Break Me (Brayshaw, #5)

by Meagan Brandy

“What up, man?” Micah grins, stepping beside me.

“Not much. Just came to grab somethin’.”

“Anything, man.” Micah nods, hungry to please, to prove himself. “Tell me what you need.”

I look to Brielle. The table looks to Brielle. And Brielle, she laughs.

“Thanks for letting me sit with you.” She’s focused on Micah, then turns to the table with a small wave. “I’ll see you guys soon, I’m sure.”

I’m prepared to lead her where I want her, but Brielle doesn’t stand there waiting for direction. She doesn’t wait for a sign from me at all. She slips by with a smile, and some-fucking-how it’s me, following her out.

She grins, but it falters when she realizes I’m not. I’m irritated. Why? Who fucking knows! But I am. So I find something to bark about.

“You seem pretty fucking comfortable already.”

“I thought it was nice of Micah to introduce me to some people he met already.” “From lame little loner to suddenly needing a gang around you, and all in a half day’s work.” Brielle nods, a...

“Don’t pretend it’s not, nobody likes a fake.” An angry little flare has her chest rising. “And nobody likes a guy who’s an ass in an eff...

My jaw flexes, my tone dark. Warning. “Watch it, baby girl.” This girl, she either doesn’t notice, or doesn’t care. She steps into my space. “Man up, baby boy.” I push toward her. “I swear to God—” “If something I do bothers you, say it,” she cuts me off with a soft shout. “Or bet...

“You’re pissing me off.” “I’m getting the feeling you’re perpetually pissed off.” A sour laugh slips from her, but a soberness is quick to take its place. “If there’s something you want me to know, tell me all about it. Something you want me to stop doing or do more of, spell it out for me. Something you need from or of me, a...

Something wraps around my upper body, squeezing. Pulling. I swear there’s a crack. I don’t like it. She’ll do what she can, ...

Brielle’s arms fall to her side. “All I want is to be whatever it is you hoped for the minute you decided I was worth this place,” she whispers with purpose. “But I can’t be if you don’t help me figure out what that is.”

She wants to be whatever I want her to be. Whatever I want her to be.

I want her to be better off than she was because she was supposed to be. I want her to be everything her brother doesn’t. I want her to do all the things he’d hate. See all the things he tried to shield her from. The pain and anger, the danger and resolution. I want her in the middle of trouble and forced to fight her way out. I want her to be nothing she is and everything she’s not.

I should have realized right then and there Brielle Bishop would be a problem for me. I didn’t.

I turn back to the stop sign I had no idea I was looking at. My dad banged my head against that once.

“We have shit happening tonight. Be out the door at ten.” I pinch my lips together with a grin. “Ten?” The cocky playboy cocks his head. “Thought it was fitting.”

I like him like this. As he walks away, I realize that’s not true. I think I like all the shades of him. Oops.

I groan. “I should have been more specific on what Micah was allowed to bring of hers.” My brothers laugh and I turn to Raven when her head swivels this way. “There isn’t a pair of pants, shorts, or even a Maybell style muumuu that could hide dat ass.” Raven laughs. “You ain’t lyin’, RaeRae.” Wish you were.

“Stop,” I demand. “I already said it once, it ain’t like that.” “K. It ain’t like that, but you pulled her ass out of the cafeteria today... and you’re squeezin’ on the door handle,” Raven says, evidence of her grin sneaking into her words. “But it ain’t like that, Raven,” Victoria teases.

“What are you doing?” His tone is firm. “Getting ready to leave?” His eyes tighten slightly, and I study him. “We talked about this.” I shake my head. “Bark orders, be transparent, and all that.” His frown deepens. “I told you to be ready at ten. What part of that made you think you weren’t riding with me?” “The fact that you and your brothers ride together,” I answer instantly. “Add in how they don’t know me, and how there’s been zero trust established between any of us, it seemed exactly like what you’d want me to do.” His lips press into a firm line, his jaw clenching slightly. “Is that not the right way of thinking?” I ask, suddenly unsure.

“I thought you and I were going to be able to be friends. I kind of sort of thought we were starting to be already, to be honest, but if you want to keep me at this push and pull level, make it clear we aren’t and won’t be, that’s fine. I’m more than capable of being whatever else it is you need me to be, but if you decide you might have room for one more person to, you know, not hate, I won’t pretend I wouldn’t like that.” I tuck my hands in my pockets. “I’m not embarrassed to admit I could use a friend. It’s been a while since I’ve had one.”

He speaks with a bit of an ambiguous rasp. “I know you asked Maybell to hide your last name, but it will come out, and then everyone will want to be your friend. Nine out of ten of them will be the farthest fucking thing from real. You say you aren’t naïve, but you’d give me your friendship so easy? Will you give them the same?” I shake my head and his eyes narrow.

“Why?” “I don’t trust them.”

“You sayin’ you trust me?” I don’t know why, but... “Yes.”

