Bridges Burned (Entangled Teen) (Going Down in Flames) by Chris Cannon Page A

you within arm’s reach, so to speak. The thought of you leaving and going someplace else makes me twitchy.”
    She was happy to be right where she was, thank you very much, which brought another question to mind. “Not to be rude, but how can you afford your own house when you just graduated from high school?”
    “There are two answers to that question. One, these cabins were originally part of the Directorate security system. Before everyone had phones, the knight’s descendants who lived here kept watch over the area and reported any threats. Since they are no longer needed in that sense, the Directorate donated the cabins to the town. Any knight’s descendant who wants one signs a contract agreeing to care for the property, and we pay a nominal fee. Two: the Directorate pays all the townspeople a livable wage for keeping their secret and promising to fight by their side, if necessary.”
    “So that’s how you can afford a house and an awesome car.”
    Valmont nodded. “And every job in Dragon’s Bluff is well paid. So it’s not like on television where lawyers act superior to waiters. Of course, the Blues act superior to everyone, but I think that’s genetic.”
    Bryn chuckled. “I think you’re right about that.”
    Being with Valmont was so easy. She could relax around him. He flirted enough to make her feel attractive, but not uncomfortable. If he were a dragon, he’d be the perfect guy. Then again, Zavien was a dragon and he was the perfect jackass.
    After dinner she noticed a major appliance was missing from the kitchen. “You don’t have a dishwasher.”
    “Yes. I do.” He pointed at her. “You can be the dishwasher or the dish drier, your choice.”
    “Ha ha. I’ll dry.”
    There wasn’t much to clean up. As she finished drying the last dish, she yawned.
    Valmont checked his watch. “We better head back, it’s almost curfew.”
    Facing reality didn’t sound like fun. “Can I hide here?”
    Valmont grabbed her hand. “I’ll always be here for you.”
    She wanted to stomp her feet like a toddler. “I’m happy here. If I go back there, I’ll have to deal with that jerk.”
    “If you don’t want to deal with the idiot, don’t talk to him. Maybe you two will work this out. Maybe you won’t. Whatever happens, don’t give in too easily or he’ll think he can behave this way again.”
    He wasn’t judging her, and she appreciated that. “Thanks. I’ll go change.”
    “Wear my clothes back to school.” He gave a cocky grin. “That’ll annoy the hell out of him.”
    She laughed. “Good idea.”
    “I can only take the high road for so long.”
    The ride back to campus ended too soon. Valmont insisted on walking her to the dorm, where he held the door open for her.
    “Thanks for tonight,” she said.
    “I live to serve. Call if you need me.”
    Once in her room, she hung up her dress and kicked off the sweatpants. The sweatshirt was nice and warm…maybe she’d sleep in it. The little voice in her head that called her pathetic could shut the hell up. Valmont’s warm fuzzy sweatshirt reminded her someone cared.
    She flopped backward onto her bed. Did Zavien care? How the hell would she know? He’d never said the words. How many opportunities had she given him to tell her how he felt? Dozens.
    The sadness and depression she’d been holding at bay came rolling in like the tide. Her throat burned and her eyes grew hot. Crying seemed inevitable. Maybe it was best to get it over with.
    A knock on the door interrupted her scheduled breakdown. Should she answer it? It could be Clint and Ivy. She padded barefoot into the front room.
    “Who is it?”
    “It’s me,” Zavien said. “We need to talk.”
    Best not to get her hopes up. She took a deep breath and blew it out, wrangling her tear ducts into submission. Crying in front of him wasn’t an option. Trying to appear composed, she opened the door and allowed him to enter.
    A muscle in his jaw twitched as he studied her outfit.