Page 66 of Break Me (Brayshaw High 5)

Where the hell is my brother?

“Are you okay where you are, Brielle?” she whispers.

I nod. “Yeah. I am.”

“Good,” she swallows. “That’s good. Don’t come back here, okay?”

She knows I don’t plan to, but this helps her feel like she has some sort of control over her life. So I leave her to have it.

“Okay, Ciara,” I breathe into the line, and then it goes dead.

I pause a moment, and then try calling my brother, but get no answer. Again.

So I get up and get ready for school, Ciara’s words heavy on my mind.

Who came to my aunt’s and what the hell did he want?As I step into the living room, I spot Maybell on the couch. “Everyone’s gone?”

“You didn’t come out, so I thought you might want to take a day.” Maybell stands, coming over to me.

“I was talking to my cousin, and then I tried to get a hold of my brother, but he hasn’t answered in days. It’s not like him.”

I wait, hoping she’ll offer some insight on why he wouldn’t, but she doesn’t, and hey, maybe she’s unaware of the things the boys send their team to handle.

“You can wait, if you need to, child.” Maybell’s eyes scan over the red swollenness framing mine.

I offer a tight small shrug. “If I skipped every time this happens, I’d have failed a long time ago. There will be a next time, and then another, until... well. Until there isn’t,” I tell her even though I get the sense she’s fully aware.

She pulls in a full breath, a slow nod following, “You know, sometimes having my boys at your side makes the world around you real dark.” Her smile’s slow and real. “But every now and again, someone comes along who realizes the world around them holds no light... when they’re not.”

Something inside me twists at her perfectly chosen words.

A world of darkness.

That’s what I’m risking by being here.

If she knows this, she doesn’t voice it, but pats my cheek.

“Will you remember something for me?” she asks, speaking before I can respond. “I need you to remember what feels like the end, is always the beginning. My boys are tough, but I’ve known for some time that breaking into a certain one’s soul would prove to be the hardest battle yet. So just... remember those words, will you, child?”

I swallow, nod, and she does the same, leaving me in the living room alone.

With a deep breath, I head out the front door, and I’m met with an SUV full of Brayshaws.

Instantly, Royce’s eyes meet mine and narrow.

“You’re here.”

“I knew you’d step out eventually.” He takes in my swollen skin but doesn’t comment. He pushes off the back door, pulling it open for me.

When I don’t rush forward, he gives a cocky grin.

He thinks I’m nervous, maybe even second-guessing myself and the reason for him being here, but he’s wrong.

I don’t know why he is here, but I’m sure it’s because he pulled me from the cafeteria at lunch my first day, and then the whole him causing a scene at his own party.

Not that I’m complaining.

I tow my backpack up a little higher on my shoulder and smile.

His brows furrow, and I glance past him to find a grin on Captain’s face.

I skip down the steps and toward Royce, slipping past and right into the seat.

I reach out to grip the handle, and he stares at me like I’m some creature he isn’t so sure what to do with.

I close the door, and I’ll admit, there’s a bit of fluttering happening in my stomach when I glance around the vehicle.

Cap has spun in the driver's seat, smiling back at me while Raven watches me intently from the front seat. Victoria is at my side and winks while Maddoc keeps his smirk to himself and steps out his door.

Royce walks around and Maddoc pushes the seat forward but makes no other move.

“Fuckin’ for real?” Royce glares.

Maddoc laughs. “My girl’s in the front seat to give her more room, gotta be behind her.”

“Motherfucker, please. Bet your ass is behind her every fuckin’ night since her belly’s busting out in the front.”

Raven laughs, fueling Royce’s fire.

“Unless she’s got Ginuwine on repeat, practicin’ for a rodeo.” He grins.

Maddoc fakes like he’s about to box his brother, and Royce’s hands fly up just as quick. They bounce around a time or two, making everyone laugh.

It’s cute, how playful they are.

I miss that the most, easy fun with my brother.

It’s Royce who gives in, shoves Maddoc, and climbs in the back with a grin that turns into a frown the second we’re all inside and the doors closed.

Captain starts driving now and I shift to face Royce.

He stares out the side window, his easy grin now a flat frown.

He must see my head turn in his peripheral because he looks to me, tipping his head back.