Break Me (Brayshaw High) - Meagan Brandy Page 0,109

he’s doing wherever the hell he’s at, I beat him to the punch.

“I have to go, Bass.” I let the red petal fall to the ground. “Maybe we’ll talk soon.”

“Brielle?”

I drop my head, my chest aching.

I understand the worry in his tone, the sadness. I feel it too, the disconnect.

I’ve never allowed myself to be upset with my brother.

He’s my best friend. My only family. My only friend.

Or he was.

I have new friends now, a couple anyway. And I have Royce, but my brother?

I feel like I’m losing him, and I’m not okay with that.

He’s always been everything to me. I couldn’t live with myself if I allowed a wedge to form between us. I also don’t know how to fix it, but what I do know is I’d do anything for him, no matter the cost. Always, as he’s done for me.

It’s who we are, the Bishop bastards.

“Brielle!”

I whip around to find Micah at the curb, Valine in the front seat and Jonah in the back. He smiles, nodding his head at me. “Come on, girl!”

“Brielle?” Bass draws into the line. I’d almost forgotten he was still on it.

There’s so much commotion surrounding him now I can hardly hear him through it anyway.

“I have to go,” I repeat. “My friends are waiting for me.”

“That’s... that’s good, B. Have fun, but be careful. Some weird shit’s going down, so let me know if anything feels off, okay?” There’s a hint of uncertainty in his tone now, and for some reason it brings the moisture back to my eyes.

“I will... wait.” I plug my left ear to hear him better. “Ciara said.” I pause. Shit, okay. I lie. “She said she’s been seeing a car parked around lately. Did you happen to send someone to, you know, watch me?”

“No,” he rushes out. “I haven’t. I told you the Brayshaws might send someone your way. Just, stay away. Stick to the plan.”

My mouth opens, but I quickly close it, and squeeze my eyes shut. “Yeah, brother. I’ll stick to the plan.”

It takes effort to hang up the line, but I do, and make my way over to Micah.

He pushes the door open before I’ve even reached it, and grins wide. “We’re off tonight, Mac gave the okay for Valine to crash the Wolves Den with us.”

“The warehouses?”

He nods. “Yup.”

My phone beeps, and I look to the screen to find a text from my brother.

Bass: I love you, B. I’ll bring you home soon.

I’m already here, brother... where the hell are you?

I take a deep breath, turn off my phone, and shove it into my backpack.

“So, what’s up, girl? You in?”

Am I in? Down to party on a weekday?

School’s out in nine days for summer, so screw it.

I hop in the car.

Four hours, two and a half-tempted third shots later, I’m feelin’ good, dancing and enjoying the heavy scent of bad decisions and teenage foreplay.

Valine smirks, pulling her cup to her lips and whispers, “Incoming.”

Micah and Jonah slip up and start dancing around us. Jonah closer to me, Micah her.

I’ve never really danced in front of anyone before, mainly in my bedroom or while cleaning, but this is addicting. Freeing.

I let my body lead, maybe the alcohol a bit, too, and it feels good.

I’m not out waiting for time to pass because I’m forced to be, I don’t have to wonder about what mess awaits me when I get home. I’m here, enjoying the now, and all because I chose to be.

To be here tonight.

To live in this town.

To work for this family.

To fall for one of its members?

Well, that was accidental.

Jonah’s hands reach for me, but Micah comes between us before they can land, laughing as he shoves Jonah toward Valine.

“Partner switch?” I raise a brow.

He winks, comes in closer and lifts his arms, they case me in, but don’t hold on and I keep tempo with him, swaying and air grinding as he does. “More like ensuring his arms don’t get ripped from their sockets.”

I laugh and do a little twirl.

Micah follows my lead, pretending to dip me without actually touching me, effectively playing along.

“You’re pretty good at that,” I tease.

He grins. “What if I told you I used to practice the waltz when I was younger ‘cause I thought that was how junior high dances would be?”

A laugh bubbles out of me. “I bet you were terribly upset when you got there and realized it was straight street dancing.”

He chuckles, but it smooths out. “You never came to any of