Chapter 35 Cancer

Chapter 35 Cancer
Kade
“How many drinks have you had?” I asked, my tone flat as I leaned my hips against the counter, slowly swirling the contents of the bottle.
He pressed his lips together.
“I’m not high,” he snapped.
I raised a brow. “Didn’t say you were.”
His eyebrows pulled together before he turned away, burying his face in his hands, elbows resting on the counter.
A small sigh escaped me as I ran a hand through my hair.
Whatever erection I’d thought I’d have a hard time battling with died instantly the moment I found Brayden here.
Because this was unusual.
He was always the life of the party.
Seeing him downing a bottle of scotch alone and suggesting something as ridiculous as a bet felt less like drunken stupidity and more like a quiet call for help.
So I stayed silent.
If there was one thing I could offer, it was that. Silence.
Brayden hated questions. He opened up only when he wanted to.
“I heard from my mum today,” he muttered.
I raised a brow, taking a swig from the bottle.
“Y’all weren’t in contact?” I asked, genuinely surprised. Ever since he refused to visit her, it never crossed my mind that he’d stopped calling entirely.
What had really happened on that last trip?
“Well…” he shrugged. “We stopped talking.”
“Man,” I muttered, shaking my head.
He let out a slow breath.
“She has cancer.”
His voice cracked slightly at the end.
My chest tightened.
He turned toward me, eyes red, tears threatening to spill. He sniffed and rubbed his nose, looking away again.
“Stage three.”
I swallowed.
I didn’t know much about cancer, but I knew enough to understand that stage three meant bad. Really bad.
I placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed firmly. A hug would’ve felt forced. Neither of us were hug people.
“I’m sorry,” I said quietly.
He nodded stiffly.
My jaw tightened.
“Do you want to come over tonight?” I asked.
He chuckled weakly. “You don’t have to throw a pity party for me.” He gestured toward the drink. “That one’s enough.”
I glanced at the bottle. “It’s not for pity. I needed it.”
Our eyes met.
His lips tilted slightly. “Why? You barely drink alcohol.”
Valid point.
I’d rather smoke than drink. It was easier than dealing with hangovers.
“Tried fucking a girl,” I said casually. “Realized midway I didn’t have a condom.”
He burst out laughing, patting my shoulder.
I nodded, satisfied he found it funny.
Truthfully, seeing him laugh eased something in my chest. Even if the laughter was temporary, it was better than the hollow look he’d worn earlier.
“I didn’t realize people still used condoms,” he grinned.
I gave him a flat look.
“I don’t fancy catching a disease or getting trapped in a pregnancy that sure as hell isn’t mine.”
He shrugged. “We have our ways. Make sure the girl’s clean and your pull-out game is strong.”
“I really didn’t need to hear that.”
He laughed again before pushing away from the counter and heading toward the door. He looked slightly better now. Not fixed — just… steadier.
“Can I still take you up on the sleepover offer?” he asked.
I rolled my eyes, setting the nearly empty bottle down.
“Then we better leave now. I need to check on Leo.”
I tucked my hands into my pockets and walked toward him.
He hummed in agreement as we left the kitchen.
Finding Landon tonight would be pointless anyway. We both knew we wouldn’t find him alone, and I had zero interest in accidentally walking into something traumatic.
We headed outside.
“Did you drive?” I asked.
Brayden shook his head. “Haven’t driven in weeks. My car probably misses me,” he muttered, ruffling his hair.
“I’m not driving. I drank,” I said, scanning the parking lot.
In hindsight, I probably shouldn’t have drunk anything at all.
“Come on,” he said. “You didn’t drink as much as I did. You’ll be fine.”
That was exactly how every tragic accident started in movies.
I shoved a hand into my pocket and pulled out my phone.
“I’ll call a driver,” I said dryly. No way I was risking anything over something stupid.
“Do as you wish,” Brayden muttered, leaning against my car with his arms folded.
I called one of the drivers assigned to me — a service I barely used since I preferred driving myself.
The night air was cool—soothing even.
Under different circumstances, I would’ve walked home just to enjoy it.
“You know,” Brayden started, “I meant it about the bet.”
I paused.
“That’s ridiculous,” I said flatly, turning toward him. “If you’re interested in Tatum, just try winning her over.”
He tilted his head, watching me closely.
“Tatum?” he huffed, letting out a dry chuckle. “You think I haven’t noticed?”
I frowned.
“You like her,” he said simply.
My lips pressed together.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I muttered, looking away.
I didn’t like Tatum.
Right?
Brayden nodded like he didn’t believe me.
“Tatum has a sister,” he said, his tone turning cold. I knew that. 
The sister that was supposed to be sick that isn’t. How did Brayden know about her?
“Tate,” I corrected instead.
I hated anyone calling her that except me.
“I met her today,” he continued. “And I don’t like her which is why my bet still stands.”
I shook my head immediately. A really bad idea if you ask me.
“Don’t do that.”
Tatum looked like the type who would burn the world down for her sister.
Just like I would for Leo.
Brayden huffed. “Watch me.”
I glanced at him. The determination on his face made my stomach tighten.
He was serious.
Do I have to warn Tatum?