50 Shades of Pain ✅

Chapter 51: Late Shop Nights

"Are you sure you're okay by yourself?" Jake questions as he looks over at his boss, only to earn a nod in response.

"I am just going to finish up two or three things and then head out," Alex answers, not bothering to take his eyes off the rear suspension that sat on the bench he stood at. "I'm a big boy, Jake. You don't need to worry about me." 

"Are you sure about that?" Alex takes a deep breath, knowing where the question was coming from as Jake was one of those aware of the notes. It wasn't just Jake that was aware anymore. Chase and Ryan knew. CJ and Daryn knew. Kyle, Brad and Kasey knew. Why did it seem everybody was aware? 

"I'm fine, Jake. Go home and take care of yourself. You deserve it considering the week you've had." Jake knew Alex was right on that, still feeling the affects of his barrel roll on Wednesday night. However, he wasn't ready to dwell on it - considering he got the win just one night later. 

"Alright, fine. Text me if you need anything though...." 

Give it five minutes later and you could have dropped the smallest thing onto the shop floor and it would've echoed throughout the building. Pure silence fell over the area as Alex's pure concentration was on the parts before his eyes. There was no music or voices to be heard. Even Finn had laid down ready for a sleep after driving the guys crazy earlier in the day. 

It was why when he heard the dog bark about 10 minutes later, he almost jumped out of his skin. He immediately turned in the direction he had seen Finn last, seeing his head raised off the ground with ears in the air.

"What are you spooked about?" He questions as he slowly sets the spring down on the counter. He then makes his way back slowly, glancing in the same direction that aligned with where Finn was looking. "Dude, you know how to scare a guy shitless. You're lucky I didn't shit my pants. There's nothing there." 

Alex couldn't help but feel a bucket of nerves as a ball formed in his throat, as he began to wonder if perhaps being at the shop by himself was really a good idea right now. He had been there before by himself. He had found it to be his escape from everything when necessary. Why was he worrying about things tonight?

He shrugs it off, thinking maybe a small animal ran by the window to catch Finn's attention, before retreating back to what he was working on. His fingers were now working a little faster, though, as he couldn't help but feel it'd probably be best to get out of there sooner than later.

A minutes goes by, followed by another loud bark coming from behind him, causing him to drop the part back on the bench. He takes a series of deep breathes, trying to erase every thought that entered his mind. However, each deep breath was met by reseeing the notes, the text messages, and he couldn't help but wonder.

What if Finn was seeing something else outside?

"Something got you frazzled?" He hears a male voice, calming every bit of his nerves immediately as he watches Finn stand up and run over to the source, offering a series of kisses. "Easy buddy...."

"What are you doing here?" Alex questions, even though glad to see it was Chase and not someone else. Perhaps until he heard of her arrest and the end of the harassing, it may be a good idea to not spend these late nights here by himself.

"I was beginning to worry about you. I thought you would've gotten back to the house already. So I told Ryan that I was coming to check on you." Chase walks up behind Alex, placing both arms around his waist as he leans his head on Alex's shoulder. It was the common pose for when he snuck into the shop. "Besides, feeling you against me is better than any movie he could find for us to watch together." 

"You should've warned me you were coming. You should've texted me or something. If I hadn't recognized your voice, I would've literally thrown this wrench across the room at you. A little warning would be nice next time." Alex then closes his eyes, taking a deep breath, realizing just how that came across in that instant. It was obvious to Chase what he was feeling, too, given the rubs across the shoulders that began partway through his spiel.

"I'm sorry I scared you, okay? I didn't mean to do that." Chase continues rubbing Alex's shoulders, placing his lips on his cheek to give him a light kiss. "I thought you would be glad to see me. I thought it'd be a good surprise. I should've thought about everything going on, though." 

"I almost told Jake to not leave because I didn't want to be alone. I almost told him to not leave because I was worried about something happening. I was worried that she'd show up." Alex slams his fist on the bench, hating just how much everything from the past month had been eating at him. Why was he letting it get under his skin so badly? 

"I get it. I honestly get it." Alex turns around so he's facing Chase, looking into his brown eyes, searching for any bit of answers that would offer comfort to his feelings.

"You do?" Chase slowly nods his head yes in return, as a simple flashback to what happened brought back all the reasons to worry. "This place has always been my escape to come and get away from everything. I'd come here and get lost working on the midgets, or the sprint car and it'd ease everything away. But yet here by myself, I can't help but think about her text messages. What if?" 

"Nothing is going to happen, okay? She's not going to hurt you. She's not going to get away with anything. I am damn well going to make sure that doesn't happen, okay?" Chase then leans in, placing a kiss on Alex's lips as he re-wraps his arms around him once again. "I love you, Alex. You're safe with me."