Page 41 of The Break Out

That would usually lead to Brandon lashing out at Brent, like he always did, especially once he started using drugs. None of us knew at the time that’s what was happening, but looking back all the signs were there.

Maybe Brent knew back then, but he never said anything toany of us. He was always trying to protect Bailey and me from the negatives that surrounded us on a daily basis.

“You think you’re so much better than the rest of us because you got that stupid fucking scholarship to join that lame ass hockey team?” Brandon screams at Brent.

“I’m on that hockey team to work on getting a better future forallof us. I’m going to go pro, then we don’t have to worry about anything anymore,” Brent argues calmly.

“You’re not going to go fucking pro, you’re just wasting your time and doing whatever you can to get the fuck out of here and leave us,” Brandon sniffs.

“You’re not going to talk like that in front of them, so you either knock it off or leave and come back when you’re calm,” Brent tells him, his voice has gotten a lot deeper.

“What the fuck ever.” Brandon stomps away from Brent, stopping in front of Bailey and me who are standing in the corner of the kitchen, where we huddled when the argument between him and Brandon first started. “When he leaves and forgets all about us, I’ll be the one taking care of us and I’ll do a better fucking job that he ever would.”

“Out,” Brent yells, making us jump.

Brandon leaves out the side door, sniffling as he goes. Brent drops closer to our level, “You guys, okay?”

We both nod, but I’m just doing it so everyone stops fighting. I don’t like the yelling and fighting. Not between my siblings. My parents. I just want one day where there isn’t someone yelling.

“Brynn, are you okay?” Brent’s voice breaks me out of thememory I slipped into. I still feel the tears prick the corners of my eyes and I feel like I need to get away.

“Yeah, sorry, I forgot I need to go meet Spencer, who wants the baby?” I try to keep my voice light, but I know my brother doesn’t buy it.

Vince happily takes Evie from my arms, and I’m impressed we don’t even wake her during the transition. I say my quick goodbyes, managing to make it to my car before breaking down completely. Everything feels like it’s catching up to me, last night with Colton, the memories of the past. I let the tears fall as I let the emotions take over, letting my façade drop as I fully embrace the shit show that is my life.

20

Imanaged to pull myself together enough to drive home. Once there, Ellie greets me and I swear this cat knows how badly I need her at times. I know I want my best friend more than before, just for the distraction alone, so I text her letting her know I’m home and she can come over.

While waiting for Spencer to get here, I do everything in my power to push the memory of my breakdown out of my mind because that’s not me. No, Brynn Collee doesn’t break down over her shit childhood anymore.

Spencer shows up with her distinct red hair in a bun at the base of her skull and tucked under a baseball cap, a baggie hoodie I assume is Jared’s and some jeans. Luckily, here in Denver she doesn’t have as much of a problem with fans and paparazzi, but you can never be too careful.

She comes in, and we settle on my couch. I tuck my feet underneath me and chew on my bottom lip until I remember how it felt to have Colton’s teeth sinking into it and stop.

“What’s going on?” Spencer asks when I still haven’t said anything.

“I…um…okay, no telling Jared. No tellinganyone. I’m calling best friend code on this one.”

“Done. Tell me.” She leans forward slightly, just waiting.

“So…I may have….and I don’t know why…I was just….and then…so I…”

“Brynn, spit it out, that’s not telling me anything.”

“I slept with Colton.” I drop my face into my hands immediately.

The silence is deafening. I just wait for a reaction, but I swear neither of us is even breathing.

“Colton…Wheeler?” she asks cautiously.

I just nod.

“What the fuck?”

“I know! I mean I don’t, he issuchan asshole, and this doesn’t change that, it just…happened.”

“Start from the beginning. Now.”

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