Trouble at Brayshaw High (Brayshaw High 2)

I look to her when a tight laugh leaves her.

“But I understand it’s what he needed” —I glare— “the move not the kiss. I can be pissed about it because I say so, but I decided not to knock you out.”

Maddoc’s chest shakes with silent laughter.

Vienna blinks a second and then laughs again. “And I thought it was because I talk too much.”

“And ask too many questions,” I add.

“Yet, you had this freaking jaded ass chick with you today.”

The three of us girls laugh at that and Maddoc shakes his head.

When we pull up at the house, the girls hesitate.

I wink at Maddoc. “Go through the front door,” I tell them.

Vienna nods but Victoria gives me a mocking frown, before a grin slips and she steps out.

Once we get back to the house, we take quick showers then move for the media room.

Maddoc climbs over me on the couch and drops down, holding his weight up with his elbows. His eyes shift between mine, a rawness written in them. “I don’t like to think others knew you before me.”

“I know.” I run my hand through his wet hair.

“Was he right?” he asks, and I look away, but he forces my eyes back. His hand moves from my chin to run across my cheek. “Was he right?” His eyes tighten at the corners. “Or is this still about convenience for you and fun while you’re at it?”

I consider his words. “What does it mean, to be happy?”

“Come on, Raven. Don’t play dumb.”

Unease seeps into my chest. I don’t like to think about these things, it’s better to leave this stuff unsaid than to understand it. All that does is make the hit harder when the shoe falls. “Maddoc, I’m not normal.”

“I don’t like normal.”

“Well, I don’t know how to do this.”

“Me either.”

Damn him.

I shake my head, taking in a deep breath.

“I told you,” I whisper. “I told you not to try and keep me.”

He drops his lips to mine, and his eyes close. “Too late, baby.” He kisses me, pushing his knee between my legs. “Way too fucking late.”

I kiss him back, falling further into the cushions as his weight comes down on me. Like I told him, I’m not normal. I wouldn’t know happy if it slapped me in the face.

All I know is my chest is constantly tight when his eyes are on me, I’m on edge more than normal, and extra needy when it comes to him – it’s new and I don’t understand it. It’s also annoying.

But even so, I don’t hate it.

And I have no intentions of leaving.“Excuse me,” the teacher snaps when I push on the door to walk out.

I look at her over my shoulder, raising a brow. “Yeah?”

“You need permission to exit this class.”

“She needs permission for nothing,” Captain says from his seat, not bothering to pull his eyes off his notebook – he’s been writing in that thing a lot lately.

The teacher looks from me to him and turns back to her lesson.

My lips press together, and I push through the door, headed for the bathroom.

As I round the corner in the hall, voices catch my attention and my steps slow.

“Stop jerking me around, asshole. I want the damn document. Now.”

I peek, finding Principal Perkins in Collins’ face.

What the hell? I can’t believe he’d show his face here!

“I told you, it’s safe,” he growls, jerking his backpack from Perkins’ hands. “It hasn’t moved from the cabin—”

“Quiet,” Perkins cuts him off, gaping at him.

The cabin?

My eyes narrow in thought.

What the boys stole...

They have what Perkins wants back!

“I want you to bring it to me. I never should have trusted you with it in the first place,” Perkins says.

Collins pushes back, inching into his face now. “Why the sudden need for it, huh?” he goads, tipping his head like he’s onto whatever Perkins is freaking out about. “You were all for me locking it away before. What, does her going back to them cause you problems?”

“It’s you and your inability to keep the trash around for longer,” Perkins snaps back instantly. “Apparently, you’re inept at charming even the lowest of low.” That’d be me. “This won’t happen the way we hoped, so I need to speed things up to protect my own.”

Wait, what the hell are they talking about?

“You’re a damn fool,” Collins spits. “Why are you even doing this? He’ll never fucking forgive—”

“This is not about forgiveness!” Perkins shouts, quickly looking down the hall and I jerk back. “I don’t need to explain myself to you. All I know is, if Donley finds that paper before all is said and done, I will end you myself,” he hisses. “You’re turning out to be as worthless as your father claimed.”

Who the fuck is Donley?

I peek again, right as Collins moves to grip him by the suit jacket, shoving him against the lockers. “Watch your fucking mouth, Uncle.”