Crashing Into You ✅

Chapter 16: Darlington

Alex's POV

Ross Chastain. That's all that needs to be said anymore. Just like the commentators said, you knew it was coming. Not because of it being the late stage of the event - but because of who was involved. This is typical Ross Chastain these days and it makes me sick to watch. That's now twice just in the weeks that I've been sitting on the couch. When is he going to get a good taste of his own medicine? 

Are you okay? That sucked. I feel for ya there.

Kyle had put together a great race, leading laps and proving the No. 5 team could get the job done. He's a master of the highline and he had it working today with speed to win. However, instead, he gets a wrecked car and 20th-place finish because of Ross Chastain, again. How was that fair?

I couldn't imagine having it happen to me once. I couldn't imagine the same guy doing it again just for kicks and giggles. It was why I sent the text message. I cared about my friend. I wanted to make sure he was okay.

Don't hang your head. You were fast all day. You and Cliff are going to get a win sooner than later. Just stick with it.

The additional words weren't needed, but I felt they were necessary in the situation. Every driver has a tendency to hang their head when things are not going well, and this was a good example of that. I've been in those shoes before. I know what it feels like. Kyle shouldn't be feeling it because of Ross, so I figured I'd try and make a difference.

Thanks man. It's just Ross being Ross and a total idiot. It's par for the course now.

Breathe a sigh of relief because at least he gets it. He understands that we have an idiot in the sandbox that doesn't know how to play nice with others. I mean, you don't win the races he has without talent so we both know that will happen once again. 

Hopefully karma bites him in the ass soon.

It's wishful thinking, right? It only seems fair that Ross gets a taste of his own medicine, whether from Kyle or someone else. You can't keep playing that game and not get your own dosage. Heck, it should be enough with the wrecked racecar he gave himself for that stupid move. But stupid does as stupid does so here we are.

Take care of yourself tonight. Relax and forget about it. Be glad you had a fast car. Be glad that you're fast and able to win races. Like I said, you'll get this turned around.

Okay, perhaps I should lock my phone away from myself. Perhaps I should not be allowed to send him anymore text messages. However, the fingers can't stop typing. I've been there. I know what it feels like - and it sucks majorly. I don't want to see him go through that. It's not fair for him to go through that. So here I am.

Is it wrong for him to do this? Should I just be quiet? I'm just being the caring friend right now. He told me he understood that we had a good friendship together. He told me he understood there were feelings there on both sides for each other. He told me he had some feelings for me that he couldn't describe. That means there's something here, and caring is part of that. So the text messages should be perfection.

Then again, we hadn't spent any time together since he stopped in the shop to check on me. That was the only time we had spent together since I had let my lips kiss his. What if I did make a mistake? What if he was avoiding me because of those feelings? What if he was avoiding me because he wanted no part due to Katelyn and the kids? What if he was avoiding me because he was still upset about the kiss? What if I had majorly fucked up that night?

Hope we can see each other soon. I miss hanging out with you. I miss the conversations together.

God damn it, why did I just send that? 

Sure, that's how I am feeling. Sure, it'd be nice to have him sitting across from me right now just like he was the first week after I injured my back. It'd be great to see him before me, let my eyes trace every single inch of his body. I am not about to lie about my feelings or intentions here. 

But damn it! That probably shouldn't be sent. He probably thinks I'm nuts or something with the continued messages. If he was staying away because he was afraid, congratulations Alex, you just sent him further away now. 

I miss spending time with you, too. I meant to come see you but I've just been busy with the schedule. I'll definitely try to make time for you this week. Hopefully you're back at the track with me soon.

Deep breathes, Alex, deep breathes. You got a reply. You got the same caring feelings expressed in return. You got the understanding that he wants to be there with you. You got the understanding there's still a big friendship there together. He misses you, too. There is hope after all. 

I hope so. I have an appointment this week. We'll see what the doctor says. Hopefully good news.

Forget Kyle. The appointment. That should be my focus right now. 

I felt better. I wasn't feeling as much pain as I was feeling a couple weeks ago. I was able to do light workout stuff without any strain being felt. That all had to be good news. I was going to walk through those doors, get the news I wanted, and be back to doing what I loved. That was how this was going to go.

That is why I should ignore the anxiousness I felt about it. That's why I should ignore the theories growing in my mind. That's why I should pretend to not be worried about the appointment, but just confident. 

Everything was going to be fine.....