Chapter 51 Riley
Riley
ONE MONTH LATER
“You picked what we watched last time,” Grayson whined, stealing the remote from River’s hand.
“I am the injured one here. I had surgery and everything, so hand it over.” River held his hand out.
I watched them argue from the kitchen, while Asher set our food up in cute little trays.
I considered the comfortable bliss we had settled into and how we’d gotten here.
I thought back to what happened after we’d left that burning house with no idea how the future would play out.
Ike had called 911 from the car and we all crossed our fingers that we didn’t have to explain more than we needed to.
The minute we got out of the general area, I wanted to go see River.
I’d jumped out of the car, likely while it was still moving, and scared the nurse at her station when I asked to see my boyfriend.
I was covered in mild burns and probably some blood, but I didn’t care.
He’d winced when I hugged him as hard as I could, giving him the biggest kiss I could muster and told him it was done.
I’d admitted I was scared for the future.
I got into his hospital bed, being careful about his injuries, and cuddled into him.
Grayson had texted later saying that the hospital wouldn’t let Asher just meander around while he was bleeding out of his side, so they were going to patch him up first.
I’d passed on school the next few days after it happened and when the news got out about the massacre that happened at the Chancellor’s house, it was all over social media.
The school had tried to clean it up in their very fancy, but also very vague email, but people embellished.
The house was nothing more than ash and rubble when the pictures on the news cycles started popping up.
Then there were the long theories where people connected him and his mother.
Maybe someone had a vendetta against him?
Maybe they pissed off the wrong people? I rolled my eyes at every single stupid word.
They would find a new chancellor that had nothing to fucking do with me and that had my shoulders easing.
Celica would be my only connection to him, but that would stay within my circle.
Our own little secret that we all would happily keep.
They would have to yet again find someone to fill my dad’s job as well, hopefully someone worthy of the job.
Corrin checked on me frequently, along with Jade and everyone else.
By checked on, I meant she came over and sat in bed with me while she made the boys do something else.
Grayson would read with me, but I knew his eyes were also watching, making sure I didn’t need anything.
Asher doted on River, well, we all did, but I told him not to worry about me and that I didn’t regret what I did.
River and Asher had to console their mother when she heard her husband was lost in that fire.
River was much nicer to her than his brother, since Asher would blatantly state that ‘she never came around when her son was in the fucking hospital’.
She claimed she never knew about that, which, knowing their dad, that wouldn’t surprise me.
Asher said that she would be fine, there was enough money to keep her comfortable in that house and he would hire help for her if she needed it.
And he did so in the most begrudging tone, admitting that he was glad she was out from under his thumb.
The story sent our parents off the deep end and things were just now settling down.
Grayson spent a few days at his parent’s house and I’d brought my mom over to Corrin’s house, smiling while I watched them chat about their headache-inducing daughters.
I’d been scolded and damn near had to sign a contract stating that I would check in with my mom twice a week for the next year.
I’d just laughed, grateful that she didn’t want all the details.
I had started to explain but then she’d stopped me halfway through and told me that I should leave all the heroic acrobatics to the female characters in my books.
She’d mentioned therapy, for the both of us, and I didn’t decline her offer. I’d gone ahead and started my research on female psychiatrists, since I was very done with men trying to tell me how to feel.
Beau jumped up onto the counter, sniffing and leaning towards the tray of food.
“Back off. You literally have food.” Asher pointed to the dog bowl in the corner.
I plucked a plain chip out of the bowl and fed it to him. Beau happily munched away, giving Asher a smug look and jumping down. The scar on his side was still visible, but it had healed nicely. Corrin had healed what she could before we’d taken him to the emergency vet.
“You spoil him,” Asher scolded, shaking his head.
“He deserves it, don’t you buddy?” I got down and scratched Beau around the ears.
I love you very much. I told him privately.
I love you too, Mom.
I straightened up and walked over to Asher. “How are you feeling?”
“I told you yesterday, I’m fine.”
“I ask all of you the same thing, so don’t snap at me for caring.”
He sighed. “Sorry. I’m good. You’ve put a lot of things on hiatus because of injuries.” He leaned down to get closer to my face.
“Have I?” I asked innocently.
“You have, little liar, and while we all appreciate that, maybe we could talk about easing back into a routine.”
I snorted, taking a pretzel from the bowl and popping it into my mouth. “A routine? Are you trying to have routine sex with me, sir? So romantic.” My tone was overflowing with sarcasm.
He groaned. “River already said he was fine with watching.”
“What?!”
“After we all talked about it of course.” He winked at me which was so out of character I almost started laughing. “If you need more time, that’s okay too. I know you might not be totally okay at the moment, so just say the word and whatever you want is yours….well, within reason.”
Grayson walked up and snagged a tiny pretzel from one of the bowls. He looked from me to Asher. “Ah, did he tell you what we talked about?”
“You guys are ridiculous.”
“Aking sinta, if it’s too soon, we can—”
I pushed my hand over his mouth. “Yes, I know.”
A knock came at the door and I walked over to open it, seeing Corrin and Mateo standing there. Mateo held two cases of beer in each of their hands. “Buenas noches! We brought drinks!”
“Oh hell yeah!” Grayson shrugged past me, grabbing one of the cases and ushering Mateo inside. I rolled my eyes and gave Corrin a hug before letting her through the threshold.
“Wait, Jade and Ike are back there. We also brought Beau friends to play with.” Corrin clapped her hands and went to go say hi, while Jade and Ike came in behind her.
Jax strutted inside, never giving Beau a second glance and Ted flew around the living room, eventually perching himself on top of the TV.
“Is that a fucking bird?” Asher said, stopping when he noticed Ted and then took all of us in.
“Yes, it is.” I kissed his cheek.
River had his leg propped up on the coffee table and his arm was in its sling, but he made it work so I could adjust snuggling into him.
Asher tucked himself in on the other side of River, while Grayson happily sat on my other side.
Mateo took the other chair with Corrin in their lap while Jade and Ike sat on the floor, attempting not to scarf down most of the food.
Beau sat on the floor next to Jade, but never too far away from me, tucking his head into her lap.
“Are you happy, gorgeous?” River asked as he nuzzled the side of my face, kissing my temple.
I played with my nose ring and thought about that.
I was happy because I was safe. I’d done scary things and made mistakes.
I’d lost people I cared about and did some things I’ll never be able to take back.
We would go back to Mystic Riegan and I could fully decide if Celica was something I wanted.
I was a witch before I even knew about the coven and I’d be a witch long after I graduated.
My dad had loved that school despite its many, many flaws.
And now maybe I could learn to love it too.
“I’m home. So yes, I’m very happy.”