Page 15 of The Thanksgiving Hookup

“Fine,” River shouted back, his blue eyes piercing into mine. “Did someone tell you to stay away from me?” He leaned back in his chair and folded his arms across his chest.

“Yes.”

“What about me?” Chad asked.

“No, not you, just pilots in general. Like, to stay away from them.” I tried to play it off like it was no big deal, but neither Chad nor River seemed to be taking it that way.

Chad was disappointed that he hadn’t been named, and River was angry that he had.

“So, someone told you to stay away from mespecifically?” River pushed.

He was not going to let this go until I answered.

“They did.”

“Who?” He actually sounded upset, and I didn’t want to get Stacy in any kind of trouble with him or make work awkward for her.

“I really don’t want to say.”

“Sky,” he growled.

“River,” I tried to mimic, but I just sounded silly instead, and Carmella laughed.

“Don’t ask her to rat out her friends,” she said, trying to help the situation, but failing because River was pushy and relentless and used to getting what he wanted.

“Just trying to figure out who not to trust, is all.”

Yep. He was pissed. And taking this way too far.

“It’s really not a big deal. You’re turning this into something it isn’t. Can’t we just let it go?”

He uncrossed his arms and made wild arm gestures while he spoke instead. “Sure. Fine. I’ll let it go. For now,” River huffed before finishing off his beer in one giant gulp.

He would definitely not be letting this go.

CALLING IT A NIGHT

SKY

We each ordered one more drink, but I barely touched mine. I’d already had enough, and even after eating, my head was still swimming in an alcohol-induced pool. Chad was having trouble staying upright. He wobbled in his chair, clearly unbalanced and inebriated beyond a simple buzz.

“Do you need help getting up to your room?” River asked, but Chad shoved him away. Anytime River touched him, Chad swatted at his hand.

“Stop touching me. I don’t need your help. I’ll take hers though,” Chad said, staring right at me with eyes that were half-closed. I wasn’t even sure how he could see at this point.

“My help?” I stuttered, clearly shocked and a little scared.

I did not want to be the one to help Chad to his room.

“Come on, Sky, baby.” Chad tried to sound charming, but he was wasted and getting sloppier by the second. “Take me to my room. I’ll make it worth your while. Multiple times. I can get you ice cream.”

Things were definitely starting to spiral, and I took it as my cue to go so I could finally take that bath I’d been dreaming about since we had first gotten here. I gestured toward Raul that I’d like to take my pizza to my room, and he gave me a nod in understanding before quickly disappearing. He couldn’t come back with a box fast enough.

“Sky, come on. Stay with me tonight.” Chad used both hands to push up from the table.

He took a stumbling step in my direction, but River was instantly there, blocking him from reaching me, like a wall made of muscle.

“Don’t,” River growled, his tone no longer joking or even friendly.

---