Trouble at Brayshaw High

by Meagan Brandy

  “Look at your boy, G,” I say under my breath and Gio takes a drink from his water bottle, peeking over at Rowan leaning against the hoop post.

  His eyes are locked on Gio.

  “He looks like he wants to take a serious bite out of you.”

  “Raven,” Captain scolds. “Stop.”

  I hold in my grin. “What?”

  “You can’t just say that shit.”

  “He does.” I tip my chin and they all look, seeing the struggle in Rowan’s eyes from across the court just the same. “Damn, he’s turned on right now.”

  Maddoc yanks me up, running his hand over my ass as he scowls at me.

  “Yeah, if only he’d get out of his own fucking head. He’s good at playing hot and cold,” Gio mumbles, then jerks his head calling Rowan over.

  “Wait.” Victoria leans forward and Gio grins at her. She eyes him a minute and her brows jump. “You’re gay?”

  “What?” Royce’s attention is caught, and his eyes cut to Gio. “No...”

  Gio holds his hands out, eyeing him.

  “Really?” Royce gapes.

  He tips his head back. “Why you look so surprised?

  “Guess I’m a stereotyping prick, ‘cause you don’t look gay.” Royce sizes him up.

  “Yeah, and how do I look?” Gio goads him.

  I laugh, knowing exactly where this is going. Doubt Gio’s met someone like Royce – honest, blunt, and completely fucking unashamed.

  Not to mention run by his dick.

  Maddoc shakes his head and moves for the cooler – he too knows his brother well.

  “Fucking, good, my man. You look good. Strong and capable.” He laughs at himself, making us laugh. He tilts his head and I shake mine. “You play three?

  “What?”

  “Three-way.”

  “I have.” Gio shrugs.

  “Well, the chicks around here love a solid sandwich, so if you’re up for it.” He shrugs. “I mean I’m not gay, but I like to share my toys.” He grins like a dumbass. “And I’m great at multiples, just ask RaeRae.”

  “Royce!” me and Maddoc shout at the same time and he laughs.

  “I ain’t lying.” He keeps laughing, dodging Maddoc when he whips a towel at him.

  Rowan is suddenly standing there and steps forward with a frown. “That’s not gonna happen.”

  “Why not?” I spur him on.

  “Stay the fuck out of it!” Maddoc bites out from where he stands, and I waggle my brows.

  Royce eyes Rowan, sliding his stare to Gio, and then back.

  He’s too perceptive for his own good and reads them both right.

  Rowan hasn’t claimed his spot yet, and poor pretty boy, Royce is about to force his hand.

  “Yeah? And why not?” He licks his lips enticingly, slowly sliding his eyes to Gio. “I’m not a selfish bastard, I’ll make sure our frosty filling handles him good, even help her out if I need to.”

  Rowan steps close to Royce. “You want him in your party?”

  “Yeah, man.” He smirks, eyes flashing with amusement. “I do.”

  I look to Gio whose eyes are about black from watching.

  “Then I’m the one in the center,” Rowan says.

  “Guess he’s hot today,” I mutter under my breath and Royce winks at me.

  At Rowan’s words, Gio goes from drooling to frowning in two seconds flat.

  “Uh, clearly they haven’t labeled whatever it is they’re doing or not doing.”

  Again, all glares cut to Victoria.

  “What?” she snaps with a shrug. “Tell me I’m wrong?” she dares, looking straight at Rowan.

  Both guys tense a minute, but then everyone laughs, and they do their little back slaps. Fresh beers are passed around and we all move for the patio chairs on the side of the yard.

  Maddoc switches on the fire pit and everyone kicks back, getting comfortable.

  “How the fuck did you end up here, Raven?” Gio asks.

  Maddoc tenses behind me, and I laugh. “Long story, G.”

  He nods – he’s never been one to pry. “Been here long?”

  “Few months now.”

  His eyes tighten. “Were you at your mom’s all the time before?”

  I nod., looking away.

  “Damn, girl.” He reaches forward, pinching my knee and Maddoc knocks his hand off.

