The Peer and the Puppet (When Rivals Play, #1) (126)

The pressure on my bladder had become unbearable by the time class ended, so I texted Tyra that I’d be late for lunch and hurried to the nearest bathroom.

Two girls were primping in the mirror, but the stalls were empty, so I dived inside the nearest one. I was tugging my skirt back down after relieving myself when I heard, “Get out.”

I didn’t move, but the sound of rushing footsteps told me that the two girls at the sink did. Seconds later, I heard the lock on the bathroom door turn.

“I know you’re in here, Four.”

Okay, this isn’t creepy at all.

I stepped out of the stall.

Barbie was leaning against the sink with her arms crossed. Her casual stance wasn’t one I expected of Ever’s prim and proper princess.

His real princess.

The color had returned to her cheeks, and she appeared contemplative as she stared back at me.

“Any particular reason why you’re stalking me in public bathrooms?”

Barbie had about four inches on me, but if I needed to, I could take her.

She took a deep breath and shook her head. “I can’t believe I’m doing this.”

“Doing what?”

“At first, I thought you were just someone he was screwing. There have been girls, but he was always discreet. After Olivia Portland, he had to be. Whatever he had to do to keep the rumors at bay. We couldn’t risk tipping my father off.” She drew in a ragged breath and started again before I could ask questions like “Why the hell are you telling me this?”

“My father’s company has been losing money for years. Soon, it will be completely bankrupt, and we’ll be out on our asses. My father has always insisted on living above his means, so even if he sold the company, it wouldn’t be enough.”

The frown I wore only deepened. “What does this have to do with Ever?” Or me.

She lifted her nose in the air. “It would embarrass my father if he had to downgrade our lifestyle. Once I turned thirteen, it was impossible for anyone, especially men, not to notice me. He’s been priming me since then.”

“Priming you?”

“To marry someone who could get him out of debt and fatten his pockets.”

The last piece to the puzzle finally slid into place. “So Ever is just your meal ticket? You don’t love him even a little?” I found it impossible for any girl to get this close to Ever and not fall.

Unless that girl had already fallen.

She stared at her engagement ring, a pear-shaped diamond that glittered in the light and mocked my broken heart. “He’s my best friend,” she said as if that explained everything. “The promise of marrying into a family worth billions was enough to keep my father patient.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

“Ever became a shell when his mother left. I promised myself that I would never hurt him like she did.” She sighed as she toyed with the blinding ring on her finger. “It seems only one of us is good at keeping promises.”

“So he’s got your back, and you’ve got his. How do I know you aren’t making this up?” In my mind, I knew she couldn’t be. Her story was too far-fetched to be anything but real. Men haven’t auctioned their daughters off for wealth and power in centuries with the exception of a few straggling cultures.

“Since the day I first saw him with you, I knew it was only a matter of time before he broke his word or told you my secret. Ever could have demanded that I tell you myself. He didn’t do any of those things. Instead, he fell apart over losing you.” She slipped the ring from her finger, and I was completely stunned when she laid it on the counter. “None of this is real, Four. It never was.”

She moved for the door, but I couldn’t let her leave. Not without answering one last burning question.

“What happens if your father realizes Ever has no intention of marrying you?”

She stared back at me with sad blue eyes. “He’ll sell me to the highest bidder.”




My heart was too heavy for sleep and no amount of tossing and turning could change that. After letting Jay D do his business, I decided to make a late-night snack. When I was done, the smell of perfectly toasted bread and melted cheese strangely offered me peace with my decision. If I could perfect grilled cheese, surely I could perfect life.

Right?

I stacked the sandwiches on a plate and grabbed a Gatorade. Upstairs, I bypassed my bedroom. It was one in the morning, but I knew he would be awake. The bags I glimpsed under his eyes earlier today told me he hasn’t been sleeping and the weight he lost…let’s just say I made more than a few grilled cheese sandwiches.

I was glad the door was unlocked because if I woke up Jamie with my knocking, I’d never hear the end of it about the importance of his beauty sleep and maintaining perfect skin.

Jay D rushed inside ahead of me and immediately began to sniff around. The room was completely dark, but I knew he was awake. When my eyes somewhat adjusted, I could make out Ever sitting in the shadows with his back against the headboard and his elbows on his knees.

“Hi.”

The silence stretched.

I held my breath as I waited.

And waited.

And just when I thought I might be too late…

“Hey.”

We hadn’t spoken since the night of my date—actually, he hadn’t talked at all. Thomas asked questions that I couldn’t answer, and Jamie had begun to look at me accusingly. It was a wonder he cared at all, but maybe, deep down, he knew there was never anything between Ever and Barbie.