Page 79 of Boys of Brayshaw High (Brayshaw High 1)

“Big and dark,” Royce repeats.

“You don’t like it,” Captain states.

“What’s not to like?” I shrug, sticking my hands in my sweat’s pockets. “It’s huge, expensive. But it’s, I don’t know ... kinda boring on the inside compared to the out.”

I look to the three and they stare a minute before all three start laughing. A deep, good, hearty laugh that has me taking a deep breath.

Royce’s smile is huge. “I was waiting for a real girly squeal and a ‘this place is amazing, you must be so rich. I always dreamed of such a castle to call home’ or something.”

I laugh lightly. “I don’t squeal and—” I cut myself off. “Wait. What’d you just say?”

“Home sweet home, RaeRae.” Royce crosses his arms over his chest.

“Ha! No.” I back up a step, glancing between the three. “Hell no.”

Maddoc steps closer. “Yes.”

“I’m not—”

“Yeah, you are.”

“I can’t—”

“You can and will.”

“They won’t just let—”

“It’s done.”

I growl and step toward Maddoc. “Interrupt me one more time, big man, and you’ll be sleeping with an ice pack on your jock.”

He gets in my face. “And you’ll be right down the hall in case I need you to massage it for me.”

“You are out of your ever-loving mind if—”

“Just save it, RaeRae, and come on.” Royce grabs my hand and pulls. “So much more to show ya.”

My shoes skid across the hardwood, but he yanks, making me fly forward.

With a growl, I let him drag me along like a dog on a leash.

This shit’s not happening.I drop onto the bed, covering my face with my hands.

This is not okay.

“Why not?”

I sigh and look up. “Spying?”

“No. You’re thinking out loud.” Maddoc drops in the desk chair across from me.

Yes, there’s a desk and a chair and a fucking brand-new computer in here.

Mine, they say.

“I can’t live here.”

“Why?”

“For one, and it’s a big one, I hardly know you guys.”

“You’ve got your knife.”

When I scowl his lip twitches.

“Two, I owe no one in my life and I like it that way. Moving me into a big house with new shit and a ridiculously comfortable bed” —he chuckles lightly— “is like a lifetime of payback that I don’t have, can’t and don’t want to give.”

“We’re not asking you for anything.”

“Come on, nobody rides for free.” I lift a brow. “Unless they ride for free. Feel me?”

He frowns. “Are you serious?”

“It’s normal where I come from.”

When his jaw clenches, I chuckle.

“I didn’t say I’m guilty of it. I’m just saying ... people don’t do shit to be nice in my world.”

“You’re in our world now.”

The way he says it ... so strong, indefinite. It worries me even more, because deep down I like the way it sounds, and because he’s wrong.

“I may not fall into the category you tried to force me into, but I’m still the outsider. And to be honest, I have to question your guys’ reason. A few weeks ago, you wanted everyone to think I was a dirty bird only to put some protective shield around me the next. Now I’m like the shared rag doll.”

“Thought you didn’t care what they thought?” he snaps.

“I don’t,” I sass back. “I care what I become. We already had a little freaky Friday fun. I’m not looking for another situation where I turn three shades of Jenna Jameson.”

“That won’t happen again.” He glares.

Right. Not like they wanted it to happen, they just had to shut me up.

Annd now I sound like I wanted it to happen. Multiples aren’t my style.

I shake my head.

“For real, Maddoc, I’m not comfortable with this.”

A small grin tips his lips.

“What?”

“Maddoc, huh?” He pushes to a stand and heads for the door. “Sounds like you’re getting more comfortable by the second.” With that, he walks out.

I throw myself back on the bed, and when I hit the comforter-covered mattress, I wiggle.

So soft.

With a sigh, I turn my head, my eyes landing on the window. Curiosity gets the best of me and I move toward it. I finger the fancy fabric hanging in front of it, it’s not a material I’ve felt before. Almost silky but still has texture.

I push them aside and glance out, groaning as I do.

The window is wide and looks out over a fresh and green orchard. Nothing but trees and a blue-sky line to follow for miles.

It’s freeing.

“The back of the property goes on for about three miles.”

I turn to find Royce now walking in.

“There’s a heated pool, hot tub and basketball court out there you can use at any time.” He throws himself on the bed and does the same wiggle move I did.

“Damn, this thing is nice.” He looks to me with a grin that quickly morphs into a frown. “What’s the problem?”

“I can’t stay here.”

“Don’t start. Look at all this.” He waves his hands around the room without bothering to sit up. “It’s more than you had at the Bray house.”