Chapter 18 Riley
Riley
Ibent down to scratch Beau under his chin, his tail swaying against the floor while he sat down near the front door. He tilted his big head to the side, panting when I hit just the right spot.
I’ll be back before you know it. I mentally said to him. I would have been happy just snuggled up with him in bed, but that wasn’t an option anymore.
Auntie Jade will take care of me. He did a small hop and licked my face.
Right on cue, a knock came at the door. River moved past me and opened it, letting Jade inside.
She practically knocked me over to get to Beau.
“Before you say anything, no, you are not burdening me or Mateo with anything that is happening. They are happy to play big bad wolf and keep an eye on you, while I am more than happy to play dog sitter.” She smushed Beau’s face and his tongue slipped out the side of his mouth.
She started to speak in a baby tone. “Isn’t that right?
Sabes que eres la cosa mas linda del mundo? ”
“I’m sure you could be working at the bar or something.
Asher would have an aneurysm if someone wasn't around to keep an eye on him.” I rolled my eyes, knowing full well that Beau was probably the best trained dog ever.
River didn’t think an argument with his brother was necessary for something like this, so I’d texted Corrin to ask Jade if she was free to watch him for us.
The wolf shifter was more than eager to offer up her services.
Ten minutes ago, Asher had jogged down the stairs, muttering something about prepping for his classes so we needed to hurry up, and didn’t bother even looking at me before he rushed out the door to wait for us in his car.
River had mumbled something about not taking it personally, which I didn’t—well, I didn’t think I did.
The guy gave me a replica of my necklace, pulled me out of a nightmare and kissed me like he was the world’s most desperate man, yet he pushed me away constantly and pretended like none of the previous things had any merit.
River had mentioned that Grayson’s car was still in the student parking lot, so we wouldn’t be forced to ride with Asher all the time. If things didn’t get better with Grayson, then I actually didn’t mind being in that close proximity with his brother.
“No problem at all. Mateo has one of our best at your mom’s. She has already offered him water, lemonade and tiny pretzels because apparently, she has so many.” Jade straightened up, picking dog hair from her shirt. Her dark ringlets were styled into two low ponytails that fell down her back.
“Yeah, they’re my favorite. My dad actually used to add like four more boxes of them to the shopping cart just because he always knew that one wouldn’t be enough,” I rambled, clearing my throat when I realized I had drifted a bit.
Jade gave me a small smile, placing her hand on my shoulder.
“I really don’t know why I just told you that.”
She shrugged. “Neither do I, but I’m happy you did. If talking about your dad keeps him close to you in some way, then please keep talking. Also, I enjoy snacking on walnuts and cashews. I blame it on the bar.” Her laugh was soft and it eased the tension in my shoulders.
“Ready to go?” River’s hand rubbed my lower back and I nodded.
I heard the guest bedroom door open and I swallowed down a lump in my throat when I locked eyes with Grayson.
He adjusted his backpack on his shoulder and licked his lips, not so subtly shifting his eyes from me to anywhere else in the room.
Jade tapped the sides of her legs. “I’m just going to go feed this big guy and get myself away from this umm… awkward situation.” She gave us all a tight smile and quickly walked into the kitchen. Beau trotted behind her, clearly eager to remove himself as well.
The car ride was full of mutual breathing and the sound of various cars going by. River kept his hand on my leg, tapping his index finger occasionally against my jeans. I saw my phone light up, so I picked it out of the side pocket of my backpack.
“Hey Mom,” I answered, not wanting to be too loud, but there was really nowhere to hide.
“Please be careful,” she blurted out.
I sighed. “Mom…”
“I’m serious, Riley. That man is proving all the reasons why I ran away all those years ago and I’m just scared all over again.
That school is just… I know you are an adult and you are going to make your own decisions despite what I say, but just please say, ‘yes Mom, of course I’ll be careful’.
” Chancellor Fowler instantly saw my dad as a threat once he realized my mom had moved on and was happy.
He wouldn’t lay a finger on me, but everyone else was inconsequential in his need for my loyalty and love, therefore they were disposable.
I could understand and respect her apprehension.
