Page 87 of Massacre Monday

When he hangs up, I stare at the screen for a moment before sliding into a parking spot at the back of Ryan’s building. Part of me thinks this has nothing to do with Greek Life rivals at all. Perhaps Marauders issues with the Vipers? Whatever it is, they just need to get over it.

Hmm… Something else clicks into place. Maybe Mom was so weirdly warm to Ryan when he showed up at the door because she knew and approved. She and Dad and Ryan had planned it all until he could whisk me away into his arms.Clever. And very Ryan.

I should hate it or feel betrayed, but I don’t. If I listen to my heart, I know what it’s saying. I’m already falling for him. And the part that is most shocking? I don’t mind being chosen.

Not when it’s him.

It’s stupid how nervous I feel as I approach the door. I’m the one who said yes and packed the bag. I’m the one who chose this.

Still, my fingers tremble as I press the code to the outer door that Ryan gave me. Before I reach his apartment, he flings open the door, a look of regret and shame covering his face. My stomach drops.

“I’m sorry…” he says, waving me inside and grabbing stuff from my arms. “I told them to leave, but they insisted on staying because they knew you were coming.”

I take a breath to ask who and am greeted by a bear hug from a warm woman with dark hair. One I’ve seen on Ryan’s social media pages. “Hello, Pippi! I’m Marissa. Come in!”

Her voice is rich and grounding, and I’m stunned by how instantly at ease I feel. There’s no posturing here. Just a mother’s joy.

“Mom…” Ryan warns as he sets my bags down, then tries to hold my hand—only for it to be snatched into his mom’s as she leads me to the sofa.

“I want to know everything about you.”

“Mom!” Ryan releases a deep groan, but there’s no real grit behind it.

Olivia shoots him a look. “She just got here. Give her a minute to breathe.” I recognize Ryan’s oldest sister from Greek events, though we haven’t spoken. She gives me a sympathetic grin as a younger version of her comes bouncing out of the bathroom.

“Do you like horror movies?” she asks me.

“I, I’m…yes?” I respond as she blinks at me a few times.

“Okay, you can stay.”

Ryan exhales through his nose. “High praise.”

“Alice, don’t be rude,” Marissa says, and Ryan shuffles from foot to foot, his blue eyes piercing my face as if to gauge my reaction.

I sink into the couch with a soft breath, only now realizing how rigid my spine had been. How ready I was for judgment. Instead, I’m surrounded by laughter and something close to warmth. Maybe even…belonging. Ryan joins me on the other side, grabbing my hand away from his mom and placing it in his.

“It’s great to meet you all,” I say, voice steadier than I expected.

Ryan’s still watching me closely, eyes narrowing just slightly in curiosity. Like he’s waiting for the crack to show. But I surprise him—scooting just an inch closer, like I’ve always belonged in this room.

Marissa’s lips form a tight smirk as she considers something, her green eyes looking me over as Olivia stands and grabs her purse.

“Let’s go. Leave these twoappointedsalone.”

“She’s way cooler than Elina,” Alice says, tossing a throw pillow at Ryan’s head.

He bats it away. “Yeah, for fuck’s sake, I know that.”

“Ryan!” his mother admonishes, but before she lets me go with an arm pat, she blows out a sigh. “I’ll tell you, Pippi. We were all getting really tired of pretending that Elina wasn’t a big mistake.”

Ryan squeezes his eyes closed, but nods slowly, then points toward the door. “Love you all. But I love you more when you’re not here.”

His mom leans over and taps a kiss onto his cheek, then glances at me. “Don’t be a stranger! Come by Sunday for dinner!”

“I’d love that,” I tell her, smiling.

Once he locks the door behind them, Ryan rushes over to me and grabs me in a tight embrace, stuffing his face into my neck. “I’m sorry?—”