Broken Knights (Gifted Academy #4) - Michelle Hercules Page 0,117
X?”
Xavier still makes all the boys call him by Mr. X. It was his way to try to maintain the façade that he’s the boss of the house. I appreciate him stepping into a parental role, but I’ve been on my own for too long. I do indulge him though, since we’re all living under his roof. It’s a temporary arrangement until Bryce and Rufio can touch their parents’ money. Phoenix gave his inheritance to charity.
Most of the public schools are still closed after the attacks, and none of us were inclined to return to Gifted Academy or enroll in a different private school. For now, we’re studying at home and helping with rebuilding our new world. We’ve been volunteering at the hospital too. Well, we all have besides Bryce. I told him the toll his healing ability has on his life force and begged him not to heal anyone anymore. I can’t bear the thought of losing him in only a few years.
Leticia trades a glance with Xavier, then replies, “Why don’t we all go into the living room?”
The moment we step outside, Theo, the little boy Leticia adopted, comes running and crashes into my legs. “Daisy! I’ve missed you.”
I pick him up, squeezing him tight. “I’ve missed you too, little man. What have you been up to?”
“I’ve been learning new tricks.”
The front door opens, and in come Toby and Renata, plus a new addition to the team. Theo’s eyes bug out when he sees what’s in Toby’s arms.
“Puppy!”
He wiggles free from my hold and flies toward the dog. Toby sets the puppy down, and now we won’t have to entertain that kid for hours.
“Hey, guys. It’s been a while.” I take turns hugging them both.
To say Renata and I have come a long way is an understatement. She’s the living proof that people can learn from their mistakes and change. She and Toby have become fast friends, and she’s helped him a lot to deal with his grief.
“So, who else is coming tonight? Can we expect to see the Silverstones and Andy?” Toby asks.
“No, they’re too busy in Hawk City. They won’t come down here for another couple of weeks,” I reply.
“So, are you going to answer my earlier question or what?” Phoenix glowers at his mother and Xavier.
“Well…” Leticia looks at Xavier. “Should I tell them, or do you want to?”
“No, go ahead, honey.”
Honey? Oh, dear.
“Xavier asked me to marry him, and I said yes!” she squeaks, showing us her sparkling engagement ring.
“Oh my God. Congratulations!” I say.
“What?” Phoenix replies a second later. “How can you be engaged? You barely know each other.”
“We’ve been dating for a while,” she replies.
“Behind our backs?” His voice rises to a shriek. “And you have the gall to give us grief over Daisy’s pregnancy scare?” He points a finger at Xavier.
“Phoenix!” I yell. “What the hell!”
“Dude. Seriously?” Morpheus makes a what-were-you-thinking gesture with his hand.
He glances sheepishly at me. “Oops, sorry, babe.”
I throw my hands up in the air. “Ugh. Never mind. Let’s eat dinner before I die of embarrassment.”
Xavier’s phone rings, killing the tense moment. Leticia walks over to Phoenix and touches his face. “Are you mad at me? I didn’t want to say anything until I knew it was serious.”
“No, I’m not mad at you. I’m mad at him for busting my balls about Daisy all this time when he was sneaking around with my mother.”
Leticia giggles like a schoolgirl. She’s a completely different person from when I first met her. “He makes me happy, honey. I didn’t expect I’d ever get the chance for that.”
Phoenix’s expression softens. “If he makes you happy, then I am too.”
They hug, and fuck if a tear doesn’t roll down my cheek.
“Guys, sorry to ruin the evening, but Felicity has an emergency at the diner. The fridge isn’t working, and I need to find someone to fix that ASAP.”
“What’s the problem?” Bryce asks. “Maybe it’s something I can help with.”
“I don’t know if it’s an electrical problem, but you know you can’t display your powers in public.”
We all groan in resignation. It’s been confirmed that the entire population of Idols and Fringes have lost their powers. Some blame the Unmaker, but other theories have surfaced, such as they were punished by Gaia for being so wicked. Regardless, we can’t flaunt our gifts or they’ll suspect I’m the Unmaker, and then I’ll have a target on my back again.
“If the fridge isn’t working, what’s going to happen to all those frozen pies?” Bryce asks.