Page 8 of Ink & Stardust

“Not since the last one I told you about.” My mind drifts back to that night. Though, if we’re being honest, after Maisie got there, I don’t remember that much. Somehow she convinced me to do a shot with her, and then one turned into I don’t know how many because I lost count, and yeah, she and Char basically had to carry me up the stairs to our dorm room after.

“One hangover and you’re already throwing in the towel?”

“I have zero desire to ever drink like that again. Once was enough for me.”

“Give it time.”

“I’m serious, Riv.”

“I recall having a similar experience my first week of college and saying something very close to what you just said, and we all know how well that stuck. Pretty sure I was drunk most of freshman year.”

“Which is probably what’s wrong with you,” I tease, rounding the corner to where the coffee shop sits.

“I’m not saying you should follow in my footsteps or anything, but you’ve had a shit go of things as of late.”

My stomach churns uncomfortably as the memory of exactly what he’s referring to comes flooding back in.

I close my eyes for a brief moment, feeling a little more settled when I open them again.

“You don’t have to remind me.” I have to work to keep my voice even as I tug open the door to Greenberry’s and step inside, feeling instant relief from the heat.

A couple of people file in behind me, but I don’t pay them any mind as I join the line behind a handful of other people. In the short time I’ve been coming here, I’ve learned one very important thing—this place is always slammed.

“I’m just saying, you should embrace college life. Go out. Have fun. Get too drunk. Make mistakes. Live. Don’t let what those assholes did to you hold you back from experiencing all college has to offer.”

“I’m not, and I won’t. I know I was in rough shape over the summer, but I promise you, I’m doing a lot better. So much better, in fact, that I’m actually meeting someone for coffee at this very moment.” I swallow down the lie.

“Really?”

I can hear the surprise in his voice.

“Don’t sound so shocked.”

“No, it’s just... Why are you just now mentioning this? Who is it? Would I approve?”

Dark blue eyes flash through my vision.

“He’s just someone I met at the party. I don’t really know much about him. And no, you wouldn’t approve.” All true, except for the fact that I’m referring to someone I’ll likely never see again and definitely shouldn’t want to. “Because when have you ever approved of any guy I’ve liked?” I tack on.

“Fair. Though I had good reason to dislike the last one.”

“If this is the time where you say you told me so...”

“I would never. I know how much you cared about Leo. The lying sack of shit that he is.”

“Can we please not talk about him? I’m starting fresh, remember?”

“You’re right. I just... I wanna fucking murder him for what he did to you.”

“I know,” I reply softly, a brief silence passing between us.

“So, this new guy... Tell me everything.”

“I’ll tell you something when there’s something to tell.” Guilt swims in my chest.

I’m not someone who’s accustomed to lying, but right now, the last thing I want is forRiver, or anyone, for that matter, to worry about me. So if I have to tell a harmless lie to give him some peace of mind, then that’s what I’ll do.

“In the meantime, focus on your own love life. Most importantly, better places to take women on dates.”

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