There’s no way in hell Jacob is going to okay Riva going off for a romp with a bunch of strangers.
“She’s deep in a study session,” I say. “Hates to be interrupted.”
Brooke’s eyes narrow—only for a moment but enough to set me immediately on guard.
“You boys keep her on a pretty tight leash, huh?” she says in a casual tone that I suspect isn’t casual at all.
Apprehension prickles over me. If she gets convinced that something unpleasant is going on, she could raise a fuss with the campus authorities, draw attention to us that we don’t want.
I prop myself against the door frame, offering my best charming grin. “Nah, she just takes the school stuff very seriously. I keep telling her she should lighten up. Where are you off to? Maybe I can persuade her to take the evening off.”
I’m convincing enough that confusion flashes across Brooke’s face before she catches her reaction and gives a friendly laugh. “Oh, we’re heading to our favorite club downtown. It’s kind of a Friday night ritual.”
“And what’s so special about this particular club?” I ask with a playful arch of my eyebrows.
“Just that we love the DJ who’s up on Fridays. And there are four-dollar drinks until ten.”
“Well, nowI’mtempted, anyway.” I shoot her another grin, and a hint of pink colors her freckled cheeks.
I’ve spent enough time in the wider world to determine that if I hit the right notes, very few women are totally impervious to my friendly facade. But that doesn’t stop a greasy sensation from creeping over my skin, knowing I’m using it to distract her from her concern for Riva.
Riva doesn’t need her concern. I’m looking after her.
This college girl has no idea what any of us have been through, what we evenare. She’d only make things worse.
But her mention of the DJ brings my mind back to seeing Riva sway with the distant music upstairs. Encouraging her to let loose a little doesn’t sound like such a bad idea.
She should have the chance to really breathe too.
“Let me know the name of the place, and I’ll see what I can do,” I tell Brooke. “If I can work a little magic, we’ll see you there.”
After she tells me and leaves, I shut the door and walk back to the dining area where the other four are waiting with wary expressions.
“At least she went away,” Zian says.
“For now,” I say, clapping my hands together. “I wasn’t lying. I think we should all go dancing.”
I notice Riva goes even more rigid in her chair.
So does Jacob. “Are you fucking kidding me?”
I give him a pointed look. “I think weallcould benefit from a chance to blow off some steam. Let down our guards a bit and show how we can fit in.”
His mouth twists, but he doesn’t argue further.
“That doesn’t sound like my kind of thing,” Riva starts to say, her fingers curling tightly around her fork.
But Zian has perked up, getting into the spirit of the thing. “No, it is a good idea. We don’t have much else to do while we’re waiting on that hacker guy anyway.”
I aim a softer but still bright smile at Riva. “Come on, Tink. We’ve got our freedom. Don’t you want to live a little?”
“Your new best friend isn’t going to let up until she convinces you to hang out with her somewhere,” Jacob adds in a mutter.
Riva hesitates and then lets out a halting laugh. “Fine. Let’s hit the club—but only for an hour or two.”
Thirteen
Riva