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“You’re coming too, right?” She tried to make it sound like an afterthought, but Blaire knew better. She had come to realize, in the brief time she’d known the girl, that Riley was very crafty and knew how to get things to go her way.

Lukas shrugged, muttering his agreement as he stared at the back of Blaire’s head, his arms crossed.

“There. With Lukas there to protect you, it’ll be fine. I mean, Aiden and I will be there too. We’re stronger than humans, so… yeah.”

Blaire huffed an exasperated sigh. What was the point of whispering if Riley was just going to blurt out the answer? Strangely, neither Lukas nor Aiden questioned her response.

“I wondered about that,” Blaire finally said, tilting her head. “After that guy ended up in the fountain, I wondered just how strong you are.”

“Stronger than humans, but we can’t, like, lift buses or rip trees out of the ground. That’s Hulk-level strong,” Riley said.

Aiden chuckled.

“So, yay! Movie night!” Riley bounced in her seat and looked at Blaire.

The professor at the front of the room shot a glare in their direction. “Miss Easton, I see you’re going with the method of drawing upon personal experiences. Care to tell the rest of the class how you plan to use movie night to develop the skills of structure and exposition in your response essay?” He crossed his arms and gave her a disapproving stare.

Several students turned their attention in their direction.

“Sorry, Professor Rutledge…” Riley smiled sheepishly before looking at Blaire and muttering, “I just thought it’d be romantic.”

Blaire’s face heated.

“Oooo, it looks like Blaire is excited about the date!” Riley exclaimed loudly, giggling at her own ridiculous humor.

“Miss Easton!”

“Sorry!”

Lukas raised an eyebrow, leaning over and resting his cheek against his fist, sticking his leg out under Blaire’s chair, which caused her to turn and look at him when her chair jerked, exposing how red she was for him to see. He smirked. That smirk did things to her insides. The deep sound vibrated through her as if he had done it right next to her ear.

She turned away quickly, feeling exposed. “It’s not a date.”

“Aw, it’s okay to admit you’re excited about going on a date with him. You’re becoming a serious bonded pair, after all.”

Blaire shook her head quickly, her face still flushed. “Nothing is happening between us,” she whispered.

Lukas lifted both brows, leaning to where he could see Blaire better, staring at her intently without speaking. Riley frowned as she looked between the two.

“You know, it would make for a pretty awkward date,” Aiden spoke up, breaking the tension starting to surface.

Riley looked at him in confusion. “What are you talking about?”

“Well, think about it. Do you think anyone would want to go on a double date with a brother and sister? The incest thing is creepy, don’t you think?”

“Ew, gross! Just because we’re close doesn’t mean we’re ‘close.’ Who would even think I’d be with you? I much prefer—Nope. Never mind.”

“Seth?” Aiden grinned at his little sister.

“Shut up. No. You need to leave that train of thought back at the station.”

Lukas laughed.

Blaire squeezed her fists on top of her desk. She knew Aiden didn’t mean anything by those words; he didn’t know her past. Besides, she wasn’t blood-related to Caleb, but she still couldn’t help but be reminded of her stepbrother and his unhealthy attraction to her.

“Oh shit,” Aiden said when he noticed Blaire and frowned.

Blaire looked over at him in confusion. “What?”