He turns to Reid, and I figure we’ve avoided the inevitable for as long as possible. I will Reid to not like crush his hand or something worse. Instead, Reid smiles.That’s worse, so much worse,my mind screams at me because that smile is cold and terrifying.
“I’m Reid.”
“Hey, Reid. I’m Peter.”
I bite my lip as Reid shakes Peter’s hand. I watch Peter very carefully. He’s either a really good actor, or Reid doesn't do anything to him. Peter steps closer to Riley and puts a hand on her back. I suck in a breath as Reid tracks his movement. “Do you want to head somewhere quiet so we can study?” Peter asks quietly, but we still all hear him.
I see just the slightest hesitation on Riley’s face, but she nods and smiles. “Sure.” She steps forward with Peter right behind her, but Reid steps into her path. She looks up at him and cocks an eyebrow.
“Your dad won’t let you study in your room with a guy.” His voice is low and quiet.
Riley's eyebrows nearly hit her hairline, and she laughs. “Uh, ok.” She tries to sidestep him, but Reid moves smoothly with her. Riley stares up at him. “Reid.”
“Riley,” he returns in a calm voice.
I watch the standoff with my heart pounding in my chest. “Peter,” Evie says, turning to the newcomer. “You should eat something.”
“Yes. Food,” I blurt out. “You should eat.”
Peter eyes Evie and I, and I force a bright smile to my face. Riley gives me a funny look that I ignore. “Riley, did you get a chance to eat yet?” Evie asks.
“Uh, yeah. I ate a little but—”
“You should eat more. Come on. Let’s all go eat.”
Riley frowns and looks at Peter. “Let’s go,” I practically yell.
Riley literally jumps. “You guys are acting weird.”
“No, we’re not.” I laugh and turn to Evie. “Are we acting weird?”
“No.” She gives a laugh that’s even worse than mine. “Food?”
Riley looks between the two of us again and shakes her head a moment before turning to Peter. “Alrighty then. I guess we should eat.”
Peter frowns. “I think we should head to your room and—”
“Eat.” Reid’s one word command has us all jumping.
“Good grief. Fine, we’ll eat,” Riley says. She walks past Reid and elbows him in the ribs, but he doesn’t respond in any way. I breathe a sigh of relief as I watch them walk towards the food, but it doesn’t last long because I’m pretty sure Peter has a one-track mind tonight. And I can guarantee it does not involve studying.
“You two are terrible wingmen,” Reid says in a low voice before walking over to where Riley and Peter are.
“Huh,” Evie says, watching him go. “He called us wingmen.”
“Yay us!” I fist bump her.
“What are you fist bumping for?” Slater suddenly asks from like right next to me.
“Oh good grief, how do you do that?!” I put my hand over my heart, which was already racing from the run-in with that Peter guy. Slater follows my gaze and frowns.
“Who’s the guy with Riley?”
“Peter,” Evie says.
“Why is he here?” Slater asks, still eyeing the guy.
“Well, apparently he’s Riley’s study buddy.”
