Page 27 of A Lesson in Obedience
9
Riley
We pulled up to the house, the entire drive a mix of music and River’s attempts at charming small talk. I gave a few answers here and there, but at some point, I realized he understood that I would much rather be in my own head. He had rolled the back windows down so that Beau could stick his head out, his tongue slapping against his face.
River walked around the car, opening my door and holding his hand out for me to take. I narrowed my eyes. “I’m not a princess, River.”
He kept his hand out. “And I’m not a prince, but I’ve been doing gentleman type things since we started dating and it’s not about to end now.”
I begrudgingly took his hand, letting him pull me from the car. I got on my tip toes and kissed his cheek, turning away so I could let Beau out. River headed towards the house, pulling out his keys, but before he could start to unlock it, the door opened quickly.
“Took you long enough.” I heard Asher’s voice before I saw him. Beau ran ahead of me, pushing past River and sliding between Asher’s legs. He ran around the house, starting to explore every room he could.
“What the hell?” Asher said, pointing at Beau’s fast-moving body.
River opened his mouth, stepping through the threshold, but I cut him off. “He’s a dog.” I shouldered my way between both of them, getting inside the house and calling for my familiar.
Beau skidded to a stop, trotting over and sitting down nicely next to me.
Asher let out an aggravated groan. “Of course, your dog. Why is it here?”
“Ash, let it go,” River pleaded, throwing the keys on the entryway table.
“He’s here because I want him to be.” I placed my hands on my hips, tilting my head to the side. I peeked down at Beau, realizing he was tilting his head as well.
Asher pinched the bridge of his nose, pushing his glasses further up his face. “I wouldn’t let my own brother get a dog, what makes you think I’ll let yours just gallivant around my house?” He stepped up to me while River sighed heavily behind him. Asher raised both his eyebrows, his green eyes shining a little brighter this close.
“Hmph,” I grumbled, standing my ground. My hands balled into fists as I let them fall at my sides. “Your dad is one of the reasons my life is a fucking mess, so you might owe it to me—” I leaned in a bit. “—just a little.”
His chest rose and fell as he studied my face. “Neither of us had any part in that. I detest what my dad did.” His words came out harsh, like his father was in the room with us and he was throwing the words at him and not me.
I shook my head, watching the ends of my braids swing back and forth. “I know, okay? It’s a fucking dog, Asher.He won’t be a problem for you. Besides, he’ll keep me occupied so you won’t have to deal with me that much while I figure my fucking life out.”
Asher ran a hand through his hair. “Riley… you make yourself sound like a burden and that’s hardly the case.”
I hummed, noticing the way his beard was slowly starting to grow out again and needed to be trimmed. I had to snuff out the need to run my fingers along the unruly hair. “I’m surprised you could say that with a straight face.”
Asher groaned and it was meant to come out annoyed, but the sound sent a weird sensation to my core of all places. I was too far in my own head that I was finding the things Asher St. James did overwhelmingly appealing, and it needed to stop. I didn’t like feeling immensely sad, but this was not a feeling I wanted to exchange it with. I felt eyes on me and noticed Beau was staring, the look of judgment that I knew only pitbulls could pull off was in his eyes.
River stood between us, putting his hands up. “Simmer down, both of you. Like she said it’s a fucking dog, Asher. And he’s her familiar. You really want to see what happens if you try to separate him from her?”
We all looked down at Beau. He fixed his gaze on Asher and bared his teeth. A deep growl came out, but he didn’t make a move to cause any damage. It was more that the idea of his removal didn’t sit well with him. It made my stomach turn thinking about it.
Asher gave Beau an annoyed look, rolling his eyes. “My concern is what happens to him when she goes back to school.”
I reared my head back. “School?”
“Yes, school,” Asher repeated.
“I haven’t decided what I’m doing. Besides, everything about me is very unstable and I don’t know if heading back to Mystic Riegan is what I want. Chancellor Fowler gave me two days so don’t assume that’s what I’m doing.”
River and Asher exchanged a look that had my eyebrows furrowing. River took my face in one of his hands. “Riley, when you get settled, we need to talk to you about…. something.”
“What aren’t you telling me? Are you really going to lecture me about school?” I started to argue, but Beau’s incessant sniffing and high-pitched bark nearly had my brain short circuiting, so I gave him my attention.
He was over near where the guest room was, far too interested in whatever was behind the door.
Asher snapped his fingers, trying to get Beau’s attention. “Away from there!”
