Boys of Brayshaw High (Brayshaw, #1)

by Meagan Brandy

he pushes his glasses up. His light eyes stare me down a moment before he shakes his head

“Oh, spit it out, packman. Your boss ain’t here to tie your tongue.” His eyes snap to mine. “Fuck...

He sits back in his chair, his eyes lazily scanning over me befor...

“You don’t even know me.” “Yeah, well,” he sighs, sitting back. “Guess we’re changing that.”

“You really wanna know?” “Pretty sure I already do, just want you to be the one to say it.” “Nah, now this I’ve got to hear.”

so when he leans my way, I meet him in the middle. “I’m betting, your boss”

“sorry. I bet Maddoc is pissed. This cramps his style, bad, and now he feels like the puppet when he’s used to being the master.

“No for real, though, I’m not stupid. He’s looking to play the part, to make sure every punk in this school sees me in your circle,

Right now, you sitting here entertaining me instead of scowling like normal.”

“It’s all part of the process. You boys are ballers and you’ve set your game plan. But know something, packman… I may...

When I gather my shit and move to stand, I see Maddoc settled in the doorway. He cuts a quick glance to Captain as he steps in front of him and then his green eyes are back on me.

“Your turn to play, big man?” I taunt, and he lifts his chin.

I do a little prissy bow, crossing my foot behind the other and bending before flipping him off

I’d swear a teeny chuckle fought its way out before he strangled it.

when I step into class his chest hits my back, and two large ha...

Maddoc’s whisper hits my ear. “Walk, Raven.” His fingers skim across the waist of my jeans and my skin heats in unapproved excitement.

covering his fist with my palm, frowning when his fingers open to welcome mine. “I’m sure everyone staring thinks you’re my number one.”

when a cold splash hits my back, making me gasp. My nostrils flare, the burn taking over and causing my eyes to water. Bleach.

“Hope you didn’t think the Bray’s little step backward meant we’d back off. They haven’t announced you’re off-limits to me, which means you’re still on the edge.”

“Careful, Raven. The fall is much harder the higher you are.”

I wait, making no move until she’s around the corner, then yank my shirt over my head as I rush for the gym.

Right when I go to shove through the door, an arm latches around my elbow and I spin, letting my fist fly, but of course he catches it, his eyes narrowing.

The sting is too much at this point and moisture prickles behind my eyes,

“What the f—” Royce cuts off when the smell hits and he grips my hair br...

He curses and pushes forward, dragging me to t...

He turns on the water and tries to grab ahold of my shirt, but I press it tighter against my chest. “Let go of the fucking shirt, Raven. I’ve seen more tits than yo...

“Fine, get under the cold water. Your back’s all red. It won’t take it away, but you gotta wa...

I let it run down my body a few minutes before gripping my hair and looking it over. Shit. Ugly yellow and gold spots shine back at me toward the ends where the bleach ruined my black, never before dyed hair.

“Shit, RaeRae.” Royce pulls my hair over my shoulder and runs his fingers through it. “Maybe you can cut it?” Then she wins.

I bend my back, and my bra scrapes against it making me wince.

“You need to unclip this thing, it’s rubbing on you and it’s soaked in bleach.”

“Fine, uncl...

he steps under the spray with me, grabbing the clasp in his hand. Right when he goes to undo it, footsteps knock against the cement flooring behind us an...

Maddoc stands there, his face comp...

Royce finishes undoing the clasp without looking and slowly lowers his hands.

The boys stare at each other a moment before Royce turns back to look over my skin, but my stare stays on Maddoc as he tracks Royce’s every move.

taking the towel he holds out for me.

Maddoc strides forward, his tension-filled eyes bouncing between mine before dropping to my shoulder, and for some reason I slowly spin, showing him what he’s asking to see.

Captain comes around the corner in the next second, his eyes slow as they take in the scene, landing on mine last.

Maddoc doesn’t move out of the way like Royce did, so Captain leans to the side to look past him, but he doesn’t get too close.

“Get Chloe and the others in the courtyard.” Maddoc looks to his brothers. “On it.” Royce heads out. “No,” I argue

“I’ll round the team.” Captain starts to leave also. “I said no!” “I’ll meet you guys out there,” Maddoc tells them

I whip off a soiled shoe and toss it at their retreating bodies, hitting Captain square in the head. They spin ar...

“It’s one thing to crowd my space, but I’m not a helpless little bitch who needs you to put yours in place. She wants to ...

“No. She made a move on you after she saw we had you in our hold.” “Not in your hold.” “Say what you want, it’s what they should ...

“Talk Raven, why would we not?” he snaps. “You want them to think I fit in your world – still don’t get that but whatever – yet you wanna step in to save the day after one little incident with the campus queen? All that’ll do is make you look weak. ‘Cause how could a nobody, dirty little whore – as you painted me before – like me, get under your skin to this point. A girl who, if you do this, can’t even hold her own against a spoiled brat with a hard-on for three jackasses in Jordans?”

“Weak links are holes in your armor. Back off and leave me be, nothing for you to worry about if you do, but if you insist on pretending we like each other, then let me handle this. I’m not weak. Don’t make it seem like I am to feed your own egos.” I shrug. “It’ll only backfire.”

“She’s right,” Captain agrees,

Maddoc, however, keeps his eyes on me. He says nothing and goes to leave, a cussing Royce and...

“Where is she?” Royce hums. “Maybe she chickened out, took off,” Captain says.