The Punk and the Plaything (When Rivals Play Book 3) Read online

  I almost laughed when his eyes did that weird shit changing from a dull gray to a startling blue. I thought any moment now, his eyes would shoot lightning from their depths, and I’d be dust. The jealous fucker looked more pissed about me taking his place as her best friend than the possibility of me getting in her pants.

  Of course, it went without saying I’d never cross that line. At least, now I wouldn’t. A few months ago, I was close to falling to my knees and begging Lou to make me forget. My sink into depression was interrupted when Lou shoved my shoulder.

  “Do you know how much time and dignity it took me to wear him down? Leave him alone.”

  Since the two of them looked like they’d tag team my ass, I backed off with a shrug. “Are you going to help me or not?” I grilled her.

  “No,” Wren answered before she could.

  Rolling her eyes, Lou whirled on him before planting her hands on her hips. “Excuse me,” she snapped, giving me hope. “I have lips and a tongue—not to mention a brain. I can speak for myself.” She then faced me again before he could rebut. “Sorry, bestie.” Wren growled at her for calling me bestie, but then his lips tipped up in a satisfied smirk when she added, “Wren says I can’t.”

  She rounded the island, and he welcomed her onto his lap before wrapping his arms around her waist as I gave them both a blank stare.

  “I thought we’d broken past your ‘us against the world’ phase. We’re one big, happy family now, remember?”

  Wren was a former Exiled lieutenant, who came to Blackwood Keep seeking haven for Lou. She’d witnessed his boss murdering an innocent family, which had effectively ended Wren’s career as a criminal. In exchange for our protection, he offered to free Ever’s mom from Fox’s clutches. Ever and Wren both harrowingly held up their end of the bargain, though no one expected us to become attached. Now we have a reformed gangbanger and a still at-large pickpocket added to our merry band of misfits.

  Subtly, I patted my dress pants and sighed when I felt my wallet still tucked inside. Lou was as slick as she was brazen.

  “Yeah, and you’re asking us to help you sow discord in our newfound family,” Lou pointed out. “The answer is no.”

  “You mean Wren’s answer is no. Since when did you shy away from causing trouble?”

  Lou stumbling her way into my life was like a dream come true. Finally, I had a wingman I could count on to bring the mischief. Everyone else had a stick shoved up their asses. Four had once been a promising prospect, but then she and Ever went and fucked everything up by falling for each other. Sometimes I missed their rivalry. It got pretty boring in this sleepy town. Unfortunately, like Wren, Ever was determined to keep his girl on the straight and narrow.

  “Since you got her some time over my knee last week,” Wren cut in before Lou could respond.

  My eyebrows shot up when I glimpsed the red staining her cheeks before she hid her face in his chest. Guess he wasn’t kidding.

  “Which reminds me,” he drawled, “I owe you a black eye.”

  He started to rise from the stool, but Lou quickly wrapped her arms around his neck, keeping him in place. “Let’s just hear him out,” she pleaded.

  “I did hear his plan,” Wren shot back. “It’s sneaky, cruel, and not our business.”

  “But aren’t you a little curious what the hell is going on?”

  “No.”

  “Please,” she whined. “I’ll let you put it in my butt,” she tried to whisper but failed.

  “The fuck?” I yelped before I could catch myself. I felt like the biggest cockblocker when Lou squealed and hid her face again, causing Wren to glare at me over her head.

  Not cool, man, his expression read.

  I scrubbed a hand down my face, realizing there was no way in hell I was getting them on board now. “Fine. Fuck it.” I started to turn, assuming defeat, but then I snapped my fingers. “Almost forgot. Vaughn wanted me to invite you two over tomorrow morning. We’re having brunch.” Vaughn and Tyra were the first to be crossed off my list. Not only were they Four and Ever’s best friends, making them the easiest pawns to capture, but I knew they were just as eager for answers.

  “Fucking rich people,” Lou muttered.

  Wren snickered before sparing me a glance. “We’ll be there.” He dismissed me by whispering in Lou’s ear, probably eager to revisit a certain conversation.

