Page 48 of The Royal Flame
“What is it?” River asks.
“He wants to have lunch with me tomorrow?”
River raises his brows. “And you don’t want to?”
“I don’t know.” I dither. “It’s just that it’ll be awkward. I don’t even know the guy and like I said already, I’ve never had to deal with real parents, so this is all foreign to me.”
He extends his hand over the console and sets it on my knee. “Trust me, you might feel awkward at first, but you’re easy to talk to, so that’ll fade quickly.
I snort a laugh. “You think I’m easy to talk to?”
He smiles. “You remember when you first met me? How grumpy and intense I was? That wore off because of you.”
“Who says it’s worn off?” I tease.
He narrows his eyes but it’s a playful move. “You know I’m right.”
“Fine. I’ll agree with you, but only because I like you.” I avoid his gaze as I send Grey a text, agreeing to meet up with him for lunch.
He tells me he’ll send a car to my school to pick me up at around one, and I resist the urge to argue about that, knowing it’ll be a lost cause.
About an hour later, River and I have picked up food from probably the fanciest burger place I’ve ever seen. We get our food to go and then we head back to the academy. I’mnervous as we enter the building. After what happened, rumors will be floating about, and I’m sure I’ll get stared at even more. Thankfully, a football game is happening tonight, so the corridors are mostly empty.
“Finn’s playing, right?’ I ask River as we make our way to his room.
He has the to-go bag in his hand and reaches with his free hand to take my mine as I tensely glance around the few people loitering around in the alcoves and sitting areas, all of which are staring at me.
“Do you really think we should be holding hands?” I question, but don’t let go. “We’re supposed to be behind friends.”
He doesn’t let go as he stops in front of his dorm room door. “Do you want me to let your hand go?”
“Not really, but want and need are two different things.” Like I want to kiss him, but I don’t need him to.
I don’t think…
And now I’m staring at his mouth.
And he completely notices.
He clears his throat and let’s go of my hand.
I convince myself that it’s to open the door, but who the hell knows for sure.
Once we’re inside, we get the food set up on the table. My mouth waters at a I take a huge bite of the yummy burger.
“Oh my god,” I moan as juice dribbles down my chin.
River watches me with his burger cupped in his hand. “I don’t know why you fight me so hard to let me feed you.”
I quirk a brow. “Because I’m not a plant, dude.”
Giving me a tolerant look, he sets the burger down. “I know you loathe help, but if you want to make the team, you’re going to have to make sure you eat enough. Starving yourself will hinder your performance.”
“I know that.” And I do. But I’m kind of used to eating like crap. “But I’ve told you like ten times that I don’t want you to have to pay for my food.”
“Why not? I have a ton of money and you and I…” He trails off, scratching his neck.
“You and I are what?” I question. “Because friends don’t go around paying for each others food.”
