Crashing Into You ✅

Chapter 11: Caring for Each Other

Kyle's POV

I couldn't help but stare into the blue eyes before mine, reading every bit of emotion that laid there laced on the surface. It was why instinct took over in causing me to reach for his hand, offer comfort, cure the cloud of worry that washed over him right now.

I get it. Sprint cars aren't for the faint of heart. They are some of the most dangerous racecars to step behind the wheel of. Alex learned that the unfortunate way with his injury. I could name others on the list that were dealing with injuries to their backs, ribs, and other body parts from incidents. I, on the other hand, got lucky in my flip to not have a single thing happen. 

But knowing he was just removed from his own incident, I could see why he would have the fear in the same thing happening once again. It was probably one of the driving factors behind him stating he would not be back behind the wheel of a sprint car this year, even if he chawlked the full reason up for the media to wanting to focus on his Cup Series career in having missed time last year. I get it, no one wants to show the fear they experience in those times.

"You should be home with Kaitlyn," he tells me, which he is probably right. I did stop by the house. I cuddled with her and talked with her for a good hour. I also spent a bit with Owen and Aubrey. Somehow they are still immune the dangers and what's possible as neither was frazzled by what happened. However, I couldn't get myself to stay home. I found myself driven to pack a bag and make the drive across the neighborhood to his house. 

"I wanted to come make sure you were okay," I reply, which was the driving factor as to why I was here. I couldn't help but worry about the pain he was enduring. I couldn't help but remind myself of what the week had been, the nights he had been awoken midsleep because of the pain. There was those couple times where the pain was so bad that the only cure was a back massage - which I had no issue in offering as anything to make him feel better was on the table. "I knew you were hurting and here by yourself." 

"You should be taking care of yourself." I shake my head no, seeing despite every attempt by him right now to mask the pain that it was still there. How was that even fair for him to be dealing it this badly?

"I am fine as I told you, Alex. You're the one that is suffering from a back pain. I can see you're sore right now. You are the one that needs someone here to take care of yo-"

"If I needed someone bad enough, I could have called CJ or Jake. I have a list of people that I could call if necessary as they have all offered. You, on the other hand, just flipped only a matter of hours ago. I can imagine as the adrenaline wears off, there will be bruises and pain. You need to take care of yourself, Kyle." He was probably right a little bit in those words - and perhaps the stiffness was starting to creep in already if I wanted to admit it. However, my mind didn't allow me to think about that, instead still focused on the eyes before mine.

"Just like I have told you since I walked through that door - I am fine, Alex. Do you think I would've ran the feature if that wasn't the case?" To tell you the truth, I may have. Let's face it, sometimes you don't realize with the adrenaline how much you are truly suffering. And I was fired up so between fixing the car and getting ready, perhaps I know the answer to my question.

"I would hope not because you need to take care of yourself. Are you sure you're okay?" I simply nod my head in response, as I feel his hands squeeze mine in return. I had totally forgotten that we were holding hands. I had totally forgotten that I had reached out to offer him comfort. I thought I had pulled away afterwards, but yet here we still sat together - and yet it felt great to be in this spot. His hold was wonderful against mine. "So there's no pain anywhere? You're not getting any bruises or anything? Your back is fine? No headache?" 

"Dr. Bowman, I can assure you that there is nothing, okay? Maybe a touch of stiffness, but nothing that compares to what you're dealing with. I am okay." He then reaches for the edge of my shirt, obviously still not trusting my confession as he lifts up the edge. They always say the first place you are going to feel it in a sprint car flip is the back, because of the seat being mounted so close to the frame and landing sending the force up your body. That's what injured Alex. Maybe he's having flashbacks to that as he gives me the once over.

"Make sure you take it easy tonight. You should get changed, have a nice hot shower to ease those muscles, and then relax on the couch. Make sure to take a couple Tylenol because whether you'll admit it or not, you will feel it in the morning. And please let me know if it does get worse." Those requests seemed simple enough as I just nod my head in response. 

"If it will make you feel better, I will follow that list of requests - as long as you allow me to give you a back massage when I get down my shower." I could see the pain on his face. It broke my heart in knowing just how much it was still bothering him. It broke my heart in knowing he had suffered through it alone by himself while I wasn't here. How was that fair? 

I then slowly release my grip on his hands, though the grip that he has on mine doesn't change. How was I supposed to go get a shower if we're stuck like this? Our eyes don't leave each others, either. Why could I see right through his soul right now? Why was I drawn closer to the man before me right now? 

Instead of allowing me to pull away as I should be for my shower, I am pulled closer to him. That's fine - he wants a hug. He wants the final drop of assurance I am okay. I am willing to do that - whatever comforts his fears and makes him feel better.

I then feel lips press against mine, lightly, a simple peck, before being pulled away very slightly. 

What just happened?