The Peer and the Puppet (When Rivals Play, #1) (123)

“Hard to be over when we never started.” The doorbell rang, so I grabbed my phone and after a moment’s hesitation, the little purse a teary-eyed Rosalyn loaned me before heading out for her own date night. As much as I didn’t want to be seen with such a feminine thing, I could never deny her. I knew too well how much it hurt.

And if I ever had the courage, I would one day admit that against my will I truly loved Rosalyn.

As I stuffed my wallet, phone, Chapstick, and mace inside, I wondered if the purse was simply her sign of approval or a peace offering. It had been more than a week since she handed over my birth certificate, and since then, we’d gone back to living our separate lives.

“Thanks for looking after Jay D.”

“Yeah, sure,” Tyra absently replied.

I waved goodbye, but lost in her head, she didn’t wave back.

Not wanting to keep Michael waiting, I left her to her thoughts and headed for the stairs. When I reached them, I froze on the landing and gaped at the scene happening below.

Vaughn held Michael against the wall with a hand on his shoulder while Jamie boldly reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out his wallet. No. Oh, fuck no.

“ID, credit cards, club cards…condoms?” Jamie clicked his tongue and pulled out the foil wrappers. “Won’t be needing those, playboy.”

I practically leaped down the stairs. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

Michael sagged with relief while Vaughn dropped his arm and said, “Just making sure your friend will be the perfect gentleman.”

I crossed my arms. “Who asked you to butt in?”

“Sheathe your claws, kitten. You’re lucky we’re letting you go at all.”

I whirled on Jamie. “Excuse me?” What the hell made them think they could stop me?

“You heard me.”

“Vaughn, you promised!” Tyra shrieked as she flew down the stairs.

“I said I wouldn’t kick his ass.” He shrugged while keeping his expression perfectly blank. “I didn’t.”

I started to apologize to Michael when the source of my current woes appeared at the top of the stairs. Ever was dressed casually in a white long-sleeve and dark jeans. He was obviously heading somewhere, but he didn’t move, and the black look he gave Michael sent a chill down my spine.

“Her curfew is at ten,” Vaughn supplied. “Have her home by nine, or we go hunting.”

I didn’t waste time grabbing Michael’s hand, but we were kept from leaving by Jamie, who insolently took our clasped hands and separated them. “There’s a no touching clause.”

I’d had enough.

I marched to the bottom of the stairs, and Ever’s gaze swept me as I did. Even through the anger, I could see his desire. “Call off your guard dogs and don’t interfere.”

He lifted his chin. “Or what?”

With a grace I didn’t realize I possessed, I turned on my heel and peeked over my shoulder as I swayed toward my nervous date. “You really want to find out?”




“How’s your milkshake?”

“Yummy, thank you. I’ve never had to eat one with a spoon before, though. They were better off just serving a bowl of ice cream.”

He tried his luck, but the shake didn’t make it very far up the straw. “You might be right.”

“It’s a gift.” I sighed, making him laugh.

Michael had chosen a pizzeria for our date, and I had to admit, it was going well despite the messy start. Michael and I even had some things in common: Sloppy Joes, Sons of Anarchy, and an aversion to country music. But when he claimed NASCAR was boring, I seriously questioned seeing him after tonight.

“So, if you don’t mind my asking…”

Please don’t bring him up.

“What was that all about earlier?”

I sighed and slumped a little in my seat. Rosalyn, if she could see me now, would just die. Michael had been gracious when I apologized and didn’t ask questions. I had hoped it would be left at that. Especially since he now knew Ever and I were more than just house buddies.

“I don’t mean to pry,” he rushed to add. “I never minded the rumors about you and him because I thought they were just rumors.”

My heart sank. Was I being dumped? Already?

“After what I saw tonight, I’m not so sure. I like you a lot, but I don’t want to get in the middle of anything.”

“There’s no beginning, middle, or end. Ever is engaged to Barbie. I’m just the girl who sleeps across the hall.”

“So tonight was?” He looked hopeful but wary.

“Ever toying with me for the last time.”

Seemingly satisfied, he nodded, and we managed to get through the rest of our meal without either one of us bringing up Ever McNamara.

“Laugh all you want, but if I go down again, I’m taking you with me.”

After dinner, Michael took me to the local skating rink. Neither of us was any good, but it was fun to watch each other fall.

“You can try, but I have at least twenty pounds on you.”

My jaw dropped as I grabbed the rail. “Either you’re selling yourself short, or you’re calling me fat.”

He roared, and to my delight, fell on his ass when he forgot about balance.