Alex's POV
Saturday, January 8 – Tulsa, Oklahoma
"Is there everything for today?" CJ questions as he pops back in the trailer. I glance up at him, with a simple nod of approval.
It was officially, finally Chili Bowl time. Can you say halleluiah! I can officially celebrate in knowing all three cars got finished on-time, made it safely in the trailer here, and unloaded ready to go? Now the boys and I just needed to get the job done this coming week.
Truthfully, I knew we were coming up against the best drivers in the country as there were so many names that could easily call themselves a Chili Bowl Champion next Saturday. So the goal was simple – get all three cars into the main event.
"Jake and I are going out for dinner tonight if you want to come," he then offers, which any other year I would easily be accepting. However, I hesitated in knowing what was supposed to be on tap tonight. Chase wouldn't be here until tomorrow, but fuck, we were already planning a fun night together. "Seriou-"
"I promise that I will make it up to you this week," I reply back without hesitation. There was no way that I was about to give him an opportunity to ask questions. We all know what normally happens when that begins, right?
"You better – because you know you owe me a round of drinks." I nod my head, easily remembering how that came about during one of the last events together last season. It was shocking how much crazy stuff these guys got me doing.
That's why I suppose they're the best of friends, right?
I honestly wish I had my boys here with me, instead, and I'm not referring to these professional midget boys that I know. Instead, the ones that allow me to explore every inch of a bedsroom and then some in ways that I never thought were imaginable. In truth, I thought it'd change how I look at CJ and Jake in wondering what could be possible there, but they don't have the same scent or beauty that seems to complete me with Chase and Ryan.
As if on cue, my phone goes off in my pocket as I look at the message with a smirk on my face. "Hope you're not getting up to something with CJ," Chase sends, and I couldn't help but chuckle. It was as if he could see what I was thinking about in this moment.
"There's a lot room in the trailer to have some fun," I send back, deciding that I should have some fun with this for now. I just hoped it didn't come back to my bite me.
"I know you're lying as you have eyes only for me and Ryan. We don't share well, anyway. But hey, I'll help you explore those walls tomorrow." Why did he have to do this to me? Fuck, I could feel myself growing harder immediately. So much for winning this damn discussion because I was falling apart.
"Can you do it without getting caught by being too loud?" You probably wouldn't hear the voices over the engines, but hey, I was willing to play any damn card that I could right now.
"I wasn't the one that screaming for more..." Fuck, I felt like screaming like that right now in knowing how hard I was, pushing against the fabric of the jeans to the point I may pop that zipper. It was like Finn could tell something was going on as he walked away to give me space. Really, dog?
"I knew that you'd cave immediately as you can't resist assuring every one of my desires," which is one of the big reasons that I love you, and want to be with you every second of the damn day. I know that I will get well taken of, and him in return.
"Keep telling yourself that if it makes you feel better.." That was a weak comment, which easily told me that I was winning this discussion – or making it seem that way in not telling him what was happening here.
"Let's face it – you are already planning a way to fly here quicker so you can see me." I actually hoped that was the case personally because I could certainly use a release at this time.
"Keep dreaming, Alex. Just promise me you don't stray as you wait." Another glance at CJ's ass and fuck, it just wasn't cutting it. I couldn't even stray and get the satisfaction needed if I wanted to because there was just that – nothing.
"You better get here quicker so ensure that doesn't happen..." That way, you can also take care of what I am dealing with.
I knew I could stand here and text him all day long, but that'd get nothing accomplished. After all, there was no way that I could deal with that problem here.
Fuck, I need a cold shower immediately.
Double check everything is in its place, close the doors, lock both doors to ensure nobody could get understand. I trusted my neighbors as we spent a lot of time together, but I wasn't taking any chances. It was why I almost wanted to re-load the cars instead of leaving them unloaded, covered as they were. But deep breath, we did this every year and things were fine. My babies would be okay.
