Page 38 of A Lesson in Obedience
“Hmph.” She unclasped the chain and placed it around her neck.
“It is just a normal necklace. It isn’t enchanted like the other one.” I walked over to the door and held it open for her. “Once I’ve been in your dreams, I can go back and remember what I’ve seen. You have it on constantly, so it wasn’t hard to find.”
She stopped at the threshold and gave me a confused look. “Thank you, but Asher, why did you do this?”
I lightly grabbed her shoulder and kept her moving so that she was outside of my room. The threshold was between us now. “Accept the gift, Riley.” Her mouth opened slightly as if she was going to say something else, but I gave her a stiff smile and closed my door.
13
Riley
Iremembered being next to Beau on the couch, but then I must have fallen asleep. I felt familiar arms carrying me upstairs. The light from River’s window had me shutting my eyes again the moment I opened them, hoping to adjust quickly. The sound of feet padding around the room had me opening my eyes again and I saw Beau on the floor, curled up in his little dog cocoon. I dropped my arm and scratched the top of his head. His tail thumped, but he didn’t make a move to wake up.
“Ah, you’re awake.” I turned over and saw River fumbling around with what looked like shopping bags.
“I didn’t even know I fell asleep.”
“You were pretty out of it.” He tapped his lips as if he was thinking. “You moved around some of the stuff in my room. You didn’t break anything, but I will say I watched you most of the night, so I’m exhausted as fuck.”
“I did what?” I looked around, confused.
“I think you were having a nightmare. Not strong enough tocause a big reaction, but enough to get your powers to surface even when you’re unconscious.” He gave me a sympathetic smile. “The only person I know personally that can do that is Asher.”
“You didn’t try to get into my head and I don’t know, ask questions?” I started to get up, throwing the covers off my body.
River sighed, walking over to the bed. I shuffled over to where he was, getting on my knees so I could press my hands to his chest. “Just because I tried to get into your head under dire circumstances doesn’t mean I’m just willing to do it all the time now.” He kissed my forehead. “Beau was watching you as well. You would toss and turn a little, things would rattle and then you would stop.”
I groaned. “Listen, I understand that this entire relationship started because you couldn’t keep your powers to yourself and I’m grateful for your little invasion because now I have you, but please don’t hesitate to force your way in because you think I’ll hate you for it. You’ve been very good about honoring my wishes, but I’m telling you that it’s okay. Okay?”
He opened his mouth, but I quickly added, “Don’t argue with me.”
“I wasn’t going to. And I would never anyway because you should get ready.” He leaned down to kiss me and then turned away.
“What is all that?” I jumped off the bed, walking over to his dressers. On top of the furniture were about three tops, two bottoms and some underwear. I pursed my lips, inspecting the items and then throwing him a perplexed look.
He grinned sheepishly, staring at the clothes as he spoke, “I went to the pet store to get Beau’s food and I might have stopped by the mall before it closed to get you some stuff. I know you are going to your mom’s today to talk to her and I assume you are getting clothes and anything else to stay here.” He peeked over at me. “I just didn’t think you’d want to wear the same thing today and well, I assumed you also needed options. You may not think I pay attention to your clothes or sizing, but I can be quite observant when I want to be. Oh and the bag over there has some booksbecause I stopped at one of those small bookstores you like and that other bag has snacks. Tiny pretzels, those gummy bears you like?—”
He was rambling and it was very cute. It almost took my mind off of what he’d said about talking to my mom today. That was enough to make me get up on my toes and kiss him. “I love you. Thank you.”
“Anything for you, gorgeous. I love you as well and I would ask if you want a shower buddy, but I’ll respect your space until you give me the okay.” He ran his fingers under my chin and winked at me. His green eyes found the necklace that dangled between us and his eyebrow inched upward. One corner of his lips threatened to lift, but he stopped it, kissing my forehead again and leaving the room.
I lightly touched the ruby gem and it caused me to go right back to my conversation with Asher. Well, not really a conversation. Asher and I never hadconversations. He was usually just an ass who had to always have control of the room, but something about what he said got me thinking. He put on a good front, but I knew his dad had upset him and threw him off with what he was asking him to do. I knew he was an advocate for his brother, even though they didn’t always see eye to eye.
Asher making any sort of sense during what that was last night just pissed me off even more. He was so fucking irritating. I knew I needed to talk to Grayson; there was a part of me that wanted to forgive him for what he’d done, but my stomach would do backflips every time I thought about it. Maybe I was afraid of what he’d say and that I would crumble right in front of him. Or maybe I wouldn’t think it was enough, and we could never attempt to rebuild.
I steadied my breathing, not wanting to fall too far into my own thoughts. I was an adult. I had decided to stay here, knowing full well that he was going to be around. Grayson was the type that would authentically try to give me my distance as best he could, probably shadow himself away when he saw me coming. I could have laughed at how ridiculous that sounded. It was even more ridiculous that I wanted everything to go back to normal, but thatgoal was nonexistent and only the idea of a new normal was within my reach.
He could be a part of it, if I let him.
He wasn’t Chancellor Fowler, so I didn’t hate him, I didn’t loathe him with every fiber of my being. What I did hate was that when I pictured Grayson it was followed by this awful thing that happened, but somewhere in the very back of my mind, I could also still see the guy that would stand in lines at bookstore signings with me and not complain once, especially since he always had a few books of his own to get signed.
The sound of footsteps and voices caused me to flinch and I shook my head, needing to face one problem at a time. My phone buzzed and I went to grab it, noticing a few unread text messages.
The top one was from my mom.
MOM
Honey, whatever happened, just know it’s okay. I hope you’re safe. I love you always and always
