The Punk and the Plaything (When Rivals Play Book 3) Page 5

  At first.

  There was this boy—tall, lanky, and dressed in all black. The sun shining through the leaves of the tree he was holding up highlighted the red in his lush brown hair. His eyes were closed as he held his cupped hands to his mouth, oblivious to the stares of everyone around him. I was sure I’d never seen him before yet I couldn’t take my eyes away as he played what I could only guess was a harmonica. It wasn’t until he reached the end of the number that he slowly opened his eyes and lowered his hands, letting me see the sensual set of his wide mouth. His head suddenly swiveled my way and then he grinned, lazily pushing away from the tree as if the world personally spun to his rhyme. I held my breath as I stood transfixed.

  Did I mention he was achingly beautiful?

  As I stared at him, the pain in my belly increased until it felt like I was being stabbed from the inside.

  Something this good couldn’t be true, which meant he had to be bad news.

  “What the hell?” Ever exclaimed as he and Vaughn walked right up to him. Suddenly, I felt punched in the gut. It was obvious that they knew each other.“Jamie?”

  “Who the hell else could I be?” Trouble shot back.

  My lips flattened as I watched the hypnotic roll of Jamie’s hips as he met my friends halfway. Someone was mighty sure of himself.

  The boys hugged, being careful not to let their embrace linger too long and risk appearing less macho. The newcomer then turned to Vaughn, and to my surprise, they embraced, too. Wide grins covered each of their faces, and I could already see the mischief brewing in their eyes. I shifted uncomfortably because, for whatever reason, I felt left out.

  They were happy to see their friend, which was perfectly understandable.

  Except my gut wouldn’t stop warning me that the tide was changing, and there was nothing I could do to stop it. And when faced with danger, I did what any sane person would do.

  I turned and ran the other way.

  There were no calls for me to come back as I fled the park, which meant my friends hadn’t even noticed I had left. I ran all the way home, and though I was drenched in sweat and out of breath, the tumbles in my tummy hadn’t stopped. It felt as if I’d left a piece of myself back there, and I was sure it was my pride. I’d run like a coward, and I didn’t even know why. Pressing a hand to my lower stomach, I frowned. The fluttering had finally ceased, but now it felt like my insides where being wrung dry, ebbing every few seconds, and leaving behind a dull ache. My skin was warm, and it had nothing to do with the sun beaming down on me like my own personal spotlight. A few seconds later, I was grateful there was no one around when I doubled over. A small cry even slipped through my lips. And then another cramp hit me before I could straighten.

  Now I wasn’t one to curse. Mother said it isn’t ladylike.

  But what the hell?

  I limped through the gates and slowly made my way up the drive, not stopping until I reached my private bath. Normally, I’d turn up my nose at all the pink walls and decorations my mother insisted on, but there was no time. Suddenly, the baggy cargo shorts were too constricting, so I hurriedly unbuttoned them and shoved them down my trembling legs. When it still felt like my stomach was being squeezed, I realized it was the elastic in my panties. In a moment of desperation, I shoved them off, too, and the sight of blood immediately brought tears to my eyes.

  Something was wrong, and I didn’t know what to do, so I did what any little girl who was sure she was dying would.

  I screamed for my mother.

  I stepped outside and breathed in the fresh air. It had been five days since I started my period, and thankfully, the nightmare was finally over. I’d cried fresh tears when my mother informed me that I’d have to endure that every month. At least until menopause. I didn’t know what that meant, but I couldn’t wait more than ever now to grow up.

  Hopping on my bike, I pedaled as fast as I could to Ever’s house. He didn’t live far, but on a bike, it felt like forever. Part of the reason I was so eager was because I hadn’t seen my crew in almost a week. I’d been avoiding them out of embarrassment. Thankfully, the only excuse my parents had given my friends when they eventually came looking for me was that I was sick.

  I was sweaty and out of breath, not to mention my thighs burned when I reached the humongous house Ever lived in. It had everything—two pools, a theater with every movie ever made, and even an elevator, though Ever said it was reserved for the hired hands.

  I reached the end of the drive and frowned when I found four bikes already lying by the stairs. I didn’t recognize the black one with red wheels.

