BE MY BRAYSHAW

by Meagan Brandy

  He grabs it, looking to the screen. “Missed calls from Dad and Maybell.”

  Panic sets in and I jump to my feet. I snag it, glaring from it to Victoria.

  My dad answers on the first ring. “She’s okay.”

  My shoulders fall, and I slouch against the locker, but then I hear her little whines in the background, and turn, my hand coming up to rub at the back of my neck.

  “What’s wrong?” My chest constricts. “Was she crying?”

  Royce tosses his towel and quickly finishes getting dressed while Maddoc stands, grabbing his and Raven’s backpacks off the floor.

  Suddenly Maybell is on the phone. “Boy.”

  My heart beats wild in my chest and I squeeze my eyes shut. “Talk, Miss Maybell.” I dig my keys from my pocket.

  “She’s all right, but she’s fussin’, wants her daddy now.”

  “Daddy!” Zoey begins to cry.

  My stomach turns, and I nod, already rushing out, my brothers on my tail. “I’m... I’m on my way.”

  I start jogging, but freeze, looking back to Raven taking quick steps to keep up.

  She jerks to a stop, shaking her head with a glare. “Go. Now. We’ll get there.”

  My eyes slide to Victoria just behind them. “She stays.”

  Mac nods and I take off in a full sprint, Royce at my side, school forgotten.

  Daddy’s on his way, baby girl.

  Chapter 13

  Victoria

  “She stays.” Captain’s tone is hard and leaves no room for argument, but nobody could miss the heavy air of worry surrounding him.

  He and Royce run off, and not a minute later, they’re peeling out of the parking lot.

  Mac nods his head to the others, pushing the alarm button on his car.

  Raven slides in front of me. “Don’t piss him off, stay here. I’ll find you if it’s serious,” she promises when she doesn’t have to.

  My mind spins, considering if I should listen, behave as he wants me to.

  I squeeze my eyes shut, a small growl escaping as I spin on my heels and head back inside the school. Maddoc, Raven, and Mac driving off behind me.

  My steps slow when I spot Chloe leaning against the frame, her eyes following Mac. “We’ll never be on their level, will we?”

  When I don’t respond, she looks my way.

  “Come on, Victoria.” She tilts her head. “I know you fucked up somewhere, and it’s no secret I tried to fuck over Raven when she first came to Brayshaw.” She sighs and looks off. “I love Mac, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t jealous of his position with this family. My dad ran their security all my life, was their most trusted man, and mine isn’t even allowed to answer his phone if I’m in the same room. Every call, he steps out... away from me.” She meets my gaze only to look away again. “Worst part is it’s no one’s fault but my own.”

  I eye her a long moment, not understanding why she’d open up to me, but somehow knowing she has no one else to admit this shit to.

  Her dad embodies Brayshaw, she was born to be a part of it, and she fucked it up.

  I get it.

  I try to walk back inside, away from someone I don’t trust, who doesn’t trust me, but my feet don’t move me.

  I hold in my groan, and dig into my backpack, pulling out a half a joint.

  I already ran out of second period, what’s the rest of the day?

  It takes Chloe a second, but then she looks over.

  A grin twitches her lips, and she shrugs, pushing off the wall.

  I follow the brunette Barbie to her little convertible and slide inside.

  She adjusts her mirrors as the top goes down and puts the car in drive. “In three, two...”

  Her phone rings and she laughs, answering with a wink.

  Mac’s voice comes through the speakers, deep and gravelly. “Baby.”

  “Baby,” she mimics, turning out of the parking lot.

  I pull a lighter from my bag, holding the flame over the end of the joint while rolling it in my fingers to make sure it’s equally lit.

  “Don’t make me spank that ass, gorgeous.”

  Chloe laughs. “Is that supposed to convince me to go back, because talk about a rebound?”

  I want to roll my eyes, but a small grin forms instead.

  She laughs silently when Mac growls. “Meet me at my house in a couple hours. Daddy isn’t home until six.”

  “Done.”

  The line goes dead, and we both laugh.