  Gio lets out an easy laugh, and eyes Maddoc, before looking to the others and back to me. “Seems you found your place, huh?” he asks with a soft smile and my chest constricts.

  Maddoc’s arms tighten around me and Royce and Cap watch me intently.

  I don’t want to answer, it’s my business, but I don’t wanna insult my boys either, so I nod.

  “Yeah,” I rasp. “I did.”

  He grins. “Who would have thought two troublemaking punks like us would make it out in the end.”

  I force a grin, because did I make it out, for real? I mean, I was only brought here because my man’s dad needed me to get out of prison so ... who knows what happens if it doesn’t work.

  Yeah, can’t really follow with that.

  “We should go,” Rowan stands.

  Gio nods, his eyes on me. “It’s ... damn good to see you like this, Raven.”

  “Like what?” I tease.

  “Happy.” He shrugs. “Content enough to sit still, not out hustlin’ every second to stay ahead.”

  I tense and Maddoc’s lips move to my ear.

  “You’re good, baby,” he whispers.

  “Thanks, G,” I say, a little raspier than I’d have liked, sinking into Maddoc more.

  I don’t look across the group, I don’t want to see their faces.

  Thank hell the girls went inside to make a call.

  Gio stands and moves to grab my hand, squeezing.

  He whispers where only me and Maddoc can hear. “You deserve this, Raven. Keep reminding yourself of that.”

  I nod.

  He shakes Maddoc’s hand and then the rest of them, Rowan’s next.

  “Your family is welcome back, anytime,” Maddoc tells him. “But maybe next time, don’t fucking tail us.”

  They laugh lightly, waving bye on their way out.

  And suddenly I feel heavy.

  Maddoc senses it and moves us both to stand. He looks to his brothers.

  “You guys coming?”

  Royce looks to Cap who shrugs, and he cuts a grin back to us. “Nope. We’re gonna find us a cream filling.”

  I laugh and Maddoc drags me away.

  “We’ll drop the girls at the home,” he shouts behind us and the four of us are in the truck and headed back in the next minute.

  “So are you sure you’re not mad at me anymore, Rae?” Vienna asks and I push my head against the seat.

  “I’ll fuck you up if you so much as wave at him again,” I say instantly, and completely fucking serious. “But no, and only because he planned it. Still think you’re shit for suggesting it. Still don’t like it. Still wanna smack you a bit for it.”

  I look to her when a tight laugh leaves her.

  “But I understand it’s what he needed” —I glare— “the move not the kiss. I can be pissed about it because I say so, but I decided not to knock you out.”

  Maddoc’s chest shakes with silent laughter.

  Vienna blinks a second and then laughs again. “And I thought it was because I talk too much.”

  “And ask too many questions,” I add.

  “Yet, you had this freaking jaded ass chick with you today.”

  The three of us girls laugh at that and Maddoc shakes his head.

  When we pull up at the house, the girls hesitate.

  I wink at Maddoc. “Go through the front door,” I tell them.

  Vienna nods but Victoria gives me a mocking frown, before a grin slips and she steps out.

  Once we get back to the house, we take quick showers then move for the media room.

  Maddoc climbs over me on the couch and drops down, holding his w
eight up with his elbows. His eyes shift between mine, a rawness written in them. “I don’t like to think others knew you before me.”

  “I know.” I run my hand through his wet hair.

  “Was he right?” he asks, and I look away, but he forces my eyes back. His hand moves from my chin to run across my cheek. “Was he right?” His eyes tighten at the corners. “Or is this still about convenience for you and fun while you’re at it?”

  I consider his words. “What does it mean, to be happy?”

  “Come on, Raven. Don’t play dumb.”

  Unease seeps into my chest. I don’t like to think about these things, it’s better to leave this stuff unsaid than to understand it. All that does is make the hit harder when the shoe falls. “Maddoc, I’m not normal.”

  “I don’t like normal.”

  “Well, I don’t know how to do this.”

  “Me either.”

  Damn him.

  I shake my head, taking in a deep breath.

  “I told you,” I whisper. “I told you not to try and keep me.”

