Going Down in Flames (Going Down in Flames #1)(60)

Impressed and suspicious, Bryn said, “Do you have a pool table at your house?”

“My family owns a bar.” Keegan winked at her. “I’ve played since I was five.”

Garret approached them with a curious expression on his face. “This is unusual.”

And now it felt awkward. “It’s all right. Isn’t it?”

“Your friends are welcome.” Garret studied Keegan for an uncomfortable moment and then spoke to Bryn. “It’s interesting that you’re able to cross Clan boundaries.”

“She blends with all but the Blues,” Clint said.

“Given your family history, that makes sense.” Garret pulled out a notepad and scribbled a few lines. “Are you free Sunday? We could run some trials in the afternoon.”

“Sunday works for me, but promise me we’ll keep it low key. I’ve had enough confrontations this week.”

“Of course. I’ll reserve the stadium so we can work behind closed doors.”





Chapter Nineteen Why had she trusted Garret? “You said we’d have privacy.”

He gestured toward the dozens of students seated in the stadium. “I don’t know how they found out.”

“Did you tell someone?”

Garret fidgeted. “I mentioned it during dinner last night, but it was a confidence among friends.”

“Where did you eat?”

“In the dining hall.” He ducked his head. “I’m sorry. Do you want to try someplace else?”

“No, they’d follow us. Let’s get this over with.”

He pointed at a white flag on the far side of the stadium. Given the size of the structure, she estimated it was three hundred yards away.

“That’s the finish line. Fly as fast as you can. If another dragon joins you, ignore him.”

“If another dragon joins me, I may accidentally veer into him.”

“Your Red genes must be dominant.” He pulled a small, silver object from his pocket. “When I blow this whistle, take off.”

Several Blue males lined up a few dozen yards away. They’d take flight as soon as the whistle blew. Wings tensed, she nodded at Garret. The shrill sound pierced the air. Launching herself forward, she worked at gaining speed rather than altitude.

The Astroturf blurred beneath her. To her left, she could see Blue scales keeping pace. She pushed harder, and the streaks of Blue fell back a few feet. The joy of speed surpassed the need for victory. Ignoring the other dragons, she reveled in the wind rushing past her body.

A whistle went off as she crossed the finish line. She allowed velocity to carry her straight up into vertical flight. When she neared the ceiling, she arched backward and glided in a looping pattern. Taking extreme care not to fall on her ass in front of a stadium of students, she drifted down to a soft landing next to Garrett and shifted. Not bad. Maybe she was finally getting the hang of this landing stuff.

He was busy scribbling numbers on his paper.

“How’d I do?”

A smile lit his face. “You beat the nearest competitor by three seconds.”

Pride suffused her system. “I did?” She glanced over at the group of Blues huddled together. “How many of them flew against me?”

“Ten,” Garret answered. “The one who stayed closest to you was Jaxon.”

Laughter bubbled out of Bryn’s throat. She resisted the urge to call out a childish taunt. Jaxon must have sensed what she was thinking. He turned in her direction and sneered.

“Want a rematch?” she yelled.

He stormed over. “That was not a scientific test. It proves nothing.”

She gave him her best smart-ass grin. “It proves you’re a sore loser.”

Sleet shot from his nose.

Was it wrong to take joy in his misery? Probably, but she couldn’t help it. In an effort to take the higher ground, she offered him an olive branch. “Let’s have Garret and his friends set up a real start and finish line. We can race again.”

Anger and confusion showed on his face. “Why would you race again? You won.”

She pointed out the obvious. “Flying is fun.”

His face turned the color of a tomato. “This isn’t about fun. It’s about honor and pride.”

“Is it?”

“Of course it is,” he bellowed.

“That’s a shame. I’m here to have fun.” She spoke to Garret. “Are you having fun?”

“I’m having a wonderful day. Let me finish my notes, and I’ll coordinate another race.”

Bryn cleared her throat. In a loud voice, she called out, “We’re going to race again if anyone wants to join us.”

Several Red dragons put their heads together. Keegan was among them.

“Keegan, get out here.”

He waved. “Give me a minute. We’re trying to figure out a way to cheat.”

She laughed and walked back to the starting line. Rhianna sat in the stands, reading a book. Jaxon must’ve dragged her along to witness his victory. That hadn’t worked out how he’d expected.

“Rhianna, race with us.”

The blond girl strolled onto the field. “I’ve never been in a race. Father didn’t approve.”