Page 40 of Caged

“Shoot.” I squat down next to Watty. “Did I knee you in the nuts too?”

He shakes his head in response and rolls away from me when I lay my hand on his back. “I’m so sorry. But what the heck were you doing scaring me like that?”

“What the hell?” Brandon stops at the bottom of the stairs and looks between Watty and me, then doubles over laughing. “Don’t break him, Mads. We need him on Sunday.”

I flip him the bird and offer Watkins my hand while he fights his way back onto his feet, eyeing me like I’m going to attack again. “Shoot, Mads?” His voice is hoarse and clipped. “Seriously?Shoot? You kicked me in the junk, andshootis the best you got?”

He walks gingerly into the kitchen and helps himself to the trusty bag of peas in the freezer, then joins Brandon on the couch and shoves the peas down the front of his gym pants.

My brother hands him the Xbox remote with a scowl. “Throw them out when you’re done, asshole. I don’t want to ice up later with produce that’s touched your balls.”

I drown the two of them out and slip my heels off, moaning, now that I can finally feel my toes again. Why do cute shoes always cause so much pain?

“Mads,” Brandon looks away from the game they’ve queued up on the flat screen and waits until I stop walking. “I’m dropping you off at Crucible tonight, and Hudson’s bringing you home.”

Maybe it’s because I’d already kneed Watkins tonight, but I’m feeling a little extra ragey. Or maybe it’s just that the last of my carefully held patience has finally snapped. Either way, the result is the same.

I snap.

Well, actually... I throw.

A shoe.

Oh my God.

I just threw a shoe.

At my brother’s head.

And it bounces off him. Well, off his forehead, to be exact. Oh, thank goodness the heel didn’t get him. I stand perfectly still—in complete shock that I just did that—until he stands up, yelling. That’s when my anger comes back in full force.

“What the hell, Maddie? You hit me with your fucking shoe.” He waves the black patent-leather heel around in the air as a lump quickly forms on the front of his head.

“I’m done, Brandon. I’m done. I’m not a child, and I’m tired of you treating me like one. And you know what? It’s my own fault for letting you think you’ve had the final say in my life for so long. Because guess what?” My entire body shakes, I’m so mad right now.

Mad at him.

Mad at me.

Mad at Watty for being here to witness my meltdown.

“Maddie...” Brandon starts, fury lacing his tone, but my phone chimes, cutting him off.

I yank it out of my bag and stare at the text on the screen for a second before walking over to Brandon and grabbing my heel out of his hand. I slip both torture devices back on my feet and grab my bag.

“What are you doing?” He eyes me, confused while Watty looks between us like he’s watching a real-life soap opera.

“Daphne just went into labor. I’m meeting her at the hospital.” Brandon stands, like he’s going to come with me, but I stop him. “I’ll call you when the baby’s here. Don’t come now.”

A wave of pain washes over his face. Daphne is his friend too, but she’s not going to want to see him now. And I certainly don’t want to be around him tonight. “Be safe,” he tells me as I pull open the door. I don’t bother to answer as I slam it shut behind me.

* * *

I calledCade on my way to the hospital and canceled my class for the night. He’d already heard the news from Scarlet and told me not to worry about it. It’s hard to believe this is my second time here in less than a week. But tonight is for a much happier reason.

When I walk into the fancy waiting room in the labor and delivery wing of Kroydon Hills Hospital, Scarlet, and Becket are already here, but they’re the only Kingstons present.

That won’t last long.

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