  He drops his lips to mine, and his eyes close. “Too late, baby.” He kisses me, pushing his knee between my legs. “Way too fucking late.”

  I kiss him back, falling further into the cushions as his weight comes down on me. Like I told him, I’m not normal. I wouldn’t know happy if it slapped me in the face.

  All I know is my chest is constantly tight when his eyes are on me, I’m on edge more than normal, and extra needy when it comes to him – it’s new and I don’t understand it. It’s also annoying.

  But even so, I don’t hate it.

  And I have no intentions of leaving.

  “Excuse me,” the teacher snaps when I push on the door to walk out.

  I look at her over my shoulder, raising a brow. “Yeah?”

  “You need permission to exit this class.”

  “She needs permission for nothing,” Captain says from his seat, not bothering to pull his eyes off his notebook – he’s been writing in that thing a lot lately.

  The teacher looks from me to him and turns back to her lesson.

  My lips press together, and I push through the door, headed for the bathroom.

  As I round the corner in the hall, voices catch my attention and my steps slow.

  “Stop jerking me around, asshole. I want the damn document. Now.”

  I peek, finding Principal Perkins in Collins’ face.

  What the hell? I can’t believe he’d show his face here!

  “I told you, it’s safe,” he growls, jerking his backpack from Perkins’ hands. “It hasn’t moved from the cabin—”

  “Quiet,” Perkins cuts him off, gaping at him.

  The cabin?

  My eyes narrow in thought.

  What the boys stole...

  They have what Perkins wants back!

  “I want you to bring it to me. I never should have trusted you with it in the first place,” Perkins says.

  Collins pushes back, inching into his face now. “Why the sudden need for it, huh?” he goads, tipping his head like he’s onto whatever Perkins is freaking out about. “You were all for me locking it away before. What, does her going back to them cause you problems?”

  “It’s you and your inability to keep the trash around for longer,” Perkins snaps back instantly. “Apparently, you’re inept at charming even the lowest of low.” That’d be me. “This won’t happen the way we hoped, so I need to speed things up to protect my own.”

  Wait, what the hell are they talking about?

  “You’re a damn fool,” Collins spits. “Why are you even doing this? He’ll never fucking forgive—”

  “This is not about forgiveness!” Perkins shouts, quickly looking down the hall and I jerk back. “I don’t need to explain myself to you. All I know is, if Donley finds that paper before all is said and done, I will end you myself,” he hisses. “You’re turning out to be as worthless as your father claimed.”

  Who the fuck is Donley?

  I peek again, right as Collins moves to grip him by the suit jacket, shoving him against the lockers. “Watch your fucking mouth, Uncle.”

  My eyes shoot wide.

  Uncle?! Holy shit!

  “You’re lucky I fixed it for you before it blew up in your damn face, trying to hide this was stupid on your part!” Collins shouts.

  “But it works out fucking lovely for you, doesn’t it? You end up with what you want! You should be thanking me!” Perkins jeers back.

  An evil chuckle leaves Collins and he says, “You might have clued me in where I was left out, but you need to stop trying to squeeze your way back. You were nixed from the name and plans eighteen years ago when you went after the trash’s mom and ruined a bulletproof plan of business, that had already been solidly fucking agreed to!”

  “It was supposed to be—”

  Collins cuts Perkins off, “And it wasn’t! And now my life is fucked, we’re the underdogs when we were supposed to become equals. You fucked that up! I’d be standing strong beside them if it wasn’t for you!”

  Become equals? With the boys? How?

  Perkins laughs lightly, and Collins draws back. “Yeah, you could have had that. You could have had all that leading up to this point. But don’t stand here and cry about it, kid. We both know your eye is on a new prize now. It’s not about what you want anymore, but who, and I’m the one making sure this happens.”

  “Yeah, to protect someone you shouldn’t care to.”

  “Don’t start your shit with me again,” Perkins fires back.

  “I don’t know how you expect this to work!” Collins shakes his head. “They’ll never allow it.”

  “They won’t have a choice,” Perkins counters. “Rolland Brayshaw will make it right. Why do you think she’s here?”