  Ringing the doorbell, I smiled when Mrs. Greene, their housekeeper, answered. “Oh, Barbette! I’m glad to see you’re feeling better. Ever said you were sick.”

  “Yup, but I’m all better now!”

  “I can see that.” With a smile, she stepped aside.

  I ran inside, but the sound of her clearing her throat had me slowing my stride. “Sorry,” I said, giggling. “I forgot.”

  “That’s okay. I made chocolate chip cookies. They’re just fresh from the oven.” Mrs. Greene pinched my cheek as she passed.

  As eager as I was to see my friends, I couldn’t resist Mrs. Greene’s cookies. Once again forgetting her rule about running inside, I charged into the kitchen only to stop short at the sight of a boy I didn’t know but recognized. He was alone, standing in front of the counter, shoving a cookie in his trap while clutching five more in his fist. I looked at the platter resting on the island. There were only crumbs left.

  By the time my gaze returned to him, I had found him watching me as he chewed slowly. I was completely tongue-tied as I took in his reddish-brown hair and lanky frame underneath the plain white T-shirt and red swimming trunks. My attention was drawn to his wide mouth when he licked a crumb from his pink lips. Those lips doing strange things to my insides started moving, and I realized he was talking.

  “You lost, bro?”

  Bro? It was the first time anyone had ever called me that. Not even Ever and Vaughn, though they called each other bro plenty. I realized then that Jamie thought I was a boy. It was also the first time I’d become self-conscious about my appearance.

  Getting my first period hadn’t been the only major thing to go down this week. For some reason, my mother had been more adamant than ever that I stop hanging out so much with the guys. I didn’t understand the big deal, and she seemed reluctant to explain it to me other than mumbling something about boys going through puberty, too.

  It wasn’t the first time she’d tried to steer me toward girls, but for some reason, I’d taken it harder this time than all the others and… cut my hair. Now that I was out of the red fog, I felt silly for doing it. I could still hear my mother’s horrified screams when she found me with my hair, covering every inch of the bathroom floor. Gone were my long tresses, and what remained barely extended past my ear. Per usual, I wore my red ball cap hiding what I’d done underneath.

  “No,” I answered before clearing my throat when my voice came out all squeaky. “I’m looking for Ever,” I said as deeply as I could. I don’t know why, but I didn’t want Ever’s cousin to know that I was a girl just yet. I’d grown breasts a couple of years ago, but thankfully, my baggy T-shirt kept them hidden. It also helped that I was taller than most girls—as tall as Ever and Vaughn—so he had no reason to be suspicious.

  Jamie’s eyes narrowed as if hearing my thoughts.

  When he began studying my face, I fought the urge to turn my cap around. I’d worn it backward, giving him full access to my face. I cursed my overly long eyelashes that made my blue eyes seem brighter and rounder and my face softer, more feminine.

  “He’s out back by the pool,” he finally offered.

  I guess that explains the swimming trunks.

  “Thanks,” I mumbled. I started for the family room that led out into the backyard and the massive pool the McNamaras owned when I stopped in the threshold. Spinning around, I found Jamie with his back tu
rned, rifling through the refrigerator with one hand and the last of the cookies in the other. “I’m Bee, by the way.”

  He didn’t bother facing me when he said, “Figured that out while you were staring, man.”

  My cheeks heated, and I knew my face had turned beet red. I suddenly felt shy. Like I’d been caught red-handed crushing. I didn’t even know this kid and wasn’t so sure I’d like him once I did. My embarrassment morphed into confusion, however, when I realized Jamie knew who I was but had still mistaken me for a boy. How could that be if Ever had clearly mentioned me?

  Kicking the fridge closed, he started toward me with an arm full of waters. I counted at least seven.

  “And you’re Ever’s cousin, Jamie?”

  “Maybe,” he cheekily replied as he brushed past me.

  I followed him out, the voices and sound of water splashing growing louder with each step. The moment the pool came into view, I stopped while Jamie kept going. Horsing around in the pool was Ever, Vaughn, and Jason, but they weren’t alone. Olivia and two of her friends were there, as well, and they all seemed to be having the time of their life.

