Page 4 of Cinder & Secrets
“You can take your hand off your face now.” Maisie chuckles, followed by the clear sound of a zipper being tugged up.
“Could you maybe do that somewhere else?” I ask, dropping my hand but still keeping my back to them just in case. Bendingdown, I pull my large duffel bag out from under my desk, already half packed.
It’s hard to wrap my head around the fact that freshman year is already over. So much has happened in such a short time, and yet, it kinda feels like nothing has happened at all. I’ve heard the expressionblink and it’s overcountless times in my life. In fact, it’s one of my mother’s favorite things to say. But this is the first time I actually feel it, like I turned around and the year had come to an end.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m excited to go home, to spend the summer with my family and old friends, but a part of me really does not want to leave. So many memories happened in this room. I found my best friends in this room. Two people I don’t know how I ever lived without. Though if Maisie keeps this crap up, I might rethink rooming with her again next year.
I had hoped that all three of us would live together until graduation, but then Lyric had to go fall head over heels for the most unexpected person ever, and now I’m stuck with just Maisie since Lyric will be living off campus with Kai this fall.
Stuck withmight be a bit harsh. Truth is, Maisie is like my spirit sister. We’re so much alike in so many ways, you’d think we were actually sisters. But with that comes the other side of having too much in common, which is to say we bicker a lot. Lyric has always been the mediator between us, and without her, we’re likely to kill each other next year.
“It’s not my fault you aren’t getting any.” I can hear the smile in her voice, but it still grates on me just the same. “Last time I checked, that was your own doing.”
I spin around to give her a what-for, but my words die on my lips when she’s pulled into the guy’s chest and he swallows half of her face.
Looking up at the ceiling, I let out a heavy sigh.
“You’ll call me as soon as you’re home?” he grumbles, voice deep.
“I live like fifteen minutes away,” Maisie reminds him. “Maybe you should be the one to call me whenyouget home.”
“What time are you planning on leaving again?” I interrupt, letting my gaze drift back to the guy standing next to Maisie, still trying to place him.
“Soon. I’m just waiting on Kai. He’s going to give me a ride back to the house.”
“Is Lyric coming with him?”
“She better be. I told her I’d drive to North Carolina and kick her ass if she left without saying goodbye. River is supposed to be picking her up sometime this afternoon, though I’m not entirely sure on the time.”
“River?” The name catches in my throat, and just like every time I think about him, my heart kicks against my ribs like it’s trying to break free.
River Parker.
The man who has consumed my every waking thought for months. Gorgeous. Smart. Funny. He is quite literally the perfect man—with one glaring flaw. He’s Lyric’s older brother.
Now, normally, I wouldn’t care if a guy I liked was related to one of my friends, but in this case, I don’t know, it feels like a brick wall that I’m not sure I’ll ever be strong enough to scale.
Not to mention, he’s proven to be the only man I’ve ever pursued who’s not immediately tried to sleep with me, despite my best efforts.
“Yeah, her brother. Remember... The hot one.” Maisie grins.
Oh, I remember, I think but don’t say.
“I know who her brother is. I thought she was taking a bus,” I say instead.
“She was going to, but I guess River said he wanted to pick her up.”
“I see.” I swallow, the action more difficult than it should be given the giant lump that’s planted itself firmly in my throat. “Is he picking her up here?” I ask, almost hopeful.
“I’m not actually sure. I would assume so since most of her things are here.”
“I should go.” The dark-skinned man turns, and for the first time since River’s name was mentioned, I remember that Maisie and I are not alone. “You’ll call me later?” He pulls her close and kisses the side of her head.
“If you’re lucky.” She grins, giving him a soft shove toward the door.
It isn’t until he steps past me that I finally remember where I’ve seen him. He’s a football player. Tuck. Tucker. Something like that. Pretty sure I had a class with him last semester.
I wait until the door closes behind him before turning back to Maisie.
