Pandora grins up at River. “I’m sure it’s fine. It’ll take you, what, five seconds to grab the pamphlet? That’s not enough time for anyone tolose a finger or anything.”
This time, it’s Pandora who draws River’s sharp gaze, and I notice him shoving his left hand into his pocket.
“It’ll be fine. We won’t be long,” I tell River.
I assume Blaze wants me to stall so he can have more alone time with Pandora.
Wasn’t he tormenting her for my sake, though?
Why am I getting pushed out of the situation?
River follows me after casting another glance in Pandora’s direction. As I close the door behind me, he says, “Why do you need to close the door?”
“It’s polite. They’re talking,” I say with a shrug. “Are you coming or not?”
“I would’ve thought that a big, fancy frat like Chaos would have all of these things ready digitally,” he remarks as I start to lead him toward the stairs.
“Kappa Alpha,” I automatically correct, only to add, “Some things are just better old school.” I take my time as I walk even though my thoughts are back with Blaze and Pandora.
What is he forcing her to do this time?
Is he going to make her cry without me?
Is he going to choke her?
Will she beg?
Or maybe I’ll come back to find Blaze’s bed covered in a sea of blood.
“If you say so.” River falls silent as we walk down the stairs. “How long have you been here?”
“Me?” I ask, startled by the question.
“No, the other ‘Big Brother’ I’m supposed to follow around,” River says sarcastically.
I swallow down my irritation to reply amicably, “I’m a sophomore. I pledged last year. You’re fine with me.”
“Am I?” he asks. “Zayden — your leader, right? — didn’t seem to be too impressed by you.”
I bristle at the implication of Zayden being the leader. He’s head of the frat, sure, but the only person I follow is Blaze.
“If you don’t want me to help you, you know where the door is.” I gesture in that direction.
“Oh, so you drop the nice guy act when she’s not there to see it,” he notes.
As if I’d do anything for Pandora’s sake.
“There’s no act,” I say. “But think what you want.” I gesture to the stack of papers on the desk in the foyer. “Grab those. They’ll tell you everything you need to know.”
River grabs one of each of the papers, and my eyes linger on his left hand as he pulls it out of his pocket.
There are only four fingers.
I don’t comment on it, not wanting to draw attention to the fact that I noticed. That, however, is interesting.
It’s a story I want to know, but it’s one I know he won’t tell me right now.
River’s gaze returns to me when he’s done. “So what’s the deal with you and Blaze and Pandora?”