  I’m not sure why the scene rubbed me the wrong way, but my unease only heightened when Jamie set his load down on one of the patio tables near the edge of the pool, lifted his T-shirt over his head, and backed away. My brows furrowed, but then seconds later, my confusion cleared when he sprinted full speed for the pool.

  The girls squealed and rushed to get out of the way while Ever, Vaughn, and Jason cheered at the huge splash he made when he hit the water. The girls were now giggling and batting their eyelashes, and I fought an eye roll. None of them seemed too concerned with the fact the pool was shallow and that Jamie could have been hurt.

  I moved to the top of the steps, but I went unnoticed and forgotten as I stood there, watching the scene unfold. I didn’t like what I was seeing as two of Olivia’s friends immediately gravitated toward Jamie. They circled him, but with the way he grinned at them, I was positive he was the predator, and they were the prey. They’d fallen right into his trap.

  Not liking the feelings stirring from watching him, I forced my gaze away, and it landed on Olivia. Shyly, she peeked at Ever from under her eyelashes, waiting for him to notice her. Completely unaware of her attention, Ever pounced on Vaughn, putting him in a headlock. Ever was faster, but Vaughn was stronger and broke free in no time before tackling Ever and driving him underwater.

  My heart thundered in my chest when Ever’s head came within an inch of hitting the bottom. Breaking free of the panic seizing my body, I quickly descended the stairs.

  I’d seen enough.

  Before I could speak and tell them to quit being so stupid, a gentle but authoritative voice beat me to the punch. “What did I tell you boys about roughhousing in the pool?”

  I spun around and found Ever’s mom standing at the top of the steps with her hands on her hips, wearing a no-nonsense expression. Her dark-brown hair was cut short, curling around her ears and nape and covering her forehead, but unlike mine, there was nothing boyish about it. Paired with her olive skin and brown eyes that almost seemed gold under the sun, Mrs. McNamara could knock the breath out of any man.

  “Sorry, Mom.” Ever immediately left the pool but stopped short when he spotted me. “Bee?” I balked at the question in his tone. It had only been less than a week. Had he forgotten me already? “What are you doing here?” he asked when I said nothing.

  “I’m sorry,” I said, feeling out place and betrayed. I guess those hormones my mom tried explaining to me hadn’t completely returned to normal. “I didn’t realize you were busy. I’ll leave,” I pushed through my teeth. I wondered if I had a right to be mad, but he was my best friend, wasn’t he? If so, then why did it seem like he’d been content without me?

  I turned to go, but he caught my shoulders and spun me back around. “Go? I missed you like crazy!” he shouted, pulling me into a hug. “Welcome back.”

  He pulled away, and I returned the goofy grin he wore as something fluttered in my chest. “Only you missed me?”

  “I guess Vaughn and J missed you, too,” he admitted, “but I missed you more.” He shrugged, daring anyone to challenge his claim, and my heart skipped a beat. Although I’d never welcomed my feelings for Ever before, I did today.

  Mrs. McNamara came to stand next to us. “Bee, I’m glad to see you’re feeling better,” she greeted warmly.

  “I am. Thank you.”

  She started to say something to her son when something caught her eye, drawing our attention as well. “Jamie, I need you to put at least two feet between you and those girls this instant. Don’t make me call your mother.”

  I snickered at the panicked look on Jamie’s face as he swam away.

  Mrs. McNamara returned inside after giving everyone a final warning. The girls pouted when Jamie lifted his body from the pool, and my smugness fell away when I got a full look at his bare chest. He was still developing, but from the looks of it, he was developing well. I watched transfixed as beads of water ran down his tanned skin, and suddenly, my tongue felt dangerously dry. Turning away, I stomped toward the table where Jamie had left the water and quickly unscrewed the cap on one before downing half the bottle. Feeling evil, I grabbed one of the cookies he obviously intended to hog for himself.

  Jamie was at my side before I could take a bite.

  “Those are mine,” he growled.

  “Mrs. Greene made them for everyone. You’re supposed to share.”

  “Give it back,” he demanded. Clearly, he hadn’t heard a word I’d said.