  “Only good thing about my dad working at the school is I’ve got more alone time at home.” She looks over with a grin, holding her hand out, so I pass it over. “So I heard you stole Amber’s shit that night at the warehouses?”

  I shrug. “She tried to steal mine.”

  “I guess she did, didn’t she?” A loud laugh leaves her, and she smiles. “You should pawn the purse, it’s a limited-edition Cartier. Worth bank.”

  “It’s not worth shit now.”

  She looks over.

  “I tossed it in one of the bonfires with everything in it.”

  Her jaw drops, but a giggle quickly follows. “Man. It’s almost cute how clueless you group home girls are.” Her eyes pop back to mine. “I didn’t mean that like a total asshole.”

  I can’t help the small grin that escapes, and an easiness settles over us.

  Chloe drives a little longer, pulling over at a small park, and we sit silently for a few minutes, smoking and thinking, when she asks, “Do they know?”

  She wears a tight smile, and unease creeps over me.

  “Do they know what?”

  “My dad was head of security, Victoria,” she says softly. “If there’s one thing I know how to do, it’s snooping without getting caught. I’ve seen shit the boys never have. How do you think I stayed on top before Raven showed up? I’ll give you a hint—not because they liked me, but because I was aware.”

  “Out with it, Chloe.”

  “Mallory,” she says instantly.

  My pulse hammers against my temples, and I shift to face her full-on to try and hide it.

  “What about her?” My voice comes out raspier than I intended.

  Chloe offers a sad smile, as if she knows I’m doomed to the end. “Do they know what you did?”

  Oh fuck.

  “Chloe...” I trail off, shaking my head. “You—”

  “We all have secrets, Vee. Some are just bigger than others.”

  “Yeah?” I snap, pushing past the pressure in my chest. “And what’s yours?”

  “Did you notice how I kept grabbing the joint from you, twirled it around my fingers and passed it back?”

  I frown.

  “I didn’t take a single hit.” Her eyes fall to her steering wheel before coming back to mine. “Threesomes are fun, but now I’m pregnant.” She gives a small, side grin, and tears fill her eyes. “And I have no idea who the dad is.”

  Oh. Shit.

  The rest of the day is a blur of nothing, and before I know it, it’s dark out. The moon’s shine wants no part of this night and hides behind a heavy set of clouds, making the tree-covered dirt road even blacker, so I navigate it in the darkness.

  I keep forward, surprised to find Maddoc pacing the driveway as my feet meet the concrete.

  He’s so out of it, he doesn’t hear me step up.

  “Hey.”

  He whips around, a hard glare in place, but his eyes are a little wild.

  “I thought everyone would be in bed.”

  He runs a hand over his mouth before throwing it to his side.

  Okay...

  My shoulders fall. “Is it safe to go up to my room or not?”

  His lips clamp shut, and he curses under his breath before looking me dead in the eye and giving a curt nod.

  I can’t help but take it as a warning.

  The second I open the door, I hear her, and my foot freezes only a step in.

  My head snaps back to look at Maddoc.

  The creases across his
forehead deepen, and he quickly walks off.

  With slow steps, I make my way up the stairs, Zoey’s cries growing louder and louder with each foot closer. She wails, and then little mumbles follow, only for another heavy cry to leave her.

  Sweat beads across my neck as I move closer.

  Maybell is suddenly coming down the long hallway, she offers me a small, sad smile and then disappears into the bathroom, coming out just as quick with a wet rag in her hand.

  I continue toward my room, pausing as I reach my door.

  “Daddy, go, go away,” Zoey weeps, exhaustion coating her little voice as she gasps through her tears.

  My eyes open and I freeze.

  Captain stands a few feet away, anguish painted across his face. His shoulders fall and he looks off, helpless. “She uh...” He swallows. “She has a fever.”

  My body instantly settles some, but I don’t show it.

  This is huge for him, new.

  “It happens,” I whisper, and his eyes slide back to mine.

  Zoey cries behind us and he stiffens. “She won’t stop.”

