They say some things happen for a reason, and that may be the case here.
What if Alex overheard Ryan and Isabelle for a reason at the diner? He had always wanted to be there for Chase, to have him as his closest friend and confident - possibly more...
Now I just needed to hope and pray that he didn't chop my head off and I didn't make things a whole total mess.
What if the discussion translated into nothing happening, and then this made a big mess? What if Chase already knew and they were a funky three-way now? What if..... I had so many worries, probably why I hadn't stepped foot in his house till now, and why I avoided any conversation except for competition meetings until today.
I just hoped the next words out of his mouth weren't the ending of our friendship, or even the beginning to the end. I couldn't lose him as a friend.
"I was so naive, Alex," he finally lets slip out in the quietest voice. Either he is assuming the worst, or the worst has already happened.
Part of me wished for the lather to confirm why I was here, not put all the pressure on my shoulders – but that'd be selfish, and wrong as you never wanted to see your friend in pain. Hence why I was just hoping it'd create a conversation, and no questions for them to face in the future with everything on the table – not mess things up, but doors of honesty open.
But I also know truthfully, the reason I had chosen to speak up were because suspicions were becoming more clear to reality.
"Do you want to know why, Alex?" He asks once again, and I knew I had to say something. However, how was I supposed to comfort him in seeing the pain and heartache and realizing what was happening? Sorry, I'm no therapist and we all know my history of relationships is sloppy – thanks to a twitter diss my way too from an ex topping the list. I didn't want Chase to be someone added to the list.
"Don't do this to yourself," I tell him, as I hated to see him riding the coat tails of everything on his shoulders. He didn't deserve to – it wasn't his fault regardless of anything. It was Ryan and Isabelle for breaking trust, and not fully bringing everybody in the circle. I wish Kyle would've beat him to win today. "Regardless of what has happened, don't do this to yourself. Is there something I don't know that has happened?"
"No-"
"Then stop right there. We don't know everything..." Why punish yourself if I was totally wrong in saying something? What if they talked and nothing happened? What if that's why there was maybe distance all the way around – okay, that's a lie as we know where Isabelle's car was that night.
Whoops, should I tell him that? probably not as he was already kicking himself in the ass enough. I didn't need to add to his pain.
"The first time Isabelle and Ryan met, they caught each other's attention," he reveals, to which didn't surprise me. Recall those original photos, and myself even thinking their relationship was real from day one given the looks traded. He wasn't telling me something new.
But if Ryan truly loved and trusted him, why was he allowing his heart to look elsewhere? That part pained me as someone as amazing as Chase deserved the person whom loved him to only love him, be focused on him alone.
"It's why I figured she was perfect to play the part when we discussed who – friendship, a little money for good measure," he continues, which fit the object of the contract. "I should've known..." Look what you've told, Alex! He's already assumed the absolute worst and nobody knows whether their lips have even touched. Leave it to me for something to backfire at my hands.
"Hey, you don't know for sure yet," I tell him, trying to instill that I was just offering what I heard, but not offering a definitive. What if the conversation just became nothing? What if the car at his house was just about appearance as they say? What if Ryan didn't join him in Colorado, but rather stayed home for some other reason other than to sleep with Isabelle? "I'd talk to Ryan and Isabelle first. I don't want any rash decisions."
"You told me they were talking of breaking the contract. Isabelle has been at Ryan's house multiple nights – I've heard her voice when I've called to talk to Ryan. They're also together tonight as I called to congratulate him. Do you know what this means?" I wonder if Chase decided to see me instead of celebrate with Ryan? If that's the case, I wonder how he feels about me – stop it, Alex!! You need to focus on the task at hand – telling the truth, without sinking a ship that still may be floating despite all the shots fired telling you otherwise.
"Ryan loves you, Chase. Talk to him, please...." Whether or not something happened, this was a conversation that needed to happen – so Chase got answers either way. My heart still debated for person gains and reasons as to what I wanted to see him receive in return, but that didn't matter. This was about Chase right now.
"Seriously, Alex? The only conversation is going to be hearing why and how he betrayed me! Damn it!" Oh lawdy, oh lawdy, what am I supposed to do now? I can't abort the mission, but I may have crossed the line big time. Maybe I should've went back to Ryan and Isabelle one more time before having this conversation and double checked things there. Besides, especially if nothing happened, this would've been better coming from Ryan than an outside source. I could only wonder what may have happened if a gossip journalist would've been in that Waffle House that night instead.
"Chase, I feel for you, I really do. I know what it feels like to my heart stomped on." Just ask my lovely latest ex-girlfriend, who did a good job of that in-person before spewing some comments about me on twitter for everyone to read. She was also just the icing on the cake in the line, too. "I know what you're feeling, but please talk to them. Maybe it didn't go down as you believe or it seems."
"But what if it's true?" I take a deep breath as I couldn't imagine seeing this Georgia peach have his whole life ripped out of him courtesy of that fact should he be correct. I couldn't imagine watching him cry, or hearing of heartbreak as honey, he should never experience that. Nobody should experience that.
"Then I feel for you. I hate to see it happening to you as I know the pain, and I hate seeing you go through it." I know it'd be crushing for him, but it'd just be that much for me because damn, I care about him more than I realize. Why hadn't I realized this sooner? "But I want you to know you are not alone, as I'm here if you need someone to talk to."
"Thank you, I appreciate it Alex. I'm glad you were honest with me."
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Ryan's POV
I couldn't believe the message I had just received – even surprise it'd been sent my way. However, while I was trying to celebrate a win, I couldn't even think to do so anymore. Why? For a simple reason.
What was Alex Bowman doing at Chase Elliott's house?
