Jezebel's Lion by Hazel Gower

want a mate for a very long
time. I’m already surrounded by too much testosterone.” Britney smiled at
Jezebel. “I have no idea how Jess can handle being around so much. Aren’t your
closest friends males?”
    He felt Jezebel shrug against him. “I think I’m
missing some girly genes. I find girls harder to be around. Boys are
straightforward and say it like it is. But to each their own, I suppose.”
    Britney studied his mate for a while before she
nodded and walked away. Brandon knew what Jezebel meant. Girls, women, could be
nasty, conniving, and spiteful. Usually men and boys didn’t gossip, and if they
fought it was a punch up and we’re friends or okay after. Women didn’t seem
like that.
    “Are you ready to go?” Brandon turned her so she
faced him.
    “Yes, I just want to thank your parents. I had fun.
Thanks for inviting me.”
    He leaned down and gave her a feather light kiss.
“You’re family now. I’m glad you had fun. Come on. I think my parents are
sulking in the kitchen eating cake.”
    Brandon took her hand, and they walked hand in hand
to say goodbye and good night to his parents. He was happy with how tonight had
turned out. Jezebel had fit in just perfectly with his family.

Chapter
Seven
     
    By Friday Jess knew she had to have a Brandon-free
afternoon. Travis and Zeck had the major shits with her. Jess didn’t blame them.
She’d be cranky if they did to her what she was doing to them.
    The table they sat at for lunch was a lot bigger now.
Britney, Mac, Sasha, and a couple of their friends sat with them. Surprisingly
Travis and Zeck were enjoying having them. They got into heated debates and
generally goofed around.
    Travis and Zeck had asked her to go with them
Thursday to get some Christmas presents, but she’d had to decline because she’d
gone to family night with Brandon. Jess had promised she would spend time with
them tonight.
    Last night had been a new experience. She’d had fun
at family games night with Brandon’s family. Sasha and Savron had been there, and
it was the first time Jess had seen them together since the night she’d met
Brandon. Jess knew Savron picked Sasha up from school, but now that Jess went
with Brandon when she wasn’t at drama she didn’t see them together. Last night
though they’d been there. Sasha had looked happy, and they hadn’t kept their
hands off each other.
    Jess had just messaged Brandon as they walked out of
class to remind him she was spending tonight with her friends. Jess was staying
at Travis’s house. They were having a horror movie night starting with Freddy
Krueger, and then moving on to Jason movies.
    Zeck’s arm came around her shoulders. “I’m looking
forward to a movie night tonight. I’m happy to have two weeks off school for
Christmas and New Year even more.”
    Travis came up beside her. “Yeah, I need the time
off. You know how my family gets over Christmas. They all come together at my
parents’ house and become crazy.” Travis glanced down at her. “You are still
coming to Christmas lunch? My family is on their best behavior when you’re
around. My mother loves you like you were her own daughter.”
    Over the last few years since her brothers had
started bringing girlfriends for Christmas lunch and dinner, Jess had learned
to stay away. After having a couple of girlfriends tease her and   be all-round bitches, causing problems and
making things uncomfortable, Jess made sure that at Christmas she was scarcely
at her house. For the last two years had gone to Travis’s house. Jess loved
Travis’s parents. His mother spoiled her rotten.
    “Of course, I love Christmas at your house. Isn’t
your sister due for your second niece or nephew any day?”  
    “Yeah, any day now. Mom will
take little Ben when she goes into labor. I hope Tessa lasts until after
Christmas. This year Ben is old enough to know what Santa is and enjoy all that
goes with Christmas, but if the baby brother or sister comes before