Page 27 of Ink & Stardust

“We have to go,” River chimes in.

“See, your brother is in.” Maisie grins from ear to ear, knowing she’s got me. If River goes, of course I’m going to go. I only have my brother for one weekend.

“Fine,” I murmur in agreement. “But if I do this,” I tell River directly, “you owe me Sunday pancakes before you leave.”

“Deal.”

I can hear the smile in his voice as if he were standing right in front of me.

I take the phone off speaker.

“Be safe on your way here,” I tell him.

“Always. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow,” I agree, waiting until he hangs up before turning my attention back to Maisie. “Thanks for that,” I grumble.

“Stop it. You have to go to the glow paint rave. It’s tradition.”

Char picks that exact moment to walk into the room, a robe tied tightly around her slender frame.

“Did someone say glow paint rave?” She looks between the two of us, kicking the door shut with her foot.

“We’re going!” Maisie squeals excitedly. “And hot brother is coming with us!”

“Seriously?” Char’s gaze swings to me. “What about no more parties?” She crosses her arms in front of herself with a smirk.

I haven’t been back to a party since I had a meltdown on the front lawn of a frat house, and that was three weeks ago. Andeven though Char and Maisie have begged, I’ve stayed in the last two parties they’ve gone to.

“My brother’s going. I don’t really have much of a choice.”

“Well, whatever the reason, I’m glad for it. It’s not good for you to just sit in this room alone every weekend. This is college. You should be out there living it up while you can. Before you know it, we’ll be old and wrinkled and these days will be far behind us.”

“She’s right,” Maisie chimes in. “Now is the time to be wild and carefree. Hell, it’s the only time in our lives we’ll ever get to be. Do you really want to look back twenty years from now and regret all the things you didn’t do?”

“I already said I’m going. You don’t have to convince me.” My gaze bounces between the two of them. “But I’m going to need a white shirt. I don’t have any that I’m willing to get paint on.”

“I think we all will,” Char agrees. “We can run to the store later if you’re free.”

“I have soccer.” Maisie pouts.

“We can pick something up for you.” I offer.

“That would be great. Just whatever you two get is fine.”

“Done.” Char crosses the room to her small wardrobe. “We can go after my last class if that works.” She looks at me over her shoulder. “We can get dinner after.”

“Sounds good to me.”

“I miss all the good stuff.” Maisie huffs, crossing her arms like a pouty child.

“You’re the one who committed to a sport,” Charlotte reminds her.

“That sport is the reason I get to live on campus. Otherwise, my parents would have me commuting the way Jackson did.”

“When does the season end?” I ask.

“Late November to early December, depending on Championships. Speaking of, you’re still coming to my game next weekend, right?”

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