Guilty

Chapter 2

Babe looks down at his phone when he gets the message notification. It's from his brother.

P'Phayu: Have you seen the news? It's about Tony.

This is bad, for P'Phayu to even acknowledge their stepfather, this has to be something big. Babe goes down to the living room and clicks on the TV.

It's not particularly unusual to see Tony on the news, he is the owner of UAC Corp, one of the largest corporations when it comes to retail and wholesale. However, his business isn't the subject of this interview. Instead, it's about Tony's investment in Red Racing,

Red Racing is X-Hunter's number one competition. When Tony looks straight at the camera and says that maybe there will be a new champion in the racing field this year, Babe knows that's a message meant only for him. He doesn't know what game Tony is playing but it looks like he might be out to take down Babe's racing team.

Charlie watches from the second-floor landing, his face inscrutable as his attention is split between the news and Babe's reactions.

P'Nui, the garage receptionist, smiles broadly as Rain and Sky come in.

"Nong, here to help me with the paperwork today?" Sometimes Rain helps out in the garage office when they get overwhelmed.

"Not today, Phi. I am here so P'Phayu can look over my car before school starts." Rain says. "This is Sky, my roommate. Sky this is P'Nui." Sky greets the woman with a polite wai. "I am going to give Sky a tour and introduce him to everyone. Is that okay?"

"Of course. Rain has been running around this garage since he was in diapers. He knows it better than anyone except for the family."

"And yet still doesn't even know how to change his own oil," P'Saifah says from the door to his office.

"I don't need to," Rain laughs, "I have you and P'Phayu for that, right."

Rain introduces Sky to him, before pulling the other boy out to the maintenance area.

Rain introduces Sky to P'Aon and some of the mechanics before finding P'Phayu in the back of the garage. P'Pai is there as well. Rain doesn't miss the interested look P'Pai gives Sky, he wants to roll his eyes at this.

"Sky, this is my....this is P'Phayu. Since you are on the student council P'Phayu will be your senior." Rain ignores P'Pai who is almost bouncing, waiting for an introduction.

"Pleased to meet you Sky, let me know if you need any help." P'Phayu says.

"Thank you, I will." Sky says.

Finally tired of waiting, P'Pai says, "I am Prapai, you can call me, P'Pai or any time you like."

Rain groans at this cheesy attempt at a pick up line.

Even Sky rolls his eyes and simply says, "not interested."

P'Phayu gives a loud snort at this and goes to service Rain's car.

Charlie sits across from Jeff. "They are making a move," he says, "So we have to act first."

Neither of them notices the man who snaps their picture with his phone.

The way Babe looks so cute, sitting on the floor playing with the racetrack playset makes Charlie want to take a picture. He knows the other alpha will get mad if he catches him though. In fact Charlie hasn't missed the already sulky expression on Babe's face.

Babe is upset with him and Charlie knows it's probably because he said he had to meet with a client instead of going with Babe to the garage. Babe likes to act like he doesn't care, but Charlie can tell it's all an act. Babe just has some high walls where he doesn't want to let anyone in. Charlie is determined to get past these. He has to, everything depends on it. Charlie pushes back at that momentary flash of guilt. He is doing what he has to do.