“What if someone could integrate certain frequencies into music that would force people to behave and think a certain way? Is it possible?” she asks without hesitation.
Yes, I know it is, but I don’t say that. Ican’tsay that, no matter how much she makes me want to.
So, instead I say, “I suppose it would be plausible, yes.” I need more from her. “If you don’t mind me asking, what is it that you’re working on?”
She doesn’t speak for several seconds, and I start to think that she won’t tell me. She nibbles on her lower lip, drawing my gaze to it. I hate the way I’m imagining what they would feel like against mine. Her voice pulls me from the thought.
“I’m researching Reverb and their sudden rise to fame. I mean, the fans are oddly …feral, don’t you think? It’s like they are under the influence of something that goes deeper than the music.” I don’t miss the way she grimaced when she calledmyfan base feral.
“Do you like them?” I ask, my words devoid of thought. I immediately wish that I could take the question back. Whether or not Sloane Keenanlikesmy band is not relevant, and I internally point a finger at my ego to stay the hell out of this.
Her cheeks flush a shade so light that I almost miss it. Hmm, that’s interesting. Now, she’s twirling her earring again. Definitely a nervous habit, then.
“I …” She takes a sip of her coffee before continuing. “I do. The songs are pretty good. I love the anonymity of it all, too. I think that it’s a beautiful depiction of someone who wants people to love him, his music, without compromise.” She pauses, looking off toward a crowd coming in, but not seeing them. There’s something else hidden behind her eyes.
“I also wonder if he’s afraid of being seen,” she adds. She doesn’t have to elaborate, because I know she doesn’t meanphysically. She doesn’t realize how right she is.
“Anyways,” she says, waving a hand in the air, “I’m sure you don’t wanna hear about that stuff. Do you think it’s possible, though?”
“Yeah. In theory. Look,” I say, getting back on track withmyprimary purpose for meeting with her. “I don’t think thatanything is going on with their music. Not like that. I think that this is how fan bases are now. Half of them have been loyal since the beginning, the followers who are truly in it for the music. The other half are bloodthirsty,feral, borderline psychotic, and with no sense of boundaries. Social media has made things so toxic nowadays.” It’s part truth, part lie.
She looks disappointed when she replies, “Um. Yeah. You’re right. Probably nothing to it.” She closes her notebook and pockets her pen, taking one last sip of her coffee to finish it off. I allow my eyes to linger there for a moment too long. I shouldn’t be staring at her the way that I am. I shouldn’twanther the way that I do. But fuck, if her circling those full lips around that straw doesn’t make my dick hard.Get it together, Riven. She’s just drinking coffee.
I attempt to rein myself in as she flutters her eyes up to mine. What I see in them is not helping this situation. I lose my grip, unraveling. The only thing that I want right now is to pull her into the darkness with me andneverlet her leave.
“Thank you, Professor Reilly,” she says sweetly, taking a step away before giving me the chance to respond. Before I can think better of it, I reach out and grab her wrist. That annoying inner voice of mine urges me to at least ease my grip, so I do. Her gaze flicks to mine as confusion, quickly followed by a hint of anger, crosses her features. The beat of her pulse speeds up against my grip, and I let go of her altogether.
“What are you …” she starts. I don’t let her continue. I get up and walk out, and I don’t look back.
10
Sloane
He left me standing here in the coffee shop alone. I’m racking my brain to try and understand what I did to make him grab me like that, to make himlookat me like that. It’s unnerving and also kind of exhilarating. I’m probably number one on his “do not answer this call” list now,great. I probably went too far and sounded like a complete lunatic with all the talk of mind control, and then going off on a tangent about Van. Geez, Sloane, can you not be a normal person for like two seconds? I’m about to walk out of the coffee shop when I get a text from Lydia.
Lyd:SLOANE! You won’t believe what I just got.
Sloane:Tell meeeeeeee!
Lyd:Reverb is doing a last-minute MEET AND GREET at Sanctum Studios in Hollowcrest, and we were formally invited.Oh, it’s tonight. Be ready for 6 pm. *kiss face emoji*
A meet and greet with Reverb isexactlywhat I need for my story. I wonder if they will take questions. Maybe I could try to get the name of the music producer. Wait. … did she say tonight? Did she say …invited? That’s weird. Why wouldIbe invite … shit. I look down at my watch. That leaves me an hour to get ready for this. I don’t bother with another text, pressing call instead. Lydia answers on one ring.
“Lydia! How did we get these tickets, andwhyare you just telling me now? What do you mean, we wereinvited? That’s literally inonehour.”
“Lo, come on. It’sReverb.Of course I got tickets. I’m their number one fan, duh. Let’s be so for real right now, babe.” She sounds so giddy, and I can’t find it in me to be mad at her. She never second-guesses a single thing in life. It’s probably her best and worst quality.
“I know. You’re such a psycho sometimes. You know that?” I tease.
“I do. It’s one of my finer traits, if I do say so myself.” She giggles. “Your place or mine?”
“Mine. I have to change. I had a meeting with this professor. I …”
“Professor? Um, Lo. Why are you holding out on me? Do tell.”
I laugh. “It’s nothing like that, Lyd. It was a work thing.”
“Mhmm. Sure. I’ve read this book. I know how it ends. Hot professor takes naughty school girl —”
