I drum my fingers on the steering wheel as I drive down the road. I hum along to the music as I check the clock.

I'm excited to see my brother. He's always so busy that we never get to see each other anymore.

Max's life started a lot faster than most people his age. When he was nineteen, his girlfriend Cassandra told him that she was pregnant. He was absolutely shocked, especially when he knew they never had sex.

That's right. She cheated on my brother and got pregnant.

Even though my brother was cheated on, he still stayed with her for the baby. He was going to support her through it all as a friend because she truly had nobody. Her parents kicked her out, and the real dad said he wanted nothing to do with his baby or the mother. Cassandra had nobody.

Unfortunately, she died during childbirth, and then her baby had nobody.

Except the baby did have someone. Max. He took her under his wing, named her Cassie in honor of her mom, and they've been a unit since then.

That's why I have to drive more than halfway between Brighton and London, not that I mind since I love driving. Cassie has ballet practice at four, so he needs to be able to pick her up from school and take her there.

We won't get to talk for long, but I will honestly take anything at this point when it comes to Max.

My phone rings next to me. Speaking of the devil.

I answer it through the bluetooth of my car. "Hello brother," I say menacingly like Damon in Vampire Diaries.

"You're annoying," Max's voice cuts, "What do you want?"

I let out a quick laugh. "You called me first, so I think I should ask that question."

"Oh, well." He thinks for a second. "Oh right, so I have a dilemma."

"A dilemma as in a potty-break-you're-going-to-be-a-little-late dilemma," I ask, "or a dilemma as in an oops-fell-asleep-on-the-toilet-forgot-to-leave-my-house type of dilemma?"

"First of all, that was one time and it was early in the morning," he says, annoyed, "and second, it's more of a Cassie doesn't feel good, and I have to pick her up type of thing."

"Oh, no big deal," I reassure, "I'll drive to you."

"It's a little bit out of Brighton, so you're traveling a lot further."

"Just send me your location and worry about that sweet girl," I say before he can worry anymore. Being a single parent somehow upped his cool factor but also brought it down at the same time.

He sends the location and hangs up. I follow the map until I get to my destination.

"Hey," Max says as he gets out of his truck. I can see little Cassie asleep in the backseat.

"Is she okay?" I ask as I open my trunk for the dresser. It was my mum's and then mine, so we wanted it to be passed to Cassie next as a tradition.

"Just an upset tummy." Max shrugs before hefting the table out of the car. "Sorry we can't talk longer."

"It's okay," I wave it off, "How are things?"

He shrugs once again. "Same old, same old. Just taking care of her."

"Are you taking care of you?" I ask as I admire his scruff. It's definitely from laziness of not wanting to shave, but it looks good on him.

I would never guess Max is a single parent. He dresses too cool for that. Maybe it's because he's still the guy I grew up being told I had a 'badass brother' for. The only thing that gives off father vibes are the dark bags under his eyes.

He still looks intimidating. I could see now how George could be scared of him, but I still think he's being ridiculous.

"I'm fine, Maia." He tries to deflect, just like he always has. "How are you doing?"

"You should try dipping your toe in the old dating pool." I ignore his question. "I think it's a good idea."

"Or not." He shuts the trunk of my car.

"Why?" I ask, "It's been what? Six years?"

"I have a kid," he reminds me as if that's something I could forget.

"Single fathers can be hot," I say simply.

"My god, you are annoying, Maia." He rolls his eyes.

"You love me." I smile. "Anyways, yeah I'm good. I've been working and hanging with George."

"How is that little squirt?" Max gives his smile only reserved for George. It's mischievous with a hint of evil in it.

"He's fine." I shrug. "He might be moving to America, but I'm really praying for him not to."

"You would follow."

My mouth pops open. "I would not."

"What's keeping you here besides family?" Max questions me, hinting at the fact that George has always been my only friend.

I'm surprised at how I don't even have to think. "Wilbur."

"Who's Wilbur?" Max sounds confused. He probably wouldn't watch my streams to know, but I don't blame him.

"My friend. A good friend." I tilt my chin up in confidence.

"More than a friend?" Max raises his brows.

I smack his arm. "Now you're annoying. He's just a friend."

He smiles and shakes his head. "Alright, I got to take Cassie home, so I will see you later."

We give each other a hug goodbye before getting into our separate cars. I start my drive back to London with my favorite playlist on.

There's a small portion of the drive that's on a back road. It's pretty empty except for one black car. A tall figure lans against it, talking on the phone.

Something about the way they stand, the way their hair flops, the way they're just there. It makes me want to pull over.

I shake my head. That's crazy. Nobody in their right mind would do that. They're a stranger to me. They could be a murderer. Only idiots would pull over, Maia.

Then why is my foot hitting the brake? Why am I slowly inching the wheel to the side of the road? Why am I stopped behind the man's car?

Maybe because my subconscious secretly knew something I didn't.