Bayward Street by Addison Jane Page A

Heath for some kind of support, but even he had a tiny smirk in the corner of his mouth.
    Layla laughed, she was no help either.
    I groaned. “Yes, okay… you’re both really fit.”
    “I apologize for my friend,” Lay offered, patting my arm. “She doesn’t get out much.”
    Braydon’s laughter boomed loudly. “No kidding.”
    “Braydon plays football, I swim.”
    My eyes widened in surprise. “You swim?” I guessed that explained the huge pool out the back.
    Heath nodded but didn’t explain any further. He pulled the refrigerator open and picked out a carton of orange juice, finding four glasses from the cupboard and filling them up.
    “What my brother meant to say was that I’m the star quarterback, and he’s the best swimmer in the state,” Braydon explained. Unlike Heath, Braydon didn’t care if he boasted about how much money he had, how many girls wanted in his pants, and how good he was at sport. It was what it was, and it was actually rather refreshing. He was confident and self-assured, and sometimes you needed to be if you were ever going to make your way in the world.
    Heath was quieter about his success, but he didn’t pull any punches when it came to telling it like it was or the reality of life. And people respected the both of them for that.
    “Hello?” a sweet voice tinkled through the house.
    “In here, Mom,” Braydon called back.
    Heels tapped on the wooden floors and a stunning woman filled the doorway to the kitchen. “Hey, hope you made me one of those?” She smiled, pointing to Braydon’s half eaten food.
    “I’ll get it, Mom,” Heath offered. He slid us all a glass of juice before making himself busy, pulling food from the cupboards and fridge.
    “Mom, this is Fable and Layla,” Braydon offered, pointing to each of us.
    I swiveled my chair around, holding out my hand to her. “Nice to meet you.”
    She took my hand, and we shook as she offered me a friendly smile. “It’s so nice to finally meet you, too, Fable,” she took Lay’s hand too, “and you too, Layla. My name’s Helen. The boys speak very highly of you.”
    I looked over at Heath curiously, he watched me out of the corner of his eye as if gauging my reaction. “Really?”
    She rounded the counter as Heath held out a plate of food for her, kissing his cheek as she took it from his hands. I could see now where Heath got his gentleness from. The small touches and shows of affection. He’d obviously learned from his mom.
    I wondered if that meant Braydon was like his dad, the brashness and need to be a little over the top was definitely not from her.
    Heath leaned back against the bench top, folding his arms across his chest. “How was everything after we left?”
    I took a bite of my sandwich and swallowed tightly.
    Helen sighed. “Most people left, the few that hung around just stayed to watch Deena throw a tantrum, I think.”
    Heath scoffed, but Bray laughed loudly before asking, “Was it a good one?”
    “Oh yes, she was in fine form today.”
    “I’m sorry we caused so much trouble,” I told her softly. But when her eyes met mine there was nothing but sweetness in them.
    “Honey, I’ve always taught my kids to speak up when there’s something going on that isn’t right,” she explained, reaching across and touching my hand. “It would be hypocritical of me to criticize you for doing just that. And you know what? That woman needed to be told exactly what her son had been through because of her selfishness. Maybe she’ll take it on board, maybe she won’t. But now that’s on her.”
    Layla wrapped an arm around my shoulders and pulled me against her, our heads resting together. “I miss him so much,” I whispered sadly.
    “I know…” Layla replied, “…I know.”
    Eazy hadn’t been with us for long, but it didn’t matter. I loved him just like I loved the others.
    “You girls have to go… uh, home soon?” Braydon asked, walking around to deposit his empty plate in the sink.
    I