Page 24 of He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not

‘What was that about?’

River shakes his head, waving a hand towards the door. ‘Just Dax being Dax.’

‘I meantyou. I could hear you two talking.’

‘Youcould?’ He tosses his head back as though he’s shocked. ‘Then it’s not new news when I tell you we’re going to see Mercy perform tonight.’

‘No, it’s notnewnews,’ I snap.

Of course, the whispering between him and Dax that I couldn’t quite make outisnew news I’d love to know. But I’ll save my questions until later.

‘And no Mom and Dad, Riv. You promised.’

He fills his cheeks with air, blowing it out slowly. ‘That’s gonna be a problem. They never miss Mercy’s shows. She’s like the daughter they never had.’

I roll my eyes, now heading into his room. ‘Theyhavea daughter, buttface. They just preferred Mercy.’

‘Oh, come on. Don’t be all jelly; they loved you too.’ He leans against his door frame, his arms crossed over his chest and wearing a stupid smug smile I wanna smack.

Mercy is the musical daughter our parents always wanted and they’ve always been her biggest fans.

‘Fine,’ I huff. ‘I could never deny her their support. But no more shenanigans.’

‘I can’t promise no shenanigans, Hols. It’s practically my middle name. Now get dressed and look respectable. I may want to pawn you off on someone for the night, so I can sleep in my own bed.’

I laugh. ‘Your sister doesn’t do one-night stands, so don’t even try it,’ I say, closing his door in his face.

If he thinks I’m going to do whatever he’s got planned, he’s forgotten who he’s dealing with.

* * *

Later that Night at a Downtown Bar…

‘This is exciting,’ Summer, River’s girlfriend, says from across the table. ‘I’ve never seen her perform.’

‘She’s amazing.’

The two of us stare at one another across the table, unsure of what to say since this is our first meeting.

‘How long have you and River been together?’

‘Two months. He’s such a sweetheart.’ She swoons in a way I’ve never seen a woman do over River.

‘Really?’

River, a sweetheart? There’s something I never thought I’d hear. He’s the guy who will take a photo then laugh before telling you your skirt is tucked into your underwear.

‘Yeah. I really like him.’

‘That’s great.Someoneshould,’ I say behind a hand as River walks up. Summer laughs.

‘What’s so funny, girls?’ he asks, sitting three drinks on the table.

‘Just you.’

‘Believe nothing she told ya,’ he says to Summer as he sits next to her, draping an arm over her shoulders. ‘She’s a big liar who lies.’

‘Mature,’ I say, grabbing my drink. ‘What’s this?’ I hold up the fruity-looking drink, inspecting it as if I could tell what’s in it based on looks alone.

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