Page 137 of River of Deceit

“Where’d you get that hickey, Bouchard?” Zayden asks me suspiciously. He’s holding a cooler, and I open the door for him so he can get it out into the backyard, where the firepit is already lit.

A good third of the frat has gathered for an impromptu summer cookout. With booze, of course.

I smile at him. “A gentleman doesn’t kiss and tell.”

I’m not ashamed or worried about the fact that I was with Pandora, but I don’t want to deal with Zayden’s temper tantrum about me flouting his authority or whatever it is that sets him off.

He should be grateful my dad gives him as much attention as he does.

“I don’t see any gentlemen around here,” Zayden counters. He knocks against my shoulder as he walks past me with a simple, sarcastic, “Sorry.”

I roll my eyes. Under other circumstances, I might have taken him to task for it, but I’m in too good of a mood to care.

While Zayden and the others set up the impromptu party, I check my phone again.

Pandora

Are you part animal?

There’s a picture of her chest attached, the nipples just out of frame, showing off all the marks Asch and I had left on her. My cock is stirring at the sight, our scratches and kisses and the few remaining scabs from where Asch had cut her.

I type back.

Blaze

I don’t know what I’m looking at. Can you take another picture, zoomed out?

It takes a few seconds, then I get another photo. I laugh when it loads. It’s Pandora’s middle finger, neon pink nail and all.

Asch strolls up to me, and I note the dark hickeys on his neck. Pandora and I aren’t the only ones who’d been marked up from our night together, and it seems none of us care about hiding them.

“Hey,” he greets me. “Are you going to help out or…” He trails off and looks at the phone. “Stare at pictures of middle fingers?”

I scroll up to show Asch the other photo. “It’s a picture of a manicure, I think.” I clap Asch on the shoulder. “What still needs doing? Zayden, we got all the drinks?”

Zayden holds up a bottle of beer. “Yeah. Franklin and Keegan are on the grill. You guys need anything?”

Franklin holds up his spatula and waves. “We got all the meat. I guess if you need condiments?”

I’m about to agree, when the door opens again and River walks out with the tray of mayo, ketchup, and mustard. He’s got a deep scowl on his face like he wants to murder even the fireflies.

“Perfect,” I say, clapping him on the shoulder. “It’s like you’re psychic.”

He goes rigid beneath my touch. “Or, the more likely situation, that someone asked me to bring these out,” he retorts.

“Someone’s bitchy tonight,” Asch notes.

River glares at him. “I’m not bitchy.” He shoulder-checks me on the way to where Franklin is standing.

“Someone is definitely bitchy,” Aschtells me, shaking his head. “Think he’s pissed because we didn’t invite him out on our date with Pandora?”

“Yeah, duh,” I say. I watch River and Franklin chatting, Franklin very eager and animated while he points to something on the grill. River seems to relax while talking to Franklin.

My phone buzzes again, and I see another text from Pandora.

Pandora

What’s a good number for a booty call?