Chicago Love ✔️

Chapter 29: Morning After

Hailey walks out of the bathroom, putting her hair up in a ponytail as she walks into the kitchen. She couldn't help but stop for a moment, and look at the attire she was wearing. 

She had to admit - she would have never pictured herself wearing anything motorsports related. She did not ever see herself becoming interested in a crazy profession like this, remembering how ridiculous she thought it was to begin with. 

That all changed with a trip to the race track for the first time, experiencing the smells and excitement that just took over every inch of you. Then there was the sweet man she laid her eyes on, remembering how cute he was the first time they saw each other at 34 Raceway. That seemed so far away, especially with what took place in the hours after that meeting. 

Seeing him that night at Molly's, the conversation that followed, and the instant chemistry between them was the final nail in the coffin. She should have seen it from the beginning and knew what would happen. 

She was now Alex Bowman's girlfriend, and found herself wearing an official t-shirt, picked out from his closet, to go with her blue jeans. Combined with the purple sweater she had for later if necessary, she was certainly fitting right in now. 

"I see you're stealing my clothes already," he comments as he comes up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist to hold her against him as he places his head on her shoulder. 

"I got to admit - you have a better range of style than I expected," she replies, before looking over at him and offering a kiss on his lips. "I figured I might as well dress the part. Got to support my man, right? I hope you don't mind..." It seemed with every sentence that slipped from her mouth, the smile on his face grew.

"Wearing my clothes, supporting your man - it's perfect. You are always welcome to anything in the closet that you wish. As long as I get to keep you close to me..." She knew she shouldn't be thinking this, but taking a sweater or two back to Chicago would not be a bad idea. Maybe it help cure the feelings of when they were apart in missing the closeness she was experiencing right now wrapped up in his arms,

"I don't see that changing anytime soon, Alex." She then takes a deep breath as she imagined the faces that she would see at the 21st if she walked in wearing one of his sweaters. What would Kim and Adam think of that? It would certainly amp up the conversations they were having, and their thoughts as to what was going on. "There's only one thing I ask for right now. Can we keep it on the down-low that I accepted your offer? I don't really want to face the music of all that right yet. We already hear enough comments from Kyle, and this will probably just add to the fire. Kim and Adam are already driving me crazy about the time I am spending with you, and this will just add to their suspicions, questions and ponderings of the future." 

"They'll begin to wonder when you are going to leave the 21st to come with me all the time...." Hailey nods her head, slowly, letting out a sigh. That was the only thing that almost made her say no to Alex's offer. That was the one thing that made her want to break off the direct commitment. She couldn't do a long distance relationship again. There were still scars from the last time. But she also knew Alex couldn't drop everything to come live with her in Chicago. If this grew more, and became what she wanted it to be, it only left her with one decision to make. How could she leave her life behind there? "Just like we've talked about, we don't need to worry about that right now. Let's just enjoy the time we have together. Let's enjoy the time when we get to be together, and take full advantage. The rest will fall into place, as it has been. I have no problem balancing your work schedule and my work schedule. We'll find weekends to get together during my season, and I guess I'll be making the off-season trip to Chicago rather than Colorado." 

"I would make sure to make the trip worthwhile. I'd show you all the sights and things that I love about the city, and I bet you'd fall in love with my team a little bit more. Though I will warn you - just like I have to deal with Kyle's constant bothering, you may have to deal with Adam. He's like the big brother protector mode over me." Alex chuckles a bit with a nod, not surprised by that in having heard from his past conversations with Jay in how close the unit was. He knew that was basically her family. How do you leave that behind? 

"I think I can handle him. I can probably charm him the same way that I charmed you - or wait, maybe not. That may be not be a good idea. But I'd find a way to win him over." He then leans in, brushing his lips lightly across hers. "I'd do anything to ensure we have a future together. I'd do anything for you, Hailey."

"I love you so much...." She then brings her lips against his once again, as they begin to back up down the hallway back towards the bedsroom. "We can get breakfast on the way to the driver's meeting, right?" 

"You'll never see me complaining about dessert before breakfast..." He then lies back on the bed, pulling her down on top of him. "It's too bad that I have to take this off of you as you look damn good in it. You actually make the shirt look way hotter than I do. I should've given it to you sooner."