Page 1 of Brat Baby
Chapter 1
Emery
I stare at the corner of the building that they disappeared behind, my mind already tattooing the memory of their backs as they leave me here, alone on the grass behind the coffee shop. I’m terrified to move, terrified to breathe. Terrified to move on from this exact moment, because how is the world still spinning? It feels as though my entire world has come to a stop.
There is no breeze. No murmuring of voices from the hundred or so college students around the corner. No thud of my heart in my chest.
There. Is. Nothing.
They left me. They really fucking left me.
After they promised that I’m theirs. That they aren’t going anywhere. Nothing would take me away from them.
But not once, not a single time, did they saytheywould never walk away fromme.
My lungs burn as I drag in a ragged breath, sobs lining up in my throat, just waiting to be let out. No, no, no, no. How? Why?
Why did I allow myself to believe in this fucked-up little bubble we created over the weekend? I fucking know better.
I fuckingknowbetter.
This shit never works out for me. Forever homes aren’t for real. No one ever keeps the strays.
Why the hell didn’t we have a single conversation about what our real lives are like? Or… wait. Did my orphan bomb kill that for us? Is this my fault? Did I fuck up by answering their questions? Should I have told them then, before the weekend started, that I’m a student? Would knowing from the beginning have changed things?
Would we have even had the weekend together?
Did I ruin this?
There is a vibration in my pocket and my heart leaps into my throat. With shaking fingers, I dig out my phone, only to have my soul completely and utterly crushed as Oakley’s name appears on my screen.
Oakley:Where are you?
My throat is tighter than a clamped vise as I force my thumbs across the screen and send a reply.
Me:Outside, around the corner.
And then I do the absolute stupidest thing imaginable—I leave the message thread with Oakley and go to the group chat with my daddies. I scanned them all this morning but haven’t had a chance to respond. It’s what I was supposed to be doing now, as I sipped my iced chocolate and listened to Oakley ramble about her thoughts on my weekend.
Darcy:Good morning, princess. Message us when you are awake.
Hudson:Kitten, don’t forget to start thinking about your rewards. You have quite a few to choose.
Derek:I have a reward selected.
Hudson:That leaves ten for the rest of us.
Derek:*Rolling eye emoji* Emery has plenty more opportunities to earn rewards. You’ll still be able to spoil her.
Xavier:Don’t forget to send photos of your marks.
The screen blurs and my stomach rolls as I swipe out and go into the messages Darcy has been sending me privately.
Darcy:I hope you slept well last night. I was up half the night remembering the way my ropes caressed your skin. I don’t think I have ever seen anything more beautiful than you, completely wrecked and bound with my art.
Darcy:I have booked us a table at Thai Orchid for 7, Tuesday. There are plenty of movies to watch at the theater a few blocks down. You can pick the movie.
Darcy:Have an amazing day today, princess. I’ll be thinking about you x
