Alex's POV
Monday, November 1 – Hendrick Motorsports
It was the usual routine.
Each of drivers sitting around the board room table, accompanied by our crew chiefs. Some of the HMS executives would join us, and it'd be about debrief the previous weekend, before looking ahead to the next weekend. A lot of times you walked into these meetings, thinking it was just another week – usual business as usual.
However, this week felt different.
I was walking in with my chest pumped out as I was the one to lead the team across the line. I also was able to show up the shop accompanying my best friend.
"So what did we learn at Martinsville?" Chad questions, as he would usually start off these meetings. Whether you learned something good or bad, you were supposed to share with the class. It was kindergarten all over again.
"Pit road speeding penalties are very costly at a short track," Kyle shares, which was obviously the reason why he fell out of contention. It's too bad as without Brad spinning Chase and Kyle's issues, we may have had the perfect sweep. It was awesome to win, but no doubt a bigger smirk would have been there if it meant passing Chase for the win. "We need to double check how we're setting that for Phoenix this weekend and how close we are to the timing lines. I swore I wasn't bouncing off the light at all."
"I think you were launching feeling you had time in zone due to the pit stop, but so close to the line that it was snagging that small space there," Cliff shares, which would make sense. A lot of people seemed to get snagged in that last box leaving pit road at Martinsville. "We've had a bunch of speeding penalties the past 10 weeks, though, so I agree with double checking that. practice this week will give us a chance to do a dry run or two."
"I always do at least three runs during practice whenever I feel Alan and I have a chance just to be certain," Chase suggests, to which I wasn't about to argue with. I never dedicated time to pit road speed during practice, but found myself practicing as I came down following a run to squeeze it in there.
"I want to digest the set-up that you guys went with," Rudy says with his eyes locked on Greg. It was the same discussion that we had after Richmond, ironically. "There was just something there that none of us were able to do – maybe the 9 on the one run, through a full run from start to finis-"
"Trust me, Alex was doing a lot of things that caught my attention yesterday so I have to agree." Why do I feel so hot all of a sudden? Anybody could have said a similar comment with the handling of the car, and how badass it was, but that comment purposely came from Chase. Why was I suddenly distracted? All I could think about was him watching doing something else, and wanting to know what was catching those eyes of his.
"We started varying it up as we tried both what Alan had for Chase, and Jimmie ran, and nothing worked," Greg reveals as he opens the notebook, sliding it over to Rudy. "With how Alex likes to enter the corner, I found tweaking the shock travel and air pressures, we were able to find something to his liking." I'm just glad that man understood what I needed in a car because he was spot on, after all.
"Leave it to you, Alex, to like something unique and different," Chase comments, catching my eyes immediately. Seriously, it was like he was screwing with me as that was the second smartass comment from him today. Was this a game? Or was I overthinking it?
"Something to put in the notebook as even with the new car, some of the same logistics will probably apply," Chad says as he glances over Greg's notes. Of course, we figure out the secret ingredient to making me good there and they're going to change the whole package next year on us. If I fall flat on my face next year, I'm blaming the car. But if we're successful, I may owe Greg a steak dinner.
"We also learned yesterday that Alex is a hack, but we love him anyway for all the right reasons." Oh Chase, I know those reasons for you definitely go beyond that and I could almost say two could play the game right now. Should I bite the bullet?
"We also learned that Denny thinks all of your fans don't think straight," Kyle adds, to which I had to chuckle in response.
I saw the video of Denny's comment, and broke out laughing. That was why the whole grandstands booed him for what he said about me – not just the Chase fans, but almost everybody in attendance at his home track. That had nothing to do with his attitude, or the fact that he was so off base with his comment. There was a reason why I had sold over 2000 shirts already, right? It made you begin to wonder if he forgot which driver he got into.
Of course, the comment did not fly when it came to Chase as his response was spot on – perfect. The chuckle from both Kyle and Denny's own teammate Martin assured that. Gosh, I could not imagine being teammates with that guy. Poor Martin. Maybe I owe him a gift basket for putting up with that.
"Did you lose sleep over it, Chase?" Kyle questions, in reference to the comment that Chase did make in response.
"Yeah, but not for those reasons," Chase answers, to which everybody probably assumed was due to the Braves game. However, the smirk as he glanced over at me said otherwise.
