Crashing Into You ✅

Chapter 20: His Return

Alex takes a deep breath as he goes to get out of the stock car, stopping as he sits on the door. He lays his head on the roof for a moment, allowing his body to relax and catch up with his movements.

He had done it. He had officially made his return back behind the wheel of the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet. He was back where he belonged. He had also completed the first goal on the board - completing all 400 laps of the 600-mile event.

Throughout the race, he hadn't felt anything different with his back - no pain, no discomfort. Perhaps that was the adrenaline and focus taking over as he wanted to complete the task at hand to the best of his ability. 

However, now as he moved to get out of the car, he couldn't help but feel the achiness he had felt in the weeks, craving to stop every single movement he was making. Another deep breath, and he knew he wasn't going to be moving much tomorrow with the stiffness already beginning to settle in.

"Better get out before I can't," he tells himself before swinging his left leg out, followed his right leg out as he now stands beside the car. He leans back on it a bit, focusing on those deep breathes, hoping to chase away the pain and stiffness until he reached home later on that night. This was everything they had warned him about, and he could see why now.

He could see the group of reporters standing around, obviously each of them wanting to ask the same question as the one beside them. He didn't need to be a accredited journalist to know how to do their job tonight. How did the race go? How are you feeling? Is there any pain? Was there any concerns throughout the event? Do you feel you are ready for the rest of the season ahead? 

Knowing the quicker he got it done with the better, he accepts the bottle of water from his PR rep with a nod, before taking a couple of sips. He just had to walk over, say enough quotes to make them all happy so they had something to publish and then he could walk away. It was simple. He normally didn't mind talking with some of them, but it felt like the biggest chore right now in how he was feeling.

A deep breath, urging himself to ignore everything he was beginning to feel, he makes his way over to where they stood. He begins with the female from NASCAR.com in knowing they wanted the exclusive, pleased some of her questions hadn't just focused on how he was feeling but the actual race itself. He then joins the rest of the reporters, answering a series of questions as he had expected to be asked. 

Surprisingly, it was done quicker than he imagined, he was allowed to leave per his PR rep, which he did not ignore that chance. He then began the long walk through the garage area to the trailer, wishing it would've been a lot closer than it seemed right now. Why hadn't he accepted a golf cart ride from someone?

"Need a lift?" He hears, catching him totally off-guard as he glances to the golf cart rolling up on his left. He smiles at the driver, actually surprised to see him there right now, though knowing he was not about to pass up the offer no matter what. It was like this man could read his thoughts.

"Thank you," Alex replies as he sits down in the front seat slowly beside Kyle, before they head off into the garage area together. Alex couldn't help but let out a sigh as he relaxed back, the pain creeping in that much more than earlier. "I thought you would've gone home. It sucks the night that you had. It shocked me when Kevin (Hamlin) said you got loose on your own. That never happens." 

"With the way the car was handling tonight, I am surprised it didn't happen sooner...." Alex couldn't help but look over a bit surprised, knowing a handling condition that terrible rarely happened for Kyle. Was there something in the water tonight? After all, he hadn't been able to find the right liking for the Ally Chevrolet all night long. "We had the hood up twice trying to make adjustments. I'm pretty sure Cliff (Daniels) threw everything but the kitchen sink at it. Maybe he should have. As far as not going home, I wasn't about to do that. I knew I had to take care of you." The pair then stop in front of the Ally hauler, eyes locking on each other. "Like I said to you at the appointment, I'll always be here for you - and I knew you'd need a friend tonight. You are probably really sore right now." 

Kyle then gets out of his seat, walking over to Alex's side, offering a hand as he watches his teammate slowly stand up, confirming every one of his thoughts. He already had a plan in his mind for that night. Change, go home, warm hot bath, massage, and a relaxing sleep. He was glad that Kaitlyn was understanding of him wanting to spend time taking care of his best friend for the night rather than coming home.

"Lets get you home and comfortable," Kyle says as they head towards the Ally trailer, where Kyle knew Alex had a change of clothes in there, something more comfortable than his sweaty suit right now. He didn't care if any of team members were lingering around and saw them together - it was just a friend helping a friend. That's all this was right now......right?

"You don't have to do this," Alex replies as he heads up inside after opening the side door, a small grunt escaping as he makes his way up the steps to the lounge. "I'll be okay, Kyle. You don't have to worry about me." 

"No matter how many times you say that, I am not going home. I care about you, Alex. I want to make sure you are okay. So let's just suck it up and accept it." He then shuts the door behind them, heading for the closet to find the change of clothes he hoped were in there.