Bayward Street Read Online Free Page B

his arms propped up on his knees and his head hanging with his hood covering his face.
    Running to him, I cradled my arm against my chest and my ribs burned like they were on fire. I dropped to my knees and spoke softly, “Eazy? Are you okay?”
    The boys standing around us watched on in silence as I reached out and pushed his hood back from his face. “Oh, E…” I whispered sadly, my fingers brushing the side of his face. He finally looked up. One of his eyes was already swollen shut, blood dripping from a fresh cut above it. There was more bruising and blood on his cheeks. “Let’s get you home.”
    I stood up and stepped back, giving him room to stand. It was evident he was in a lot of pain. When he finally reached full height, I heard a gasp come from behind me.
    His head hung again, but this time, it wasn’t because of the attack he’d just endured, he wanted to hide his face, and that’s when I realized why.
    “Anton?”

Chapter Four
     

     
    “Hey Bray,” Eazy croaked, leaning back against the wall for support. The head boy stepped forward, his brow furrowed in confusion. The kid who’d helped me to my feet moved in beside him. “Girls, meet Heath and Braydon Carson.” He gestured to the two with a battered hand.
    Heath’s attention flicked to me, the intensity of his eyes sent a small shock straight up my spine and through the center of my shoulder blades, causing me to shiver involuntarily before steeling myself again. Heath was the strong front man. Something about him drew me in and made me curious. My mind wandered, wondering what it would be like to see the dark, serious look drop and maybe catch a smile. His chocolate brown hair was short but spiked up sharply on his head, and seemed to match his demeanor perfectly. It was the baby blue eyes that struck a strong contrast to everything else about him.
    Braydon on the other hand had a flare of fun and amusement that followed him. While he stared at Eazy in shock, a grin began to break through, and he seemed excited about the reunion. You could tell that he was obviously more laid back than his brother, his hair was a little lighter and shaggier and his body, even though still broad and strong, didn’t quite match up to that of Heath’s.
    “Where the hell have you been the last few months, man?” Braydon asked sounding both astounded and elated.
    E chuckled softly. “Been here, bro.”
    “Living in the city?”
    His tone darkened as he replied, “Something like that.”
    Heath studied the interaction carefully, his eyes and ears taking in everything. As I watched, I could see his mind working, piecing together the puzzle. “You living on the streets?”
    E didn’t turn his head, instead, just moving his good eye to where Heath stood, his body tense. “Yeah. Mom and Dad gave me the boot when they found out about the prescription meds I was taking.”
    “They kicked you out?” Braydon growled deeply in his throat. “What the fuck?”
    “Look man, thanks for your help, but I need to get the girls back home before some crazies take advantage.”
    I didn’t miss the way Heath’s eyes flared, and a few of the other boys tilted their heads in confusion.
    Ducking into the group, I dipped myself under his arm. “I think you forget, kid. We are the crazies.” He laughed as he leaned against me as we stepped away from the wall that was supporting him. My ribs protested in pain, and I whimpered under his heavy weight. We only made it a couple of steps before I was wrenched away.
    Two guys took my place, holding E up easily. My friend didn’t look too happy about it as they walked down to the next tunnel, which led to the other side of the tracks, so we could catch the train that would take us back home.
    I glared at Heath, tearing my hand from his tight grip. He seemed unfazed by my act of rebellion.
    “You all right?” The deepness in his voice seemed almost unnatural for a guy who I knew couldn’t have been much older than myself. It