Going Down in Flames (Going Down in Flames #1)(74)

“That smells wonderful. What is it?”

“Spaghetti with meatballs and garlic bread.”

Bryn’s stomach growled. She climbed out of bed, snatched a piece of garlic bread, and took a bite. Heaven. There was the just right amount of garlic and butter on the soft, warm bread.

Zavien and Clint were already in the living room, eating. Bryn sat on the carpet and dished out a serving of spaghetti and meatballs.

“The giraffe pants went better with the purple tank top,” Clint said.

Responding would’ve required her to stop eating, so she ignored the comment.

Zavien took a bite of his spaghetti and appeared to think about something. Then, he said, “Monkeys?”

Clint laughed.

Bryn shot Ivy a questioning look, but her friend shrugged.

Zavien tilted his head. “Kangaroos?”

“Did he take a blow to the head while I slept?” she asked Clint.

“Flamingoes?” Zavien said.

Smacking her fork down on the coffee table, she glared at him. “Are you trying to guess what animal is on my underwear?”

Both males laughed.

Bryn crumpled her napkin and threw it at Zavien’s head. “Today it’s lizards.”

“Those are kind of cute,” Ivy said.

After finishing off the plate of spaghetti, Bryn eyed the other take-out boxes.

Clint pushed one toward her. “Try the calzones.”

She took his advice and put one on her plate. When she cut into it, cheese, pizza sauce, and pepperoni oozed out. The tangy scent made her mouth water. One bite told her the calzone tasted as good as it smelled.

“You should become a chef,” Ivy said. “Food makes you happy.”

“That’s not a bad idea.” If she were a chef, she could go back to the normal world. Should she tell Clint and Ivy about her ability to manipulate Quintessence? She wasn’t sure. Keeping secrets didn’t feel right.

“I might want to be a medic.” She tried for a casual tone.

“That would be cool,” Clint said. “Who’s ready for lemon ice?”

It was nice not to be questioned. Bryn relaxed and ate the tangy dessert.

“Are you coming to class tomorrow?” Ivy asked.

Before she could answer, Zavien spoke. “She needs one more day off.”

Even if his intentions were good, the way he overrode her was irritating. “What if I want to go to class?”

“Why would you want to go to class?” Clint asked.

“Merrick talked about presenting a strong image. I should go to class to show I’m all right.”

Zavien took a deep breath and spread both of his hands flat on the table. “How many hours were you awake today?”

“I don’t know.”

“Do you know what time it is?” he asked.

“Make your point.”

“Your nap lasted three hours. It’s almost curfew. You were awake for five hours today. You should take one more day to rest.”

He was right. “You could’ve said that in the first place.”

“Silly me…thinking you’d be reasonable.”

“We should go. It’s late.” Clint stood and held his hand out to Ivy. She allowed him to pull her to her feet, and they left together.

Bryn moved to sit next to Zavien on the couch. “I don’t mean to seem ungrateful. It makes me crazy that all this crap beyond my control keeps happening.”

He bumped her with his shoulder. “If you weren’t hard-headed, I wouldn’t recognize you. Let’s clean up this mess. I’ll sleep on your couch tonight, and Clint will take a shift tomorrow.”

It was on the tip of her tongue to say she didn’t need a babysitter, but the idea of being alone made her nervous. “I wonder when being by myself will feel safe.”

He stacked the take-out boxes. “It’s best we don’t find out for a while. Let’s toss this in the trash can by the vending machines. Otherwise, your room will reek.”

Garret met them in the hall. “I’m so sorry, Bryn. I never spoke to Mr. Stanton about a ward for your door. I thought you’d be safe with us.”

“Don’t worry about it. It wasn’t your fault.”

He gave her a tentative nod. “As soon as you’re better, I’d be happy to arrange more races. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.”

The memory of speeding through the sky made her smile. “It was fun. I’ll let you know when the medic gives me the green light.”

“Good.” He turned and left.

Zavien cleared his throat. “Notice I didn’t yell and say you weren’t well enough to race?”

“I appreciate the restraint.”

…

When her alarm went off the next morning, Bryn considered killing someone. Stumbling to the dresser, she whacked the clock as hard as she could. Her head was back on the pillow before she wondered if Zavien had woken up. Damn it. She forced her body back out of bed.

In the living room, she found Zavien at a desk, leafing through his notebook.

“You’re up.”

He glanced over. “How’re you feeling?”

Slumping against the doorframe, she stifled a yawn. “Grateful I get to sleep in.”

“Go back to bed. I’ll shower in my room once Ivy comes to take my place.”