  Royce rushes out right then. “Cap, hurry the fu—”

  He cuts off, his lip curling when he spots me there, but Zoey’s tired sobs have him shaking his head.

  He looks to Captain. “I have tried every movie. She doesn’t want any of them.”

  Movie?

  Captain sighs, running his hands over his face. “Okay.” He slips by me, into his room and back out quickly, stuffed animal in his hands. “I tried to call Maria.”

  A sense of resignation seeps from him and creeps right inside me, his misery weighing like the finest of steel.

  “You did?”

  I know that was hard for him.

  He hangs his head a moment, and then angry eyes come back to mine. “She won’t let us, won’t let me, give her medicine, and I have no fucking clue what my daughter is asking me for,” he hisses, storming off down the hall.

  “Maybe I do.”

  He jerks to a stop, half his body in the media room at the end of the hall, half in view. His hand curls around the doorframe and he hesitates a moment.

  He licks his lips and looks to his brother.

  Royce eyes him a long moment and then turns to me as Captain disappears into the room. “Go, but don’t do anything stupid.”

  I take a deep breath, running my hands over my jeans and then move forward.

  I spot Raven inside first, she sits at the end of one of the couches, her hair wrapped around her wrist as she watches Maybell try to comfort Zoey.

  Rolland paces the back of the room, freezing when I enter.

  Maybell seems to breathe a sigh of relief and slowly shifts from Zoey’s view.

  Her little head tips back, tear-streaked face looking up at me, cheeks red and puffy. Spotting me, she cries even louder.

  She lifts her arms, but I only move a step closer. “Rora! Daddy movie. Please.” She cries.

  Daddy movie.

  Oh shit.

  I swallow, giving her a little smile. “Okay, ZoZo. Just a minute, okay?”

  I turn toward Captain, who glares at me, unsure. “She wants to watch your videos.”

  “We tried every movie in that thing.” He nods his chin toward a small box near the screen. “Whatever she wants isn’t in there.”

  I shake my head. “She wants your videos.”

  “Wait.” Raven shifts looking at me. “Maria said she watches your games.”

  I nod. “Where’s her tablet?”

  Zoey starts to cry louder, and all eyes turn to her.

  Each blink is slower than the last.

  Baby girl is fighting her sleep.

  She sniffles, turning her head into the pillow.

  I turn to Captain. “Her tablet?”

  Royce slips past him, moving a blanket on the couch and picking it up.

  He gives it to Captain who hesitates a moment longer, but when Zoey starts crying again, wiping at her hair with her hands, he holds it out.

  I take it and open the files, moving toward the TV stand. I look around, but all the cords are hidden in the wall, the giant TV stretching from one end to the next and mounted in.

  Shit.

  “I need something to plug it into.”

  “I can hold it.” Captain rushes over to Zoey, helping Maybell up so he can slide in. He lifts her, sitting back with her at his side, but Zoey fights him, crying and throwing herself onto the cushion to his left.

  Every inch of his face is pulled tight, and he can’t look up.

  It’s as if this makes him feel incapable, shameful.

  Unworthy of caring for her.

  Raven stands, moving closer.

  “She’s just tired, not feeling well,” I whisper, and a shred of hope seems to seep into him. “It happens.”

  He holds my stare a long moment, and then gives a curt nod.

  He wants to believe what I’m saying.

  Zoey is restless, moving all around beside him.

  I turn to Royce. “Your laptop, can you get it and a cord? It’ll be easier, so he can hold her if she wants.”

  He glares but slips out and Raven moves to lean in where he’s just vacated.

  Royce returns quickly, and I plug it in, loading the videos on the screen, but I don’t click play.

  Zoey pushes herself up, but she’s too sleepy to sit and falls against Captain’s shoulder.

  “Daddy movie coming, Rora?” Zoey tries to catch her breath.

  I smile softly, not looking across the room as I slip around the coffee table.

  I lower to my knees in front of her, nodding. “It’s coming, ba—” I clamp my mouth shut. “But if you want to watch, you have to take your medicine, okay?”

