TT

Y/N never expected to have anything in common with Ryder Jay Banks. Ryder is angry, exhausted, addicted, and constantly one bad day away from falling apart. He works as a mechanic for Y/N’s father, mostly because he needs every dollar he can get to keep his four younger siblings fed and safe. At home, Ryder is less of a brother and more of a parent. His father is an abusive alcoholic. His mother works endlessly but refuses to leave, convinced there’s still something good in the man she’s married to. Ryder has spent years protecting Stella, Riggs, Ray, and baby Theodore from whatever storm waits behind their front door. And Y/N can’t stand him. At least, that’s what they both tell themselves. Y/N sees Ryder as an arrogant, angry mess who is always starting fights. Ryder sees Y/N as the boss’s spoiled kid who knows nothing about what it’s like to struggle. Then Y/N begins noticing the truth behind Ryder’s hostility. The exhaustion. The bruises. The trembling hands. The way he always makes sure his siblings eat before he does. And suddenly, hating Ryder becomes a lot harder.