Second Chances // Chase Elliott

enough

nineteen

CHASE ELLIOTT

I walked back into the motorhome after my appearances and drivers' meeting and was greeted again by silence; a silence that has become all too familiar these last two weeks. I sat my phone down on the table and walked back to my bedroom to change into my firesuit before going back into the kitchen to fix myself a turkey sandwich.

A sandwich that could never compare to Caroline's.

Nothing, and no one, could ever compare to her.

I sat down at the table with my sandwich in front of me and just stared at it for what felt like hours. Two weeks ago, I was the happiest that I've been in a really long time and, in a matter of minutes, it all came crashing down. I want to explain everything to her; the picture, my ex, my past, everything but I'm not even sure she wants anything to do with me anymore.

A knock at the door shook me out of my thoughts.

"It's open!" I yelled out. The door swung open to reveal Ryan dressed in his Menards firesuit.

"Hey, I just wanted to check in on you before the race," he said walking over to the table. "Looks like I came at the right time."

"Go ahead and make yourself a sandwich if you'd like."

"Don't mind if I do."

"I figured you'd be with Gianna right now." I said, trying to distract myself.

"Nah, she went out with Emma, Erin, and Louie this morning."

"Ah."

Ryan made his sandwich and then sat across from me at the table. We sat in silence for a while, both eating our small lunch, before Ryan broke the silence.

"You coming back to Charlotte with me after the race?"

"I think I'm gonna go back home tonight."

"Are you sure? You know I don't mind having you in Charlotte with me."

"I know and I appreciate you letting me stay at your place these last two weeks but it's time I go home. It's been two weeks. I just need to face the facts and have some time to myself to figure everything out."

I've been staying in Charlotte with Ryan the last two weeks because it's too much for me to go back home right now. Everything and everywhere in our little corner of the world reminds me of her.

"So I take it you still haven't heard from her?" Ryan asked hesitantly.

"No," I shook my head. "I've been trying to call her but it just goes straight to voicemail. I'm just gonna give her space. I'll see her at Haley and Jackson's wedding so I'm planning on talking to her then, or at least hoping to."

"She'll come around. I've seen the way you two are together and there's nothing that could keep y'all apart. You're made for each other."

When Ryan and I had finished up our lunch, he left to go back to his motorhome to meet up with Gianna. Shortly after he left, Mom and Dad came to my place before we walked over to the grid. Mom and Dad never mentioned Caroline, probably knowing that I would fall apart at the mention of her name. It did no good though because everyone was asking where she was. Caroline's become a favorite among our little NASCAR community.

Pre-race ceremonies went by in a flash. It feels so strange, and out of place, to not have Caroline here with me. It's funny; she's always the one who's nervous before a race but she always calms me, if that makes any sense. She's my rock and my reason behind everything that I do.

Before I could stop myself, Morgan handed me my phone and I dialed Caroline's number. I know that I need to give her her space but I couldn't get in that car, risking my life, and not telling her exactly how I'm feeling.

"I know this is about the hundredth voicemail I've left you in the last two weeks but I'm getting ready to get in the car and just wanted to say that I miss you. I feel like a piece of me is missing without you. Please call me back soon so we can talk everything out. I miss you C."

When I had given Morgan my phone back, Dad wished me luck and went up to the pit box. Mom stayed behind and took my hands in hers.

"If there's just one piece of advice I can give you, it's this - when there's something you really want, fight for it, and don't give up no matter how hopeless it seems. And when you've lost hope, ask yourself if ten years from now, you're gonna wish you gave it just one more shot. Because the best things in life, they don't come free."

"Love you momma," I said, pulling her in for a hug.

"I love you too, son," Mom said as she kissed my cheek.

Mom went up to join Dad in the pit box as Alan came to help me get in the car. After about thirty minutes, the green flag was waving and the race was underway.

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I finished the race in tenth - the best finish I've had in two weeks. Once I got out of the car, I was rushed over to the media center to do some interviews and as soon as I had finished up there, I packed a bag of things and headed back to Georgia on a plane with Mom and Dad.

When I got back to my house, I was greeted, once again, by silence; well, silence and a bunch of mail. I grabbed a beer out of the fridge and took the pile of mail over to the couch with me to sort through it all. Most of it was bills and ads, nothing too fancy. I finished looking at the last piece of mail when a small package caught my eye. I was confused when I saw the return address but once I opened it up, I knew exactly what it was.

I took the small suede box out of the wrapping and opened it to see the necklace that I had bought for Caroline.

I sat there staring at the necklace for a long time; all of our memories came to mind the longer I looked at it.

Without a second thought, I sat the box down on the table beside me, grabbed my keys and went to my car. I turned the engine on and started driving with no destination in mind.

Twenty minutes later, I found myself inside Dahlonega's city limits at the cemetery, of all places. I don't really know why, or even how I'm here, but I needed someone to talk to who would understand Caroline and I guess my subconscious led me here.

When I parked the car, I got out and walked up to Spencer's gravesite and sat on the ground. I played with the grass for a little while, not really sure of what to say.

"I don't know what to do anymore Spencer."

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This chapter is awful and I'm so sorry that it's short but I wanted a filler in here before the next chapter to get Chase's perspective.

I'm hoping to have the next chapter up in a few days! Thanks for reading and for all your support, it means a lot!