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“No. River asked me not to tell her. He didn’t want to give her the wrong impression.”

“And what impression would that be?”

“That there’s something going on between us.”

“But there is.” Her brow furrows in confusion.

“Not really. I mean, up until tonight, we were just friends.”

“But if you were just friends, there would be no reason to hide it.” She shakes her head. “Wait, what do you mean up until tonight?” She seems to just catch that little bit of information I didn’t actually mean to give. “What happened tonight?”

“He kissed me,” I quietly admit.

“When? Where?”

“In the bathroom. Around the same time you and Kai arrived.”

“But he had stopped talking to you?”

“Yeah.”

“But then he kissed you in the bathroom with his whole family a few feet away.”

“I know, right?” I let out a humorless laugh.

“So I’m confused. Are you two a thing or aren’t you?”

“No. I mean, I don’t know.” I toss my hands up, letting them fall back to my lap with an audible smack.

“I guess I can seewhyyou let him string you along now. When I thought it was Conner, I didn’t see the allure. But River... I dare say I’d let that man do anything he wanted to me, including string me along.” Maisie grins, the action loosening some of the tension in my chest.

“He’s not stringing me along. I don’t think anyway. I think he’s just hesitant.”

“Why?”

“I’m not sure. The things he would say to me made me feel like he liked me, and not just as a friend, but then he’d contradict himself by saying I’m a good friend or something stupid like that. Mixed signals are an understatement of what he was giving me. But then tonight, when I told him I didn’t want to date him, that I just wanted to fuck him, he kissed me...”

I blow out a breath, not realizing how badly I needed to talk this out with another person until now. I mean, I confided in Maisie and Lyric, but it never felt right because I was still lying, even if what I was saying was the truth.

“You should tell Lyric.”

“I can’t. Not without breaking River’s trust.”

“And what about Lyric’s trust?” she fires back.

“I know, okay? I know how horrible of a friend this makes me. But telling Lyric ensures this is over and, Mais, I’m not ready for this to be over.”

“So then what’s your plan?” Her expression softens.

“Truth? I don’t have one.”

“Well, if you’re hoping to keep your secret a secret for a little while longer, might I suggest you not spend any time in the same room while Lyric is present. You two are not very subtle.”

“Does that mean you aren’t going to tell her?” I ask, almost hopeful.

“I don’t like it, and I thinkyoushould tell her, but no, I won’t tell her. This is your burden to bear, not mine. If you need someone to talk to, I’ll be here for you, but understand that if she asks me outright, I will not lie to her.”

“That’s fair.” I take what I can get, and honestly, it’s more than I deserve.