LOVE SYNDROME [NAN & MAC] - Short Stories

Chapter 17 - Captive (Part 1 of 2)

" The new guy is by the stands with Good, Hia" the walkie on his desk affirmed, Wei reporting as the stadium was about to go live while Nan worked in his office, clearing paperwork, paying a couple of last minute invoices before he went out to watch his boyfriend compete.

Yup, he used boyfriend these days, alternative to brat, as their relationship progressed, Nan falling more in love each day. His family had gotten bigger, Mac agreeing to his proposal, Wei dating a girl who he thought was The One and Ai, or was it Puck, he wasn't too sure, also seeing someone. The pair had gone to Uthai Thani, to spend a few nights there, meeting the girl's family and touring town. As a replacement, Neil sent a guy over from his garage, Nan needing more men as larger crowd came in on weekends and some, rowdy. Mostly young college kids, showing off big cars and bigger bets. Indeed, benefiting Nan luxuriously, but it also meant sore losers going after their competitors, fist fights and damaged properties. The older crowd, more seasoned racers, honored their bets and like true gentlemen, if they lost, they would come back stronger next time, only handshakes among them. His lover would be ready now, Nan thought, wrapping up the last few documents before meeting him at the starting point.

" Su..Su Na Mac"

" Want fried noodles for breakfast, win this then" Wei teased, accepting a glove smacking him on the back.

" Lose and I won't polish your car again" Good retorted. He had spent the previous night polishing the car so well that even the moon could be seen if one peered long enough.

" What was that?" A heavy hand landed on Good's shoulder, the young man jumping in shock.

" I...his going to win Hia" Good squeaked, flinching under the squeezing palm before it transferred to the first racer of the night.

" How much?" Nan asked Mac, rubbing his hair fondly before being swatted away.

" I have a reputation dammit...Don't touch my hair" Mac scolded, styling his hair with his fingers once more to his liking, a stinky eyes glancing at the perpetrator but as always, it fell on deaf ears, Nan only pulling him by the collar to plant a kiss on his forehead.

" NANNNNN"

" Insufferable buffalo" and many more insults formed Mac's angry rambling, the culprit smiling while he leaned against the driver door.

" Watch the 2nd lap and your gear shift. It might gain you a couple of seconds " the taller man advised, while taking out another cigarette from his back pocket, lighting it up.

" Must you now?" an exasperated question, Mac not wanting to smell like smoke because he will, since the buffalo will latch himself to him and he just washed his hair yesterday for God sakes.

Nan's retort was stopped by the arrival of the other racer, a young guy he saw frequently, who used the track for racing when he wasn't racing F3. He was one of the aspiring drivers for Silverstone this season, clocking good time in trial runs at the Singapore GP but of course, Mac didn't know this.

" Hi P'Nan. Finally out to race with me?" the guy invited, hoping to get the track owner himself. Nan was a legend here, never losing a race to anyone and to beat him, would be a great accomplishment in his own record, a quick selling point.

" Not today... You'll race my wife instead"

He was surprised, not knowing a woman was racing him but a suited young man somewhere his own age stepping forward had him blinking owlishly, eyes confirming what he was seeing but mind not processing as quick to put wife and man together. Baffled, he only nodded at the guy before proceeding to his own car, the bet already set at 20 thousand baht for starters.

" Move..." Mac instructed, slipping on his helmet but long fingers pulled the straps, fastening them firmly, an arm resting against the back of his neck.