Shallow River

“I’m River, it’s so nice to meet you.”

“What an interesting name,” he comments lightly.

“It’s where I was born,” I shrug. His eyebrows skyrocket in question, his attention now piqued.

Not very many people are born in rivers. It’s quite unsanitary. But that word sums up the entirety of Shallow Hill.

“But that’s a story for another day,” I laugh, hoping—praying—he’ll move on. He does with a tinge of reluctance, the unusual birthplace intriguing to him. I haven’t even told Ryan that story yet. Not that he’s ever asked.

It’s not a happy story anyway. Maybe he assumes that and doesn’t want to hear about my suffering because he loves me.

Or he’s just a dick and I’m delusional.

Just as I relax, a god walks through the foyer. At first, I’m convinced I’m the only one who sees him. Certainly, pointing out that Zeus’ evil, sexier twin is walking around in the human realm would make me sound crazy.

But then Ryan tenses into solid stone next to me. Maybe he has Medusa’s powers?

Julie ushers the man forward, encouraging an introduction.

Please don’t.

He’s tall—over six feet, but I’ve never been good at guessing heights. Ink black hair, a little longer on top than the sides, vivid green eyes that rival the grass outside, and tattoos. Tattoos everywhere.

“Are you his brother?” The question is out before I can stop it. I carefully arrange my face into innocent curiosity. Ryan’s stone limbs unhinge long enough to turn his head to glare at me. The approval disappears like smoke in the wind.

Strike two, River. Clearly, there’s strife between the two.

The man’s plump lips glide into a smirk. One that tells me he knows I never knew of his existence until now. That smirk may cause a visceral reaction inside of me I refuse to name or acknowledge, but too bad for him. He may be hot, but I’m in love with Ryan.

“I am,” he answers shortly. I’m rocked to the core when he speaks. His voice is as deep as the ocean, but smooth and creamy. He’s too perfect. One of the reasons why Ryan hates him. It hasn’t be

en said aloud. After all, I didn’t even know he existed until two minutes ago. But Ryan and I are attuned to each other now. I can feel what he feels. And hatred is rolling off him in waves.

A good girlfriend would hate him too, purely by association. Surely, there’s a good reason why Ryan hates him.

I hum, arranging my face into a blank expression. I won’t be outwardly rude to him in front of Julie and Matt, but I won’t make the mistake of being nice, either.

Julie’s delicate hand lands on his boulder of a bicep, a red tinge brightening her cheeks. “River, this is my other son, Mako. Mako, this is Ryan’s girlfriend, River,” Julie introduces, noting the lack of introduction her sons offered and eyeing them both with disapproval.

I offer a polite, “Nice to meet you, Mako.”

What a stupid name.

Again, he quirks that stupid brow like he knows what I’m thinking. And when he answers, it feels like he’s responding to my thought. “Likewise.”

Ryan subtly shifts his body in front of me. Stupid boy. He just gave away his insecurity.

I like that he’s insecure when it comes to me.

Mako notices, and his brow quirks higher. He doesn’t smirk. Or consider it a challenge. He just shakes his head and walks away.

Odd.

“You didn’t tell me you had a brother,” I whisper accusingly when Julie and Matt follow Mako towards the dining room.

“I don’t,” he clips before storming off after them.

You do, liar.