  “And if he doesn’t?” Collins questions him. “If for some reason his plan is different from what you’ve assumed?”

  Perkins smirks, complete confidence seeping through. “She will make the choice herself, once she learns the alternative.”

  What. The. Fuck.

  My heart starts hammering in my chest as I try to make sense of what they’re saying. I have to be the “she” they’re talking about.

  So, Rolland does have a plan for me?

  Collins steps away, his frown deepening.

  I shoot back around the corner, pushing against the wall.

  What the hell is going on? Does Perkins seriously think I’d choose Collins over my boys?

  And why would he think that?

  Fuck Collins, fuck Perkins, and fuck Rolland Brayshaw!

  “You need to go before they get wind you’re here, Rolland pulled your transfer the minute his son went to jail. Guarantee one of their watchers spotted you the second you stepped from your car,” Perkins warns him.

  Collins says nothing back, but what can only be described as a fist hitting a locker echoes through the empty hall, followed by retreating footsteps and the slam of a door.

  I wait a minute or two to be sure they’re long gone and continue for the girl’s bathroom.

  As soon as I push inside, I’m gripped by the wrist, swung around, and slammed against the long mirror.

  I try to push off, but Collins is ready for it, grips me harder and slams me back a second time, my head rebounding against the broken glass.

  “Ah!” I yelp.

  He does it again, and my muscles begin to give – I force my feet as steady as I can.

  My eyes start to flutter, but I squeeze them shut a moment and attempt to refocus.

  Warmth trickles down my neck and spine, soaking into my shirt, creating wetness across the back of my shirt with each bit of blood spilled.

  “Not so fucking tough right now, are you?” Collins pushes his forehead against mine, forcing my head to grind against every shard. “Face it, Rae, no matter how hard you act, no matter how many fights you get into, you’re still just a damn girl. Forever weaker than a man.”

  “I s
ee no man,” I rasp.

  I’m slammed again, and my eyes close, but he shakes me, and they peel back open.

  “What did you hear?” His bloodshot eyes bore into mine.

  “Everything,” I lie, knowing they could have been talking there long before I listened in.

  His eyes strain. “If you so much as breathe a word about this, I’ll make sure the next batch of shit your mom buys is the last.”

  A laugh bubbles out of me and his lip curls.

  “Like I fucking care, she’s dead to me, might as well be dead to the world, not that I believe you have it in you.” I choke slightly and attempt to swallow past the blood dripping down the back of my throat. “You’re nothing but a pussy.”

  He backhands me across the face, and I growl.

  I lift my knee, going for his groin, but I’m sluggish and he shifts before I can even attempt, knocking it back down.

  He tsks at me, and a smirk plays across his lips.

  I lick the blood from the corner of my mouth and spit it in his face. “Fuck you.”

  He grips my shirt, keeping me steady. “I could right now, and no fucking body would be able to stop me, Rae. Nobody.”

  “You sure about that?” comes from behind us.

  Collins jerks around, just in time to take a fire extinguisher to the face.

  He’s knocked back and slams against the marble sink.

  With a deep growl, he charges Victoria, but I push off the mirror, whimpering when a few pieces of hair are ripped from my scalp from the glass woven in it.

  I trip him, and on his way down he grips Victoria’s shirt, trying to yank her to the floor with him, but I shove her back and she flies into the door, her shirt tearing across her chest.

  I push off his back and move past him, but he grips my pant leg and I slam back to the ground.

  I hiss from the pain, my hands flying to my head as I try to kick him in the face with my other foot, but he knocks it out of the way and climbs up my body.

  Victoria runs out the door, and he starts laughing, blood spilling from his mouth, like I’m sure it is mine.

  “Why the fuck did you fall for him?” he growls in my face, but there’s a helplessness in his eyes that has me frowning. “It wasn’t ...” A tortured laugh leaves him, and his features tighten. “It wasn’t supposed to be this way, Rae. Not for us.”

  He has my hands pinned beneath me, and his darts up to grip my neck, but he doesn’t squeeze.