Bridges Burned (Going Down in Flames #2)(47)

Jaxon veered off toward the Blue dorm. Bryn’s stomach growled, reminding her she hadn’t eaten. First she’d stop in her room, and then she’d order a pizza. Maybe two pizzas.

Landing on her terrace, she pitched forward and caught herself with her wings. After shifting, she pushed open the window and heard voices. Creeping into the room, she peeked around the doorframe. Clint and Ivy sat on the couch. The spicy aroma of pizza made her mouth water.

Stepping through the doorway, she gave a lame smile. “Hi, guys.”

Ivy swooped over and pulled her into a hug. “I’m so sorry.”

With those three words, the waterworks started again. Bryn squeezed Ivy and then stepped back. “Thanks for being here.” She sniffled and wiped at her face with the back of her hand.

“Here.” Clint handed her a box of tissues. “Now I’m going to escape while you and Ivy do the whole crying thing.”

Bryn nodded. “Thanks for the Kleenex.”

Clint made a hasty exit. Ivy pulled Bryn to the couch.

Bryn relayed the conversation with Zavien between bites of pizza. “I just feel so stupid for believing him in the first place.” She groaned in frustration. “And I expected more from him. What’s worse is Jaxon thinks all Zavien’s talk about changing the law was a line.”

A growl emerged from Ivy’s throat. “If we ever find out that’s true, I’ll help you kill him and hide his body.”

“Thank you.”

“That’s what best friends are for.”

…

Bryn lay in bed that night contemplating her screwed-up situation. Clint and Ivy were wonderful, and they would continue to be there for her, but Zavien’s bowing out left a huge hole in her life. What would she do with the time she used to spend with him?

She turned on her side and punched her pillow into shape and tried to focus on positive things. Maybe she could visit Valmont tomorrow, because he made her happy. And Christmas was coming up. That was good. She loved Christmas shopping. Maybe she’d focus on her relationship with her grandparents. She didn’t need a guy in her life. She just needed to focus on her own life. There, she had a plan.

…

Dragon’s Bluff bustled with activity. Shoppers carried bags decorated with Christmas trees. A mood of cheeriness permeated the air. Something she hadn’t felt on campus since the first attack. On the walk to Fonzoli’s, she people-watched.

A familiar blond woman stared into a boutique window that featured baby clothes. The high collar of the woman’s coat obscured the lower portion of her face. And what would Jaxon’s mother Lillith be doing looking at baby clothes anyway?

When she was within five feet of the woman, Lillith looked up and smiled. “Bryn, how are you?”

“I’m good. How are you?”

“I’m wonderful.” Lillith pointed to the window. “Which pajamas do you like best?”

Snowflakes dotted one pair of blue footy pajamas, and frogs decorated a green pair.

“Since it’s almost Christmas, I’d go with the snowflakes.”

“My thoughts exactly.” Lillith glowed with happiness.

Life with Ferrin couldn’t be responsible. Maybe it was the holiday season or recreational pharmaceuticals.

“Then again, maybe I’ll buy both and have Ws embroidered on the collar.”

“W as in Westgate?” That was weird. “Aren’t they a little small for Jaxon?”

Lillith laughed. “They’re not for Jaxon. They’re for his brother.”

Jaxon had never mentioned a brother. Lillith grinned and placed a hand over her abdomen. The pieces fell into place.

“You’re pregnant?” Bryn asked.

“Isn’t it wonderful?”

Holy crap! That meant she’d slept with Ferrin. Bryn swallowed her automatic response of Ewwww, gross and went with “Congratulations.”

She didn’t like to acknowledge her own parents’…interactions…much less someone else’s.

“Thank you.” Lillith glanced around. “It makes me feel guilty to be so happy, in light of the recent sad news about Rhianna.”

Bryn’s good mood burst like a balloon hit with a dart. “Can’t you talk Ferrin into—”

Lillith shook her head. “There’s not a person in the world who can talk Ferrin into anything. Jaxon told me of his plan to take care of Rhianna. Even though she won’t have the life she wanted, her future isn’t in question. Hopefully that will provide some consolation.”

It wouldn’t be enough consolation. About that, Bryn was sure. Time to change the subject before Lillith mentioned pairing her up with Jaxon. “I was headed to Fonzoli’s for lunch if you’d like to—”

“Mother?” Jaxon approached with a wary look on his face.

Lillith smiled. “There you are. I was doing a little shopping before lunch.”

“With Bryn?” Jaxon’s eyes went to the display of baby clothes in the window. His brow furrowed and then his face colored. “Dear God, Bryn, how could you be so stupid?”

“What?”

He moved in close and spoke in a low voice. “Did you forget about Analise? What do you think the Directorate will do when they learn about your condition?”