Page 67 of A Lesson in Deceit
I was practically wheezing from laughing so hard.
Marianne tugged me over to the bar. “I thought your lack of text messages meant that you had replaced me, not that you were starring in your own thriller. I did always think you were a fan of spicy romance and that’s it.”
I hummed, wanting to hide my smile. Marianne gasped. “Wait, is there spicy romance?” She held her finger out in front of my face. “Hold on, you’re already in a spicy romance with your boyfriend, so that’s old news.”
“Yeah, you might want a drink for this.”
Marianne’s mouth dropped into an O before she squealed. “Riley Marie Monroe, what have you done, or should I askwho?”
32
Riley
Imade sure my hair was set and that my dress looked good enough to pass Corrin’s party test when she saw me. She told me when she decided to stay with Mateo last night that if I came to my own boyfriend’s party looking far too casual for her liking, she would be driving me back to the dorm to change.
The dress was short, but not so short that I would flash anyone the minute I bent over. My ruby gem necklace sat comfortably at my chest. The weather had been warm today, breezy, but the nights were getting chiller than I liked so I unhooked my jean jacket from the hanger. I pulled my braids out once I had it on, letting them fall down my back. I slipped my Converse on and put on the most minimal amount of makeup, looking down at my phone at Marianne’s text.
MARIANNE
I have arrived so hurry up. Take your time but do it quickly.
We had to park on the street a few houses down since plenty of cars I didn’t recognize had gotten closer spots. I had told River we were coming far later than I would have liked since Mariannetook forever picking me up. Despite telling me to hurry up, she always ended up being the one not on time.
The music had a deep bass and my body was vibrating with it the minute we stepped inside. There was loud laughter and the thick smell of alcohol in the air. Marianne moved out of the way as other people pushed open the door to get inside. I took her hand and guided her into the living room, finding that the couch and the armchair were already taken.
“So, where’s your boyfriend, or is itboyfriends?” She wiggled her eyebrows at me.
I slapped my hand against my face. “I shouldn’t have told you that.”
She shook her head, her blonde hair moving from side to side. “Oh, no. I loved learning that my best friend got plowed by two guys who are obsessed with her. Honestly, we all deserve to be worshipped like that.”
“Please, any louder so everyone can hear you,” I said sarcastically, placing a finger over my lips.
“Mhmm…” She nodded over my shoulder, but before I could turn around, large arms wrapped around my middle.
“There she is.” River pressed his lips to my ear, squeezing me. He gave Marianne a simple wave, kissing my cheek.
“Where’s the other part of your triangle?” Marianne asked, looking around.
“He’s around. How about we get you two something to drink?” He took my hand, leading us to the kitchen. He asked Marianne what she wanted, since he already was well aware of what I enjoyed. He opened the fridge handing her a beer and pulled out various bottles and two different fruit juices.
“What’s that?” I asked, watching as he placed everything on the messy counter.
“Everything I need to make your favorite.” He bent down, opening a cabinet and straightening back up with a shaker in his hand.
“River, you are not about to do that.” I pressed my hands to my cheeks, taking into account all the things on the counter that made a Sex on the Beach.
Marianne took a swig of her beer. “That is so disgustingly sweet I think I’m going to puke.”
He started to add the different ingredients to the shaker, heading to the freezer for some ice. I couldn’t help the smile that spread on my face at how this very filthy mouthed man could be so cute.
“Don’t fuck it up.” Grayson appeared in the doorway, creating a V with his fingers and pointing from his eyes to River’s. He moved around my boyfriend and over to me, kissing me on the cheek and giving me a hug where his hands landed right above my ass. I could hear Marianne choke on her drink, but she didn’t say anything.
“Hand me a glass, will ya?” River looked over at Grayson who nodded at him, opening one of the cabinets up top, setting a crystallized glass down on the counter. My boyfriend opened the shaker, poured the drink into the glass and slid it over to me.
“No fancy umbrella?” Grayson joked, nudging River who shoved him back.
I picked up the drink, bringing it to my nose. It smelled just fine, but that didn’t mean much. I brought it to my lips, tipping it back so I could take a sip. Both boys and Marianne were all looking at me with bated breath.
