14. Go On Baby Bro, Hit Me

Kade

I watch the light dim in Cam’s eyes, they are replaced with a burning fury that excites me to my bones. He clenches his fists, darting between my arms wrapped around Sora’s neck and me, jaw tight.

Go on baby bro, hit me. My lips curve into a sweet smile, when he unclenches his fists.

“Okay Sora. If this is what you want, I’ll support you.” Cam says between gritted teeth, Sora on the other hand tenses up next to me, her lips sealed shut.

“Thank you bro. I am glad you came around.” I release my hold on Sora and step between her and my brother, I get even closer pulling him into a hug. “Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of pretty Sora. Not after having a taste of her.”

His reaction is immediate.

Cam shoves me off him with enough force to make Sandy gasp from somewhere behind us. I stumble back a step, more surprised than hurt, and when I look up, I almost burst out laughing. His chest rises and falls sharply, his fists clenched so tightly I can see the tendons straining beneath his skin. There it was. The reaction I'd been waiting for all morning. Pure rage. The perfect golden boy mask is slipping off and for a second I genuinely think he's going to hit me.

Hell, I want him to.

I've spent the better part of today poking at every last nerve he has, watching him grit his teeth through it all and pretend he's above losing his temper. One punch would make all of it worth it.

But then his eyes shift, not to my face or the smirk I’m wearing but to Sora. My Sora.

The fury doesn’t disappear, if anything it burns hotter the only difference is that now he’s swallowing it down. I watch his jaw work, fist unclenching only to tighten again before finally dropping back to his side.

Interesting.

Very interesting.

Because if Sora wasn't standing here, I think my brother would've broken my nose.

"I just hope you know what you’re doing." The words sound painful coming out of him, and oh boy do I savour the taste of it.

Sora nods, offering a faint smile and I can tell this is breaking her poor innocent heart. I still can’t wrap my head around what she finds remotely attractive about him.

"I’m more than certain she does.”

I flash him my sweetest smile and judging by the murderous look he sends me, it only makes things worse.

Cam drags a hand through his hair before exhaling heavily. He suddenly looks exhausted again, like the anger drained whatever little energy he had left.

"Before I leave, I wanted to ask something."

I raise a brow, now this should be good.

Sora encourages him with a cheeky smile, “Go on.”

"I came here because Daisy wanted to invite you on a date, three of us to battle out the bad blood.”

The silence that follows is deafening, God Cam is making this so darn easy feeding Sora to me on a freaking platter.

Stupid as fuck, who even puts their best friend in an uncomfortable situation? Yeah my dimwit brother.

Sora’s jaw nearly drops to the floor, I watch her quietly. Her tiny fist clutching her gown, I can see she’s about to either flip Cam off or outrightly reject the offer.

“No—” She starts but I cut her off.

“Oh like a double date?” I ask, unable to stop the grin spreading across my face. Sora spins so fast I almost laugh. It’s the first time she’s paid me any attention since she started this boring conversation and judging by the glare she shoots my way, I’ve finally managed to earn it.

"Oh, absolutely. Tell Daisy we will be there."

“Kade!” Sora warns.

I immediately pull her into a side hug before she can start threatening bodily harm, my grin widening when she attempts to elbow me in the ribs.

"Relax, Shadow. I just saved us from an incredibly boring evening."

“And you think setting me up on a date with Daisy won’t be boring?”

"A double date," I correct. “You won’t be alone.”

"That doesn't make it better."

"I make things significantly better, baby."

Sora opens her mouth, no doubt preparing a lengthy speech about boundaries, consent and why I'm the worst thing to happen to her this week when Sandy finally appears beside us.

"I don't mean to be a party pooper butttt..." She drags the word out, pointing toward the office behind us. "There's a reputation to save here."

The reminder wipes the amusement from Sora's face.

Right.

The fact that half the country apparently thinks my manager and I are conducting a secret love affair.

To be fair, they aren't exactly wrong but it’s nothing to kill herself over. The agency won’t fire Sora for shit except they’re ready to lose their most important ace, me.

Cam glances between us one final time before shoving both hands into his pockets.

"I'll send you the address later."

Sora nods.

Cam hesitates for a second like he wants to say something else, then thinks better of it and walks away.

I watch him disappear down the hallway.

The second he's out of sight, Sora spins around so fast I'm forced to take a step back.

"What the hell is wrong with you?"

I blink, wiggling my brow.

"That's a broad question."

"Why did you make such a decision for me?"

"Ah."

"You volunteered me without asking."

"You were about to say no."

"Because I wanted to say no."

I shrug. “That wouldn’t be nice of you.”

Her eyes narrow into slits. God, she's cute when she's angry.

"This isn't funny, Kade."

The smile slips from my face. "No, it isn't."

That catches her off guard.

"You spent the entire conversation trying not to hurt him," I continue. "You stood your ground, but every time he looked sad you folded a little. Every time he looked tired, you started feeling guilty. Every time he pushed, you softened."

Sora's jaw tightens. "I did not."

"You did."

She looks away first.

I shove my hands into my pockets before continuing.

"If you actually want to get under Cameron's skin, then stop acting like his relationship with Daisy controls your mood. Stop acting like every decision he makes needs your approval or your blessing. The second he realizes you genuinely don't give a shit anymore is the second he'll start paying attention."

Her gaze snaps back to mine.

"And why should I believe you?"

A laugh escapes me, not because the question is funny, if anything it’s raw.

I scratch the back of my neck before answering. "Because he's my brother and I care about him."

Sora looks at me genuinely surprised and I can’t even blame her. Most people assume I spend my days plotting Cameron's downfall but the truth is a lot more annoying.

"I know exactly how he thinks," I tell her quietly. "Which is why I'm telling you that chasing him isn't going to work."

Sora studies my face for a long moment. Then Sandy claps her hands together loudly.

"Great. Love the breakthrough. Hate the timing. Can we save the emotional revelations for after we stop the internet from eating both of you alive?"

Lll