Page 497 of Hell Hath No Fury
“No, not if you truly don’t want to,” Bryn said.
“Good, because we’re done, Mom.” He released her. “We’re even talking about changing our names.”
“What?” she rasped. “Why?”
“We don’t want to be associated with him,” he said. “We figured we could all talk about it together. Maybe all three of us could go back to your maiden name?”
“Wow.”
“Think about it, okay?” he said.
Bryn nodded. “Okay, honey. Am I keeping dinner for you?”
“Um, I’m gonna pick my stuff up, then head over to Delaney’s unless you need me here.”
“I’m good, honey, have a good time,” she said. “Be safe.”
“I will.” He smiled. “Thanks for the help, Harm.”
“No problem,” I said, and Briggs walked out the door.
The second I heard the deadbolt slide into place, I was off my stool and pulling Bryn against me. She burst into tears, wrapping her arms around me. “That downright piece of shit,” she hissed. “I can’t believe he’d do that to his own child.”
“Don’t like that he’s tryin’ to fuck with you.”
“Me neither. I’m going to call him.”
“Or,” I countered.
She leaned back to look up at me. “Or, what?”
“Don’t do anything. You don’t need to. Just ignore him. He’s clearly doin’ this to get a rise outta you. You and I’ll get Briggs up to school and DC doesn’t need to know a goddamn thing.”
She bit her lip, slowly smiling. “Oh, that will drive himinsane.”
I chuckled. “Yeah, it will.”
“Are you done eating?”
“Yeah, why?”
She slid her hand up my chest. “I thought you could feast on something else.”
“Mmm, dessert,” I said. “I thought you’d never ask.”
Bryn shook her head. “You ate all the pie last night.”
“Not that pie, baby.” I slid my hand between her legs. “Yourpie.”
“Oh, yes, yes,thatpie.”
“I’ll do my dishes real quick and meet you upstairs.”
She made a run for the stairs, and I had never loaded a dishwasher faster.
* * *
Brynley
