A Game Of Love & Flames (Minsung)

Chapter 27

JEONGIN

The garage was quiet, just the sound of a wrench against metal and the hum of the radio in the background. I was so focused on tightening the last bolt that I didn’t hear anyone come in. Not until I caught movement out of the corner of my eye. I looked up quickly, almost hitting my head on the hood when I saw who it was.

Chan stood there, hands in his pockets, that easy smile on his face. The kind of smile that made my heart beat a little faster every single time. I wasn’t even sure why he was here, he hadn't mentioned he had much interest in cars.

“Hey, Jeongin” he said, his voice warm and casual. “What’re you working on?”

I could feel my face heat up. “Uh…just, you know, tuning up the engine” I said, looking down at my hands so he wouldn’t see the pink creeping up my cheeks. My voice came out quieter than I meant it to, like I was trying to disappear into the car.

“Right…” he said, moving a bit closer and glancing over the engine. He nodded, like he understood, but I could tell he was just trying to keep the conversation going. “So, uh…what’s this part here?” he asked, pointing to one of the belts. He looked at me, a little too hopeful, as if he actually wanted to know.

I swallowed, feeling my heart speed up even more. Chan was close enough that I could catch the faint smell of his cologne. I had to remind myself to breathe.

“It’s…that’s the serpentine belt. It, uh…keeps a bunch of different parts moving. Alternator, power steering, that kind of stuff” I explained, glancing up at him. His eyes were focused on me, like he really cared, and that made it even harder to concentrate. “It’s, uh…important.”

“Ahh, I see” he said, nodding like he actually got it. He flashed me that grin again, the kind of one that made me feel like my knees might give out. “Guess you’d know all this stuff from your racing days, huh?”

The mention of racing made me tense up just a little. Not many people brought it up, and it wasn’t something I talked about much. But with him, I felt like I could, even if my words got caught up on the way out. “Y-Yeah…that was a long time ago” I muttered, trying to play it off, but Chan’s gaze stayed soft and steady on me.

“I get it” he said quietly. “Guess there’s a lot more to you than I realized.”

I didn’t know what to say to that, so I just nodded, looking back down at the engine and pretending to tinker with a bolt that was already tight. But then, he reached out, putting a hand on my shoulder. “You’re really good at this, Jeongin. Perhaps you could teach me?"

I glanced up, trying to hide my surprise…and my smile. Chan’s eyes were soft, and I could feel my heart pounding so hard I was sure he’d hear it.

"Sure, I can show you the basics" I offered.

His face lit up with genuine excitement and joy. It made my heart flutter. How on earth did someone as soft as Chan get mixed up with these brutes? Granted over the few days we've all spent together, they have shown their more domestic sides. They don't seem as harsh as the world perceives them to be. They just seem like a group of friends, boisterous boys who have know each other their entire lives. How hard it must be for them all to not have experienced all the simple mundane things in life without the pressure of reputation and expectation looming over their heads. That being said, it's always good to keep your guard up. I learnt that the hard way.

I hadn't realised I'd zoned out until I felt a hand gently cupping my cheek.

"Hey, where did you go?" Chan asked as he turned me to face him properly.

I looked deep into his eyes, pools of chocolate brown staring back. It was mesmerising.

"No where" I smiled softly. "I was just thinking about what to teach you and when to get started" I said whilst slowly removing myself from his hold.

"Well, no time like the present, hm?"

"As you wish" I said with a small laugh.

He can see straight through me... and that scares me the most.