  “No.” I started to bite into one when he snatched the cookie from my hand and pushed me down. I grunted in pain when I hit the concrete, but Jamie had little remorse as he slowly licked the cookie without taking his gaze from me. Once finished, he did the same thing to the others.

  “Still want one?”

  I didn’t say anything as rage boiled the blood in my veins. Before I knew it, I was on my feet, enjoying the flash of fear in Jamie’s eyes as I charged for him. My hands slammed against his wet chest and sent him sprawling back into the pool. The girls he’d been flirting with were once again scrambling for safety. I watched, feeling triumphant as he struggled to break free of the water. Once he finally did, he sputtered to catch his breath.

  The cookies he’d tried to hog floated around him in a soggy mess.

  “Hey, Jamie?” I called once he had cleared his lungs. He was still blinking the water from his eyes, but I could see the anger in them when they landed on me. “Still want one?”

  “Daaaamn, Bee,” Vaughn whispered.

  I was startled to find Ever, Vaughn, and Jason standing behind me. I hadn’t even noticed Vaughn and Jason had left the pool. I knew they’d been reacting to instinct at seeing me get pushed down. It wasn’t the first time a boy tried to punk me, but Ever, Vaughn, and Jason were usually the ones fighting my battles.

  Not this time.

  Hearing water splash, I turned my attention to the pool in time to see Jamie climbing over the edge. He started for me, and I took a step back at the look in his eyes.

  He sent me running with three words.

  “You’re dead meat.”

  Present

  I STROLLED INTO THE KITCHEN and found my uncle sipping at his coffee with a newspaper in hand. “Late morning for you, isn’t it?”

  Even though it was a Sunday, my uncle rarely took a day off. I had the feeling he was trying to correct a mistake he made a long time ago. Sooner or later, he’d realize that he was on a suicide mission. My cousin was a lot of things, with manipulative asshole being at the top of the list, but he was no fool. When the truth came to light, there would be no amount of money that could compensate for the lies he’d been fed since he was a child.

  “I thought I’d take the day off… handle some things on the home front.”

  His answer had me pausing, wondering what and how much he knew. He gave nothing away as he continued to sip at his coffee
, but I knew better than to underestimate him.

  “Have you seen Four?” he questioned as I poured a cup of coffee. “I need to talk to her about her mother.”

  I forced a frown, feigning confusion as I took a sip from my mug. “She’s not in her room?”

  “I knocked on her door but got no answer. I checked all the spares and then everywhere else. The only rooms I haven’t checked yet is yours… and my son’s.”

  I choked on my coffee.

  When I finally caught my breath, blinking to clear my vision as well, my voice was hoarse when I spoke. “She probably went over to Tyra’s.” This early in the morning, I doubted it, but what else was there to say? Uncle Thomas had finally handed over the keys to Four’s bike when he came home early one day and caught Ever breaking into his safe. The confrontation had been amusing, to say the least, and was most likely the cause of my uncle’s current suspicions. A lot of good it did Four since Ever still insisted most days that his woman ride with him.

  “I thought that too, except her bike is still in the garage.”

  Snatching one of Mrs. Green’s muffins from the wicker basket, I stuffed it into my mouth as fast as I could. I hated banana nut, but it was better than the shit that might come spewing out.

  Amusement crossed Uncle Thomas’s face before he sighed and set his mug on the table. “So be it.”

  I suddenly wished I hadn’t left my phone in my room as I watched him stroll from the kitchen. There was no way for me to warn Four and Ever about the coming storm, so I popped a squat and grabbed another muffin, then remembered it was banana nut and tossed it to the side. I started for the fridge when I remembered that just a few miles away, brunch would be taking place, and Ever, to his misfortune, wouldn’t make it. It had been a month since the intervention, and not a goddamn thing had changed. Ever was still pretending he was in love with my girl, and Four and Bee were both going along with it. Something was up, and not knowing the answer kept me up at night. I’d long ago ceased considering the possibility that it could be true. Thanks to Four, I’d seen what Ever in love looked like. I’d also seen what Bee in love looked like. I’d felt it, too.