But I would never, ever see River as anything other than my best friend. I’d rather jerk off with sandpaper than risk losing her. My dysfunctional life would be…whatever’s worse than dysfunctional. Hell maybe?
River lets me go and bounces on the balls of her feet. “I can’t believe you’re finally here!”
“Eh-hem. And who is this goddess?” Ronno asks, wiggling his dark brows.
I flash an annoyed look at my new roomie. “This is River, my best friend since the second grade. She’s like a sister.” So back off, asshole.
“Hi, I’m Ronno. You new in town, cutie?”
“No. Third year,” she says. “But I’ve lived off campus for most of it at the Kappa Nu house.”
“Oh. Kappa Nu. The brainy beauties.” Ronno looks at me. “You didn’t mention that your best friend is a genius and a supermodel.”
River chuckles dismissively. “So what do you want to do first?” she asks me.
How’s hiding under my bed? I’ve taken all I can for one day.
I shrug. “Something chill.”
She presses her index finger into the dimple in her right cheek. She always does that when she thinks. “Well, you’ll get to see my place tonight. Why don’t we tour the university since you missed all that?”
When I was accepted, I hadn’t been sure if I’d want to live so far from home to finish my degree, so I skipped over all the newcomer bullcrap.
She continues, “Or maybe you want to eat first? I know a great pizza place.” She leans in close. “My friend works there, so he’ll sell us beer.”
River has about a month to go before her twenty-first birthday. I have about four months.
“I don’t drink, Riv,” I say. “And since when did you start?”
Ronno laughs at me. “Boy, I can tell you’re going to be loads of fun.”
“Do you mind?” I shoot him a dirty look.
“Sure, man.” Ronno holds up his hands in surrender. “I gotta go meet up with some friends anyway. Catch you later.” He turns to River and winks. “And I’ll be looking forward to your frequent visits.”
I can’t believe this guy. So full of himself.
River nods politely and waits until Ronno’s out of the room. “He doesn’t seem too bad.”
“Sure. If you don’t mind complete strangers eye-fucking your best friend.”
“Oh, stop.” River smacks my arm. “He’s harmless. So what do you want to do first?” She claps excitedly and jumps, making her tits jiggle. I will myself not to look, but they’re like magnets. “I’m just so happy you’re here! I’ve told all my sisters about you. Everyone can’t wait to meet you tonight.”
“What do you mean ‘everyone’?”
“The party. Remember? I texted you about it three weeks ago—the flowers fundraiser.”
“I thought you were raising money by selling flowers.”
“No, idiot. We’re the flowers. The Kappa Nus. The sorority house is decorated in flowers, donated from local shops, for the women’s shelter. We charge money to get in.”
I can’t handle a party. Not today. “It’s been a long day with the flying and—”
“Are you messing with me right now?” River’s frosty pink lips smash into a hard line. “I told all my sisters you’d be there.”
“So?”
“So I want them to meet you.” She folds her arms over her chest.
Don’t look. Don’t look at her chest. “You’d better not be trying to hook me up with—”
“What the hell, Huff? I told them about you because you’re my best friend, and they actually give a crap about me. And I thought you’d adjust better if you knew a few people.”
“So, like, it’s like a pity thing.”
“Dammit, Huff. Why do you have to turn this into some fucked-up drama? I’m trying to get you settled in quickly so you don’t freak out.”
“But a party is too much—”
“A party is the perfect place to celebrate! And I wouldn’t invite you to come if I wasn’t sure you’d enjoy it. Come on. You have to trust me.”
I suddenly feel like a dick. If anyone has my back, it’s River. “Sorry. I’m just a little messed up after that flight. First time away from home alone.”
Her hard eyes soften, and she takes my hand. “I know, moron. And I’m here for you. Always have been. Always will be. But what’s the point of you coming all this way if you’re just going to hide in this depressing dorm room? You have to embrace this new experience. It’s time, Huff.”
Her earnest gaze makes me take note. “I know,” I say quietly.
“Do you have any idea how happy that makes me? Do you know how much I’ve missed you since I moved away?”
Yes. I do. At first, we talked on the phone almost every day after her parents decided to move because they didn’t want River growing up under “the toxic cloud.” But every day turned into every other day. Eventually, it became once a week or whenever River had time. Seemed her parents kept her constantly busy. Probably a good choice.