Unchartered Waters ✅

Chapter 134: What do we do?

Chase makes his way quietly into the kitchen, smiling as he sees Ryan sitting on the couch with his Ipad in his lap.

"I was trying to do work but I can't even concentrate," Ryan offers, to which Chase can only nod his head in agreement. He then goes into the fridge, grabbing himself a drink, before walking into the living room. He sits down beside Ryan on the couch, knowing a conversation of some sort probably was necessary now. "How is he?"

"He said he had a really bad headache, the tests aggravated everything," Chase recalls, remembering how terrible he felt in noticing the agony that Alex was feeling at that time. "He's sleeping right now, and I'm pretty sure we both lost our space in the bed thanks to the animals. I'm sorry but I'm pretty sure I got knocked off the bed courtesy of Roscoe." Ryan could only chuckle in thinking the mess created with Finn, Roscoe, Sturgis and Fletch all taking up space in the bed with Alex. However, it didn't surprise him with how much time the trio had been spending together and how close the animals had gotten. 

"Sleep is the best medicine right now for him. The best thing for him to do for the first 24, 48 hours is just rest - no lights, no stimulation, nothing to bother him. Just let him sleep and chill so he can let himself handle the symptoms." Ryan then glances towards the phone that sat on the table, plugged into the charger. He had turned it on vibrate after sending the necessary messages, knowing Alex didn't need to deal with the worries and comments from everyone at this moment. His health came first, and Ryan was going to make sure that was followed. "I sent a photo of the document to Rick and his PR rep - not saying it was from me but rather him. Rick said that he'd let NASCAR know, and handle everything as he wanted him to focus on getting better-"

"Typical Mr. H." Chase couldn't help but smile as that followed the exact words he had shared with Alex just moments earlier. He knew it was only Alex's nerves sharing those other thoughts. 

"I then said that you'd swing by and pick up the document to bring it to the office so they had a proper copy." Chase nods his head, as that seemed like a very easy responsibility. However, he would have preferred no reason to leave the house, wanting to spend every single moment possible with Alex to offer the comfort necessary. "Is that okay?" 

"Next time, I would appreciate if you ask my permission. I mean, we could've just gotten Kyle to pick it up and drop it off. He knows about everything - well, at least Alex and I for that matter. I don't have any real reason to go into the office tomorrow so I would've preferred to stay here." Ryan felt a bit of guilt in hearing the reasoning from Chase, thinking he had everything absolutely handled at his end. However, given that Chase had been right by Alex's side all the way through, and how Alex was there for Chase through everything, he should've known time apart was to be kept minimal. 

"I'm sorry..." Chase wanted to be angry and frustrated, however a look into Ryan's eyes and he was melting immediately. They were just trying to do what was best and he couldn't argue with it. Actually, he appreciated it because he hadn't even thought about taking those necessary steps with his focus on Alex. "They also stated he should make an appointment to get observations made, and a plan to take moving forward in healing. I didn't go forth with doing that, not wanting to overstep boundaries." 

"I think he'd be okay with one of us calling Mickey Collins and setting it u-"

"I can do that as I have connections with UPMC-"

"There's also the fact that Mickey worked with Dale, and we both know Dale would want what's best for Alex, as well." Ryan nods his head, knowing that's why Mickey had come to mind immediately for the both of them. Chase then wondered if he should follow Alex's comment in speaking to Dale with his experience to have an idea about things. "I'll handle delivering the document, you handle making the phone call." 

"Deal." Ryan then makes a note in his phone to ensure the call happened tomorrow, but knew he wouldn't forget regardless thanks to his own worry and nerves about Alex right now.

"And Ryan, I don't care what date and time - take whatever is soonest available for him. I'll fly us, or if for some reason I'm busy I'm sure my dad can handle it." Ryan nods his head once again, having already set to follow that process as he wanted to ensure Alex got the best care as quickly as possible. "I just hope he isn't out of the car long. He was talking in the room before he fell asleep about being scared in being out of the car, if it led to doubt and losing his ride down the road with everything he's been through to get to here. He didn't want to think about watching the race on the weekend to check on us but see his own car go around without hi-"

"We can't leave him alone this weekend, and we can't bring him with us as that'd be too much." The pair then freeze as they look towards each other locked in this thought, knowing they should have a plan because that'd be happening in the next 48 hours. The pair had just taken the role of taking care of their friend and doing what was necessary. But what would happen when they couldn't be there? 

"I could ask my mom to come and stay with him. My parents love him, with my dad actually adoring him from day one which surpris-"

"Alex did everything right to take care of you, and put you first - something that I should've been better at..." Chase then places his hand on top of Ryan's, giving it a squeeze as their eyes lock together.

"We have a history, but it's that - history. We've moved on and grown from that experience. We're stronger because of it. We just added a special twist that I cannot ever let go." Ryan smiles, still remembering the first time he got to experience with Alex himself. It was clear from that moment why Chase had been drawn to him immediately. 

"If they're not available, I could ask my sister. It'd take some careful convincing but Erin has been around you and William enough to probably figure something out." Chase chuckles, fully then followed by nervously in remembering the discussion of jealousy at the season's beginning in watching William and Alex hang out together. "No matter what, we are going to do whatever necessary." 

"Absolutely."