Like A Wave // Chase Elliott

Chapter Seven || Your Love Is Like A Wave

Your love is like a wave

The morning light broke through the curtains, shining directly on Chase's naked body. I was spoiled waking up to this view for the past few days. The sheets were low on his body but there was no mistaking the black and blue mark that was starting to form on his chest.

I reached out to trace it lightly not wanting to wake Chase up. He hummed, shifting a little but not waking up just yet.

I had to hold back my tears last night when he was getting examined. He took off his firesuit and pulled up his shirt to show the doctor the red outline of his seat belts. I was thankful for the security measures inside of the car to keep these drivers safe, but I hate how Chase even has these marks to begin with.

"It's nothing, Ivy," Chase captured my hand that was on his chest and interlocked our fingers.

"It's not, nothing, Chase, you could have been really hurt."

"But I wasn't." I pulled away from him, not liking his answer and got out of bed. I pulled on his t-shirt and went to the window and pushed back the curtains to look out at the ocean.

"This isn't about the accident, is it?" I heard Chase get out of bed and padded his way towards me.

"You make it sound like it's no big deal."

"It's not."

"Chase," I sighed, turning towards him, "it is."

"Ivy, I can't let it be. If I do, then there's no way I can climb back into the car. Accidents happen, but my love for the sport is more than getting caught up in someone else's mistake. You know I'm okay, Ivy, these bruises will be gone by the time I race next weekend."

"I know," I sighed.

"Then tell me what's really wrong?"

Tears filled my eyes as I looked back out at the crashing waves. "I don't want this perfect week to end."

"Who says it has to?" I looked over to where Chase was standing, his eyes crystal clear like he could see the future and I couldn't.

"You make it sound so easy." I laughed dryly, wiping away my tears and looked back out the window.

I closed my eyes, allowing the sound of the waves to calm me down when Chase grabbed my hand and led me to the bed. He sat on the edge and had me climb to his lap. I was secretly thankful we were both clothed because sex was the last thing on my mind in this moment.

"Ivy," Chase reached up, wiping away my tears that just won't stop falling. "You're like a wave, crashing into my life so unexpectedly. I was so unprepared for how much you've knocked me off my feet, but yet, I'm sitting here wanting us to work. I need us to work. I don't know the logistics of it, but I want you in my life, Ivy. I want to be able to wake up in the middle of the night and reach for you. I want to be able to stand by your side before a race, holding your hand as my pride and joy. I also want to see you succeed in your field, to see you reach your goals and dreams. I want to be your aspiration, your joy, your love... Ivy Lynn, I want to fall in love with you, that is, if you'll catch me?"

I shook my head in awe as more tears streamed down my face.

"I didn't think you would feel the same," I confessed, "I wasn't sure if you truly meant you want us to work beyond today. I don't know how we're going to do this, Chase, but I want to. I want all of what you just said and so much more. I want to be there at the races, even if it gives me crazy anxiety, but I'm there because I love you. It's so crazy, isn't it? Falling in love with someone you've only known for a week, but I feel that way for you. It's so deep in my soul and I don't want to say goodbye, not yet. I don't want to get on that plane this afternoon not knowing when I'll see you again. I'm scared all this will be is a whirlwind romance."

"It won't be, Ivy, I promise you, this is real." Chase took my hand in his and placed it on his heart.

"Feel how fast my heart is beating?" I nodded my head yes, "that's what it does at the thought of losing you and see how it's starting to slow down?" I waited a breath and sure enough the tempo was slowing, "that's because I'm thinking of a future with you, Ivy. You give me a peace no one has ever given to me before and I don't want to lose that. I don't want to lose you."