We drank our fair share of beverages. We shared enough stories back and forth. We flattered each other with compliments. We may have stayed up till around 4 or 5 before going to sleep for a couple hours. There was a reason why my cup was filled with coffee right now.
"Everybody realizes that Denny only said that about Chase's fans because it's his usual play card for the Championship 4," Chad starts, catching everyone's attention. Wait, Denny had reasons for his actions? "He tries to make the smart comments, get you thinking, and curious about that and get under your skin so that way he feels he has the psychological advantage. I thought he would've learned from Jimmie that it doesn't work."
"It won't work here because I have many reasons to stay focused, and the right people around me to ensure that happens," Chase replies, reaching under the table as he squeezes my leg a little. I bit my tongue, doing everything to not react in return, though wanted to smack him for this. Why was he torturing me today?
"Besides, we know what to do to win at Phoenix and have four fast cars this weekend," Kyle comments, to which Chase nods his head in response.
The spring race did not show the performance that we would've hoped at Phoenix. Joey dominated en route to second, with Martin running up front all race long before snagging out a win. Certainly, a repeat of that would not see the title come home with us.
Kyle was fast, but sped on pit road and had other issues – while the rest of us were average. But that was when we were struggling with this package a little. Now that we've got all four cars clicking, you know it should be a different story with JGR trying to figure out what to do to catch us.
The rest of the meeting focused on what we need to ensure for this weekend that is different than the spring so we can repeat the performance from last fall. It seemed we always ran better in the fall, anywhere. That's where my best Phoenix performance was, and we all know what Chase did last year.
As everyone filed out of the meeting room, I grabbed Chase's hand to stop him as he glanced at me.
"Do you know how evil you are?" I question to him with a smirk as he just laughs. That laugh right there confirmed everything that I was thinking through the meeting.
"It's easy to do when you make yourself an easy accepting target," he tells me as I look at him surprised. How did I do that to myself?
"I'll let you get away with it this week for a couple reasons, but don't make a habit of it, Elliott. It may come back to bite you." I know he's known for being witty and sarcastically right when he wants, but don't worry, he wasn't the only one capable in this situation.
"I may enjoy that." Damn him! I really need to not say the first thing that comes to mind, and weigh the different responses that he has to say. "I saw you blush like a school girl so I know you may as well."
"I am not going to deny that I enjoy your kisses, but that doesn't mean you're the only one that can rule the roost here."
A glance around and the tinted windows ensured no one would be able to see us with the doors shut. There was no chance of anybody coming back in here as everybody was off to start their usual activities. I know I shouldn't be nervous, but I wasn't about to share this secret with anyone.
A tug on his arm and I force the gap between us to close so he is lowered right down to my level where I still remained in my chair. Our lips just inches apart allow me to close the gap immediately, as I suck on the bottom of his, as I bring it to match mine.
Every emotion that was bent up inside of me came out in that moment. All the passion that I had for every single feature and thing he did. All the pain in missing him through the time apart. All the assurance that this was going to work, and I wasn't going to hurt him.
It was the most beautiful bliss ever felt as those lips that touched my cheek and made me blush instantly yesterday, tasted as good and soft as they felt. If this was an award for the most amazing lips, I couldn't deny what I was feeling right now against mine.
"Alex...." He whispers out as we separate afterwards and a smirk comes over my face. That was the reaction that I was counting on right now.
"Like I said, two can play this game, Elliott," I tell him as I let go of his arm, standing up to stand face-to-face with him.
I could see the love and lust in those eyes, craving for every bit of what we just felt together. All those feelings tugging between respecting taking it slow, but wanting every bit of what we felt towards each other, were battling now inside him as he digested what just happened.
"I'll see you later," I tell him, leaving him standing there completely stunned.
I couldn't wait to see what reaction that I would get in response the next time that we saw each other.
I hated to leave it just like that on one hand as I wanted to hear and see fully what he wanted to do next – but I also wanted to allow him to digest it. it was one thing to say that you cared, loved him, would do anything, and wouldn't hurt him. However, it was another to show that in a passionate kiss – and I knew it probably had him going through a flood of thoughts.
I will say this. I can almost promise you if he does pull it off this weekend, I'll be the first one ready to enjoy the celebration. Though for some reason if he does not – but he is going too without a shadow of a doubt, I'll also be the first one to hold him and take care of him, too.