Chapter 2 Babysitter

KADE

“Hey man. Are you coming for the race tonight?”

I looked up from the unlit cigarette I was swirling between my fingers to Brayden, who walked into the abandoned class we usually hung out in after lectures.

He exchanged a few handshakes with some of the guys who were already deep into their smoke before sitting next to me.

I shook my head.

“No. I have somewhere to be tonight,” I muttered.

His brows shot up as he plucked the cigarette from my fingers, popped it into his mouth, and lit it.

“You’re really going to miss the race?” he chuckled, and some of the guys laughed too.

“Man, you’ve wanted to see Landon get his ass handed to him,” one of them added.

I leaned back on my elbows, staring at the door.

“Well, there’s always another time,” I muttered.

Brayden stared at me, puffing smoke from between his lips.

“What are you up to, really?” he asked.

I glanced at him, my lips tipping up slightly.

“I’m not ditching the race for some pussy,” I said, because knowing Brayden, that was exactly what he was thinking.

He laughed.

“Not that? Then what?” he pressed. A sigh escaped me.

“I have to look after my brother tonight. His nanny quit.”

Brayden gasped, smoke escaping his mouth.

“Big Tits quit? Why? She was my favorite,” he mourned.

I rolled my eyes.

“Suck it up, dude,” I muttered.

Brayden and I had been friends since childhood. Good friends.

Probably because we were both fucked up in different ways.

Brayden’s parents separated when he was fifteen, and somehow his dad won custody. So he stayed while his mum moved out of the country.

He visited her sometimes. Once a year, maybe twice. But he hadn’t gone since the last visit three years ago.

And no, he never gave a reason. According to him, he just didn’t feel like it anymore.

I knew that was a lie.

You’d think his relationship with his father was better, but it wasn’t.

Unlike me, who sometimes wished my parents were divorced. It would be better. Less pressure.

I still haven’t figured out why they stay together when their marriage is toxicity at its finest. And I was their toy.

The place they dumped their failed dreams, their anger, their frustration.

There was no shred of love between them. Just business.

I’ve wondered many times how they even met, but I can’t imagine a place miserable enough to explain it.

I suffered through it alone for sixteen years. Then Mum had Leo.

And I could smell their disappointment in him before he even turned seven.

Leo had anxiety. So bad that sometimes he hurt himself.

“Mummy Mary and Daddy Joseph won’t be at home?” Brayden asked.

I blinked, a frown immediately forming on my face.

“I’m not leaving him with them,” I bit out. Even the thought of it annoyed me, not to speak of the memory that accompanied it.

Leo deserved better parents, and I hated that he got the ones I had.

“Of course, big brother,” Brayden teased.

Then the smile faded from his face and he nudged me lightly.

“How’s he?” he asked quietly and a muscle ticked in my jaw.

“He asks about you every day. What? You got a feud with him too?”

I met his gaze.

He shook his head and ran a hand through his hair, a grin spreading across his face.

That’s the thing about Brayden. Those fake, annoying smiles.

How did he do it? Smile at everyone like life was a bed of roses.

“I’ll come by later,” he muttered.

Then he stood up, pulled the cigarette from his lips, dropped it on the floor, and crushed it under his shoe.

“Well, while you’re not coming to the race, some of us still have it to look forward to.” He ran his fingers through his chestnut-brown hair and flashed his usual flirty look.

“And pussies to play with,” he added with a wink before walking out of the room.

I watched his back until he disappeared. Then I stood up.

That was my cue to leave.

“You’re leaving too?” Derrick asked, his eyes half shut. Man was high as hell.

“Yeah,” I replied.

He mumbled something I didn’t catch. I nodded to the other guys and walked out.

I glanced at my wristwatch. 3:49 p.m.

Knowing my mother, she was probably already looking for a new babysitter.

And I’d be damned if I let her bring just anyone near my brother.