The Peer and the Puppet (When Rivals Play, #1) (121)

A wicked gleam appeared in his eyes. “It’s not for fashion.”

“So the rumors are true.” The intrusion of his nemesis had Ever stiffening.

I quickly pulled out of his arms as Jason, dressed as a pirate, strolled down the path on my right with his hands in his pockets. Of all the parties happening tonight, what were the odds we’d be at the same one? I zipped up the sweatshirt and tried to match Ever’s indifference but was finding it hard when he did it so effortlessly.

“I thought you learned by now that it’s bad for your health to provoke me,” Ever said suspiciously casual.

“Don’t mind me, King of Brynwood. I’m just enjoying a late-night stroll.” Jason shot me a lascivious smile before disappearing around the bend.

“Do you think he saw us?” My chest hurt from how hard my heart was pounding.

“He would have had a lot more to say if he had.” Taking my hand, he led me out of the maze.

Leaning against his car, drinking a beer, Jamie flashed us a knowing smile that wasn’t entirely friendly. “Took you guys long enough.” He glanced down and focused on a piece of torn tape hanging near my thigh. “Frankly, I wouldn’t have guessed this uptight prick was into exhibitionism. Especially when the fucker is getting married.”

Ever ignored him and held out his hand to me. “Give me the keys.”

“Aw,” I teased, forgetting Jamie’s misery. “Macho man doesn’t want to be driven home?” He smirked and fished the keys from my pocket. “How do I know you’re sober enough?”

“You didn’t leave me much choice. Man can’t even be wasted in peace,” he grumbled.

“I didn’t ask you to follow me.”

“Because you knew I would,” he smoothly retorted.

“Hey, Four,” Jamie interrupted, “didn’t you say it was some douchebag in a rubber suit who chased you?”

“Yeah,” I answered warily. Ever was now staring a hole in the side of my head. “Why?”

Rather than answer, Jamie pointed at the left side of the maze where Daniel Kim, cloaked in rubber and holding his mask, huddled in a circle with Max Cooper, Adam Turner, and…Jason Portland. Jason handed Daniel a beer, and they clinked the cans together while the others laughed outrageously, no doubt at my expense.

My jaw tightened at their triumph at the same time Ever charged. I stared after him with wide eyes. Surely, he wasn’t going to fight them? It was four against one! Not even Ever could beat those odds. A moment later, Jamie handed me his beer, cracked his knuckles with a smile, and hurried after his cousin.

Ever was only a couple of steps away by the time the guys noticed him. The first punch landed in Daniel’s gut, and then he immediately rammed his elbow into Jason’s face. Adam and Max were already backing down with hands raised, but Jamie didn’t seem to care when he delivered a mean two-piece and then an uppercut. I thought it was over until Ever picked up Daniel from the ground and whispered something in his ear. He then pointed a threatening finger at Jason before walking away calmer than he’d been a minute ago.

“You guys need to learn how to walk away from a fight,” I scolded when they reached me. “Or better yet, don’t start them.”

“Someone fucks with you, they fuck with us,” Jamie lipped. “Get used to it.”

“You didn’t have to hit those other guys,” I argued after we climbed into the Wrangler. “They clearly didn’t want to fight.”

“My hearing is impeccable,” he boasted. “Trust me, they had it coming.”

I let it go but not before noticing how Ever never bothered to defend his actions. Typical.

A couple of hours and one long, hot shower later, I was in bed replaying the events from tonight. It seemed that all Ever had to do was snap his fingers, and I was right back under his spell.

Slowly and quietly, my door opened, and he slipped inside.

“Am I welcome?”

Sighing, I sat up and pushed my hair behind my ear. “You know the answer to that, but you won’t care, will you?”

“I’d go if I knew you meant it.” If he was feeling cocky, he was smart enough not to show it.

“You’re inside my head now?”

“I don’t need to be. What you’re feeling is always on the surface. You don’t bother to hide—especially from me. I like that.” When I didn’t respond, he locked the door and then slid into bed with me. “Come here.” He began to peel away my nightclothes.

“W—what are you doing?” I sputtered.

“There’s too much between us already.”

I didn’t understand what that meant until he shed his pajama bottoms and wrapped his body around mine. It felt good to have his skin melded with mine. I tried not to focus on the other part of him touching me.

“I can’t believe I let tonight happen,” I whispered as I lay in his arms.

“If not today, then tomorrow. I told you, I’m not giving up.”

“Even after you’re married?” My tone dripped acid.

He took a deep breath and then released it slowly. “I give you my word it will never come to that.”

“Don’t make promises you can’t keep, McNamara.”

He didn’t respond, but I let him hold me anyway. It was the only thing keeping my heart from splitting in two.