Going Down in Flames (Going Down in Flames #1)(67)

Taking great care, she swung her legs to the floor, gripped the metal rail at the foot of the bed to help support her weight, and then pushed to her feet. While she was a bit wobbly, she could stand on her own. Taking it slow, she headed for the bathroom where she rooted through a medicine cabinet above the sink. No toothpaste, but there was a bottle of mouthwash. That would work for now.

“Would you like a toothbrush?”

Startled, she dropped the plastic bottle in the sink.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.” Medic Williams stood in the doorway, holding a small black bag. “I left to retrieve a toiletry kit. I thought your friends would stay longer.”

“I yawned. They bailed.” Bryn took the kit and unzipped it. Inside, she found everything she needed to shower, brush her teeth, and wash her hair. All of a sudden, she felt grimy.

“Is there a shower or a tub I could use?”

“Yes. We have a long-term care room for recovering patients. You could stay there tonight if you like, now that you’re up and about.”

Bryn followed the woman down the hall and entered a room that resembled a dorm bedroom. “I’d love to stay here.”

“I’ll contact Zavien and let him know where you are. If he came in and found your bed empty, he’d have a coronary.”

“He likes to think of himself as my big brother.” Her voice carried a tone of disappointment.

The woman shook her head. “I don’t believe that’s all he feels toward you. Time will tell. I’ll leave you to your bath. There are fresh hospital gowns in the bathroom and a call button by the bed if you need anything.”

“Thank you.”

Bryn headed straight for the bathtub. She turned on the water and added lavender bubble bath. After locking the bathroom door and laying a towel within reach, she disrobed and stepped into the claw-foot tub. The bubbles reached her chin. The scented water was bliss.

Her mind drifted as the warm water soaked the tension from her muscles. Keegan’s words replayed in her brain. Could she date him knowing he’d never be serious about her? Did Zavien feel more for her than brotherly concern? Even if he did, would he act on his feelings, since he was more than likely promised to someone else? She played twenty questions but wasn’t able to come up with many answers.

The water cooled. If she weren’t so tired, she’d drain the tub and start over. Better get out and go to sleep. After surviving an attempt on her life, she’d look like a moron if she drowned in the tub. So, she dried off and dressed in one of the clean hospital gowns. As she was hanging up her wet towel, she heard someone moving around in the bedroom. Her heart beat double time.

“Bryn, are you in there?”

Zavien’s voice brought relief. She opened the door. “Hi.”

He carried a blue overnight bag. “Ivy suggested I bring your things tonight. She mentioned something about taking you shopping for pajamas because none of yours match.”

Bryn took the bag and set it on the bed. Inside, she found her gray yoga pants and a navy tank, which she held up for Zavien to see. “These match.”

“Technically, those aren’t pajamas.”

She rooted through the bag and found jeans and a T-shirt. “Tomorrow is Thursday. Will the dress code police come after me?”

“I believe you’ll be granted special dispensation tomorrow.”

“Good.” She grabbed her pajamas and headed toward the bathroom. “I’m going to change. Don’t leave.”

She came out to find him seated by her bed. He gave a tight smile. “If you feel up to it, we need to talk.”

This could be good or bad. She sat cross-legged on the bed and waited.

“How did your conversation with Keegan go?”

“He told me about his intended.” She picked at a stray thread on her tank top. “We talked about dating. He’s nice, but it’s hard to think of dating someone who’s promised to someone else.”

“I believe you’ll run into that problem over and over again.”

She growled in frustration. “It’s like Noah’s freaking Ark around here. Isn’t there anyone who isn’t paired off by the time they come to school?”

“There are a few families who wait to match their children until they’re eighteen. They go by the Directorate’s suggestion.”

Bryn tried to find humor in the situation. “I should form a misfits club.”

Zavien didn’t laugh. “Are you going to date Keegan?”

She closed her eyes and took a leap of faith. “Is there any reason I shouldn’t?”

In her fantasy world, he would tell her not to date Keegan because he wanted her for himself.

“It wouldn’t be improper. Many couples see other people until they’re engaged.”

Fantasies were so much better than reality. “Unless there’s something else you’d like to say, I’m ready for bed.”

He settled in the chair. “I’ll camp out here tonight. It doesn’t feel right to leave you unguarded.”

“Who stayed with me before?”

“Medic Williams has a room off intensive care where she sleeps when a patient is undergoing treatment. I spoke to her earlier. She planned to return to the on-call bed, which is a little farther down the hall. I volunteered to stay.”