𝕃𝕠𝕧𝕖 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕃𝕖𝕗𝕥 𝕋𝕦𝕣𝕟𝕤

Five

As the night settled over the Daytona International Speedway, the atmosphere in the paddock crackled with anticipation. It was the night of the duel races, and the tension was palpable as teams made their final preparations before the main event. Amidst the hustle and bustle, Bailey found herself on edge, her mind swirling with thoughts of the impending races and the unresolved tension between her and Chase.

Just as she was about to slip away into the shadows, a firm hand closed around her arm, halting her in her tracks. Startled, Bailey turned to find Chase standing beside her, his expression serious and determined.

"Bailey, we need to talk," Chase began, his voice low and urgent.

Bailey's heart skipped a beat at the intensity in Chase's gaze, her pulse quickening with a mixture of anxiety and apprehension. She knew this conversation was long overdue, but the thought of confronting her feelings head-on sent a wave of panic coursing through her veins.

"Chase, now's really not the time," Bailey replied, her voice strained as she attempted to sidestep the impending conversation.

Chase's brow furrowed in frustration, his grip on her arm tightening slightly. "Bailey, we can't keep avoiding this. Every interaction we've had lately has been awkward and tense, and I can't shake the feeling that you're avoiding me for some reason," he pressed, his tone pleading.

Bailey's heart hammered in her chest as she struggled to find the right words to deflect Chase's probing questions. "Chase, everything's fine, really," she insisted, forcing a smile as she attempted to change the subject. "Let's focus on the races tonight, okay?"

But Chase wasn't so easily deterred, his determination to address the underlying tension between them unwavering. "Bailey, please," he implored, his voice softening as he searched her eyes for answers. "I just want to understand what's going on. If I've done something to upset you, I want to make it right."

Bailey's resolve wavered at the sincerity in Chase's voice, her defenses crumbling under the weight of his earnest plea. But the thought of confronting her feelings head-on was too overwhelming, and she found herself retreating into familiar patterns of avoidance.

"Chase, really, there's nothing to talk about," Bailey insisted, her voice tinged with desperation as she attempted to maintain the façade of normalcy. "Let's just enjoy the races tonight, okay? We can talk about this later."

With a heavy sigh, Chase reluctantly relented, his shoulders slumping with defeat as he realized that Bailey wasn't ready to confront her feelings just yet. "Okay, Bailey," he replied, his tone resigned. "But please, let me know if you ever want to talk. I'm here for you, no matter what."

As they parted ways, Bailey couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt at the pain she saw in Chase's eyes. But for now, she pushed aside her feelings, burying them deep within her heart as she focused on the races ahead. Though the tension between them remained unresolved, Bailey couldn't shake the feeling that, sooner or later, she would have to confront the truth of her feelings for Chase. But for tonight, she pushed those thoughts aside, determined to enjoy the thrill of the duel races and the excitement of the track.

~~~

In the quiet confines of Bailey's hotel room, the soft glow of lamplight cast a warm ambiance as Bailey and Avery sat across from each other, their conversation veering into uncharted territory.

Avery fixed Bailey with an earnest gaze, her expression determined as she broached the topic that had been weighing heavily on her mind. "Bailey, I think it's time you told Chase how you feel," she began, her voice gentle but firm.

Bailey's eyes widened in surprise at Avery's bold assertion, her heart rate quickening at the thought of confronting her feelings head-on. "Avery, you know I can't do that," she replied, her tone tinged with apprehension.