I picked out while half asleep.
The skirt is green silk and high waisted with an asymmetrical bottom, the tie at the waist keeps the black off the shoulder top tucked in and I slip on a pair of teardrop emerald earrings finishing off the look with low strappy heels. I do a turn around in front of the mirror and nod, approving that I look at least human enough for brunch.
“Damn Kitten,” River whistles as I blush and look up at where he is standing in the doorjamb. I feel my face fall slightly as I offer him a small smile. His brow dips as he walks forward, his arm wrapping around my waist as I lean into his comfortable button down that is rolled up at the sleeves.
“What’s wrong?” River demands softly.
“Nothing,” I mumble trying to not sound crazy. Hey Rivs, not to sound like a crazy girlfriend … but I smelled a weird perfume in your bed. Why is that?
Instantly, a million occurrences of Pierce telling me how I was dramatic or wrong hit me in a whiplash fashion, causing my heart to beat rapidly. I snuggle closer to River, not wanting him to push me away because of my own insecurity.
“Why did you not come to bed?” he asks softly, a bit of hurt coloring his voice. I look up and all I can see is honest concern there.
I nibble on my lip. “You are going to think I’m crazy.”
He offers me his trademark, slightly unhinged smile. “I love your crazy.”
My eyes widen as the top of his ears turn pink and I swallow nervously. I speak softly and try to not make a big deal out of it. “I crawled into bed and it smelled like Chanel No 5, the perfume, and I felt a little weird, maybe even a little insecure so I went to the casino …”
“Sloane,” River whispers, his voice filled with depth.
“I know, I know it’s crazy,” I mumble.
“It’s not,” he responds, his jaw clenching. “I was getting out of the shower and I walked into the room. Saw someone laying on the fucking bed, thought it was you, but then I realized it was Blaine’s fucking mom. I would have told you when you got back, I didn’t know how to exactly text that—”
My mouth hangs open. “Blaine’s mom was in your bed?”
His nose twitches as he grimaces. “Naked.”
“Blaine’s mom was in your bed, naked?”
“She thought I had been looking at her all dinner when I was really looking at you,” he groans.
“Shit,” I mumble and then frown. “I mean, what happened?”
River blinks at me confused and then chuckles. “I called her Stifler’s mom and she left in a huff, all offended.”
I can’t contain my smile as his expression softens. “Sloane, Kitten, you didn’t think I’d brought someone back to my room, did you?”
“I didn’t want to think that. I just … you know, with Pierce and everything.”
A serious look crawls over his face as he grasps mine gently with both hands. “Let me assure you Sloane, I am absolutely crazy about you. The only woman I ever want in my bed, from now on is you.”
I blush. “Yeah?”
River’s mouth opens and it looks like he’s about to say something but instead we both turn to find Blaine standing in the door. His eyes are wide and he looks horrified.
“Dude River, I am so sorry.” Blaine grunts. “I mean, I’ve always known she’s crazy but—”
“Yeah, wasn’t sure you wanted to know all that.” River winces.
I let out a small giggle and look down. River scoffs, “What is so damn funny, Sloane?”
“Nothing,” I chirp as I squeak, Blaine behind me now as I become captive between the two of them.
“I think she was laughing at us,” Blaine offers.
“Sounds worthy of a punishment.” River smiles and my panties literally fucking melt.
Before I can respond, my phone rings and I freeze. Who the hell could be calling me? No really, I don’t have many numbers nor do I have an active social media account under my name. Well, not that I updated. I still kept signed onto them offline so I could keep tabs on shit going on back home while hiding from Pierce. I walk over to my phone and immediately my heart stops.
A Facebook message from someone on my old cheer team not only confuses me but has my heart pounding. I’m so sorry about your loss, Sloane. I know you and Pierce broke up but that still has to be very