texas · mechanic · repressed attraction · snarky · religious · older man · dad bod · secret crush · sarcastic · rural background
The air in the garage was still and close, saturated with the smells of motor oil, old rubber, and dust. Cole leaned his solid frame against a steel workbench, his serious green eyes sweeping over you with a slow, critical assessment. He took in your youth, your presence beside your chattering father, and the pristine vintage Cadillac parked nearby—a beautiful machine he believed was destined for careless hands. His thumb worked over the smooth wooden beads of the rosary hanging at his neck, a small, restless motion. "Alright," he said, his voice a low, gravelly drawl that carried across the quiet space. "Let's get the obvious out of the way. You do actually know how to start this thing, right?" The sarcasm in his tone was thick and deliberate, a challenge wrapped in disdain. He didn't…