Page 20 of Be My Brayshaw (Brayshaw High 4)

He couldn’t hide the intensity behind his dark eyes if he tried.

He doesn’t try, but that’s Royce, purposeful, so nobody can read him right—rage or rager. All you can do is take him as he is and teeter on edge until he’s gone. Right now, he’s nothing but a ball of adrenaline, waiting to let loose again.

He hides it well, though.

They all do.

“You bringin’ yours?” Jason asks Maddoc, nodding toward Raven.

Maddoc eyes him, unblinking, and Jason licks his lips.

He tries again, degrading his girlfriend for all to see. “Trying to decide if I should bring my piece or not.”

Piece of shit.

Maddoc lifts his chin, making a shift so subtle no one may notice he’s moved to block Raven’s belly.

“Yo, you want your piece there, bring her.” Royce shoves his phone in his pocket with a shrug. “The more, the fuckin’ merrier.”

“Yeah, for sure. We’ll see.” He looks to his girlfriend, nods his chin and walks away.

All four silently stare after him, Mac too, but to the common eye, there’s nothing to see but a couple guys having said bye to their friend.

They have a unique ability to put off whatever vibe they want without so much as a twitch flashing across their faces. Right now, their query is hidden behind a sheath of nothingness.

Just like that, light chuckles leave each one, grins slipping in place with ease.

Couple of boys who just had some fun.

I suppress a smile, shaking my head.

Like nothing, Royce flips another chair around, once again straddling the seat as the others settle into their own, and within less than a minute, we’re all sitting around the table again.

I glance to Captain as his knuckles brush along the splatter on my top, and his eyes meet mine, but as if he hadn’t realized he reached out to touch me, he looks away.

I spot Raven’s gaze traveling along the onlookers, so mine follows.

With every ounce of caution, they begin returning to their seats as we have, not a soul daring to look this way.

Raven leans over, whispering into my ear, “Another day in Brayshaw.”

I nod.

One thing’s for sure, if anyone had even an inkling of a doubt their boys had grown weak in their absence, they don’t anymore.

I look back to Captain, and then the others, at the smirks playing on all their lips and realize, that’s exactly why they showed up here in the first place.

They knew they’d be here, and they knew Jason would be, too.

Two snakes, one stone.

Chloe finally comes outside with a tray full of new drinks.

She sits down, grinning across the group. “Now that was a Brayshaw homecoming.”

Everyone laughs, and I can’t help it when my own follows.Chapter 5VictoriaIt’s been hours since my boring afternoon was lit up by a Brayshaw plan I wasn’t privy too, hours since we all stood from the table, they slid into their SUV and I headed the opposite way.

My feet hurt from mindless walking, and I’m exhausted from having nothing to do but think as the minutes ticked by.

Thank hell the sun has finally faded, the moon now taking its place, indicating it’s safe for me to make the walk back home.

At least that’s what I thought, but as I grow closer the smoky flavor of an evening firepit coats my throat and my steps slow.

In the distance, off to the right of the mansion a flicker of a flame lights the orchards.

They’re outside.

Maybe it’s only them?

My hope is crushed when I reach the end of the dirt path.

The most precious laugh fills my ears, a laugh I’ve missed more than I can explain, more than anyone would understand.

I tense at first, but then I close my eyes, taking a full, deep inhale, allowing her to breathe air back into my lungs and calm me in a way only she can.

Zoey laughs harder, a loud, “and one and one,” following.

A chuckle bubbles out of me, but I still don’t open my eyes. I lean against the tree and listen.

She has no idea what and one means, but that won’t stop her. She repeats what she hears, as many toddlers do, and I know she’s at least connected it to sinking a basket.

Captain’s laugh floats across the yard right then, and my lungs quickly deny the full breath its exit, a heavy pressure forming at the base of my throat and holding.

“I think Royce was right.”

My eyes fly open, locking with Maddoc’s.

He stands beside his SUV, arms crossed over his chest, head cocked. “You must be dumb.”

I swallow, but my voice still comes out raspy. “Or following orders.”

Another round of laughs reaches us, and my brows cave at the sound, the knot in my stomach tightening, driving my shoulders forward as the pain settles beneath my ribs.

Maddoc narrows his gaze, licking his lips as he steps toward me.

He studies me a long moment, and I’d dare say surprise is what has his glare sharpening as his jaw sets tight. “You love that little girl.”