Break Me (Brayshaw High) - Meagan Brandy Page 0,96

fully believing in Royce and the choices he makes, but as I said... she’s a mother, and her little one trumps all.

I allow my eyes to move back to Zoey, and my smile grows freely.

“Hi.” She watches me curiously.

“Hi.”

“Uncle Bro said his friend is coming today. Are you his friend?” She whips around, running back before I can answer.

My eyes follow her, straight to Royce.

He bends, ready for her when she throws herself into his arms.

“Uncle Bro, is that your friend?” Zoey smiles, laying her head on Royce’s shoulder. “I like her hair.”

She’s so cute, her pronunciation still not quite clear.

He kisses her head, his eyes hot—the good kind—and on me. “Yeah, Zoey Bear. That’s my friend, and she’s in troooouble.”

A sharp zing runs down my back, heat rising to my cheeks

Zoey’s head pops up and she gasps. “What’d you do?” The cutest, tiniest little scowl takes over her face.

I laugh, noticing the others do too, even if they try to hide it.

“Look at that mean mug, Zo.” Captain grins, shifting to take her from his brother. He kisses her temple, bouncing her lightly. “You be nice.”

Her face falls and she kicks to be let down.

Captain hesitates, looking to Royce. They have a silent conversation that leads to Captain, very, very slowly, lowering his daughter back to the ground.

She runs right up to me, Victoria making her way down the steps behind her.

I bend, bringing myself closer and she drops her chin to her chest, her pretty blue-green eyes lifting and sad.

“Daddy said I was mean,” she whispers or tries to. It’s loud enough for everyone around to hear. “Did I hurt your heart?”

At her words, my heart does sort of feel hurt, but it’s more of an honest kind of ache.

How sweet is she?

I shake my head. “No, sweet girl, you didn’t hurt my heart, but it’s very nice of you to ask.”

She smiles, looks to her dad who has the gentlest of expressions pointed right at her. He gives a proud little nod, and her eyes light up as she turns back to me. “My name is Zoey... but I’m not supposed to tell people my last name.”

Captain sighs, Royce chuckles, and I pull in my lips to hide my smile.

“Guess what, Zoey?” I pretend to whisper. “My name is Brielle, and I don’t tell people my last name either.”

She grins, her hand lifting to cover her lips as if we now share the world’s largest secret.

I laugh and glance behind her.

All eyes on me.

Shit.

“Well, Zoey.” I look back to her. “It was nice to meet you, but I should get back before Miss Maybell comes searching.”

“But the zoo.” Her smile falls and she turns away from me. “Rora, the zoo.”

A small frown forms when it’s Victoria who steps forward at ‘Rora’.

Victoria picks her up, and they drop their foreheads to each other’s at the same exact time. “We’re going, ZoZo.” Her eyes flick my way. “Uncle Bro forgot to tell his friend, that’s all. Let’s get buckled up, okay?”

Zoey smiles and the two head for Captain’s SUV.

I look to the others and it’s Maddoc who discovers and lifts the wrapped item into the air with a dark brow raised.

Embarrassing.

“It’s... just some fun.”

Royce looks from me to it with a curious grin, snags it from his brother and shakes it. “What is it?”

Embarrassing, that’s what!

“Open it.” Or you know, don’t.

He opens it, and my stupid heart beats harder when a slow smile spreads along his lips.

He laughs, but his eyes fall fast, and I know he’s thinking about his hot and cold antics the last few days. I don’t blame him for it. I know it’s simply him, but still. It’s funny and proves my point wasn’t all crazy talk.

He shakes the empty pizza pocket box in the air, tosses it behind him, and takes the stairs two at a time.

He places himself right in front of me. “Little Bishop.”

“Playboy.”

“I’m a fucking pizza pocket.”

I laugh, and his eyes roam my face. “But when you’re hot...” I tease.

His tongue touches the lifted corner of his lips and shifts closer. “Hop in my ride, we’re going to the zoo.”

“Not going to ask me if I have plans or even want to go?”

His frown is instant, and I laugh.

“I’m kidding.”

“Wouldn’t matter if you weren’t.” He glares at my shirt. “You’re mine today.”

With a hint of haughtiness, he smirks and steps around me.

All I can think is... how about tomorrow?

We make it through the exotic birds, monkeys, and the butterfly room when