  Nodding, I used both fingers to flip them off before starting for their front door. Of course, neither of them noticed. I didn’t dare let my grin free until I stepped outside and inhaled the morning’s fresh air.

  Check-fucking-mate.

  Well… almost.

  I still had the guests of honor to invite.

  The sound of Brynwood’s bell signaling the end of the school day startled me out of my impromptu nap. I slowly rose from my lounge against my Jeep’s windshield and stretched just as the front doors burst open. Searching the crowd, my gaze connected with Tyra, who rolled her eyes, and then Vaughn, who greeted me with his chin as he forced her toward his ride. I couldn’t help but snicker at the odd pair. Vaughn was too damaged for goody-two-shoes Tyra, but she seemed to be handling her own. No one, least of all me, had thought she’d last or hold Vaughn’s interest for this long. Before Tyra, it was normal to witness two girls attempt to claim him by ripping each other’s throats out, and after they had finished, Vaughn would pretend he’d never met either one of them.

  A few minutes after Vaughn peeled out of the parking lot in his white Lamborghini—a bribe from his father—Four appeared. I watched as she searched the parking lot, and my chest tightened at the warm smile she flashed when she spotted me. I already had my arms out by the time she reached me, and she stepped into them.

  “It’s so weird,” she spoke into my chest, her voice muffled, but I heard every word. “I keep looking for you in the hall. How does it feel to be done with school finally?”

  “Like I have too much time on my hands.”

  She lifted her head and met my gaze. “You should stay out of your head.”

  “Believe me, if I could, I would.”

  She chewed on her lip before taking a step back and crossing her arms. “So what did you do today?”

  “I went to see Wren and Lou…” I hesitated before lying through my teeth, “and then I came here.”

  “You’ve been sitting out here all day?”

  I shrugged. “It’s a beautiful day.”

  She looked me over as if she had just noticed my appearance before squinting. “You’re pretty dolled up for sitting around.”

  Leaning against the hood of my Jeep, I reached into my pocket and pulled out a fresh pack of smokes. I was going through half a pack a day now. “Want one?” I offered.

  “Hell no, and don’t change the subject. Why are you dressed up?”

  “I’m not—not really.”

  “You’re wearing a tie.” She looked down, and then her eyes bugged out of her head. “Is your shirt tucked in?”

  “Force of habit.”

  “Nice try, but you never followed the dress code. I’m sure Mrs. Adams is relieved that she doesn’t have to write you up every day now,” Four retorted, referring to the school counselor.

  “Please. She only pretended to care to cover up the fact that she kept staring at my dick.”

  “Then stop offering to show it to her!” Four shouted. When I simply grinned, she rolled her eyes and folded her arms over her chest. “So how do you explain the dress shoes?”

  “You’re wearing them,” I pointed out.

  “Not. Willingly.”

  I took a second to light up as I searched for a way out of this conversation. I didn’t want to tell her that I’d been in the city all day or even why. It would only demand more answers that would hurt too many people.

  I only truly gave a fuck about hurting one, though. It may not have been my choice to lie to him, but it had been my choice to keep it going.

  “Hey, what’s up?” Ever greeted. Trapped inside the w
hirlwind that is my head, I didn’t even notice him walking up. “What’d you do now?” He immediately grilled me when he saw the look on Four’s face.

  Their identical glowers were evidence that Four and my cousin were genuinely becoming one. It took most couples ten years to achieve this level of synchronicity.

  “Oh, thank fuck.” I sighed, feigning relief, though my stomach had turned even more with Ever standing in front of me. “Keep your woman out of my business.”

  Ever’s gaze shot down to Four, and the look she gave him dared him to try. I rolled my eyes when he shrugged and regarded me once more. I was almost disgusted at how pussy-whipped he’d become and in such a short time. By contrast, my respect for Four only grew.

  “Why are you dressed up?” he asked, echoing Four.

  Rising to my full height, I flicked my unfinished cigarette into the grass and yanked open the driver’s door. “We’re having brunch at Vaughn’s tomorrow morning,” I announced, ignoring his question. “Be there, and bring your other woman, too.”

  I didn’t wait for a response or even a sign that they’d show up before speeding out of the parking lot. I made it a mile down the road before my phone beeped with a text. Glancing at the screen, I quickly read the short message.

