Page 72 of A Lesson in Obedience

Attached below you will find the meeting site posted for your convenience. Please be prompt.

I tilted my phone so that it touched my forehead and I sighed. This was all moving very fast and I just wanted it to slow down.

But it seemed like even that was asking too much.

26

Grayson

“Oo, okay lang yung unang araw.I told you yesterday it was fine.” I kept my voice on a reassuring level with my mom. We’d spoken for three hours on the phone last night and the conversation had gone like every time we’d ever spoken while I was at school.

“Don’t get snippy with me. You sound stressed.”

I sighed, hearing footsteps on the stairs. I turned around, keeping the phone to my ear. Riley was at the bottom step, focusing her gaze on me. She had some of her braids tied together in a bun on top of her head, while the rest fell down her back. The casual pink dress she wore had tiny purple lilies and it hit right at mid-thigh, leaving her legs and the miles of brown skin exposed and glorious.

“Grayson.Nakikinig ka pa ba sakin?”

I cleared my throat, focusing on my mom again. “Yes, I’m listening. I have to go, but I’ll call you later, love you.” I tucked my phone in my pocket and watched as she walked into the kitchen, breezing past me.

Asher sat coffee cups down in front of both me and River. He placed one down in front of Riley, then River went to the fridge, getting a bottle of vanilla creamer and pouring a hefty amount into her cup. She gave him a genuine smile which he responded to by giving her a quick kiss. I was fucking jealous of my best friend.

Riley took a sip of her coffee, drumming her fingers on the mug. Asher removed his glasses, keeping his eyes on her as he cleaned them.

“I’m joining Celica. Don’t fight me on it. It’s happening.” She took another sip of her coffee.

River’s eyes widened. “I’m sorry, what?”

She peeked over at him and casually shrugged. Riley smacked her lips together and continued, “I’ll have Corrin, so it’s not a big deal.”

“Ah yes, let’s just let your witchy friend protect you,” Asher said, shaking his head.

“You didn’t mind her helping out when she picked me up from the station,” Riley spat back, raising one of her eyebrows.

Asher narrowed his eyes. “Touché.”

“Is that what you were talking about when I found you, Corrin and Ike in the library?” I asked, keeping my eyes on her.

She moved her eyes over to me. “Yeah, basically.”

“Baby, why would you even want to do that?” River ran a hand through his hair, far more agitated than I’d ever seen him.

“I’m trying to be as smart as possible when it comes to Chancellor Fowler and being a part of Celica will make him happy enough to get him off my back for now. He said so. I might not be able to do fuck all with whatever your dad is up to, but I can do this.”

“So, you plan on stalling?” I pushed, tilting my head to the side.

She threw me a disgruntled expression. “No, well…I don’t know. Isn’t that all wecando right now?”

River waved his hands in front of his face. “Wait. He said so? Like during your time with him after—” he snuck a look in my direction. “Um, after the whole meeting catastrophe?”

Riley shook her head slowly. “No, yesterday morning.”

“YESTERDAY—”

Asher put his hand up to stop his brother. “That part isn’t important. The one thing Grayson said a while back rings true. The chances of Chancellor Fowler hurting you are slim, at least physically anyway. He’ll use everything around you before laying a finger on you.”

Riley used her top teeth to tug at her bottom lip. “I also had an odd nightmare when you went out riding one night.”

River’s eyes widened for the second time.