Fast Car | Escapes #1

Chapter 25: Brayden

"Are you okay?" was the first words out of my girlfriend's mouth when she picked up my call.

I chuckled softly. "Yeah, I'm fine." I took a deep breath and kept walking. I hadn't quite made it out of the police lot when I decided to check my phone and I saw her message. "Met your dad," I said, voice dropping some. It felt like something I needed to quietly own up to for fear... something. I wasn't quite sure what I was worried would happen.

There was some silence on the other end. "Are you sure you're okay? He's pretty violent."

"Didn't lay a hand on me." It was too humiliating to own up to being scared of him, though. He was bigger than me, and I know for a fact he was going to beat me up had that officer not come to get me when she did. "You don't have to worry so much. I'm fine." I had an overwhelming urge to kiss and hug her, to reassure her, but I couldn't. It was bordering on torture. Instead, I pressed the phone closer to my ear as I made my way home. 

"They said something about your cousin reporting me missing."

I froze in my tracks. "Charlie reported you missing?" That was beyond petty.

"He's your cousin?" She sounded surprised. I thought she knew.

"Yeah. I punched him good the night I left with you, so this is probably him getting back at me."

"Why did you punch him?"

I weighed my options before finally settling on being honest. "He was making crude comments about me and you, and that coupled with some other stuff between me and him, I just couldn't take him anymore. It just kind of . . . happened. Believe me, I wish I hadn't done it. My hand hurt for a while afterwards." I gave an awkward laugh, unsure how she was taking my words.

"Thank you," she quietly. "For standing up for me." I felt my face heat up a little. "If he's anything like he is at work when he's around you, I don't blame you for hitting him. I've wanted to a fair few times myself." She giggled and I closed my eyes for a moment. Why was she so adorable? It wasn't fair.

"He's worse." I picked up the pace. Sweat was already beading on my temples and forehead. It wasn't a humid night, but I didn't walk much like this, especially when it was on the warmer side. "He's always been the favorite of the family, and I've always kind of been looked down on. We're only on speaking terms because I have to be. He's the one the family wants to take over the store chain, you know."

"Oh my gosh, no way. He's horrible!"

I smiled to myself. Hearing her say so felt good. "So you'd prefer me taking over the store?"

"Absolutely. You finally learned how to respect the people under you. Who wouldn't want someone who understands them and listens to them?"

A warmth emanated from my chest and found my face. I didn't really want to remember the way I treated everyone when I started, but it happened. It taught me a lesson - one I carried with me. The whole thing is something I regret. "Thank you for teaching me that." We fell into a silence. My footsteps echoed across the pavement. I was nearing the halfway point to my house. "What are you up to?"

"Just lying on my bed, waiting for dinner. Mom is making lasagna."

"Sounds good. I could go for some right about now. I don't think I've eaten since breakfast."

"Says the guy that was always worried about me eating." 

I chuckled. Couldn't deny that. "How are things there?"

She fell silent, and I wondered if I hit a nerve or something. "It's fine. I met my mom's husband. I'm going to be alone in the house for a couple of hours with him. He's a little standoffish, so he's probably going to leave me alone. I just hope I don't end up watching Kyle. I've never watched a kid before, and I don't think I'd be able to do it by myself."