His lip twitches just the slightest.
This bitch.
“So this the route you wanna go?” I ask him and he lifts his head, but I don’t miss the shift of his feet.
“No hard feelings, I expected it.”
Funny thing, words, and the many ways one can interpret the meaning behind a sentence. I didn’t want this for him, hoped he’d come to his senses. Clearly that’s not happening today.
“You think you know me, Leo. That was your first mistake. You think I’ll take your words as a threat, that I’ll laugh it off and keep my mouth shut because the seed’s already planted now, right?” The room grows silent. “Well, I’m not a little bitch like you seem to be. So you can sit here and make it seem like I was on your jock at the cabins when we both know that’s far from the truth.” His eyes harden as I lean forward. “But let me ask you, why exactly, do you want the Boys of Brayshaw to think I fucked with you when I never even attempted?” I raise a brow slowly.
He pauses a second, making his decision – it’s the right one, but a few too late.
Leo laughs, but it’s nervous and before he can attempt to dig his way back, I stand, dismissing him.
He just showed them he purposely tried to get under their skin – the shovel is officially in his hands. No going back now.
“I’m a boss at darts, Royce. Sure you want your ass kicked?” I go to step forward, but Maddoc’s hand shoots out, gripping my jeans by the pocket.
I glance back, tipping my chin lightly as I slide my fingers over his, and his hand starts shaking. I squeeze, giving an almost unnoticeable shake of my head.
I’d never, big man.
His eyes cut between mine, and as if he understands, he lets go.
I head over to Leo and Royce. Royce, who hasn’t stopped glaring at the side of Leo’s head.
I stop in front of Leo and in my peripheral, Maddoc stands as Royce steps closer. Leo’s jaw locks tight and when I hold my hand out, he drops the darts inside.
“I gave you a choice,” I whisper for only him to hear.
“Fuck you,” he hisses, and I grin.
“Not even with the tip, Leo.”
He steps back, laughing again like we shared some joke and grabs his keys off the stool. “I’m taking off. See you guys tomorrow.”
He doesn’t say a word or make eye contact with anyone on his way out the door. The second it shuts, I’m practically ran into the corner by Royce and Maddoc.
“What the fuck was that?” Maddoc speaks through his clenched teeth.
“Your friend is a dick.
“What’d he do?”
“Nothing.”
“Cut the shit, Raven. What the fuck was that?”
I pull myself up on the stool. “He’s been your boy for years and I’m the newcomer. You guys were driving me to school, had me staying in your cabin, and now I’m at your place.”
“What’s the fucking point here?” Royce asks.
“He’s probably sleeping with roaches running across the shoes at the edge of his bed, if he even has one, and you’ve known him for years.”
“So we’re supposed to just give all our fucking friends a place to stay?”
I shrug. “I wasn’t even your friend yet when you gave me one.”
“Yet?” Royce grins.
I laugh tilting my head back and forth. “I kinda like you.”
“Back on fucking track.” Maddoc glares at us both, settling his stare on me. “Why would he act like that?”
I survey him and curse to myself.
He trusts too little in his life, and in his mind, he needs to trust Leo.
“Look, it’s not a big deal. He don’t like me, oh well, welcome him to the club. I can deal with that. If he’s being protective of you guys then I can respect that.”
“You didn’t say anything.” A deep crease takes over his forehead. “Why?”
A snort leaves me. “I wasn’t about to cause unnecessary problems between you guys and your friends. If he ends up being a little bitch, then he’ll be the one to make you see that, not me. We’ll have to wait and see how it plays out.”
They both stare, and I grow anxious, looking between the two.
“What?”
Maddoc steps closer.
“Damn,” leaves Royce in a whisper and he steps back.
I look to Royce over Maddoc’s shoulder and he winks, but it’s not a cheesy, teasing wink. It’s softer. Different.
“Party’s over, people,” Royce calls out as he steps away and the few teammates and their chicks grab their stuff and head out.
When Maddoc’s body steps between my legs, I look up.
He studies me, a bemused expression etched across his perfect face.
“What?” I breathe.
Before he can answer, Captain bounds around the corner, a deep frown in place.
Something’s wrong.
When Maddoc moves, I do too.
“Cap, what is it?” I ask him cautiously.
He looks between the three of us. “We gotta fight. Don’t ask me why.”
“I’ll get the car.” Maddoc disappears.
“I’ll lock up.” Royce disappears.
Just like that, no questions asked, no answers needed, three becomes one.
A small grin starts to form on my lips when my name is called from the doorway.
Maddoc stands there, his green eyes zoned in on me. He tips his chin and when his hand reaches out my heart stops.
I look to Captain.
There’s no scowl, no annoyance, and no demand. He won’t be hurt if I stay back, doesn’t expect me to take on his trouble, but he hopes I want to.
I grab my jacket from the edge of the couch and slide past him, patting his chest as I do.
I step in front of Maddoc, keeping my eyes locked on him as I slip my fingers into his. The corners of his eyes dip when I squeeze, then we’re out the door.
Everything happens quickly from there. The boys leap in, we skirt off and game faces slip over their eyes – masks without the mask.
