Boys of Brayshaw High (Brayshaw, #1)

by Meagan Brandy

“Everything.” The way he says it, combined with the frenzied look in his eyes tells me he ain’t lying. He, for one, is curious about ... everything.

“Not that I’d believe you, but for the fuck of it, tell me ... do I need to watch my back when it comes to the three of you or is this a temporary treaty of sorts?” “Treaty?” Maddoc raises a brow,

“Yeah, your highness. Can I piss in peace or not?” “Bad example, RaeRae, ‘cause now we’re all picturing you with your pants around your ankles.” My eyes snap to Royce’s just in time to see him slapping at the air like...

Captain reaches over and pops a chuckling Royce in th...

Here, they’re not three boys who need more, they don’t smile at donuts, or enjoy the rain. Here, they’re the Boys of Brayshaw and nothing else. So why did I get to see a little from the inside?

An even better question, why does it make me feel ... I don’t know how I feel.

Once we hit the doors, Maddoc grabs my elbow and pulls me to the side.

We stand there a few moments and then the doors burst open, a man in a suit leading one of the teachers out, shining cuffs slapped across his wrists.

His head is down, but as he passes, it pops up. He spots the boys and pales, jerking his stare forward.

Royce pulls open the door, winking at me as I slide past him and again we fall in line. Every few feet more join, falling behind us. Leo, the guy who gave me a ride to the party, being one,

Captain looks to the guys behind him and everyone scatters. “She was abused,” he tells me. I nod, having gathered that,

Cap nods and walks away, leaving me, Royce and Maddoc. Maddoc gives knuckles to Royce then glances to me.

“See you in class, Snow.” I nod,

“Look away, RaeRae.

“How would you know?” “Baby, I know my tits, all right.

“You’re a horny bastard, aren’t you?” I ask him

He looks at me with a squished expression. “No shit, Rae. I’m a boy.”

I pull open my bag, I take out my last maple bar. I tear it down the middle and offer him half. He takes it with a wink and shoves the entire thing in his mouth. “Look at us, RaeRae...

“Wanna share something else swe...

And son of a bitch, why do I instantly get a sick twist in my stomach. While Captain looks passive, Royce looks a little put out, and Maddoc .... well, Maddoc is fuming. I’m talking hellraiser ready.

“Don’t push us, Snow,” Maddoc whispers, disapproval polished in his eyes.

I don’t know these guys any better than the next, but for the first time in maybe, well ever, I feel like I let someone down. I don’t like it and unfortunately for me, I spend all morning stressing on it.

Neither Royce or Captain said a word to me during our classes together and I found myself irritated over it. And that only irritated me more. I admit I like their banter. It’s fun and easy. Natural like.

It takes a good fifteen minutes after the final bell before Maddoc finally rolls in, in no kind of hurry. His face is a perfect mask, hair mused, and collar stretched. The sight has my mind racing. Thoughts of what, or who, sexed him up making me grind my teeth.

My leg starts bouncing as I fight not to turn around and inspect him closer, my need to know far too strong for my own liking.

I drop back against the seat, annoyed with my own damn self when a sense of relief floods knowing he wasn’t held up at the hand of a female.

Maddoc’s voice hits my ear in the next second,

“You asked me before if I’d tell you to stay away from him. I didn’t do it, but I thought the answer you got was clear. This is what’ll happen every time you don’t listen.”

“You ... are mine, Raven.” Because I have zero self-control at the moment, I turn to him. ‘Course h...

No, big man is braced against his desk. Like a true king, or dominant...

chin lifted so he can look down at me more.

If it were possible, I’d swear I heard him smirk.

“We’re going to the grove.” “Good for you.”

Royce right behind me. “Oh, sorry,” he chuckles. “Guess that did sound a lot like a comment, huh?”

“Let me try that again. We are going to the grove. Meaning so are you.” “Right.” “Damn right.” He flings an arm over my shoulder. “Okay, I’ll bite.” I shift my grin to Royce while shrugging his arm off. “What the hell is ‘the grove?’” “Circle of cabins surrounding a man-made lake ‘bout three hours north. Tons of sex, lotta alcohol, and more fun.” “Sounds like a blast.” “Fuck yeah it is. We go several times a year, party, get fucked up. It’s a three-day weekend. Tradition.”

“Look, a three-day weekend with you guys isn’t worth the trouble that being labeled a runaway would bring, and I’m not looking to trade the bed I’ve got for a cot worse than what I sleep on at home.” “Like that’s... wait.” Royce frowns. “What do you sleep on at home?” “This isn’t Q and A time!” “Right.” He nods. “What were we talking about again?” “You guys leaving, me staying.”

“Nah, you’re going. Let us worry about Maybell.” A laugh bubbles out of me.

Royce stumbles against me. The girls in the bathroom shriek and I turn to glare at him. “Royce. Go away.” “Nope.”

“Not ‘til you agree.”

“You’re gonna do whatever you want as it is. I don’t know why I even talk or why you’re pretending to car...

“You’re catching on.” “And you’re pis...

“Get ...

“For fuck’s sake, forget it.” I push past him, back out the door and he follows, but my feet slow when I spot Maddoc and Captain standing not three feet away, talking with each other. Both their gazes snap to mine right as Royce’s chest plows into my back again, causing me to stumble forward. His arm shoots out, quickly wrapping around my middle to keep me from face-planting onto the marble floors.

“Damn, RaeRae,”

“Quit stopping right in front of me.”

“How about stay off my heels or maybe watch where you’re going, or better yet...

“He tell you about this weekend, Raven?”...

“Did he tell me I don’t get a say and have to allow you guys to convince Maybell to let me go, even though it’ll cause problems for me at the house when all the girls see what they’re sure to consider special treatment – because it is?” “Yeah, all that.” Captain nods

“Sure did.”

I look to Maddoc, but he doesn’t say a word, his mask is in place, empty eyes a...