Page 33 of Midnight Whispers
“What do you say?” And more importantly, how did Riley get rid of the flame on his finger?
“I change the subject. Or I don’t answer.”
Griffin snorted and nodded to Riley's finger. “You just have to imagine it leaving you.”
“So, the opposite of wanting it to appear.” In his mind, he told it to go away. It took him a couple of tries, but eventually it disappeared.
Dad’s eyes widened, and he smiled as if proud of him. “That was fast.”
Riley shrugged, but inside, he was happy he pleased his dad. “Thanks for teaching me.”
“Tomorrow we’ll practice. The more you do it, the faster you’ll get. I want you to get good enough that it becomes second nature.”
“My guess is he’ll have it down by the end of the week.” Griffin winked.
“The way he’s going, it’ll be sooner.” Dad headed out of the room toward the kitchen. “Conjuring is hungry work, so let’s make breakfast.”
It was more like Dad made breakfast while Griffin and Riley teased each other. Being in the kitchen with his dad was the best family time Riley had ever had.
They followed Dad to the kitchen. Riley and Griffin sat on the island stools.
Riley laid his head on Griffin’s shoulder.
Griffin didn’t seem to mind. He drank coffee and watched Dad make eggs. “You’re coming with me again today, right? Mom has something to talk to you about.”
“Yeah. I just need to go to the bookstore on campus and get my books. Class starts on Monday.”
Dad waved a spatula at an envelope on the counter. “That’s for the books. If it’s not enough, call the station. I’ll bring you more.”
Riley hesitated but took the envelope. Dad hadn’t sealed it, so he peeked inside. As soon as he saw the amount, he shook his head. “I can’t take this. It’s too much.”
“I’ve saved money for you for school. It comes from that fund, Riley.”
“I didn’t go to college, so I spent my college money on my house.” Griffin put an arm around his shoulders and pulled Riley in for a side hug. Then, he whispered, “Just accept it, brother.”
Riley walked around the kitchen island. When his dad turned, Riley hugged him. “Thank you.”
“I’ll pay your tuition too.”
“All right.” Riley didn’t stop hugging his father. “I didn’t know how I was going to pay for everything. I have a credit card with a low limit and a high rate. That would have only paid for the books, though.”
“I’ve been saving for your school, or in Griffin’s case, for his house, since the day you were born.” Dad kissed Riley’s forehead and released him. “I’m here for you now, Riley.”
“I think I’m finally getting that.”
“If you need to talk about anything, I’m here for that too.” Dad raised his eyebrows as if that would get Riley to tell him his secrets. Riley only had one, and it seemed like his dad might suspect something.
“Like what?”
Griffin sipped his coffee extra loud, which was annoying. It was also his way of saying he told Riley so. And maybe Griffin was right. Maybe Riley and Cass had been obvious. Dad was a cop whose job it was to ferret out the truth. But Griffin’s point was also annoying, so Riley wouldn’t acknowledge it.
“I don’t know, Riley. You tell me.”
Riley felt a sudden urgency to get to the bookstore, even though it didn’t open until nine o’clock, which was a whole hour away. But he’d wait in the cold car if it meant Riley could escape Iven Palmer’s suspicious gaze. “I have nothing to tell you other than can you please tell Griffin to stop sipping so loudly?”
Griffin sipped even louder and then promptly choked.
Riley pounded him on the back. “It serves you right.”