We pull up at a house I’ve never seen on a street I’ve never been down and jump out.
Music blares from the inside and several cars line the street.
The boys don’t wait but charge for the door. The two fall back slightly, letting Captain take the lead on this one.
Maddoc leans toward me as we approach the door. “Stay close to me.”
I shoot him a wink, embracing the adrenaline that forms in the pit of my stomach as it always does before a fight, and rush in after Royce, leaving Maddoc as the last to step past the entryway.
And big man doesn’t do subtle or sneaky. He loves a good and loud entrance.
I smile when he slams the door, making a show of locking it behind him.
All eyes shift our way and a few girls shriek.
And all hell breaks loose.
Captain charges forward, rushing a guy who tries to stand against him. He tosses his ass and keeps going for a taller, more built guy a few steps behind him.
I jump when Royce rams a guy into the entertainment center right in front of me and shift back.
Maddoc lands a blow to another guy’s ribs, making him fall to the floor before spinning to wrap another in a headlock.
I look back to Captain in time to see him lift the big guy off the ground and slam him into the kitchen table, making the wooden legs beneath it give out.
He hops on top and concern has me running forward.
A drunk bitch shoves me from the side as I pass and I hit the wall.
I spin on my heels and grip her under her armpits, driving her against the wall. I don’t even have to hit her because she’s so sloppy her head smacks hard enough to take her vision. I let go and she crashes to the floor.
A guy tries to block my advance, but I rip the bottle from his hand and before he can stop me, I crash it into his head, nailing him in the nuts with my knee in the same second.
I step over him, tripping on my face whe
n he grips my ankle.
I plant my hands on the floor and kick, but he yanks me back. His hand reaches my waistband and he jerks but then a deep grunt leaves him and I scramble away, glancing back to find Maddoc’s fist in his face.
I look to Captain who is still beating the shit out of the guy on the ground who is quickly losing his ability to block the blows.
I glance back at Maddoc and his head pops up, motioning for me to go.
I pop up and dart forward.
Captain’s knuckles are split open, blood from his hand and the guy’s face making for a nasty scene.
A guy tries to pull Captain off and he flings his head back, head-butting the dude who flies back, tripping over a tossed chair. He goes forward again, but I pick up a piece of split wood and hit him behind the knee, knocking his feet from beneath him.
I turn, finding Royce standing with a ripped shirt, glaring at a guy on the floor.
“Royce!” I shout and both his and Maddoc’s heads snap up.
I move so they see Captain and they rush forward.
This time, nobody tries to stop them.
They yank their brother off the guy who lays limp.
He jerks from their hold and together we rush back toward the door, but when Maddoc yanks it open, something has me pausing.
I glance back, finding a girl I didn’t notice before hiding off to the side, tears running down her face. She glances at Captain, who spits blood on the floor as he continues toward us.
I stop and look to Cap. He just whooped some serious ass, yet his chin hangs to his chest.
Defeat. Regret.
I look to the girl who does the same.
Fuck. That.
I move forward and when Captain grabs my elbow on my way past, I jerk free, not meeting his eyes, not taking mine off hers. “Just one.”
The girl’s eyes stay on Captain, but when I’m a foot in front of her, they flick to mine. She doesn’t flinch, doesn’t fret or look away. She knows it’s coming and for whatever reason has decided she deserves it.
Good.
I swing, hitting her right in the jaw and she stumbles back. Her friends shriek and rush to her side.
I turn around, walk past the boys and lead us out the door and into the vehicle.
Once we pull in front of their house, Captain sighs and drops his head against the seat.
Royce lifts a hand, smacking it down on his brother’s shoulder. He squeezes.
I sit forward and lean my head against the side of the seat, inspecting Cap’s bloody hands. “Come on, packman. We need to ice those babies.”
His head jerks and he curses like he just saw the damage done.
He steps out slowly and so does Royce.
When Maddoc holds back, I turn to him.
With a frown on his face, he inspects his own knuckles.
He glances at me.
“What?”
He licks his lips, reaching for his door handle. “Nothing.”
I meet Captain in the upstairs bathroom. He tries to push me off, but I smack him, and he chuckles, finally propping himself against the counter so I sit on the toilet and play doctor to his wounds.
He hisses when I poor the hydrogen peroxide on it.
“Don’t be a baby,” I tease, earning a half smile.
After the right is done, I move to the left.
“You really not gonna ask?”
I look up confused. “Ask?”
His brows lift. “Seriously? You don’t wanna know why we went there, who they were. You ... the girl...”
I shrug and go back to work, tilting his hand to see how far the cut goes. “It’s not my place, packman. Besides, you told us not to ask so why would I?”
“Because you don’t listen to shit,” he laughs and I join in.
“Yeah, but this is different. This isn’t about me, this was personal. I’m betting there isn’t much in your guys’ lives that you get to keep just for you.” I pat the final bandage and he flexes his hand.
I sit back.
“You’d be right, there isn’t.” He eyes me, crossing his arms over his chest. “If you wanna ask, I’ll tell you a little bit.”
