off the shoulder and ruffled, dress ankle heels, her long blonde hair down in waves.

Denny was off in his hauler by the time she reached it, looking down the line for the Ally hauler.

"Looking for someone?" Someone said behind her making her gasp and jump, turning around and looking up to meet the pretty blue eyes of Alex Bowman.

"You actually." She said confidently, giving him a hug.

"I've got a couple appearance and an interview, wanna tag along?" He asked making a toothless grin appear.

"Of course. Lemme tell Denny I'm leaving." She said, Alex nodding as she walked off. She found Denny up in the lounge talking to his crew chief and his car chief.

"I'm gunna go with a friend. I don't know when I'll be back." She said once Denny looked at her.

"Oh? Who's the friend?" Denny asked, raising his eyebrow.

"Bowman." Magnolia said, preparing herself for what could be a pep talk of a disappointment talk.

"Awe do you like him?" Denny asked in a mocking tone, making Magnolia roll her eye blue eyes quickly.

"We are friends. Which is what I have to make because I don't wanna hang around my brother all the time." Magnolia said making the three men chuckle. She turned around and walked out, finding Alex scrolling through his phone. Once he saw her, a smile pulled his lips.

"Ready?"

"As ever." Magnolia replied. They walked down through the hauler line up, watching everyone unload and get ready for the race. Magnolia took in the moment as she walked, taking in the white and purple outfit next to her that was for once, not her brother. He caught her starring and smiled, bumping into her playfully as they walked.

"Hey guys. This is Magnolia." Alex said and introduced her to all of his crew members that were around his hauler. Whenever another would walk up, he'd also introduce her as well. Soon, Alex's PR showed up and ushered him to leave for his appearances. Once able, they were on a golf cart to get to his appearances quicker. The first stop was the Chevy booth, where they sat in the back of a truck and talked about the races, Q&A with the fans and everything else.

While he was on each stage she couldn't help but admire Alex. His styled brown hair, sunglasses covering what she knew was his blue eyes, just enough scruff to line his face perfectly, the way his hands flipped as he talked, and a smile that showed his pretty white teeth. She couldn't help but sigh with a toothless grin. She knew she was falling for this guy, and something says he returns the feelings.

"Anything out here you wanna enjoy before going back into the pits?" Alex said making her jump slightly and give him a grin.

"Nah I can wait for the pits." She said hopping on the front seat of the golf cart to head back into the pits. Once back, her and Alex started down the way of the haulers, watching all the guys and girls cross their path getting ready to race. The two talked and laughed as they walked, stopping to talk to same crew members and then continuing to walk until they were met with the Ally hauler.

"I have to go change real quick, I'll be back." Alex said with a smile leaving Magnolia to stand at the center of attention.

"You're Magnolia?" One guy in an Ally firesuit that was crossed at his hips asked.

"I am. Nice to meet you." She said with a smile.

"Nice to finally meet Hamlin's sister and the girl Alex talks about. I'm Ryan, this is Jake and Ethan." The guy said pointing to the other two guys who waved. Her cheeks flushed red at the other label, making her smile softly and waving to the guys. Alex came back dressed in the white fire suit that fit him perfectly, and two water bottles. He handed one to her and she thanked him.

Once on the grid, Alex did an interview. This leaves Magnolia to take a picture of the Ally 48 car with the beautiful sky and stands behind it. 'Different scenery this weekend' she captions and puts on her Instagram story.

"Hey Mags let's get a picture." Alex said with a smile, making her tilt her head with a smile.

"Sure. Of course." She said and they lined up next to the car. She thought where she stood was close enough, but he caught her by surprise and snaked an arm around her waist and pulled her as close as he could to him. She grinned and placed her free hand on his chest and looked over to where Alex's PR held up his phone. Once a few pictures were taken, he let her go but not without an extra squeeze to make her chuckle. After pre race ceremonies, the guys started setting Alex up to get into the car.

"Good luck, Sugar. Stay safe." Magnolia said softly reaching to give Alex a good luck hug.

"Thanks, Spice." He said grasping her in the hug before walking over to put on his helmet. She went back to his pit stall to grab her ear plugs and climb up and sit behind Greg Ives, Alex's crew chief.

After the race, and the cars came back down pit road and it was safe for people to come out and get the cars, Magnolia climbed over pit wall and went straight for the 48 car. Alex had just climbed out and taken his helmet off, his hair now wild. After setting his helmet on the roof and running his hands through his hair, he turned to see the pretty blonde heading his way. All they wanted to be was within each others arms.

"I'm proud of you." Magnolia said looking up at Alex. He smiled down at her and chuckled, taking ahold of her hand playfully and walking with her to go get changed and for her to go back with Denny to go home.

Cars are back on track and race season is here!
Congrats to MTJ for that Clash win, but dang for a second I thought Alex was gunna get up there and get it!
Anyways, here's a chapter, gotta start getting back into writing this now that race weekends are back. Kinda love this little cutesy flirty friendship these two have ;)
💜💜