Page 26 of Watched

Three hours of light sleep is the maximum I’ve been getting since Rain appeared on my bed. I spent the entirety of my scheduled rest day yesterday running through drills until I was exhausted. This morning consisted of training, the gym, a massage, and hydrotherapy afterward, followed by shooting a commercial for one of our sponsors. That took longer than usual; I couldn’t concentrate and kept messing up my lines or not adding the required enthusiasm.

When I received a call from my mother about this lunch, it only increased my frustration. The only upside? Kilah and Indie. Once they turned fourteen, the twins began to notice how controlling our parents are. Of course, Mum and Dad blamed me for the fact that the twins started talking back to them. That’s not my influence, that’s called being a teenager.

I exit Rain’s texts, the sudden change of temperature as I enter the restaurant sending a warm shudder through my body. Passing a few tables sat around the large indoor garden, I spot my father’s eyes already locked on me from across the room by the window, cutlery scraping plates and people chatting unfavourable to the pounding in my head.

“That’s Rome,” I hear a young boy announce as I pass a table.

“Braxton,” a woman scolds.

Small arms wrap around my waist from the side, making me stop. I look down at the dark-haired boy who looks no older than seven. Big, brown eyes stare up at me. “Hey, lad,” I chuckle.

“Rome.”

“Is that my name?” I move out of his hold to crouch before him.

“I’m so sorry,” his mother with matching features apologises as she approaches. “Brax, you can’t just run up to people.”

“But it’s Rome,” he argues. “Can I get a picture?”

“Brax,” she berates harder this time.

“It’s fine,” I laugh, narrowing my eyes at him. “Silly or serious?”

He shrugs. “Both?”

I lean my shoulder down for him to wrap his arm around and smile while his mother takes a photo.

“What pose?” I ask. He pokes out his tongue, and I follow suit and pose for the photo.

“Thank you,” his mother mouths.

I wave her off as I straighten and hold out my knuckle. “Good to meet you, Brax.”

He smashes his fist against mine. “Thanks, Rome. You’re my favourite player ever.”

His mother smiles, holding him against her. “Countless posters.”

I mock gasp. “You have posters of me?”

“Yeah.” He throws out his hand. “Everyone does.”

I smile and wave, hoping the irritation clawing at me isn’t evident. I snatch my vibrating from my pocket.

Unknown: I understand taking photos with kids, but why the fuck were you talking to HER for so long?

I stop a few meters from the table, subtly eyeing the security camera closest to me.

Me: Don’t you have better things to do? Like paint?

Unknown: I can multitask. Watch you while I paint. Suck you off while my fingers move in and out of that delicious ass.

Me: Never happening.

Unknown: WHY were you talking to her for so long?

Me: I’m fucking gay, you ignorant prick.

Unknown: Well aware of that detail, baby. I just don’t like people having your attention.