Liam Rawley

"Hey, it's good looking cop guy."Roy wrapped his arms around Brady.

"Touch me again and I'll handcuff you at the bookstore," Brady warned.

All of us met up at the mall because Roy needs new equipment for his upcoming badminton game and Laurel wanted to dress me up as if I don't already dress well.

Dan was just there because as much as he is annoyed by Roy, they were like brothers and would do anything together.

Brady was also there because, at the moment, he was only being paid to look out after me. He didn't say anything but I can totally see that he was annoyed by the fact that he was forced to spend time with a bunch of teenagers instead of getting into some real action.

I found it kinda cool that even though he was wearing a black shirt with jeans, he had his badge attached to his belt just on top of his right pocket.

"I'm sorry if this is not how you usually spend your weekends," I said to Brady.

"Nah, I'm getting paid to do nothing."He shrugged, "Sounds like a win to me."

"Technically you're not doing nothing."I pointed out, "You're getting paid to be around teenagers like a babysitter."

"Yeah and that's annoying but at least you're cool."He said casually.

I couldn't help but let a small smile creep on my face.

We arrived at the sports equipment store first. Dan and Roy immediately went to the badminton section and we followed them from behind.

"What do you think of this?"Roy asked Dan while holding a badminton racket.

"Looks good, buy it," Dan said without even looking at it.

"You're not even paying attention."Roy pouted, "Don't you love me anymore?"

"Are you serious right now?"Dan asked in an annoyed tone.

"You don't want this."Brady interjected and grabbed another racket, "You want a synthetic grip on the racket. It may be less comfortable but it's less slick and not as messy as the towel grips."

"I didn't understand a single word you said but I'll take it."Roy grabbed the racket.

"Idiot," Brady muttered under his breath.

&&&&&&

All of us had lunch at the food court while Brady sat at another table that was quite far away from ours.

"So, Brady is kinda tense," Laurel remarked.

"I don't know, he's been cool about all of this."I shrugged and looked at Brady, who was scrolling through his phone.

"He kinda scares me a little," Roy confessed.

"Our school's mascot scares you."Dan teased.

"He is always bullying me like that."Roy whispered to me, "I think it's because he is in love with me or something."

"Neither of us swings that way."Dan pointed out, "Not that it's bad if one of us did. Even then, I would still find someone with half of a brain."

"What is the story for the two of you?"I finally asked, "I mean, you guys look like you can't stand each other but are attached together or something."

"Can I tell it, please?"Roy begged like a child.

"I wasn't even offering, "Dan mumbled.

"Okay so, we are neighbors..."He said and it seemed like that was it as he didn't say anything else.

"And?"I asked.

"Nothing, that's pretty much it. We grew up together."Roy said.

"You couldn't have added that in the first place?"Dan asked frustratedly.

They started arguing and I couldn't help but stare at Brady again. He was eating his lunch all alone and didn't seemed to be uncomfortable with it. I know that I would if that was me alone there.

"Can I have your fries?"Roy asked me.

"Seriously," Dan scoffed.

"Oh my god, you're being extra today."Roy groaned.

"Do they always fight like an old married couple?"I whispered to Laurel.

"Definitely."She nodded.

"Hey, it's 3 o'clock."Brady went to our table.

"So?"Roy raised his eyebrows, "Do you have a secret wife and kid to go home to or something?"

"Can you tell the idiot to not talk to me unless it's important?"Brady asked me bitterly, "Your father said to bring you home before 3.30."

"Hey, I'm the only one that can call him an idiot," Dan said.

Ever since the whole Ryan thing, my father had been really strict on my social life. He did let me go out with my friends but it always had a time limit.

Roy then waved his hands in front of Brady's face out of nowhere for some unexplainable reason.

"What is he doing?"Brady asked me, unamused by Roy.

"I'm trying to see if you're a robot," Roy said.

"How would a robot even react if you did that?"Dan asked.

"I didn't think about that."Roy shrugged.

Brad glared at him before taking a deep breath and turned to me, "We're leaving now."

&&&&&&

"Thanks for the drive, "I said to Brady after we arrived at my house.

"I'm gett-"

"Getting paid for it."I finished his sentence, "Yeah, I know."

A small smile grew on his face, which made me grinned.

"My friends love you, "I said sarcastically.

"Yeah, whatever."He shrugged, "I suck at small talks so you should get inside."

"Okay," I nodded awkwardly, "I'll see you tomorrow, I guess."

I got out of the car and went inside the empty house. I immediately went to the couch and took out my phone to see the photos that the gang tag me in.

"Hey, your father said that he needs me to stay until he gets home."Brady suddenly entered the house, "And you should lock this."He pointed at the door.

"You don't have to, "I said.

"He said that it was an order."He mentioned.

"Than disobey him."I joked.

"I kinda work hard to not lose this job so..." He rolled his eyes.

"Fine."I chuckled, "You can watch tv or something."

He nodded and sat next to me on the couch. We didn't say anything as I looked through my phone and he grabbed the remote.

"I see that you clean up the place."He looked around.

"Yeah, it was a real mess when I came."I pointed out.

He didn't say anything else after that as we sat in comfortable silence while looking at the tv.

I'm pretty sure that we just made small talk.