Chasing You

12

BRADEN

My body aches as I shove open the door to our house. It's the quiet before the storm tonight. Taking their pregame naps before the bars. I decided to go to the gym. Release some tension from my body.

I roll out my shoulder as I head past Robbie and Jeremy passed out on the couch. I almost laugh when I see they are watching Grey's Anatomy. Typical. Rae and Tori got them into it and haven't stopped watching it since. I jog up the stairs to head to my room. I have to take a shower and finish up an assignment before the pregame. I think it's just us and the girls tonight. I am relieved if I am being honest. I'm dreading having to see anyone but the boys and them.

"Hey Mom."

"Honey, hi. How are you?" she says over the phone. I shut the door to the girls apartment. She doesn't sound upset or in a panic which is good.

"Good, worried. Are you okay?" I ask her walking down the hallway. She laughs making me pause in front of the elevator doors.

"Yes. Braden not all phone calls from me are bad," she laughs over the phone. I release a breath I didn't know I was holding in. "But I did want to talk to you about Tyler."

"Okay," I say pushing the button on the elevator. My mom and I talking about Tyler never leads to anything good. We usually both end up frustrated but I don't hear the stress in her voice anymore. It's there but it's not as bad.

"I want him to come visit with you for a few weeks."

That's where we left things off. I do want to see Tyler but bringing him to a college town where drugs are fucking endless. This is a crazy idea even for my mother. I know she needs a break but my aunt, her sister, would be more than happy to take Tyler for a week. Why the fuck does she think I can control him?

I have debated multiple times on whether or not I should tell Asher and Carter. They are like the mom and dad of the group at this point. Plus, the two of them, when they work together, are unbeatable.

I step up the last stair just as Asher's bedroom door opens. Asher steps out of his room shirtless with messy hair with Carter joining behind him. She looks grumpy.

"Did you just get back from lifting?" Asher asks as he clears his throat. Carter's face scrunches as she pushes Asher's back grumbling something. "Will you cool it, grumpy."

"It's my feeding time, jerk," Carter bites back annoyed. I can't help but let out a loud laugh.

"Feeding time? What are you an animal?" I ask still laughing. I shut up when Carter's dark eyes shoot me daggers.

"Yes, when she's tired and hungry," Asher says earning another shove. He sighs, "Okay, okay, c'mon grumpy."

Carter hugs Asher's waist peeking out from under his arm. He rolls his eyes at her but a hint of a smile plays on his face. I have to tell them.

"I'll join you guys in a second I just have to put my shit down," I tell them quickly. That makes both of them pause and Carter's eyes to soften.

"Are you okay?" Carter asks not letting Asher go. I shrug my shoulders because let's be honest, I haven't been. She opens her mouth to say something but doesn't continue. She pulls a tired smile onto her face, "See you downstairs. Is pizza okay?"

"Oh you ask him but I just have to say yes?" Asher asks looking down at her. I shake my head at the two of them.

"Pizza's fine, I'll be down in a sec," I say walking past the couple. I head into my room and shut the door behind me. I toss my gym bag into the corner of my room. I sit on the edge of my bed and grab my phone from my pocket. Christine's name is up at the top of my notifications. Her texts asks me what we are doing tonight. I release a breath tossing my phone onto my bed. Later issue. My right now issue to telling Asher and Carter everything. I have to tell someone especially if Tyler is coming here. I know them and everyone else in the group would want to keep him as safe as possible.