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Chapter Eighteen - Jaden
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2024-10-29 19:42:56I wipe the mascara from the corner of my eye. It doesn't matter that I'm hiding in the bathroom on the second floor of the art's center like a child, or that I'm missing my class this hour.
It should matter but it doesn't. I can't be ashamed anymore, because I'd rather be weak than humiliated in front of an entire campus of students.
The door opens and I lift my feet to the closed toilet seat and curl my knees into my chest. My phone buzzes in my pocket. Another text from my dad.
It's only a matter of time before he shows up unexpected, so I answer.
"Hello."
He sighs heavily. "I've texted and called you for hours, Jaden. Where have you been?"
I stare at the bathroom stall door. "I've been in class, Dad."
I hear him starting his car in the background and his engine roar. "Your brother said you were coming home the other night, but you didn't show up. Funny you didn't mention it to me?"
The toilet next to me flushes. "Are
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My Brother's Best Friend Chapter Nineteen - Cade
I step into the bar, the dim lighting casts shadows over the room and makes me feel even more out of place. Even though on the outside I know I fit in, my objective of finding the douchebag that took my mother makes me feel like a nark. I slide onto a barstool and order a drink. There are many seedy characters standing around pool tables and hanging around the dance floor, but none of them look old enough to know the guy from my mother's house. The bartender hands me my drink. "Thanks, Bro. How long have you been working here?"I down the amber liquid. He pushes his long hair from his eyes, and lifts a brow that's pierced in three different places. "You not into girls your age?" he asks. "Not for me. I'm looking for someone. A guy in his forties, biker, huge beard." He gives me a bored look. "This isn't a biker bar. It's more for college kids. You could try The Hell-Hole down town; they have a lot of bikers that go there." I sigh. I
My Brother's Best Friend Chapter Twenty - Jaden
Adam's drunk and I thank God for it. The girl with him is giving us a bored look while Adam tries his best to be intimidating. Cade walks over casually, digging a cigarette from his pocket and lighting it. When he offers it to Will, he tries unsuccessfully to knock it out of Cade's hand. "I asked what are you doing back here with my sister!?" The girl with him huffs and walks back into the bar. "I saw her come out here trying to get away from the creep inside, and I didn't think it was a good idea for her to be alone in a dark alleyway. Sue me." Adam thought about it, looking over his shoulder, he notices that his friend left. "Great," he hisses. "Come back inside," he eyes me and then Cade. "And don't think about touching my sister, Cade." I watch Cade's fingers curl into a ball at his side while he lets out a huff of smoke. "Why are you so worried about me hurting your sister, Adam? She was just inside with some douchebag that would
My Brother's Best Friend Chapter Twenty- One -Cade
I look up at Jaden over the top of her car. She's talking to a customer about different prices on lube jobs, biting her lip and tucking her hair behind her ear. My knuckles turn white from my tight grip. The distance is killing me. I want to slam the hood and drag her back to the breakroom and lock the door. Her gaze moves to mine through the window of the door separating us. She smiles. I wink at her, loving the blush that tints her cheeks. "Cute girl," Johnny says. "Isn't she your friend's little sister?" he asks, wiping his hands on his uniform. I snarl, keeping my gaze on her car and my mouth shut. He chuckles and leans forward to see what I'm doing. "You're working on her car, giving her the eye all day and you live together? Doesn't take a genius to figure out you're screwing her—," Standing up, I slam the hood down, missing his fingers by an inch. He jumps backs, but doesn't lose his grin. "Well, looks like I've struck a nerve,
My Brother's Best Friend Chapter Twenty-Two-Jaden
I'm livid. I can't believe my dad or Adam for that matter. Going through my stuff? Where is his dignity? Besides being completely humiliated in front of Cade, now he knows I haven't taken my pills and probably thinks I'm insane. I stare at my closed door wanting nothing more than my dad to fall down the stairs on his way out. Not to mention, I now have to pay all of my bills alone—I don't even care—I'll do whatever to be out from underneath his thumb. Instead of stew in my pot of my anger, I change into my pajamas and work my way through my homework. I assume Dad left, but Adam doesn't come into my room or try. Smart guy. I'd probably toss a book at his genitals if he did. I'm midway into an episode of Catfish when I hear someone—or something—peck on my window. Since we're on the second floor, I'm a little concerned, but I walk over and look out. At first I don't see anyone, but I hear him. "Open the window." It's Cade. I glance out a
