"Thank you for doing this once again," one of the workers at the shelter says as Alex sits on the ground, rubbing Jacklyn's head once again as she curled up against him.
"Are you kidding me?" He questions as he looks up at the girl, still surprised by the amount of times the phrase had been repeated to him since arriving there. Let's face it - even if he wasn't asked to do this, it'd probably be something that he'd be doing anyway. "I absolutely love spending time with these dogs and maybe I guess the cats, as well. It's an absolute blast. I'd do it every single weekend. Animals are better than people."
He then chuckles as Jacklyn lets out a little bark when he stops rubbing her, going back to running his hand across the head of the Golden Retriever. He had to admit he was growing close to her rather quicker than expected. But a deep breath told him he couldn't add another dog to the family. After all, the house was chaotic enough with Sturgis, Finn, and Roscoe.
Knowing he had a moment to himself, he takes his phone out of his pocket, glancing over the couple of text messages. He couldn't help but smirk as he read what both Ryan and Chase had to offer. He also couldn't help but lick his lips in seeing just how sexy Chase looked standing on pit road for Xfinity qualifying.
"Sharp in blue like a pair of suede shoes," he comments to himself, already imagining everything that would be possible once he got back to the track and got his hands on Chase that night. He couldn't wait for his Peach Protein shake. He couldn't wait to feel the toned arms wrapped around him. He couldn't wait to kiss his belly, knowing the hair resulted in a tickle at the same time. He couldn't wait to have every bit of his insides stretched.
He then opens the message from Blake Harris as they had been going over some ideas and notes ahead of tomorrow. They believed they were prepared and would be able to have a strong run to turn their recent luck around. Alex just hoped those predictions were right.
He then sees the number come up once again, surprised in himself that he hadn't blocked it yet. However, he knew why. The contact was welcome so everything could be passed along to the right people. How was she not found yet? How was still able to roam free? Where was she anyway?
He didn't want to read the message, didn't want to think about her. He didn't want his fun day with the dogs clouded by the panic she brought to him. The mere mention of her name and the pain experienced rang through his mind right away. It also brought worry in hoping he do not have to endure his own version of it. He didn't want to see her at any cost.
However, that didn't stop his finger from hitting the number, causing the message to come up on his screen.
Hope you're having fun with the dogs. You can bark while I enjoy your peach protein shake.
Alex starts taking a series of deep breathes, as he barely finds the ability to screenshot it, and forward it to the detective, as well as Ryan and Chase. He then sets the phone beside him, closing his eyes, seeing all of those previous messages surround every bit of his mind. Chase was by himself. What if she was there? What if everything happened all over again? Deep breathes, he's got to overthinking everything. There was nothing wrong. Everything was fine. She was just trying to scare him.
He feels Jacklyn sit up beside him, laying her head against his chest as he looks down at her. He takes another series of deep breathes, a slow smile creeping on his face.
"I'm okay," he assures her, before dropping a small kiss on her nose. "I'm okay. As long as Chase is okay, I'm okay..."
He finishes up the rest of the appearance accordingly, even having enjoyed his time with the kitty cats that he was forced to visit. He also couldn't help but chuckle in seeing one of the team members leaving with a new puppy of their own. It didn't fail - an animal always went home each year.
He makes his way into the motorcoach lot, slipping the door open as he walks inside. It was quiet. It was silent. That never happened in their lives. The same unease he felt earlier had returned.
"You're overthinking it," he tells himself as he takes another series of deep breathes. However, he couldn't help but feel a bit of panic in seeing the bedsroom door open at the back, but yet no one inside. Where was he?
He hears a noise behind him, immediately reaching for the kitchen counter as he grabs the knife that was left there from breakfast in the morning. He turns on his heels as the door opens, hearing the rustling of animals. He doesn't even get a chance to move before Finn, Roscoe and Sturgis all come running in together, followed by Chase and Ryan.
"Took the dogs for a walk - of course," he says quietly as he slowly lowers the knife back on the counter, the series of deep breathes returning once again. He keeps following the process, hoping it wasn't noticeable by the pair. However, feeling those tender strong arms wrap around his body, he knew that wasn't the case.
"Relax Alex," Chase says quietly, followed by a kiss on the cheek to add a layer of comfort. He would do anything to erase the thoughts that were flooding through that mind. "I'm okay. You don't have anything to worry about."
"Chase is right," Ryan adds as he takes each of the leach's off the patient animals. "She can't even get into the track property. Security would stop her and get her thrown in jail where she belongs."
"You don't have anything to worry about, okay? She's just trying to scare you. I'm okay..."
ČTEŠ
50 Shades of Pain ✅
DobrodružnéIt was a journey. There were broken hearts. They were shattered glasses. There were physical bruises, followed by bruised egos along the way. However, for every moment they got to spend together, it was worth it now - as the love was beyond anything...
