Page 33 of Be My Brayshaw (Brayshaw High 4)

Mac finishes up with the main part of the barbecue right around then, so everyone takes a minute to breathe and eat, but I’m done.

I wipe the sweat from my brow with the bottom of my t-shirt, my eyes sliding to the end of the court where Jason stands with Mac, Chloe, and a few other girls. He laughs as he throws away his plate before picking up a ball and heading back out onto the asphalt.

None of us picked up on anything outside the norm with him today, like we hoped. He’s acting like his usual attention-seeking self.

Royce nods his chin, tugging his shirt over his head as he takes slow steps toward Jason.

The girls start whistling and laughing, causing Jason to turn around.

His dribble slows, but then his eyes tighten some and he starts crossing the ball between his legs.

Royce crouches the slightest bit, his fingers drumming the air at his sides, and then the two both move.

Jason darts forward as Royce shoots right, anticipating his exact motion, and steals the ball from him with ease. He continues down the court, jumping up and dunking before Jason can attempt to catch up.

Royce grabs the ball, chucking it hard against Jason’s chest.

He catches it easily, a light chuckle escaping him as he attempts a three-pointer, but Royce hops and is in the air, slapping the ball away.

Jason laughs and comes forward with his hand out, so Royce gives him props.

His eyes slide our way but don’t hold.

No aggression from him toward one of us.

Maybe the little blue car’s got nothing to do with him?

“Fuck’s next?” Maddoc says behind his towel before swiping it across his head and draping it around his neck.

Royce makes his way over when someone else jumps up, ready to go one on one next.

“Let’s see how things look at school, go from there?”

He and Royce nod in agreement.

“Aye, Raven loved that shit at the warehouses, huh?” Royce grins at Maddoc.

“Fuck, man. She did, but now she keeps talking about it.”

“She miss the fighting?”

A strain pulls at his forehead as he watches her shift from foot to foot in an attempt to get comfortable. “She’s feelin’ useless. I think our fight the other day made it worse, that shit was hard on her, having to sit back like that.” His eyes swing our way. “She’s getting fuckin’ restless, gotta help her find something she actually likes, not some shit she came to crave out of survival. She’s never been able to chill enough to know what she’d even want to try outside of what she had to do to get by or clear her head. She wants to fight still, after, so I’m looking at some trainers that I won’t have to kill along the way. Legit boxing, not the savage shit like out there.” He frowns. “Gotta keep her outta that ring.”

“Concert?” Royce throws out. “Still has those earbuds in more than not.”

Maddoc nods. “I’d fuck up anyone who came within four feet of her.”

“We’ll get floor seats or a box suite.”

He licks his lips. “Yeah, let’s find somethin’ quick.”

Royce’s head draws back. “Gettin’ blue balls?”

Maddoc’s glare flies his way. “Fuck you, yeah right. My Snow’s real good to me. I’m the only thing she can put all her pent-up energy into.” His smirk is slow. “I’m not mad about it.”

Royce laughs. “Aye, that’s what I like to hear. The real Snow White took on seven men. Keep her ridin’, baby on board or not.”

Maddoc wraps him in a quick headlock, one Royce escapes just as fast and the two mock box for a second before laughing.

“I’m out,” I announce. “Mac giving you guys a ride home?”

“Yup,” Maddoc says.

I nod and start toward my SUV as Royce moves over to Mac and Chloe’s group of friends, and Maddoc drops on the blanket behind Raven, pulling her to his chest so she can relax against him.

I head to the zoo to spend the rest of my Saturday with my daughter.Zoey passed out the second we got on the freeway, like I knew she would.

Once I confirmed I was on my way, my dad gave his driver the rest of the night off, so it’s the four of us in my SUV for the hour ride home.

Maybell being Maybell, uses the time to her advantage.

“She reminds me of you, you know,” she says from the back seat as she runs a hand across Zoey’s head. “So lively, always smiling and the first to share.”

I scoff a small laugh and my dad chuckles beside me.

“Now don’t you go thinkin’ nasty with me in this car, boy.”

I laugh a little louder and my dad shifts his smile to Maybell.

“I’m pretty sure none of my boys are the sharing kind nowadays,” he teases.

This time it’s Maybell who scoffs. “Go on and ask your other son.”