Chicago Love ✔️

Chapter 13: Distracted

It was another week at Hendrick Motorsports, and it came after yet another dismal weekend it seemed. This time, it was a 27th place finish at Darlington Raceway courtesy of a crash. It was not just any crash - but yet another that came with frustration. 

At least it was not Denny Hamlin this week, although that would've made Alex feel a bit better possibly. Instead, it was Daniel Suarez courtesy of a very dumb aggressive block that was totally unnecessary for that time in the race for that position. 

Can't teach stupid, right?

Thankfully, that was not the topic of conversation on Monday morning at Hendrick Motorsports. Instead, Kyle's victory and chances at a championship were the focus as he had successfully qualified for the Round of 12. William was also off to a good start, courtesy of fourth. The rest? Well, he and Chase failed at the core goal of a season so they were not the focus for the company's best benefit right now.

That was fine by Alex, though, as it allowed him to possibly not pay attention to every single thing in the meeting. Normally, he would be listening to everything said and even perhaps adding suggestions of his own based on the past couple of weeks and past years at these tracks. Though right now, he couldn't help but admit the text messages on his phone were a much pleasant distraction to be had. 

Some of them were simple conversation, each of them checking on one another. Others were comments of sympathy and comfort in what they were dealing with. Then perhaps a couple went deeper, which really showed the depth of a friendship they had. There were few people that could easily get Alex to talk about some of these feelings. Of course, some of the best messages after those were the little flirts they traded back and forth.

"Someone seemed distracted in that meeting," William comments once they were all free to leave with everything necessary discussed ahead of Kansas. The comment almost went over Alex's head as he continued to stare at his phone in his hands. "I thought you liked working with me. I thought you enjoyed our conversation. You barely said a word in there. I thought you'd be my biggest fan in trying to get me closer to the ultimate goal." 

"As I said to you and Kyle both last week, I wish you the best of luck and hope you can make it happen," Alex clues into the comments, letting the simple comment slip off the tongue without paying attention. The sooner he got to his office, he could complete the rest of the responsibilities for the day before being able to leave. It was almost tempting to just run off to Chicago that night.

"With how much you are staring at that phone of yours, I'm surprised you haven't invited her out to a race yet," Kyle teases as he walks by, earning a dirty look from Alex and a curious glance from William. This was certainly not the conversation Alex wanted to be having, knowing the possible teasing and conversation that could come in the weeks to follow. "You should invite her to join you this weekend at Kansas. Maybe she'll be your lucky charm that you need." 

"Is Alex texting a girl?" William questions with a child-like grin on his face, the exact reason why Alex wanted to smack Kyle right now for starting this conversation. Why couldn't his teammate keep his mouth shut? He knew he never should've said anything those weeks ago. "Do you know who? Do I know her?" 

"You don't know her and you don't need to know any details," Alex cuts him off immediately, while trying to insure there was a death hole right through Kyle for opening his big mouth. He knew William would not stop now until he learned her name, details, and saw a photo. It was the same way Alex had began teasing William when he got with Erin, completely shocked when those details had been revealed. He almost wanted to text Ryan for his instant reaction. "She's busy with work so she can't just drop everything and come see me like that. She's busy with case after case. They honestly don't seem to get a dull moment." 

"Case after case?" William thinks it over, as he debates the possibilities about this female that had entered his friend's life. What type of people worked cases? What if she was a specialist, or psychologist, or judge? "Oh my gosh. Are you dating one of Jay Halstead's friends?" 

"I literally want to know where you get your intuition from because nobody can keep a damn secret from you..." William could only smirk in response, just wondering about the possibilities of seeing Alex walking through the pits of the next race with a detective or police officer holding his hand. At least their sweetheart would always have protection. "It's one of the detectives that he works with, and yes, she was part of the case that I was involved in before. We're just friends, okay?" 

"We're just friends but yet you are trying desperate to not share a single detail, not give me any ammunition to talk about her, texting her constantly even through a very important work meeting, and oh yeah, have the biggest smirk on your face right now." Kyle couldn't help but laugh in seeing just how quickly William had spun the web he had wished to do himself that day on the fight home. "What's her name? What does she look like? Have you kissed her yet? Where did you meet? Why do you think she's amazing? Why won't you invite her to join you this weekend? There's no harm in simply asking. Even if someone is very busy, pretty sure they are entitled to a couple days off work. It'd only be a single day and she'd have you as company." 

"I don't think you are understanding how important and big this department is in Chicago. They are the top department and get all the worst and biggest cases to solv-"

"Even more the reason to ask her to join you this weekend. You need a reason to smile, Alex. Ask her to come this weekend so you can introduce her to Kyle and I." 

Alex lets out a sigh as he goes into his office, shutting the door behind him in not wanting to hear anymore comments for the time being. However, he couldn't deny that it would be great to see her again. It would be great to spend time with her face-to-face. She also worked really hard, and all work without play was never a good idea. Perhaps he was the break she needed.

Hey Hailey. I was wondering if you wanted to join me this weekend at Kansas Speedway.