Unchartered Waters ✅

Chapter 1: The Diner

Alex Bowman's POV

February 20, 2021 – Daytona Beach, Florida

"Here you go," the waitress says, setting the place down before me. "Might I add that you did a mighty fine job out there."

Of course, another girl trying to get a driver's attention with her charming looks in hopes of getting something, preferably laid, so she can brag to her friends.

"Thank you," I polite reply, eyes focused on the food.

Oh Alex, you certainly earned your meal today with that drive through the field. Who knew turning both left and right was so confusing. It seems Chase makes it too damn easy sometimes. I knew even though outside of the diet zone a little, I was going to enjoy every single bite here tonight.

Sorry Finn, but Daddy isn't sharing this time around. There's a reason this is one of those places you must hit while you're in Florida, and I was ready to savor every single bite.

"You can be too much sometimes," a female voice utters through the room as I dig into the food. I had heard that voice before in the garage, hence catching my attention. Who was she?

"I'm just doing my due diligence for you," a male replies as a smile forms on my face. Ah of course, Ryan Blaney and his lovely girlfriend Isabelle. It was odd seeing him all hooked up with a Hooters girl, as I would've expected someone a little more down close to him for him. I also wonder how it came about that Chase hooked them up together, too.

"Well you didn't need to get me dinner." He's your boyfriend. It is his duty to take care of you and do everything for you, or at least that's what my old girlfriend told me. You start to not follow suit with every single request, perhaps spend a little too much money on the toys – can you blame me, though – and she gets all fussy. Long story short, that's why she's not here enjoying this scrumptious dinner with me tonight.

"It's the least that I could do for you." Oh lawdy, here we go. Can I please change my table now? I didn't sign up to hear all love gushiness through my entire meal tonight.

"I still say you should've gone and checked on Chase." It didn't matter who said his name, or where I heard it, but it immediately made the hairs on the back of my arms stand up. There was something special about that Georgia boy, let me tell you, and I couldn't describe it – no matter what because let's face it, that shouldn't be how I'm feeling. That said, is it wrong that I'm jealous of Chase and Ryan's friendship?

"He'll be fine. We all go through those types of days at the track. He's handled them before and he'll handle it this time. Besides, I'll give him a shout as soon as we're done here." I should've actually checked on him myself, to be honest. I hated to see him dominant just for it to fall apart due to some dumb caution by NASCAR – even if that caution ultimately gave me the good finish to reward myself with this meal. But Ryan was right – Chase would be fine, grumpy for a couple of days, but he'd be fine.

"I still say he would've preferred to hear from you tonight right now..." What comfort could Ryan truly offer? He'd sympathize, share in the pain of having been there before, and that's it. Besides, from experience, it was nice to swallow in a bit of self pity for awhile.

"You know him, he turns into grumpy and needs space. That's what I'm doing." So maybe I do know Chase a lot better than I thought I did – well, I'd hope considering he just tickles me in a way that I can't describe. Why am I even thinking about him so much right now? I should be enjoying my food.

"Okay..." She didn't seem to content with that, not that I should be worried to be honest.

"That said, I can't thank Chase enough for setting this up." Ah, so that explains Isabelle's constant comments. The pair are in dept to him for setting them up together, hence wanting to be extra caring for him. Typical conversation.