  “I don’t want to.”

  “Then no movie.”

  Captain’s back shoots straight, and I know he’s glaring at me, angry that I dare deny her, angry that I dare sit here and say a damn thing at all, but if she has a fever, she needs it. Not only to bring it down, but to make her feel okay enough to sleep, but then Zoey’s little cries soften, and she scoots herself to the edge, her feet now dangling in front of me.

  “It’s yucky?” she asks.

  I nod, lifting my fingers up to indicate a little bit.

  Suddenly Maybell is there holding it out, but Zoey doesn’t look at her, she starts tugging at the strings hanging from my zip-up.

  “Rora do it.” She scoots closer to me, still fighting for a normal breath.

  I blindly grab the little plastic dispenser, reaching out for her sippy cup that she must have kicked over.

  “Ready?” I ask.

  She tips her head all the way back, opening her mouth, and I pour it in, quickly handing her her water.

  She makes a face, whining a little, and then takes a drink as she scoots back again.

  “Good job, mama.”

  She smiles, drags her stuffed train into her chest and climbs into Captain’s lap.

  He quickly opens up to let her settle in, kissing her head as he wraps his arms around her, his eyes closing a moment as he does.

  I quickly look away, feeling all the attention in the room now focused on me.

  I press play, and within seconds, the boys’ laughter fills the room as the videos of them practicing basketball play on the small screen.

  Right as I stand, Maddoc is sliding into the room with a tense expression. His eyes go straight to Zoey and his shoulders relax some. He tugs Raven from Royce and all three step closer, glancing at the screen from behind the couch.

  “What is this?” Royce asks.

  Nobody speaks though, the answer obvious.

  It starts with them practicing at the park, but it’ll switch to their game soon.

  “Miss Maybell,” Rolland whispers, finally having stopped pacing. “I’ll drive you back to the house. I think we’ll be okay through the night now.”

  My shoulders tense and I go to walk past Captain and Zoey, but she kicks her foot out, blocking my leg
.

  “Hu-mon, Rora. Wanna watch him?”

  My mouth opens but nothing comes out. I force my lips together, and begin shaking my head, but then Captain’s foot slides forward, hitting mine and my eyes jolt up.

  I guess to deny her right now is too much as tension weighs in his gaze, a silent plea he shares only with me. There’s a warning there, too, indicating I better not tell her no, even if I wanted to.

  My stomach turns as I look her way and nod.

  “Heck yeah, ZoZo.” I drop onto the plush carpet several spaces away, but where I can still see the screen.

  On the video, the boys goof around, trying to make trick shots and dunk on each other.

  When Zoey’s tearful voice says, “And one,” right as Captain does on the video, soft chuckles fill the room.

  Something inside me settles, all while a knot forms in my chest as I remember my place, or lack thereof.

  Another minute or two passes, and in my peripheral I see Royce slowly make his way out as Maddoc moves closer, his hand coming down on Cap’s shoulder.

  Captain nods and they too leave, the lights dimming as they exit.

  And then it’s just us.

  I chance a glance at Zoey who seems to be wide awake now, eyes glued to the screen.

  She catches me looking and smiles, lifting her head.

  Captain freezes when she climbs off him and crawls across the cushion, laying her head, right where my elbow is pressed.

  She doesn’t say anything, just lies there, and I drink her in, knowing I might not have another opportunity to be near her like this.

  I drop my arm, placing my chin on my hand and stare at her.

  She giggles, stretching in to rub her nose along mine.

  “Eskimo kisses,” I dare to whisper.

  “Butterfly hugs,” she tries to whisper back.

  I chuckle lightly at her pronunciation and horrible whisper, and then my eyes slice toward Captain.

  He watches her, a heavy strain in his brows, defeat in his demeanor and I feel like a complete asshole.

  He was finally able to comfort her as he’s fought to find a way to all night, and here I am, taking this from him—another first of hers he’s missing, holding her when she’s sick.

  I risk his anger, should he give it to me later, and turn back to Zoey.

  “Can you move over for me, ZoZo?”