Double check everything around the area was neat and tidy as we liked to have it, ready to get to work and be ready for what the work entailed. Taking a deep breath, and knowing that we were less than 48 hours to being on track had me beyond hyped.
Securing the leech on Finn – I wasn't worried about him, to be honest, because he never strays far from me. The only people he goes and sees is those that he knows, and only if I allow him to by command. However, the expo staff made me ensure I would keep him close and leeched at all times as they don't want to be responsible for any issues. Easily taken care of because I wasn't about to do something to get him banned.
I make my way down the row of trailers, knowing the way to the exit, just trying to remember where I parked the truck in the parking lot after taking it back out after dropping the trailer. There were so many trucks out there – rows, and rows, and did I mention rows? I always tried to remember the marker or spot the ABR logo, but that was a mere impossibility.
"Figuring out the walk between where you are and Chase will be?" I hear, catching my attention as I knew that voice. He also mentioned Chase, and why would I be worried about him to someone in general? We are teammates, not like big friends as everybody would know. Looking at the eyes of the voice, though, I didn't know whether to panic or be fine with it.
"I was just headed out as usu-" I start to Kyle, trying to distance myself from everything immediately. Why would he be asking this?
"I know about your secret meetings in California, Alex. I saw you sneak into his room one night and we both know what that means." I swear, I just went the color of a ghost. I didn't know that I could be any shades of whiter but it had happened immediately.
We did everything we knew how to do. We planned every single step of the way. We thought of every single reason. But npw standing here, the whole plan had been foiled by this man before me.
If he could figure it out, then who else knew, or was on the road to figuring it out? What if more people caught glimpses, saw things and put it together through the summer? What if we had an entourage? What if Kaitlyn squealed?
Deep breathes, Alex, deep breathes. You're getting way too far ahead of yourself right now, as you usually did with any relationship. It was worrying about the small stuff and doing it all wrong that got you screwed to this point. You hadn't done anything to mess this up so don't start it now.
"You don't have to say anything, confirm anything, or whatever," Kyle starts, catching my attention once again. I'm glad he said that because I was totally stumped. "I don't care or want to know what you're both doing as that's your own business. I hope you're both having fun, treating each other with respect, and not screwing shit-"
"The relationship is totally for real – we both care for each other a lot, want to be there for each other, everything," I begin to pour out immediately, and fuck, I probably already said too much. Why does verbal diarrhea always happen?
"And that's great. It doesn't change what I think about you, or Chase. Actually, I'm very happy for you actually as it's great to see that you both happy. I don't care what your personal decisions are. Fuck, this came out the wrong way from the beginning." Okay, so maybe we have more in common as teammates than I thought as that was my first thought when he spoke.
"Was it really that obvious in California?" I couldn't help but ask the question, because I need to know for future reference. Kyle is a safe space, or so I am going to stick with because fuck, he is saying he's fine with everything.
"To someone who doesn't know either of you, no. To someone whose just a fan, absolutely not. But the fact that he went from the ranch house to the hotel, it got me thinking. So I peeked in, just for concern because I knew he was coming off a rocky deal with Kaitlyn, and saw you inside the door." I take a deep breath, almost a perfect sigh of relief as you could say I returned to normal. Kyle only noticed because he was looking, and I could say for good reason as he wanted to ensure safety. Maybe I should thank him, or would that be awkward? "I shouldn't had made the comme-"
"It's fine, it's cool. You were just trying to tease me and I should've took it that way. But truthfully, I am concerned about whether someone notices and what to do if the truth comes out. I'm not ashamed, I'm not trying to purposely hide it, but you know what everybody would say." Kyle nods his head, which was another good step. We had some understanding here and now he got why I went into total awkward mode.
"Take it one step at a time, as I believe it'd work out eventually. For now, though, have fun this upcoming weekend. At least I will know where to find him."
I watch as Kyle walks away, taking many deep breathes as I continue to walk out with Finn. It was just a casual conversation. It was nothing more but establishing boundaries, with some teasing. I had nothing to worry about an could only look forward to the future.