Page 76 of Ink & Stardust

Chapter Thirteen

“So, are you gonna tell me who’s responsible for that, or are you gonna make me drag it out of you?” River flops down on the back steps next to me, nudging his shoulder against mine.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I tuck my phone away so he doesn’t see the messages from Kai littering the screen, the very reason for the smile he’s referring to.

“Sure you don’t.” He gives me a pointed stare, his green eyes boring into mine, searching for answers I have no intention of giving. “My guess, it’s the guy from the party.”

My stomach twists, having long since forgotten that River has actually met Kai, though I use the termmetvery loosely, given that they were never actually introduced or anything.

“You need a haircut,” I tell him instead, gesturing to his light blond locks, which are longer than they’ve ever been before. He’s had the same style for as long as I can remember—shaved sides, a little longer on top—and while the sides are still shaved, the top is long enough now that it brushes the tops of his ears.

“I don’t know. I think I like it.” He bumps his shoulder into mine a second time.

“You look like your mama can’t afford a haircut,” I tease.

“My mama hasn’t paid for one of my haircuts since I left for college.” He needlessly points out. “Now stop changing the subject and tell me what it is you’re so clearly hiding.”

“I’m not hiding anything.”

“You forget, sister, I know you well enough to know when you’re hiding something. And since when do we keep secrets from each other?”

Guilt slides through my chest.

“I could ask you the same question,” I fire back. “Considering I had to find out from our older brother that you’re talking to someone new.”

Not gonna lie, I was a bit surprised that River hadn’t told me himself. I can’t remember a time that he’s ever not told me the second someone new has entered his life. But instead, I had to find out from Dalton, who River usually never tells anything.

Then again, I have not whispered a word about Kai during our weekly calls, so really, I have no right to be hurt by his secrecy, and yet somehow, I still am.

“Our older brother needs to learn when to keep his mouth shut,” he grumbles, turning his gaze out toward the backyard, which is only visible because of the full moon shining brightly above us.

“So it’s true.”

“Not exactly.”

“Are you talking to someone new or are you not?”

“We’re just friends.”

“But you want to be more?”

“I mean, I like her.”

“So what’s the holdup?”

“It’s complicated...”

“Most relationships are.” I snort, Kai once again coming to the forefront of my mind. Not that we’re in a relationship or anything, but damn does it sure feel like we are most days. “Does she like you that way?”

“She’s made that much pretty clear.”

“So you’re the one who’s not sure?”

“Like I said, it’s...”

“Complicated,” I finish for him. “Yeah, I got that. So are you going to tell me who she is?”

“Not yet.” He gives me an apologetic glance. “But if it becomes more than friends, you have my word that I’ll tell you everything. For now, I just want to keep it between her and me. At least until I figure out how I feel. Dalton only knows because he read a text message that popped up on my screen. If I was going to tell any sibling, it would be you.” He makes me feel better by saying that.

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