My Brother's Best Friend Chapter Twenty-Three- Cade
She's dead. I failed her for good this time. I'll never be able to shake the image of her on that cool sterile table. Unfortunately, she looked better in death than the last time I saw her strung out and shivering in the heat. She looked at peace, which was more than I could say since I was a child. My phone beeps around eleven as I'm staring at my ceiling. It's Jaden. Her: I'm moving out. I lift a brow. Me: Oh yeah? Where are you going? I can imagine the frustrated look on her face. Her: I don't know yet. My dad wants me out unless I do what he says. I have money saved up, and the job at the garage, I'll find something. The thought of moving out of this apartment with her tempts me. I bite my lip gently, knowing it's too soon, I hardly know this girl. But I like her. I start to type out a text but stop. Adam would flip his lid if I moved out
My Brother's Best Friend Chapter Twenty-Four- Jaden
My new apartment smells like water downed cleaning products and old wood. Not my first choice, by far, but something I can call my own. Plus, it's cheap and all I can afford. The boxes in the living room are filled with my belongings, but most of my furniture sits in the U-Haul parked out front. I expected Cade to be home by now to help me. I check my phone again, but there isn't any new texts or missed calls. I curl my palm around my stomach when it growls. Since I have no food, I order Door Dash and eat it on the floor of my living room. Music thumps from the apartment above me, and I try not to dwell on the fact that I have class tomorrow. And how Cade has disappeared. I gnaw on the corner of my fingernail, and send him another text which issues me no response. I don't want to be angry, but I need his help. I only have the truck until tomorrow morning or I'll have to pay for an extra day, which I don't have the money for. I throw my food away in th
My Brother's Best Friend Chapter Twenty-Five - Cade
My entire body is sore. Even though there were three of them, my pride is still hiding his head. I crane my neck to the side and groan at the pain that shoots down my back. For three old guys, they handed me my tail. It's not as if I'm surprised. You don't run with a rough crowd without being able to handle yourself. My gaze lifts from the hood where I'm single handedly changing the oil, to Dan and Jaden in the lobby. I don't like the look on Dan's face or that he's side eyeing me. I groan when he waves me to the front. He's leaned against the counter nonchalantly, a slither of his belly hanging from underneath his garage uniform. "How ya feeling?" I rest my elbows on the counter, watching Jaden avoid eye contact and scribble flowers on the side of the receipt book in front of her. I lift a brow, knowing she's avoiding looking at me for whatever reason. "I'm fine." Dan slides his tongue over the front of his teeth. "You sure? Jaden mentioned you hurting and taking extra pain kill
My Brother's Best Friend Chapter Twenty-Six-Jaden
My heart is in my chest as we climb the stairs to my brother's apartment building. Cade is behind me, making snide comments under his breath about my jeans, but I'm too nervous to blush at them. We stop, and I turn to look at him. He grins. "Calm down, Jaden. It'll be fine. Your brother is out with some girl and Will always stays in the night before a baseball game. I'll go into my room and start packing. Just do what we practiced." I'm two seconds from throwing up. I feel it crawling up, and I'm not sure I can choke it down much longer. "I don't know how to do this, Cade." He gives me a yeah right look. "Do what? Flirt?" "Uh, yeah," I say. "Look how awkward I am. I didn't have too many gentlemen callers in high school, and I'm just not … sexy. I'm not that girl." Cade chuckles, sliding an inked arm around my waist, he pulls me toward him. "I beg to differ. You're sexy, because you're not trying. Will was trying to get with y
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My Brother's Best Friend Epilogue--Cade
