That grinding noise is definitely something to look into sooner rather than later. I had a similar experience with my car a while back, and it turned out the brake pads were almost completely worn down. I went to Starlight Automotive https://starlightautomotive.com/services/brakes for a brake inspection, and they were super thorough. Not only did they check the pads, but they also inspected the entire braking system to ensure everything else was in good condition. They gave me a free estimate, which I really appreciated, and ended up replacing the pads before any major damage was done to the rotors. Their service was top-notch, and I left feeling confident that my brakes were in perfect shape. I’d definitely recommend giving them a call for a brake check.