Destiny or Coincidence (AlanxJeff) VI

Distraction

Jeff

I glance once again at the numbers displayed on the screen. They're right, but something inside me twists in discomfort. Lately, I've been strangely distracted, like a fog clouding my thoughts. And now, with Charlie over there, practicing and flirting with Babe, things aren't getting any better. The shop echoes with the constant hum of engines and tools, but my mind is elsewhere. The image of Babe, with his carefree smile and that almost brazen way of leaning towards Charlie, pulls me out of my concentration. It seems like Charlie really likes him, but... will Babe like him enough to stay with just him? I wonder, feeling a sharp pang of uncertainty shoot through my chest.

I try to focus again on the program. The horsepower has improved, yes, but there's something I don't understand about Babe's car setup. Whatever it is, it affects how fast and light the car feels. But before I can dive into those details, I hear a familiar voice.

"Hey, Jeff! How's it going?" Babe's voice rings out, and when I look up, I see him approaching with that flirty smile that always seems carved into his face—playful, carefree, always.

"Good. I'm just finishing the tuning," I reply, turning my gaze back to the screen.

"I'm sure it'll be great. After all, you're talented," he says, his tone soft yet filled with confidence.

I allow myself a shy smile. For Babe, one of the best racers, to say something like that is like a dream come true. After all, he's the king of the track, a legend in our world. The air around us suddenly feels warmer, as if his words had changed something in the atmosphere.

"By the way, I wanted to talk to you about Charlie. I know you're more like brothers than cousins," he begins, his voice taking on a more serious tone. It catches me off guard, and I lift my gaze to meet his eyes, which now seem deeper, more focused than usual.

"Are you serious about Charlie? He's not like your past partners," I say, trying to stay calm while holding his gaze.

He sighs, his shoulders relaxing slightly, and for a moment, it's as if he's letting a mask fall, one he's worn all this time.

"Exactly. He's not like anyone I've ever met. He's really special to me... and I like him a lot. I've never felt this way about anyone before," his words come out in a whisper, loaded with sincerity.

"I... I don't need to know that," I reply seriously. "If you both like each other, I'm fine with that. I just... I just don't want Charlie to get hurt like... Well, I don't want him to end up with a broken heart."

My voice trails off at the end, barely a thread, heavy with a mixture of concern and pain. I don't know why it affects me so much, but it does. I don't want Charlie to go through what I did.

Babe looks at me gently, his expression warm.

"He won't, I promise. I'll really take care of him," he assures me, and while his words comfort me a bit, there's still something tight in my chest.

I nod, trying to believe him, to trust. Maybe, just maybe, people can change for love. But before I can delve deeper into those thoughts, his face lights up again with that mischievous smile.

"And well, that makes you my little brother twice over," he jokes, breaking the tension with his playful tone.

"Twice?" I ask, confused.

"Yeah, you're my little brother through Charlie... and also through Alan," he says, his grin widening even more as his eyes land on my neck, where Alan left his mark. I can feel the heat rising rapidly to my cheeks.

Instinctively, I bring my hand to my neck, covering the mark, feeling the blush creeping over my skin.

"This... is...," I stammer, unsure of what to say.