Jaden hops down from the cabinet and scoops her finger into the cake icing and licks it. I'm immeditely ready to bend her over the sink and have my way with her. She screams when I pick her up and carry her toward our bedroom. But I stop when someone knocks on the front door. "Someone is looking out for you," I mumble. She giggles and waits for me to answer the door. Adam is standing on the other side. He looks good, like a different person from the last time I saw him. It's only been a few months, but it feels like years. "Hey. Can I come in?" he asks. I open the door wider and let him inside. Jaden comes running out a few minutes later, and stops cold. Her gaze moves from his to mine. I can't read her face. "Jaden," Adam says. "I wanted to come over and talk to you about ... everything." She plays with a string on the end of her cutoff jean shorts. "Okay, yeah." Adam sits down on the edg
My Brother's Best Friend Chapter Forty-Two--Jaden
Cade has been asleep for over ten hours. He's beaten down and tired. His knuckles are bloody and he looks like a corpse. I had no idea of Cade's plans to catch Dan. But I was glad he came out alive, and it was over. Although, by the look on his face the night before, I wasn't sure it was over. He looked haunted. The tears on his face surprised me. What all had he kept inside of himself for all these years? I cook us breakfast, and bring it to him in bed the next morning. He stirs for a moment before sitting up and rubbing the palm of his hand against his eyes. His dark gaze meets mine and I swallow my anxiety. "Good morning," I say. "I made us breakfast." "Do you need a ride to school?" "I wrote my teachers and told them I was sick. I'll be out this week." He scoots up and brings the tray onto his lap. "You don't have to watch me like I'm a kid, Jaden. I'll be fine." I shrug. "I want to be here w
My Brother's Best Friend Chapter Forty-One--Cade
Johnny shuts his office door and gestures for me to take a seat. It's been one hell of a week to say the least. After everything Jaden dropped on me the day before, I couldn't drag her into this anymore. She's been through enough, so I decided to drop her off at school and talk to Johnny alone. He sits down across from me. "It was a good idea to leave Jaden behind. She's a great girl, but I would hate myself if something happened to her." "Me too. I'm already beating myself up because she was kidnapped by my own dad. She's been through a lot ... and she doesn't need anything else on her." Johnny leans forward. "Are you sure you want to do this, Cade? Dan is going to be cornered and I don't know how he will respond." I run my palm down my face and then pick at a random string on my jeans. "I'm sure. I need to find out why he is doing this." "I had to pull some major strings to get you approved to do this. You're really okay
My Brother's Best Friend Chapter-Forty--Jaden
I don't want to do this, but Cade is on a mission, and I'm beginning to think it's a suicidal one. I've never seen someone so determined to find a person that could kill them. Johnny follows behind us in an undercover SUV, while I'm led blindly into the lion's den. Cade's fingers tighten around the steering wheel, and I trace his tattoos with my gaze. How I would love to just have some alone time with him, without all our problems looming over us. "What are you going to do when we get there, Cade?" I ask, trying to keep my irritation out of my voice. I don't want to be mad at him, because I know it's important, but I want to be finished with this. Cade glances over at me. "I'm going to walk in, ask for Henry, and make him tell me." "Okay," I say. "What about after that? Are you going to chase down some criminal?" He reaches over and runs his fingers against my thigh. "What's the matter, Jaden?" I hold back my emotions and my b
My Brother's Best Friend Chapter Thirty-Nine--Cade
I press my mouth against Jaden's forehead, and close my eyes. And to think, I thought she had drama when we first got together. This has taken us both down a rabbit hole that is slowly sucking the life out of me. I want this to be finished, but it can't until I take down Dan. To think I've been working for my uncle this entire time, and for him to wear a mask every day, and me not ever see him slip? It feels unreal to me. Jaden shoves against my chest with her palms, and looks at me. The crap I've put this girl through makes my stomach sick. My own dad took her for ransom, which tells me that Dan and Dad are into more than just pimping out women, they sell drugs. And I know who I need to talk to—Adam. That's if I can get to him. Someone bangs on the door thirty minutes after we get home. Jaden gets up, and gives me a look over her shoulder when she looks through the peep hole. "It's my dad." I gesture for her to open the door.
