Boys of Brayshaw High (Brayshaw High 1)

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.

Maddoc’s stare slices to Royce’s hand fixed on my abdomen.

“Damn, RaeRae,” Royce pretends to complain, but his natural flirty fire is easily heard. “Quit stopping right in front of me.”

I pull away from him. “How about stay off my heels or maybe watch where you’re going, or better yet, go away!”

Royce laughs and looks to his boys, nodding his chin their way.

“He tell you about this weekend, Raven?” Captain asks, an annoyingly cautious stare sliding between us.

I cross my arms and frown. “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 and Royce grins, throwing his arm around my shoulder again.

“Sure did.”

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

I hate how one look from him has me on edge.

“We’re leaving now.”

My eyes fly to Captain. “Now.”

“Now.”

“It’s not even lunch.”

“Quit fucking complaining,” Royce chastises me. “And don’t worry about Perkins busting you. It’s handled. Maybell too.”

When my eyes narrow, Captain looks away and Royce grins. “So—”

“Yes, fuck me, we did it behind your back, you were the last to know, you didn’t get to choose, blah blah blah. Get used to it already.”

“You boys are ... forget it. Fine, whatever.” I sigh. “I hate school anyway.”

“Our shit’s ready. We’ll give you ten minutes tops.”

I glare at Maddoc. “I could pack everything I own in ten minutes. Think I can be ready for a weekend in two.”

“Bring a swimsuit.”

I frown. “It’s November.”

“And there are hot tub parties.” Royce grins.

“Well, I don’t have one.”

Captain looks to Maddoc who nods his chin.

“Don’t worry about it, let’s go.”

With a sigh, I throw my hands out, motioning for them to lead the fucking way.

Once we climb in Maddoc’s truck, I tell them, “If I get kicked out, one of you bastards are driving me all the way back home. I’m not getting stuck in a juvenile hall where I won’t know anyone.”

Captain’s lip twitches but it’s Royce who says, “Deal.” Big man says nothing and then we’re off.“What is taking them so long?” I drop my head back on the seat.

“Stop whining, it’s been ten minutes.” Captain shakes his head.

“Ten minutes of sitting here. We’ve been in the car for two fucking hours.”

“It’s called a road trip.”

I look out the window with a frown.

Captain turns in his seat. “Never been on a road trip?”

I roll my head across the seat to look back his way. “You’d have to have a car to go on a road trip.”

He studies me. “Your mom never had a car?”

“Once. For about a week.”

“What happened to it?”

“Clientele was low, she ran out of cash and needed a fix.”

He nods, but no judgment shows in his light eyes. “None of your friends back home had cars either?”

Friends. Yeah, people never liked me much.

My face must giveaway my thought because Captain licks his lips and looks off.

“Dated a guy with a car once.” I smirk and Captain’s stare comes back to mine. He lifts an eyebrow. “Didn’t take any trips, but we spent a lot of time in that car.”

Captain laughs, making me laugh lightly with him.

The doors fly open then and in slides Maddoc and Royce.

Maddoc looks to me expectantly.

“Just telling Cap here about my extensive knowledge of a nineteen-ninety Honda Civic ... hatchback.”

Maddoc squints.

“Buckle up, big man. We’re ready to get it on the road.” I grin and he lifts a dark brow.

With a laugh I sit back, snagging a bag of chips from his bag and pop them open.

“So, what’s this place like anyway?”

“It’s chill,” Royce says. “Ours is the farthest in the back, up against the creek.”

“Yours?”

“Yup.”

When nothing else is said, unease circles in my stomach.

“Wait ... what?”

Royce spins in his seat, shooting for innocent, but looking like a damn problem child. “Half the senior class will be there.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“Royce.” Fuck. “I don’t wanna play with your friends,” I snap.

“You’ll play with nobody,” Maddoc butts in with a scowl.

“Stop acting like you’d have a say.”

“Stop pretending like I don’t.”

I shift in my seat to face him full on. “I’m not a fucking whore, but if I wanted to act like one, I would. And there’s not a damn thing you could do about it. I won’t bend at your will.”

“No, but you’ll drop to your back at yours.”

My mouth gapes, but I quickly close it, glancing off before my eyes give me away. Hate to admit it, but his floppy ass attitude delivered a small sting. I don’t appreciate my mind and my emotions not being on the same page here.