Trouble at Brayshaw High - Meagan Brandy Page 0,60

was a good time.” He quickly looks to them. “You guys ready to go in yet?”

Maddoc drops against the bumper of the SUV. “We’ve got some business first.”

Maddoc gives a sharp tone I wasn’t expecting, and I force a straight face when really I’m on the edge of a smirk.

Leo can’t hold it in, though, and his scowl is caught.

“You can go inside,” Maddoc adds, officially coloring me curious in the shift between boy and master.

Leo licks his lips, glancing from one Brayshaw to the next, and I doubt he realizes it, but there’s a hardness tethered in fear staring back.

He’s angry, but more, he’s a scared little bitch.

“Yeah, all right.” He looks to Mac.

“Mac stays,” Royce adds, knowing Leo was about to call on him.

Leo gives a tight shrug before walking off, his grip on the strap of his duffle bag real fucking tight.

My eyes follow him and every rigid step he takes, so do Mac’s.

Only once Leo is far enough away does he move closer.

“Something I should know?” Mac asks in confusion.

“No.” Maddoc’s hold on me tightens. “Any word on if Collins talked?”

“Nah, man. He’s a dumb fucker, but he’s not stupid enough to run his mouth at Brayshaw.”

The guys don’t say anything, but their silence is enough for me to know they disagree. It isn’t something to be spoken out loud for another ear to hear, though.

“Let’s get in there,” Captain says and he, Mac, and Royce all move to grab their bags.

Maddoc buries his face in my neck and presses his lips right against my pulse there. He makes no other move, but it kicks harder from the simple contact and as if he was waiting for it, his lips stretch into a smile against my skin.

I roll my eyes even though he can’t see me and push off him right as the others step back around with his bag also in hand.

We only get a foot through the door before we’re rushed by their coach and shoved through a side door leading to an empty locker room.

Coach Brail grips Maddoc by the collar and shoves him against the cool metal.

I jerk forward but get yanked back by Royce.

“I told you to keep your fucking cool!” he shouts in his face.

Maddoc makes no sound, but quickly dislodges himself and in an instant, he’s flipped it, and the coach is slammed against the lockers.

His eyes widen then narrow.

“Watch your fucking hands, and your mouth while you’re at it.” He jerks him forward, slamming him again, then steps back.

“Your dad—”

“Isn’t here,” Captain supplies easily.

“Time you realize that.” Royce steps forward.

A chill runs down my spine and a smirk finds my lips.

I fucking love this shit, when they power up and the front line grows stronger, their reach further.

“We respect you, Coach,” Maddoc tells him. “We work our asses off and listen to what you have to say and perfect what you tell us to. We listen to every fucking word you say ... on the court. Not fucking off it, and not when it messes with my family. We did what you said, what he told you to tell us, and that didn’t work out well for any of us. No fucking more. From now on, you will do as we say, when we say it.” The coach’s features tighten, and concern fills his eyes.

“You won’t be seen as going rogue. He’s on board,” Captain speaks of their dad, letting the man know he can breathe a little easier.

Coach Brail’s shoulders relax some and he gives a very reluctant nod.

Maddoc backs away, shrugging. “It’s nothing personal. You know we’d take a hit for you, but Raven will take no more from any-fucking-body. No one gets a pass, it’s the only way to fix this mess. The leash needs to be tightened.”

The coach looks ready to argue, but instead a tight chuckle leaves him, and I tense when he steps forward. He smacks a hand down on Maddoc’s shoulder giving him a little shake and walks out.

What the fuck was that?

“Respect.”

I jump when Royce answers what I thought was an inner thought and the guys chuckle around me.

“Let’s go, we’ve got a game to play.”

Coincidently, Collins is a no-show to the game, but Perkins is front and center looking far too disappointed when his school’s team plays one sick ass game of ball and takes the win in the end.

“You ever gonna talk to me or you forever pissed?” Bass drops down beside me.

“Depends.” I tilt my head. “Can