Chicago Love ✔️

Chapter 8: Morning Coffee

After the bit of confusion that filled the air in the morning, the pair ultimately fell into a bit of a routine - which was very odd for them both.

Hailey encouraged Alex to grab a quick shower, knowing he had not after his long day of racing the day before and still smelt of the sweat from the work he had put in. Perhaps that was one of the scented reasons of attraction. She then followed with a shower of her own, wanting to put the best appearance forward in knowing it'd already be torture at work going in hungover and reliving the case of the day before.

Alex was happy to smell coffee upon exiting the shower, knowing that was probably his only way of surviving the early alarm that had awoken him from his slumber. How did she get up this early every single day so easily? It'd take him more than one coffee should he ever fall into his routine.

Hailey could not help but chuckle as she came into the kitchen, seeing him holding the cup close to his nose and taking the aura while sipping it. She had poured herself a cup of her own, followed by getting them both a quick breakfast together with a muffin and banana each. She was so used to stopping at the bakery on the way into work, knowing she never had enough time to get something together with the early mornings. However, she didn't want to be rude to her guest that was still at her place.

"I hope it's okay," she comments as she eats her snack while leaning by the counter. "I'm just not usually a breakfast person. It's usually get ready to go, grab something quick, get something on the way into work and get to work. I'm always super busy with work and stuff so I never have time at home." Alex nods his head, understanding. He could understand the busy lifestyle, as it never seemed he had a dull moment to himself. He knew once he flew back to Charlotte today, it was be dive into his usual workout to ensure he was fit for the next weekend ahead. Then usually what followed would be team meetings, sponsor obligations and media appearances.

"It's fine," he replies with a smile on his face as he looks into those blue eyes of her. Why did they sparkle so well? "I appreciate it, so thank you." He then takes a deep breath, almost not wanting to say the next set of words that were about to slip from his mouth. "I actually appreciate the whole night, by the way. It was a great way to forget and distract me from what happened yesterday. So thank you very much for the company, conversation, and I guess what happened later on." 

"I can't complain either as it was exactly what I needed after everything I went through this past week. I needed just one night to totally forget about it all, and you gave me that. I appreciate it. It was nice to be close and spend time with someone. I've been missing that..." She then lets out a sigh as she glances down, thinking over the past month or so since her and Jay had officially split, with the divorce papers being signed the official final nail in the coffin.

"I am going to guess it's been harder on you than you've probably let on..." She slowly nods her head, as she looks over at where he stood at the other end of the counter. Why was he so easy on the eyes?

"I still want to work with Jay, care about Jay, and want to be friends with him because we have that type of relationship together. But I can't help but admit that it stings to not have the extra comfort with him, or admit that it stings when he leans over to kiss her lips in front of me." Alex nods his head, totally understanding where Hailey was coming from. It was why some of those dirt races were harder to go in the couple weeks following his break-up with Casey. "It's why I've been probably diving more into work than I should, and not wanting to give my chance a moment to think about anything else. So it was nice for one night to not think about it at all, and share conversation with someone. So thank you, Alex. I can officially tell you once again that there were no regrets." 

"I can officially tell you that the feeling is mutual..." It felt weird for Alex to say that out loud as he never one to simply hook up with someone so easily and quickly as he had with Hailey the night before. However, he couldn't but feel drawn to her. "Hopefully we can see each other again." 

"I would like that actually. I know you're busy traveling and racing, but maybe you can make the trip to Chicago again and I can show you a reason to actually like the city for a change. Or perhaps I could get away from work for a change, like Hank and Kim have both suggested, and check out a race. Clearly my first trip to an event did not go as planned..." Alex chuckles, knowing the night at 34 Raceway for his birthday was certainly going to be a memory of a night gone wrong for a long time. It was not the way he had envisioned it going certainly when he invited his friends to watch him race. "Hopefully you can put on a good performance this time for me." 

"We'll just say that Will and Jay were the pair that brought the bad luck, and I'll give you something to impress you..." She couldn't help but look back with a bit of surprise in the comment that he had made, however it also brought a smirk to her face. She would be fine with that, in hoping that it led to another fun night together.