Unchartered Waters ✅

Chapter 51: A Surprise Visitor

Alex's POV

November 26, 2021 – Charlotte, North Carolina

I want to know the inventor of Black Friday, and what they were thinking. I mean, did they realize the chaos they were set to create? It's a shopping frenzy that's beyond insanity.

I didn't need a sale on the website to increase production around here. Thanks to one Denny Hamlin, I was surrounded by boxes as I made my way through the retail section of the shop. There were a bunch just dropped off by Kasey with the latest round off the printer, and another bunch all packed up to ship out everywhere. Did you know that I have fans in Canada? Not bad for a Hack if I do say myself.

Normally, i can let the guys handle this stuff and it gets done. Though seeing the stock piling up and order sheets stacked high, I knew I couldn't leave them to slave all by themselves. For one, it just wasn't nice, but it wouldn't be fair to fans to force them to wait longer for their packages. I also didn't need to hear complaints of being overworked, either.

"Hey Alex, there's someone to see you," I get snapped out of my concentration as I finish up taping a box. This fan was going to be extra glad to get their package, considering they had a hoodie, a couple t-shirts, and a beanie stuffed in there for good measure.

Making sure the shipping label was attached – mixing up orders would be a nightmare right now, I head over to where the voice was calling from. Normally, people just made their way over and conversations took place as work happened, usually beginning with a tease. I also wasn't expecting any company, so who would be here right now?

As I walk over to the door of the shop and catch a pair of eyes, I freeze immediately.

Rose McGarland.

I hadn't seen her in a couple months. I hadn't seen her since she stopped in to see me in August. I hadn't talked to her, sent a text, nothing since then.

She just wasn't any girl in my life, either. We had hooked up on occasion, but nothing in the last 12 months. We both admitted having chemistry in bed together – but I had learned recently that didn't compare to someone else. We also had talked about having a relationship together, too. I may have taken her out on a couple dates.

There was only one question to ask, though. What was she doing here right now?

"Hey," was all I could manage to say in all my thoughts. I had so many questions, so many nerves, and didn't know where to go with this one bit.

"Did I catch you at a bad time?" She asks, and I suppose I could just use that excuse to chase her away from the property immediately. But I also damn well knew I couldn't lie to her. We knew each other too well for that.

"No, I'm just helping pack orders because we seem to have been overcome with boxes." She chuckles a little, which I didn't know how to respond back to that. Did she think that was a joke, or going along with my thoughts?

"So Denny actually earned you some fans, I see..." Okay, I had to chuckle back in response as that was a good dig. 10 points for her, I suppose.

"Hey, better me than Joey or Brad." Let's face it – those two aren't liked by many people, either. Denny ranks the top of the list, but they aren't far behind. I can actually stand Brad better than Joey, though. "So, what are you doing here?"

"I was in the area in-between jobs, and thought I'd stop by and see how you were doing." I didn't mean to ask her that quickly, but didn't blame her on the response. It was typical for her, as she was busy traveling, doing sponsor and model gigs everywhere. However, it was nice to see her when we could.