I ran my hand over River’s, laying my fingers over his. “Yes Mom, of course I’ll be careful.”
“Good. I’m going to be going over to Sarah’s house to check on her cats and get her mail for the next few days.
She is flying to Virginia this morning to settle some things over there before she prepares for the funeral.
She asked about you when I spoke to her again last night. I think it was a nice distraction.”
“I wish things were different. Let me know the details about that…the uh, funeral.” My voice lowered and I had no idea if any of them were listening, but I made myself believe they were all blocking me out. “I have to go, Mom. Can I talk to you later?”
“Sure. I love you. Always and always.”
“I love you too. Always and always.” I hung up the phone, tucking it away.
“Riley…” Asher started from the driver’s seat, but then he stopped himself, looking into the rearview mirror at his brother.
I looked over at River who was staring intently back at him. I knew they were silently communicating through their minds and I really didn’t have the energy to consider what they must be saying. Asher let out a rough sigh and flicked his eyes to me in the rearview mirror and I challenged his stare.
He quickly looked away, remembering that he was driving.
Asher pulled into the student lot a few minutes later and texted Corrin.
I’m here
CORRIN
Do you see me waving? Ike is waving too.
I pushed open the car door, grabbing my backpack and looking around.
I found Corrin instantly with the way she was flailing her arms around.
Ike was doing a much less enthusiastic imitation of her movements.
River and Grayson got out, slamming their doors behind them.
Asher opened his door, folding his arms on the hood of the car.
Corrin made her way over to me, holding out her arms to pull me into a tight hug. “I missed you so much. Jax feels the same way.”
I pulled back, rolling my eyes, and watched her pull her backpack in front of her and unzip the smallest compartment.
She pulled out a tiny box and handed it to me.
I looked over my shoulder seeing that the guys were just watching me, prepared to stand there for however long.
I opened the box, revealing a ring that was a dark ruby color.
It felt like the normal metal that River’s was made out of, but there was something unique about it.
“That makes me wish I had gotten mine decked out,” River said, suddenly standing next to me and inspecting my ring.
“I would have been fine with something plain.” I eyed Corrin who just shrugged.
“Mom thought you would like it. We can always go to Samia’s and have her change the color or…”
I shook my head, holding the ring between my fingertips.
“No. I love it.” I smiled at her, but that lasted only a few moments when I finally considered the people watching us.
I moved my head around to see the groups of students whispering in their circles, their eyes scanning me and likely making their assumptions.
“Are you going to put it on?” Ike interrupted my thoughts, lifting his backpack higher on his shoulder.
“Uh, yeah.” I slipped the ring onto my finger and it felt just like it did when Chancellor Fowler had done it, when he’d made me wear the ring he had for me. All my powers fell silent, like they were put in a trance-like sleep.
River tapped his fingers against my hand. “How do you feel, gorgeous?”
I wiggled my fingers and rolled my shoulders.
“Fine, the same I guess. Um—” The people around us continued to whisper and even though I couldn’t read their minds, it wasn’t hard to figure out what they were saying.
None of them could help themselves. The fact that I showed up on this campus again was the most shocking thing overall.
River groaned, rubbing his temples. He grabbed the back of my neck, making me look at him. “I can hear them and they’re all a bunch of fucking idiots. Don’t let it bother you. Any issues and you text me, okay?”
He kissed me and it went on longer than I’d assumed it would.
A throat clearing had us breaking away from each other.
Asher gave us a disinterested expression before rapping his knuckles on top of his car.
“Some of us actually work here and need to get to their office to get ready for their class. So, am I dropping you two off at the lot where Grayson’s car is parked or are you walking? ”
He was talking to River and Grayson, but out of the corner of his eye, he was looking at me.
River swiveled his head from Asher to me, dropping his head, a small laugh escaping him.
He wagged his finger at his brother. “You say I need to work on things up here,” he tapped the side of his head, “well, so do you.”
Asher groaned, pushing away from his car. “Fine, okay. You want to be funny so you can walk.” He gave his brother a lackluster smile, then dropped back into his car, slamming the door behind him.
River chuckled next to me and pulled me closer.