Page 101 of Break Me (Brayshaw High 5)

She leans in and kisses his forehead. “I love you, bestest friend.” She lays her head on my shoulder and yawns, her nap time officially closing in. “Your turn, Uncle Bro.”

I lean down, kissing his right temple. “I love you, Phoenix Brayshaw.”BrielleOf all the mornings for my brother to call, he chose this one.

It was just after seven-thirty, when I’d normally be on my bus ride to school, but this morning, at seven-thirty, I wasn’t on a bus or in a town I was forced into. I wasn’t with a family who didn’t really want me there or at a school where kids weren’t sure what to think about the sad little weird girl who came in with a bald spot and puffy eyes.

This morning, I was wrapped in a cocoon of tattooed arms, barricaded by long and lean muscles, and held on to with a comfort I wasn’t sure existed.

I haven’t heard back from my brother, which was almost scary, but knowing he wasn’t here made it a little easier. I figure he hasn’t answered because every time he does, he’s forced to lie, or more, hide the truth.

I’ve been waiting for his call for so many reasons... and I ignored it.

I was already awake, breathing in the early morning air and letting my eyes roam the parts of the property I could see from where we were. My phone vibrated beside me, and I ignored it.

I would almost go as far as to say I was angry his call came when it did, interrupting my morning, but I had to get up, get back to the house to get ready anyway. I figured the Brays wouldn’t be at school today and I was right. I even saw Mac and Chloe leaving at lunch and figured they were headed to meet the newest member of the Brayshaw family.

When the school bell rings, I’m ready for it, and pull my phone out to call my brother back.

Surprise, surprise, he answers on the first ring. “I was five seconds from hopping on a plane.”

I find it hard to laugh when normally I would. “Maybe I should ignore your calls more often, like you’ve been ignoring mine.”

He’s quiet, a sigh woven in his words. “That’s not fair, B. You know I’d be with you if I could.”

I nod, squeezing my eyes shut and tell myself he’s being honest when it’s getting harder to believe.

I shouldn’t ask what follows, but I can’t stop myself.

“Those Brays keeping you busy, big brother?”

He clears his throat, a rasped and hesitant “Yeah, B, they are” following.

When my eyes cloud over, I pretend the lie didn’t fall so easily.

“I called you seven hours ago,” he says next. “You didn’t text back. Why not?”

“Sorry, I was busy, and then, you know, school.” I pull a petal off one of the giant rose bushes framing the side of the school and rub it between my fingers.

“Busy at seven in the morning?” His tone is full of suspicion.

The added noise on the line lets me know he’s no longer alone and our two minutes of sibling time is about to end, so before he can cut me off, tell me he has to go do... whatever the hell it is he’s doing wherever the hell he’s at, I beat him to the punch.

“I have to go, Bass.” I let the red petal fall to the ground. “Maybe we’ll talk soon.”

“Brielle?”

I drop my head, my chest aching.

I understand the worry in his tone, the sadness. I feel it too, the disconnect.

I’ve never allowed myself to be upset with my brother.

He’s my best friend. My only family. My only friend.

Or he was.

I have new friends now, a couple anyway. And I have Royce, but my brother?

I feel like I’m losing him, and I’m not okay with that.

He’s always been everything to me. I couldn’t live with myself if I allowed a wedge to form between us. I also don’t know how to fix it, but what I do know is I’d do anything for him, no matter the cost. Always, as he’s done for me.

It’s who we are, the Bishop bastards.

“Brielle!”

I whip around to find Micah at the curb, Valine in the front seat and Jonah in the back. He smiles, nodding his head at me. “Come on, girl!”

“Brielle?” Bass draws into the line. I’d almost forgotten he was still on it.

There’s so much commotion surrounding him now I can hardly hear him through it anyway.

“I have to go,” I repeat. “My friends are waiting for me.”

“That’s... that’s good, B. Have fun, but be careful. Some weird shit’s going down, so let me know if anything feels off, okay?” There’s a hint of uncertainty in his tone now, and for some reason it brings the moisture back to my eyes.

“I will... wait.” I plug my left ear to hear him better. “Ciara said.” I pause. Shit, okay. I lie. “She said she’s been seeing a car parked around lately. Did you happen to send someone to, you know, watch me?”