The Golden Lily (Bloodlines #2)(115)

"You're welcome to try," I said diplomatically. I really didn't think that would happen, and he could tell.

"Well, I'll figure something out then, some big move to get the Warriors' attention and get my dad and me back in with them. I have to." His face started to fall again, but then there was a brief return of the phantom smile - though it was tinged with sadness. "You know what else sucks? Now I can't ask Angeline out. Hanging out with you is one thing, but even if I'm an outcast, I can't risk being friendly with Moroi or dhampirs. I especially can't date one. I mean, I'd figured she was one a while ago, but I could have played dumb. That attack in the arena kind of killed any chance of that. The Warriors really don't like them either, you know. Dhampirs or Moroi. They'd love to see them brought down too - they just think it's too hard and less of a priority right now."

Something about those words made me shiver, particularly since I recalled the offhand Warrior comment about eventually taking out Moroi. The Alchemists certainly had no love for dhampirs and Moroi, but that was a far cry from wanting to bring them down.

"I gotta get going." Trey reached into his pocket and handed over something that I was grateful to see. My phone. "Figured you were missing this."

"Yes!" I took it eagerly and turned it on. I hadn't known if I'd get it back and had been on the verge of buying a new one. This one was three months old and practically out-of-date anyway. "Thanks for saving it. Oh. Wow." I read the display. "There are like a million messages from Brayden." We hadn't spoken since the night of Sonya's disappearance.

The mischievous look I liked so well on Trey returned. "Better get on that then. True love waits for no one."

"True love, huh?" I shook my head in exasperation. "So nice to have you back." That earned me an outright grin. "See you around."

As soon as I was alone, I texted Brayden: Sorry for the radio silence. Lost my phone for three days. His response was almost immediate: I'm at work, due for a break soon. Come by?

I thought about it. Seeing as I had no life-saving tasks right now, this was as good a time as any. I texted back that I'd leave Amberwood right away.

Brayden had my favorite latte ready for me when I got to Spencer's. "Based on when you were leaving, I calculated when I would need to make it in order for it to be hot when you arrived."

"Thanks," I said, taking it. I felt a little guilt that I had a greater emotional reaction to seeing the coffee than him.

He told the other barista he was going on break and then led me over to a remote table.

"This won't take long," Brayden said. "I know you probably have a lot of things to do this weekend."

"Things are actually starting to lighten up," I said.

He took a deep breath, showing that same resolve and anxiety he'd had when asking me for future dates. "Sydney," he said, voice formal, "I don't think we should see each other anymore." I stopped mid-sip. "Wait... what?"

"I know how devastating this probably is for you," he added. "And I admit, it's hard for me too. But in light of recent events, it's become clear you just aren't ready for a relationship yet."

"Recent events?"

He nodded solemnly. "Your family. You've broken off a number of our social engagements to be with them. While that kind of familial devotion is admirable, I just can't be in that kind of volatile relationship."

"Volatile?" I just kept repeating his key words and finally forced myself to get a grip. "So...

let me get this straight. You're breaking up with me." He thought about it. "Yes. Yes, I am."

I waited for some internal reaction. An outpouring of grief. The sense of my heart breaking.

Any emotion, really. But mostly, all I felt was kind of a puzzled surprise.

"Huh," I said.

That was apparently enough of a distraught reaction for Brayden. "Please don't make this harder than it is. I admire you a lot. You're absolutely the smartest girl I've ever met. But I just can't be involved with someone as irresponsible as you." I stared. "Irresponsible."

Brayden nodded again. "Yes."

I'm not sure where it started, somewhere in my stomach or chest, maybe. But all of a sudden, I was consumed by uncontrollable laughter. I couldn't stop. I had to set down my coffee, lest I spill it. Even then, I had to bury my face in my hands to wipe away tears.

"Sydney?" asked Brayden cautiously. "Is this some kind of hysterical-grief reaction?" It took me almost another minute to calm myself enough to answer him. "Oh, Brayden.

You've made my day. You've given me something I never thought I'd get. Thank you." I reached for the coffee and stood up. He looked completely lost.

"Um, you're welcome?"

I left the coffee shop, still laughing like a fool. For the last month or so, everyone in my life had gone on and on about how responsible I was, how diligent, how exemplary. I'd been called a lot of things. But never, ever, had I been called irresponsible.

And I kind of liked it.

Chapter 24

BECAUSE THIS DAY couldn't get any weirder, I decided to stop by Adrian's. There was something I was dying to know but hadn't had a chance to ask.