Page 9 of Idol Lives
Tae Hyun’s fingers lingered in Jason’s hair before he pulled his hand back. “I wish we had one more day.”
Jason swallowed hard, pushing down a rising tide of melancholy before it overwhelmed him. “Me, too. Do you need help packing? If not, I still gotta–”
Tae Hyun cut him off with a quick chuckle. “No, please don’t help. Go work out.”
Jason kissed Tae Hyun’s cheek before rising and heading for the bedroom door. He stopped, flashing Tae Hyun another smile, before going downstairs to the gym.
Jason didn’t have time for a full workout, so he spent anhour on the treadmill, getting lost inBoy With No Shameas it blasted in his earbuds on repeat. He had no shame about his love for Tae Hyun’s music. He’d been a fan long before reuniting with the idol. But living with and loving him gave the songs a special meaning. When he finished, he checked his messages before hitting the shower. True to her word, Naomi hadn’t bothered him again since he’d called her out on it.
After cleaning up and changing, Jason went to the kitchen. With no time to cook, he microwaved a pair of frozen burritos. While he officially had a kitchen staff now, they worked at the mansion. And he’d given them the week off while he worked out what to do about his family home anyway. In fact, he’d given the entire house staff the week off except for the groundskeepers and security team. Paid, of course, since he could afford it.
Jason practically had to force-feed Tae Hyun his burrito before ushering him into the shower. But Tae Hyun had managed to pack all four suitcases despite the time he lost looking for his bracelet. The rest of his clothes were already in Tokyo, flown there with his tour wardrobe and equipment. While Tae Hyun showered, Jason helped the waiting Song brothers transfer the bags to the SUV parked in the drive. Then, he returned to the bedroom to collect Tae Hyun. After promising to look for the missing charm bracelet again, Jason took Tae Hyun’s hand and led him outside.
The drive to Van Nuys was almost a blur. The Bel Air hills whipped past Jason’s window as Seong Hyeon drove them up the 405 in the sparse, late-morning traffic. Tae Hyun spent half the time looking at his phone and the rest holding Jason’s hand. And Jason silently willed the clock to slow–or, at least, for Seong Hyeon to go slower–and stretch out his remainingtime before Tae Hyun left.
Once they pulled alongside the waiting plane, Jason knew there was no stopping time. But he got a silent thrill at Tae Hyun’s bemused expression as he climbed from the SUV.
“I still can’t believe you own a plane now.”
Jason snorted. “Two, actually.”
“What?” Tae Hyun’s bewildered frown disappeared with his dawning realization. “Oh, your father’s. Still, isn’t this a bit much?”
Jason casually shrugged, hopefully hiding his unease. It was never a problem to shrug that sort of thing off when it was his father’s shit. But it was his now. All of it. Including two planes. “It’s cheaper than chartering a new flight. And it’ll just sit here, otherwise.” He reached for Tae Hyun’s hand, a simple touch meant to say more than words. “And you’re worth it.”
Tae Hyun softly huffed with an almost automatic dismissal. “I’m not–”
Jason silenced him with a finger to his lips. He’d seen Tae Hyun’s expression as he led him around the Bel Air mansion. He’d heard Tae Hyun’s muttered comments about needless extravagance. He may have been an idol, but he still came from much humbler beginnings than Jason. “You’re a global superstar leaving to headline a solo world tour. And, more importantly–” He paused, letting the words hang heavy. “–you’re the man I love.”
Tae Hyun’s shy, embarrassed smile warmed Jason’s heart almost to bursting. “I love you, too, hyung.” His gaze lingered for a long, delicious moment before he turned toward his luggage. “Seong Min, could you–”
“Actually,” Jason interrupted, “I’m sure Seong Hyeon wouldn’t mind helping with that. I’d like a minute withSeong Min.”
Tae Hyun didn’t roll his eyes, but Jason could see the stifled response. He knew what Jason planned to tell Seong Min. For that matter, Seong Min probably already knew, too. But that didn’t erase the need for Jason to say it.
Tae Hyun nodded, grabbing a suitcase handle. Seong Hyeon offered Jason a simple nod before picking up two more suitcases and following Tae Hyun up the stairs onto the jet. Jason turned to Seong Min, who stood by his side, his expression etched with quiet determination.
“I won’t let you down, sir,” Seong Min announced with unwavering certainty.
Jason nodded. “You never have. And you’ve earned more than my trust. You’ve also earned my respect.”
Genuine surprise and gratitude softened Seong Min’s expression before he deeply bowed. “Thank you, Mr. Park, sir.”
Jason swallowed his annoyance at Seong Min’s automatic deference. After all, it was part of the package. “Yeah, yeah, you can spare me all that. And you already know how important Tae Hyun is to me. But let me make it crystal clear. Your priority is his safety. Period.”
Seong Min’s gaze immediately sharpened. “Yes, sir.”
“Mina manages the tour. That’s her domain. But when it comes to Tae Hyun’s protection–” Jason’s expression hardened. “–what you say goes. Do whatever you think is necessary, even if it means canceling a show.”
Seong Min raised a single eyebrow. “Anything, sir?”
“Anything.” Jason met his gaze with fierce determination. “And I want eyes on him at all times. Preferably yours.”
Seong Min’s posture stiffened, almost like he was about tosalute Jason. But he merely nodded. “I understand, sir.”
“Good.” Jason relaxed his face into a friendly smile as he clapped Seong Min’s shoulder. “Now, can you get that last suitcase?”
Seong Min’s mouth twitched with a hint of a smile. “Of course, sir.”