I laugh and stand, tossing the wrappings in the garbage. “Sorry, packman. I’m not gonna make this easier for you by doing what you pretend you don’t want.” When his frown drops to his chest, I keep going. “When you’re ready to talk, you will on your own. You gotta be strong enough to make that choice by yourself.”
He glares at me and I lift my shoulders.
I go to walk past, but he grabs a hold of me, pulling me in. He squeezes me tight against him, and I let him, wrapping my hands around his lower back.
A shuddered breath leaves him and unease grows in my stomach.
My eyes lift, connecting with Maddoc’s in the hallway.
“Don’t fuck this up for us, Raven,” Captain whispers. “We need this. He needs you.”
Maddoc’s eyes search mine and I drop mine to the floor.
I slip from his hold, past Maddoc, and into my room.
The room. Not my room.
Shit.
I start pacing, running my hands down my hair, I lift the ends, inspecting the blue I touched up this morning.
I move to the window, pulling it open. I take a deep breath of fresh air, spinning to sit on the sill.
I close my eyes.
These boys, they’re making me feel what they feel. I can’t stop it.
I shouldn’t be here.
I shouldn’t feel the need to protect them.
I shouldn’t want to.
I shouldn’t—
My door is thrown open and Maddoc charges in.
He stops right in front of me, a wild glare making his green eyes appear darker.
I shouldn’t...
I reach up, grip the inside front collar of his shirt and yank his lips to mine.
I kiss him, hard, punishing and fucking reckless, and he meets my demand with anger of his own.
His tongue sweeps mine and I push back, fighting for control he won’t give.
I bite his lip until he growls and yanks away.
He glares and so do I.
I stalk past him, rushing into the bathroom, closing and locking it behind me.
I throw on the shower and start stripping.
I’m an idiot.
I kissed him.
And I’m pretty sure I’ll do it again.
The lock jiggles for a half second and then the door is thrown open and slammed shut in the same second.
Maddoc holds up a bobby pin, tossing it to the floor. He stalks over to me, so I hop in the water with my top still on and slink back against the wall.
He steps in, clothes and all and presses himself against me, the rough material of his jeans rubbing against my clit.
I drop my head back and his eyes trail my chin and neck. He doesn’t move back to look over me but grips my jaw instead.
His eyes bounce between mine, and then his mouth crashes against me.
I moan, growing limp and he presses close to hold me up, his own groan escaping. His hands move to my waist and slide down my wet ass. He grips my ass cheeks tight, spreading them slightly as he pushes harder against me.
My entire body shakes and he grins against my mouth.
And then he’s gone, and I’m left panting in the shower with nothing but my fingers to get the job done.
“You’re sick,” I laughed at Royce as he dips his pizza in his soda then stuffs the entire thing in his mouth. I bump his shoulder. “Move, I’ll wait outside.”
He grins with his mouth full and I roll my eyes, sliding from the booth.
“I gotta take a piss, here.” He hands me the keys and disappears.
I walk out front and toward the car, but stop when Collins plants his feet in front of me.
“Hello again, Rae.”
“Collins, we really need to stop meeting like this.” I give him a blank stare.
“We could...” He steps closer and
my spine straightens. “Meet at my house, or a hotel room.”
I scoff and glance off.
“I’ve got five grand with your name on it.”
“Five grand, huh?” I pop a brow. “That what I’m worth to you?”
He smirks, showing off his movie star veneers. “Ten if you help me out.”
Ten thousand dollars – chump change to this asshole.
“Sorry, Collins.” I shrug. “I don’t have the cure for erectile dysfunction. Not really sure what I’d be able to do for you.”
I push past him.
Royce walks out then, Captain behind him and they both stop when they see Collins on the sidewalk.
He looks from them to me. “Think about it, Carver. That’s a game changer for you.”
I keep my face blank – the bastard was serious.
“Get the fuck out of here, Collins. Graven ain’t nowhere near here, pretty boy,” Royce tells him and Collins jerks a chin, turning to walk off.
“What was that about?” Royce waits to ask when Collins can’t hear.
“Rich boy doing what rich boys do. Trying to throw money around to get his way.”
Both frown but neither says another word.
“Where’s Maddoc at today?”
“He went to see our dad.”
Uh ... what?
“He do that often?”
“Nope,” Royce replies and looks to Cap.
Captain clears his throat, but nobody says a word. Really, I shouldn’t have asked.
The three of us climb in – I let Royce have shotgun – and head back for the house.
“I’ve got a hot date with a freshly waxed vagina, so I’ll slow to a roll, but you guys gotta jump.”
“You’re an idiot.” Captain shakes his head. “We’re in my truck. Park the damn thing and get your ass out.”
Royce hops out grinning and runs to his own vehicle as Captain steps out the passenger door and when it’s clear he’s rounding the hood and making his way back to the driver’s seat, I leap over the middle console and into the passenger seat.
Captain yanks his door open, his eyes snapping to mine. “What are you doing?”
“I’m bored.”
“I can’t help you, I gotta go.”
I pull the seat belt over me and he frowns.
“Raven, out.”
When I sit back against the seat, he steps back and charges around the hood.
Boys of Brayshaw High Page 27