“That, right there... is your first mistake.” He slides along my back, disappearing in seconds.

Victoria speaks first, and with a vivid grin. “What do you say, guys, isn’t she perfectly unsuspecting?” She looks to the others with a brow raised and they nod. Raven winks while Maddoc takes a step closer to me. “Brielle Bishop.” He cocks his head. “How’s your poker game?” I smile. Here we go.

“Give me some credit,” I tell him. “I get it, I’ve been here for a day, but I’m not sitting here pretending to know how your world works, but I want to learn. I want you to teach me everything you’re capable of teaching.”

“And since I’m willing to learn from you, you need to be willing to learn about me.” “Maybe I don’t want to learn about you.” “A good boss would want to know a little something about the new hire hanging around.” “Might hate what I find.” “Then you hate what you find.” I laugh lightly. “Who cares? At least you’d know for sure.”

She didn’t panic this morning when we ran her off the road, thought quick and found a weapon to defend herself. She didn’t drink from the bottle she left unattended, aware anything could happen anywhere. It’s to say little Bishop is off to a good little start. Now it’s time to fuckin’ party.

“Royce.” “Huh?” I look to Maddoc when he snaps. “Stop fucking rubbing your leg.” I look down, my hands at my sides and sure as shit... rubbing. I tear my hands away, running them through my hair, and a grin takes over. “Fuck.” Maddoc shakes his head with a chuckle. “You’re fuckin rollin’.

“Outside, Imma take you outside. Wait,” I pause. “You afraid of the dark? ‘Cause if you are, me and my brothers are good at distracting—” “Shut up.” Raven chuckles. I smile, and Brielle frowns between us.

“Nah, never mind. I know you’re not afraid of the dark.” I don’t realize I’ve slipped closer until the fabric of her shirt heats my fingertips. “You sleep in it, ain’t that right, little Bishop?” She squishes her lips to the side. “That’s right.” “How else you sleep?”

She reaches up to pat my chest, and my pulse jumps beneath her palm like a pubescent little punk, my hand flying up to keep it there, pressing it f...

“You want to know how else I sleep, Playboy?” “Tell me all about it, Tink.” She lifts her chin to bring herself closer, but she’s so damn small...

She looks away. “You’re impossible. And kind of bipolar.” “Nah,” I drag out. “I’m a fuckin’ cake walk.” “Maybe I hate cake.” “Maybe you’re lying.” She laughs.

“Do what you want, little Bishop,” I blow her off. “But don’t forget Micah’s your ride, be good to go when he is or get stranded.” “I will be.” She speaks to my back.

I pull my phone out to text Micah the direction of a single word. Me: leave. Raven laughs at my side, shaking her head. “Ah, Ponyboy. This is going to get interesting.” Interestingly irritating.

“I think a stray might have come through your window tonight.” My confusion must be evident as she motions toward something shiny sitting beneath the windowsill. I look from it to her. She raises a dark brow. “The thing does lock, if you ever decide you might want it to.” My neck warms and I nod. “Got it.”

She chuckles. “I guess I should tell you that it won’t stop the boy if you did, he’d just come right through the door and cause a stir.” I laugh, not at all doubting her words.

I lift the small bag and lower it into the seat it was placed on. I look outside, into the night, and almost swear I see a Royce-size silhouette deep inside the orchards, but I can’t say for sure. I peek inside the bag and a quick laugh breaks from me. A piece of freaking cake.

I search the darkness once more, and what do you know... the silhouette is gone.

She’s watering the tomato plants when I sneak up behind her, pinching her by the hips. She whips around with a light yelp, the hose pointed right at my damn chest. “Fuck!” I jump back.

Brielle’s eyes widen. “Oh my god, I...” She trails off, but then her shoulders start to shake, and she can no longer hold it in. She laughs loudly, bending back a bit and everything, one hand coming up to cover her mouth while the other lifts, spraying me with the fuckin’ hose again on accident and the girl only rolls harder.

I’m already soaked when I dash forward to grab the shit from her hand and toss it to the ground, but she keeps laughing. “Sorry,” she chokes back her amusement, clearing her throat as she s...

“I’m fuckin’ drenched.” “My bad.” She smiles. “At least it’s only water.” “Oh, only water.” I raise a brow, bending to grab the thing. I expect her to run, warn me, or at least say something about how her makeup and hair is done and not to ruin it—it is, but s...

“You don’t have to do house chores, so why are you?” “To keep it equal.” I frown. “It’s not equal, I told you that.” “It’s fine, it’ll help keep the peace in the house.” She shrugs. “Playing the noblewoman card, huh?” “Oh yeah.” She rolls her eyes playfully. “Next up, betrothing a prince.”

“Tell me, little Bishop, what’s a prince who’s never even seen the dark... gonna do with a girl who lived it most her life?” She opens her mouth, but closes it, a look in her eye I don’t recognize. “You think I need more,” she says quietly.