Alex's POV
Tuesday, April 27 – Charlotte, North Carolina
"I never realized how nice and clean this truck was," I hear and freeze immediately.
I could tell that voice no matter where I was, and hearing him admiring my favorite vehicle out of the garage just made my heart flutter.
I had just gotten done some stuff with Ally – usual media filming that came with the job. They wanted to feature the truck, to which I easily obliged because anytime I can have it out is fine by me. Though finished, having ran inside to grab a drink and return back outside, I never expected for him to be here.
"I could give you the full exclusive tour if you'd like, perhaps even a little ride," I offer, locking my eyes on him.
I wanted to take in every bit of his appearance. I wanted to read every bit of him that I could, see every feeling and emotion possible. How was he truly feeling beneath the exterior that he seemed to show everyone? Did Ryan speak to him as he should have?
"Would you go so far to let me drive it?" He questions, to which I had to chuckle back in response. Nobody else had ever driven my truck – no matter how well I knew them. That was foreign territory.
"How about we table the idea for now?" I suggest, totally not wanting to blow him off. I wanted him to open up to me, and worried dropping the wrong idea or hint would do just that. "I wasn't expecting to see you toda-"
"Is it a bad time?" There was never a bad time for me to lay my eyes on him.
"No, not all. Actually, I just finished everything Ally wanted me to do. I could go grab you a drink if you wan-"
"Alex, I stopped by for a reason." I freeze, hearing the shift in emotions already. It wasn't the fun, friendly banter that we shared about the truck in the air anymore. Instead, it was like drop down a whole level to a density I didn't think possible – you can feel the heaviness in the air from the emotions. "I wanted to say thank you. Probably through the past couple of months – actually, I know through the past couple of months, I wouldn't had been able to handle everything and get through this."
"That's what friends are for," which is why I told him the truth in the first place. Anything that happens beyond that is extra and obviously now fully on the table.
"I know, but what you've done actually means more than just that. Some friends would be afraid to tell me, but you did anyway. Some friends would be afraid of the backlash, but you did it anywhere. You also did it even if there was a chance I may have lashed out at you if Ryan accused you of lying. That's why it means so much." I never thought of those things – except the factor of trust and honesty.
"There's something that you said – treat people the way you want to be treated. That's why I told you because I would want someone to do the same thing in return," is the only thing I could offer in return.
"I appreciate it, and the thank you goes beyond that. I don't think there's many people – actually, there's very few people who could be there like you were. The patience in the months that went by, checking in on me constantly, balancing the emotions, standing by my side when it seemed completely obvious. I could go on and on with this apology, but one thing is for sure – you mean a lot to me." My heart skipped a beat in hearing those words, never expecting I'd hear it so clearly – without another motive attached, like that night in wanting to erase the pain he was feeling. Was this really happening?
"The feeling is mutual, Chase. I care about you. That's why I reached out to you." I could go on more as he alluded to, but I was afraid that I'd catch him off-guard and chase him away. "I assume you and Ryan talked..."
"We did, finally. He told me everything, from the beginning to the end, with every emotion attached. You were right, by the way..." This wasn't a situation that I wanted to celebrate, actually feeling terrible to watch him go through this. How could someone be put through this pain?
"Are you going to be okay?" My heart was now full of every worry, remembering those nights at the house when there was uncertainty. Now it was concluded, those emotions were probably going to become more real.
"It hurts, because I never thought Ryan could possibly do that to me. It hurts, because I can't believe he did that to me. But on the other hand, I understand because of those feelings for Isabelle – to a degree. So I'm not as hurt as I expected, possibly because I have a friend." I had to smile a little in knowing I offered him some comfort, but it still tore my heart in hearing there was some pain there.
"Well, you know that you can come to me whenever you want, and I'll hear you out, offer advice. I want to be there for you, Chase," and possibly more down the road – when we're both truly ready, of course.
"Ryan wanted to know if we could be friends moving forward. I told him that I didn't know if I could forgive him. I didn't know if I could look at him without thinking of pain, betrayal, every emotion I've felt these past couple weeks." Did I blame him? No, but I also understood not wanting to throw everything away as they had a good friendship together.
"That may come with time, or it may not. It depends how you feel about everything – but don't force it either feeling you have to." What else I was supposed to say? I sucked at this advice thing.
"I know, and I know one other thing – if we would've hooked up that night, for the record, I would not have regretted it." My knees grew weak, my body lunged to reach out to this man, and my heart pumped faster. How did he get to me in so little words?
"Say, how about we go for that drive?" I honestly wanted a cold shower, but settling for burn-outs and smoke to erase these thoughts was probably my only bet without being obvious.
"Are you trying to avoid the conversation, Mr. Bowman?" Was he seriously flirting with me? Frankly, I think he knew exactly how I was feeling – and what he was doing to cause that.
"I'd rather go back to the first topic at han-"
"You're tabling the discussion, but I hope not forever." Careful with your words here, Alex. You had him your grasp, wanted to be patient, but not lose him forever.
"Like I said, you always have a friend in me, and friends share their toys." The smile on his face said that I played my card right.