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The two stare at each other for a long moment. In the year I’ve known Lyric, I’ve never seen her so much as get an attitude with her brother, let alone argue with him in front of other people. Not that they’re really arguing...

“I’m not saying this to make you mad.” Lyric blows out a puff of air. “I just... Is it so bad that I want you to be as happy as I am?”

“I love that you’re happy. But happiness doesn’t look the same for everyone.” River’s gaze darts to mine for the briefest of moments, so brief, in fact, that I wonder if I imagined it. “And if you must know, I’ve been seeing someone for a few weeks now.”

My stomach goes hollow.

“You have?” Lyric draws back, surprised by this information. “Why haven’t you said anything?”

“Because it’s new and we’re just keeping things casual. Enjoying each other’s company.”

“What’s her name?”

River shakes his head from side to side.

“Seriously.” Lyric huffs, looking at her mom. “Did you know about this?”

Heather shrugs. If she does know, she’s damn good at hiding it. Though even if she does know, there’s no way she knows it’s me.

“I’ll tell you when and if there’s more to tell,” he says simply. “But for now, it’s between me and her.” This time when his eyes find mine, they hold my gaze long enough for me to know that I’m not imagining things.

“Is there anything else I can get for you?” I startle when the waitress speaks next to me, having not even realized she had approached.

“I think we’ll just take the check,” Mike tells her with a soft smile. “So, your mother tells me there’s some sort of carnival today.” He looks at Lyric, effectively ending a weird, and frankly uncomfortable conversation between the two siblings.

I look at River, giving him awhat the fucklook. Like honestly, why would he say that? Especially with me sitting here, right under his sister’s nose. And while the thought makes me half sick, I also can’t deny the way my heart spiked at his words. Or the way it still stirs restlessly in my chest beneath his gaze.

“What the hell was that?” I hiss to River a few minutes later as we leave the restaurant, the two of us lagging behind the others, who have already stepped outside.

“What was what?” He fights a smile, which makes me want to smack his smug ass across the chest.

“Don’t play stupid. Why did you say that you were seeing someone?”

“Because I am,” he says, like it should be so obvious. “She’s currently standing in front of me, looking at me like I’ve grown another head.”

“Maybe because you have.” I huff, turning on my heel.

“Are you mad at me?” He chuckles, following me out of the restaurant.

“Of course not,” I say before quickly catching up to Lyric, who’s standing on the sidewalk with her parents, waiting for us.

“You good?” she asks, seeing something in my expression that gives her pause.

“Oh, yeah. Just tired. I slept so bad last night.” I blow it off like it’s nothing.

“Well, we’re going to head to the carnival here shortly. Kai and Maisie are meeting us there with Jackson and her parents. Are you coming?”

“I need to run back to the dorm beforehand, but I’ll meet you there?”

“Okay. Just text me if you can’t find us when you get there.”

“I will.” I give her a quick one-armed hug. “Thank you for lunch,” I tell Mike, turning my attention to Heather when she speaks.

“It was lovely seeing you again, dear.” She smiles at me affectionately.

“You too.” I grin, turning back to Lyric. “I’ll see you in a bit.”

“Okay.” She nods.