Reign of Brayshaw (Brayshaw High #3)(102)

Splitting up like this wasn’t something we liked to do, and the only reason we all agreed was because we promised to keep our tradition going. So every night the four of us were apart, no matter where we were, we all took an hour to sit on Skype, had dinner together. It helped, but we’re ready to be home, and they’re tired of us being away.

On top of all of that, our town is ready for us.

Donley is gone, handled by the council members – I’ll find out what that means for sure at the next meeting – and everyone is waiting for the new town leaders to take their place.

Raven sits up in her seat, letting go of my hand as we roll to a stop in front of the Brayshaw mansion.

Her face smooths out, her eyes shooting wide. “The flowers,” she whispers.

“What?”

“Did he tell you?” she asks.

My brows snap together. “Tell me what, baby?”

She pushes open her door, stepping out of the SUV. Slowly she walks toward them, and then her eyes cut to the right, forcing mine to follow.

A playset.

“She’s here,” Raven whispers, a broken laugh leaving her.

Her eyes fly to mine, but then suddenly the door is thrown open and Royce runs out. With no warning, he lifts her, spinning her around and she laughs, hugging him back.

“Yo,” I shout with a smile, walking toward them. “Easy on the merchandise.”

Royce steps back, his eyes going wide when they fall to her tiny belly. It’s hardly a bump, more a little pudge but on her frame, it’s a noticeable change.

“You were only gone for a month.”

“Apparently you start to grow the fourth month. Maddoc will have to carry me into summer school by the time the year is over.”

Royce laughs then steps to me for a hug.

“Any chance you’re gonna tell us why you took a quick trip out of town?”

“Told you. I got a heart to break, gotta get even. Had to set some things in motion.” He grins, waggling his eyebrows. “Besides, I was only gone for a week. How much damage could I have possibly done?”

I smirk, shaking my head as he quickly moves back to the door. “Right.”

Royce smiles wide. “Come on.”

With tight eyes, we follow behind him.

Raven grows more and more apprehensive with each step taken, and my muscles begin to constrict.

When we reach the top of the stairs, she jolts to a complete stop.

But then Cap steps from the room across from his, his face lighting up. His eyes are clear, his body relaxed. There’s a weightlessness to him I’ve never witnessed and it all clicks.

He comes to me first, and I nod, giving him a hug before moving aside.

He turns to Raven.

“Cap...”

He smiles, grabs her hand and nods his head, dragging her along, but when she reaches the door, she pulls away, slipping to the opposite side, facing me now.

I take a step forward so I can peek inside and a smile breaks free.

Blonde curls perfectly placed on the top of her head, little Zoey sits on the floor, a small, stuffed train in one hand, sippy cup in the other. Our dad sitting across from her with a stuffed animal of his own in his hand, and damn if it doesn’t settle something inside me even more than my time away with Raven did.

My eyes roam around the room, taking in the white walls and the mural painted across them. Purple flowers, different shapes and sizes.

My stare slices to Raven’s hair, and the fresh purple stripes she had put in while we were away.

Cap steps in the room which causes Zoey’s head to snap our way, her little curls bouncing forward and hitting against her cheek.

She pushes to her feet and slowly walks toward us, pausing when she reaches Cap’s leg and wrapping her little hand around it.

Our dad stands behind them.

“Can you say hi, Zoey.”

Zoey hides one eye behind his pant leg, lifting her hand to wave, but then she spots Raven and her eyes light up. She runs to the door, stopping right in front of her.

“Hi!”

Raven swallows. “Hi,” she breathes.

“I waited fuh you.” Zoey smiles.

Raven’s brows drop, but she smiles. “You did?” she asks quietly.

Zoey nods, spins on her heels and runs back in her room. She grabs something from the little desk, hiding it behind her and runs back.

Raven looks to Captain with a small frown but slowly lowers to her knees, sitting back on her feet in front of Zoey.

Zoey smiles wide and brings a small crown from around her back, placing it on Raven’s head.

It starts to slip, so Raven quickly catches it, holding it there. She smiles at Zoey.

Zoey reaches out and touches the purple of Raven’s hair and Raven pulls her lips in.

“You know,” Zoey says. “I like puple.”

A small laugh leaves Raven. “Yeah.” She nods. “I did know that, Zoey.”

Zoey smiles and runs back to Captain, who lifts her when she puts her arms up, and the two move farther in her room, Royce right behind them.

Raven, still on the floor, brings her eyes to me.

The crown slides down a little more but stays rooted in her hair.

I bend at the knees, running my fingers over the same strand of hair Zoey did.

She smirks, shrugging a shoulder. “A crooked crown is still a crown, right?”