Page 4 of A Lesson in Obedience

“Have you called Grayson?” Asher was right behind me, nearly on my heels.

I waved my phone over my shoulder. “Already on it.” I put my phone to my ear, hearing it ring and ring and ring, eventually going to voicemail. I dialed his number again, listening and waiting. Voicemail again.

“Fuck,” I mumbled, switching to text.

RIVER

Let me know when you get this and if Riley is alright. Call me.

Asher rushed past me, his keys jingling in his hand.

“Where are you going?” I asked, jogging to catch up with him.

He scoffed, giving me a small glance over his shoulder. “No. Not me.We.Weare going to Riley’s house.”

I grabbed his arm, making him turn around and look at me. “Youdon’t know how to get there. Unless you do, but that would be really odd since you’ve never fucking been there.”

Asher rolled his eyes, which was weird. That was a gesture I hardly even saw him do. He shoved the keys at me. “You’re driving.”

I pointed towards the closest parking lot. “No, my bike is parked over there. I’m not running all the way to the fucking admin lot for your car. I’ll take my bike, and I’ll text you the address.”

Asher let out a loud groan. “Why are you so difficult?”

“She’s my girlfriend, Asher. I don’t know why you’re so eager to go. We had fun one time and all of a sudden you care?” I started to walk backwards towards the parking lot but stopped toreallylook at him. I didn’t have time to dig into his mind, but something told me I didn’t have to.

He shook his head, starting to jog in the direction of the admin parking lot.

I tried calling Riley, but her phone went to voicemail as well. I shook my head and quickly got on my motorcycle, hearing the engine rev to life.

I was surprisedto see Asher pulling in a few minutes after me when I got to Riley’s house. On my bike, I could swerve around traffic and normally get away with going over the speed limit. I tried to wrap my mind around my brother on the road, cutting people off and intentionally going anywhere near eighty miles per hour.

Asher slammed his car door, walking in step with me as we headed towards the front door. I heard excessive barking and whining from inside. Before we could even attempt to knock, the door swung open and Riley’s mom looked at us with wide eyes. Behind her I saw Beau run across the room, his lungs working overtime.

He started to run back the other way, but then he noticedus. The gray pitbull came running at us and I rushed past Mrs. Monroe so I could stop him from escaping out the front door. Beau was strong and I felt his nails dig into my skin. I held him down on the ground, feeling his body shake. He wiggled out of my hold, but Asher closed the door behind him before Beau could attempt another escape.

The dog tilted his head back and howled, running his body into the door and scratching at the paint.

Riley’s mom sighed, placing her hands on either side of her head. “Beau, stop it! Calm down!” She clapped her hands loudly, maneuvering herself between the door and Riley’s dog. “Stop it!”

Beau backed up and whined. He howled again, turning right and running into the living room.

Asher came over and helped me up. I ran my hand down my pants, watching copious amounts of gray fur fly off my jeans. Mrs. Monroe shook her head, looking over at me. “What are you doing here?” Her voice sounded tired and a little hoarse. I assumed it was due to yelling at Beau.

I glanced over at Asher who raised his eyebrows at me as if to saywell, speak.

“Is Riley here?” I asked, looking up the staircase and hoping that she was just comfortable in her room. If Beau’s temperament was any indication, my hopes would not be met.

Mrs. Monroe narrowed her eyes at me. “No, she’s not. Riley sent me a text about that meeting you were going to tonight but told me not to worry about it. She said it had to do with the witches on campus, so I’ve been in the office all day. I got a call from the next-door neighbor about Beau and rushed home. He’s been like this ever since. He nearly knocked me over when I first got home.”

Beau’s stocky body knocked against the side of my leg when he barreled past me.

“I assumed she would be with you…” Riley’s mom let her words fall away.

I shook my head solemnly, taking a step closer to her.

“Where is my daughter, River?”

I opened my mouth to respond, but Asher answered for me. “We don’t know. We thought she might be here. At the meeting, something happened?—”