Boys of Brayshaw High (Brayshaw, #1)

by Meagan Brandy

“What’s going on?” Maddoc questions.

“Come on, packman. Let’s cause trouble.” “Wait, I wanna cause trouble,” Royce whines

“Not your turn,” I tell him, ignoring his pout. “She’s acting like a bitch, and I wanna bitch slap her, but I’m too tired to deal with your guys’ crap late...

I grin and step toward Captain who puffs his chest out, a smile playing at his lips. “I’m tired, Cap.” I run my fingers down the center of his chest,

“The fuck’s goin’ on?” Royce whispers not so quietly. “Put me to bed?” I ask Cap, unable to keep from smiling. Bride of Chuckie is standing now, I see her in my periphery. “Captain,” Maddoc’s voice rumbles.

“Chill, brother.” Captain doesn’t take his eyes off me, but reassures his brother in a whisper, “Just having some fun.” He passes his drink to Royce, his other hand meeting my lower back and together we head for the cabin.

Captain moves my hair over my shoulders and bends to whisper in my ear, his hands moving to grip my hips. He plays the part well. “It’s no wonder the girls can’t hang with you, Raven.” “Why do you say that?”

“Because you do what you want and don’t let their shit get to you, at least not where they can tell.”

“It’s because they’re jealous.” I look up to find both Royce and Maddoc at the top of the stairs having heard our conversation.

“They’re not jealous of you being around us,” Maddoc says as he moves to sit opposite of me, and Royce drops beside me. “I don’t get it.” “Of course, they want to be where you are, here with us, but that’s not what ticks them off,” Captain says.

“It’s true, RaeRae. It’s all about you.” Royce steals my water,

“You’re new, sure, but you’re feisty and free-spirited, fine as fuck with thi...

“For real, you’re like a biker princess or rock goddess, wrapped in a fat ass, shiny Do Not Touch tape that only ma...

They want to be you, imitate you, but they don’t know how. They have fancy clothes and cars and Daddy’s plastic, but no matter what they do or buy or who they pay, they can’t reach your level, and they know it. You’re this lethal ass combination of girl they never knew they wanted to be until now but couldn’t match if they tried.” “Okay, no more.” I pull my sleeves over my h...

“Holy shit, she gets embarrassed!” Royce hops to his feet,

“Dude. You’re over here saying all this ... jazz while you three flawless fuckheads stare at me. Stop it.” They laugh lightly.

“Anyway, Cap. You’re free to make your move on the brunette. I think this lovely ten minutes was enough for them all to think ... who the hell knows what they think now that you all came in.” “Aye,” Royce teases, doing a little dance from his sitting position and I roll my eyes.

“You really going to bed?” Maddoc’s question comes out a little hoarse. I don’t look his way, I have a feeling his eyes hold a little more than I want to see after I ran my mouth just now. “I am.”

“Look, RaeRae, lock your door. When the crowd dies down, some of the party will move up here. They’ll have to come up the back, but still,” Royce tells me. “Sounds good.”

but before I can shut myself inside, a foot is shoved between the door and the jamb. Maddoc licks his lips an...

“Check under the bed and in the bathroom before you lock yourself in here.”

“Do it, Raven.” I do as he says and then turn to him. “All clear.” He nods and turns to walk away. “Wait, really?” I question. “That was what you wanted?” “What else would I want?” “I don’t know, in?” “In what?” His brow lifts

“You wanna come in my room and chill with me, big man?” “You asking me because you think that’s what I was trying to do ... or because you want me to?” “I wouldn’t mind if you did.” “Not good enough.” He shakes his head and walks a few feet back,

I knew he didn’t want to go back to the party.

so I stand up, pull my hoodie over my head and open my door. I get a foot past the threshold when Maddoc’s door is yanked open. I jump, my hand flying to my chest. “Shit, don’t do that.”

“How about because I want to?” I go to walk away, but he grabs my elbow pulling me back. “Do you hear that?” he growls. “What, the music?” “Yeah, the music and zero talking.” “I don’t care, I’ll be quick.” “You are not going up there.” “I have to!” “No, you don’t.” “Why do you care?!” “It’s an orgy up there. Literally.” His jaw clenches. “Every motherfucker up there is fucking with the person next to them, to the right, to the left, guy, girl, don’t matter. It’s a free for all, any and every person that’s near.”

“You want in on that?”

When I start pacing while biting on my fingernail, he sighs. “What, Raven?”

I turn to him. “I forgot my knife.” “Your knife.”

“The one you cut me with?” “O...

“I barely grazed you.” “You forgot your kn...

“I need one. I ... can’t sleep without it.” He freezes a second before gripping my wrist and pulling me into his ...

“You’re not going up there. You’ll sl...

He crowds my space, his chest heaving against mine. “You will sleep in here with me, or in your room alone, wit...

“I’m seventeen. I’m not gonna turn tricks to live and I don’t have an ID to get a real job. I’ll wait until I can hit the DMV on my own, and then I’ll leave everything behind and start over. On my own. And I’ll do it with nobody else’s influence or help or opinion.” “So, that’s your plan. Float until you can run.” “It’s not running.” My voice lowers to a whisper

“It’s survival.” “It’s stupid.” “Maybe.” I yawn. “But it’s the best option I have.”

“Go to sleep, Raven. You’re safe in here.” A tired chuckle escapes me. “N...

His green eyes bounce between mine, and a flicker of something I can’t name passes quickly before it’s gone. “Close your eyes.” I do as he says, not necessarily believing him, but I’m already in here now so fuck it. I’ve mad...

Without moving the hand on my thigh, he uses his other to help flip me over, so my back is to him and he scoots forward.

makes sure his large presence is felt. It’s felt all right.

“Sleep, R...

I can’t believe I slept in bed with Maddoc. And I mean I actually slept in his bed, as in without my knife, completely comfortable.

I go to shut the door, but before I can, Royce pushes it open, effectively throwing himself in the center of the mattress.

“’Sup, RaeRae.” He tucks his hands behind his head, and I move to drop beside him.

“Nothing—” “Yo,” Captain shuffles in wearing sweatpants and a T-shirt, rubbing at his eyes. He drops on the foot of the bed, laying his head across my feet, his legs hanging halfway off the other side.

“We going for breakfast?” “I’m too hungover for those twisty ass roads.”

For some stupid reason, my eyes slice to Maddoc. He stares but still gives expressive reaction.

“Well, I’m starving,” Captain whines.

“I could always eat,” Royce adds and they both look to Maddoc. He scoffs. “Fine. I’ll fucking cook, but if there’s still people upstairs, I’m kicking them all out.” “Please do. That Bride of Chuckie, as RaeRae called he...

The second Maddoc’s feet hit the top floor, he barks, “Get out.” And the handful of people scramble for their shit and go.