My Brother's Best Friend Chapter Thirty-Eight--Jaden
The warehouse is set back from the main road, hidden underneath shrubbery and years of overgrowth. The wind rattles the doors against the side of the building, and it sends chills up my spine. The windows are far gone with ripped plastic swaying from where someone tried to patch them up. It looks like an abandoned packaging plant with rusted equipment and aged boxes littering the concrete floor. Damien forces me into the threshold and ushers me toward a chilled metal chair. I sit down, watching as he makes himself comfortable on top of a conveyor belt, and takes out his cell phone. After several silent minutes, he glances up at me. "I’m calling your Dad. I'll ask for my money, and you'll confirm I have you with me, and if you try anything, I'll not only kill you, but I'll knock off that goofy brother of yours. He should be here, not you, but that's not how it happened." Speaking of brothers. I wanted to choke Adam. He caused all of this. Doing drugs? Going in
My Brother's Best Friend Chapter Thirty-Seven-Cade
I've never felt fear like this. My body feels numb, I don't know what to think—what to do—and my head is spinning. When Johnny rolls up with three other officers, I don't feel relieved, because we have nothing to go on. I've texted her twice, and I do it again when Johnny pulls up. He eyes my cell phone. "Are you texting her?" I nod. He takes my phone and curses while he scrolls through them. "Don't text her again. Whoever has her can intercept the messages, Cade. Now they know we're onto them." I'm so stupid. But I'm not thinking clearly. My Jaden is in trouble. I hate myself for getting her into this mess. Angry tears threaten my eyes, and I turn and hit the side of the building until I see blood smeared against the siding. Johnny grabs my shoulders and turns me around. "Calm down. We traced the signal of her cell phone to the garage, but it went dead. I'm sure they left it. That means whoever it is knows thei
My Brother's Best Friend Chapter Thirty-Six-Jaden
The sound of crickets wake me. It's too loud for it to be from outside, and it shakes me to the bone. A door or window must be open, and I can't imagine why Cade would do that in the middle of the night. I reach over to feel for him, but he isn't there. I swallow my insecurities and sit up on my elbows, giving my eyes time to adjust to the room. Nothing stands out at first, and I feel myself relax. I slide my feet from the covers, and tiptoe toward the light. I flip the switch and walk to the kitchen. "Cade?" I say. No one answers. I swallow my nerves, and walk back to the bedroom to check in the bathroom. He isn't in there either. I walk back into our room, searching for my phone in the covers, and catch a glimpse of movement in the mirror beside our bed. A sound I've never made releases from me, and I turn around in time for something to cover my face. Survival kicks in, and I swing my arms wildly, kicking and screaming, but my voice is muffled.
My Brother's Best Friend Chapter Thirty-Five-Cade
I trace Jaden's perfect form from underneath the thin sheet in our bed. I haven't been able to close my eyes since we crawled under the covers an hour ago. My mind races with scenarios. Is Dan really behind this? Johnny? I don't want to believe he could do something like this. Why? What does he get out of it? He lives in an average house with an average truck. I can't image it being money, unless he stashes it away for a rainy day. I groan, throw the covers off me, and walk to the kitchen. The clock reads eleven pm, and I listen as I sip my water at the thin hand counting down the seconds. The idea of going back to bed fades from my grasp, and I find myself getting dressed and putting on a pair of boots. I leave Jaden asleep in the bed where she needs to be. I feel safe knowing she doesn't have a way to leave the house in case she does wake up, which she probably won't, since she sleeps like the dead. I drive toward Dan's house, drummin