  Lil’ Lou Who: I’m in.

  Smirking, I threw my phone on the dash. One way or another, I’d get answers. They could all bet their life on that.

  “EXACTLY WHERE ARE YOU TAKING my daughter dressed like a hoodlum?”

  I cringed at the disgust in my father’s tone, all the while wishing I could muzzle him. I knew he wouldn’t be addressing my “fiancé” that way if he knew Ever was aware that our family was at his mercy. Elliot Montgomery enjoyed having control almost as much as he enjoyed spending money he didn’t have.

  “We were invited to brunch,” Ever replied, barely concealing an eye roll. “I don’t need a tie to eat.”

  I cringed even harder this time at the defiance in Ever’s tone. As if showing up in sweatpants and a T-shirt with his hair still mussed from sleep wasn’t bad e-fucking-nough.

  I sighed, feeling resigned to the inevitable.

  Our charade had nearly run its course, and it was only a matter of time before Ever jumped ship.

  I expected to feel my heart quake from fear, but instead, I inhaled the fresh air blowing in from the open window of my father’s office until it filled my lungs. I didn’t have time to wring my hands like some damsel. I’d rather take my fate into them.

  “You do if it’s my daughter on your arm,” my father countered.

  “But I won’t have your daughter on my arm,” Ever slowly replied, and my gaze narrowed at the hidden meaning. “I’ll have my fiancée.” He finally looked my way, grinned, and winked.

  I made a mental note to draw and quarter his balls later.

  “Yes, well, I haven’t walked her down the aisle yet, which means her best interests are still my responsibility.”

  I almost snorted, but according to Mother, ladies don’t snort, so I settled for a subtle eye roll instead. And just in case my father happened to see, I rapidly blinked as I picked at my eye with a perfectly manicured nail. I’d tell him there was an eyelash stuck in it if he asked, but he didn’t. He’d likely already forgotten that I was in the room.

  “Brunch will be an intimate affair with a friend of the family. We won’t be in the public eye.”

  “And who is this friend of the family?”

  “Vaughn Rees.”

  My father’s thick brows pulled down even further at Ever’s answer. “I’m not sure I want my daughter in the company of a Rees.”

  “Our fathers have been considering business together. It’s in everyone’s best interest that we push aside our personal feelings.”

  My father’s only response was to sit back in his chair, and after a moment of contemplation, he nodded to me. Elliot Montgomery would never pass up the chance for more money. Money that he’d never get his hands on if I had anything to say about it.

  I crossed the room on the Mary-Jane Prada pumps my mom insisted I wear. Just as I cleared the door, I heard my father speak. The light feeling that came during the rare times I was free of my father’s thumb dissipated at his demand.

  “Have her back in two hours, or you won’t see her again until your wedding day.”

  Ever’s back was already turned, so my father couldn’t see the dark expression that clouded his face, but I did. I also knew there would be serious trouble if I didn’t separate them right now.

  Grabbing Ever’s hand, I pulled him toward the front door. I actually broke a sweat since he was resisting a little. Somehow, I managed to get him out the front door. The moment we stepped outside, I spotted Four leaning against the passenger door of the G-Wagon. She wiggled her fingers in greeting, but when she caught our hands clutched together, her eyebrow rose. I dropped his hand as if it were made of hot coals, which only made her grin harder. Even though touching Ever had been innocent and extremely necessary, I had trouble meeting Four’s gaze. The shame sweeping over me made me loathe this arrangement even more. I almost wish she’d done what any woman would have and kept Ever’s ring when I’d given it back to her. When I cornered her in the girl’s bathroom five months ago, it was the last thing I’d expected.

  “It’s not like Ever and I could go public, anyway,” Four reasoned as she lifted the ring I’d laid on the counter. “Our parents are still dating, and Rosalyn”—Four exhaled as her shoulders sagged—“she wouldn’t take the news well. She’ll just think I’m trying to ruin her relationship with Thomas. I don’t want her to get sick again.”

  “What are you talking about?” I prodded with a frown. If Rosalyn was her mother, why did she call her by her first name? And why would Four dating Ever make her mother sick?

  “It doesn’t matter now,” Four answered cryptically. And then she handed me the ring. What the hell? “Think of this as you doing me a solid too. Us girls have to stick together, right?”

  “I don’t think this is what they meant.”

  A small smile was Four’s only response, and despite the fact that I felt weird about it, I gave her a hesitant smile back as I accepted the ring. I had the feeling this wasn’t going to end well for anyone.

  “Trouble with your future in-laws?” Four jested, jerking me back to the present as we climbed inside Ever’s truck.

  Ever gave her a look that said, “Not now,” and I concurred as I leaned my head back and closed my eyes. Feeling someone watching me, I popped them open seconds later and found Four leaning around her seat in the front.

  “Are you okay?” The furrow between her brows made me think her concern was genuine. Since we didn’t know each other all that well, I wasn’t ready to get my hopes up that we could be friends. I was fake dating her boyfriend while she hid in the shadows as his dirty little secret. How could I ever expect her to get past that?

  “I’m fine.” It was obvious she wasn’t convinced when she continued to stare. “Do you really care?” I asked after a few seconds passed, and I begin to squirm.

  Shrugging, she turned to face forward. “I don’t have to if you prefer.”

  I was grateful she was no longer watching me when I felt a smile tugging at my lips. I didn’t want to like Four, but I did. I couldn’t help myself. Four was everything I wished I could be again, and if I could have met her years ago, I would have gladly traded the guys for her. Regret shoved aside my envy, but before I could apologize, Ever sighed loudly, shutting us both up. The truck was silent for the remainder of the ride.

  When we arrived at Vaughn’s, I sat up abruptly, seeing the red Jeep parked in the driveway. I looked to Ever and found him already watching me over his shoulder.

  “We can leave if you’re not comfortable.”

  Yes! Leave! That was an option. Why hadn’t I thought of that?

  Some long-forgotten cord in my chest tightened at the thought of seeing Jamie. Each time was like the first—a lot of panic and anticipation. Jamie�
��s moods were as unpredictable as his intentions, so I was always on my toes.

  I bet he’d rather you be on your knees.

  I felt my fists ball as my chin lifted. I didn’t want or need Jamie’s mercy. We both knew who still had the upper hand anyway. “It’s fine.” It would be a cold day in hell before I let Jameson Buchanan run me off. When I ran, it would be my choice.

  I climbed out of the truck, and they followed. Ever rang the doorbell, and Vaughn answered, looking us over before rubbing his brow. That was his tell when he was agitated, so I knew Jamie must have been in rare form today.

  Squaring my shoulders, I was the first to step inside, and while it was probably rude, I didn’t wait for Vaughn to show me the way. I needed to do this on my own.

  Following the voices, I made my way to the kitchen and paused in the entryway. It was only seconds before my bravado faded. Wren, Lou, Tyra, and Jamie were standing around a huge breakfast spread, and each one of their smiles faded away the moment they saw me. The only one who didn’t seem surprised was Jamie.

  I shook away the crushing feeling at their reactions and plastered on a gracious smile. My mom once made me practice it for hours in the mirror until I got it right. I should have been used to being unwanted. A guilty pang shot through me because that hadn’t always been the case. Against my will, my gaze traveled to Jamie. Those brown eyes of his immediately pulled me in, so I looked away before I could fall too deep.

  Jamie’s snort drew my gaze back to him. He was sneering now. “Coy doesn’t fit you, Barbette. Although, with a body like yours—”

  Thankfully, he didn’t get to finish his train of thought because Lou had pinched his lips shut. She’d actually taken her fingers and forced his lips together. Glancing my way, she winked, and I couldn’t help my small smile. I didn’t need rescuing, although my present circumstances gave a different impression. Still, it was good to know I had backup. Catty women were the norm, and although they were wary of me, I didn’t get that vibe from Four, Lou, or Tyra.

  After a few seconds, Wren jealously grabbed Lou’s hand and pulled her away from Jamie. I watched, failing to hide my amusement as he wrapped his arms around her waist and used his hips to press hers against the counter when she squirmed to get free.