The Peer and the Puppet (When Rivals Play, #1) (18)
“What rumors?” Tyra barked. I was taken aback by her sudden hostility, though Amanda’s phony charm never faltered.
“Oh, just that Ever McNamara has a new stepsister.”
“I wouldn’t count that as newsworthy, and I’m not his stepsister.”
Her perfectly arched brows pulled in at my statement. “So, you’re just living together?”
“Pretty much.” I had no intention of discussing Rosalyn’s love life with strangers.
“Interesting.” She suddenly looked a little less friendly as she sized me up. “I hope you don’t mind me saying, but you’re really pretty.”
I could see where this was going. This scene felt like a Mean Girls reenactment, but instead of Africa, I was the new kid from the swamps. “I’m not interested in Ever.”
She feigned being startled as her claws sheathed. “No one would blame you if you were. I mean, even you can admit that he’s insanely hot.”
A light bulb suddenly flickered on. “Well, between you and me…” She leaned forward, and I ignored Tyra’s bulging eyes. “I think his looks are just God’s way of compensating for… you know…other…inadequacies.”
Amanda lifted manicured nails to cover her surprised gasp as her mouth formed a perfect O.
“Do tell, Four.”
So I leaned in and told them a story.
It started as a little white lie. Some well-deserved payback. A distorted secret that no one else was supposed to hear. By fifth period, it had become a rumor doused in gasoline. Tyra had stared at me in horror from across the table after Amanda and her crew of gossips left the scene.
“What?”
“That was a bad idea, Four.” I could swear her shoulders shook as she whispered, “A really bad idea.”
I’d waved her off and ignored the turning of my stomach, but now, as the stares, whispers, and looks of pity followed me, I knew it was only a matter of time before he uncovered the source.
Fingers curled angrily around my bicep as I was switching books, and then I was turned and pushed against my open locker. I could feel the cold chill from inside my locker breeze past the bare skin of my neck, but it was nothing compared to the glacial bite of Ever’s eyes boring into me. It seemed the aristocratic ass had more bite than I gave him credit.
“What the fuck, McNamara? Hands off the merchandise.” I tried to shrug off his hold, but he only tightened his fingers.
“You find humor in spreading lies, Archer?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
He stepped closer, forcing me to accept the bite of the metal to avoid the press of his hips against mine. “You don’t?”
“Nope.” My lips made an audible pop, drawing his attention.
His thumb gently brushed my bottom lip as if he had the right. “I think you do.”
I could hear the whispers and feel the stares, but Ever didn’t seem to care. He continued to brush my lip and gaze at me thoughtfully as if he were deciding what to do with me. He wasn’t fooling me, though. His gentle touch was a trap. His power was in his restraint. As if he’d take his time with me…
Our gaping classmates abruptly parted like the Red Sea, and my silent prayer was answered when Headmaster Burns appeared. He looked uncertain, however, when he saw who was causing the commotion. Thankfully, he recovered and cleared his throat with a stern look.
“Mr. McNamara. Ms. Archer. You need to put about two feet of space between you and get to class.”
Ever seemed unperturbed as he calmly focused on Burns, but then my little sigh of relief drew him like a moth to a flame, and in his eyes, I saw his promise of retribution.
“We’ll settle up soon, Four. Welcome to Blackwood Keep.” Ever speaking my name for the first time felt forbidden, and the lingering threat he’d whispered in my ear before walking away felt very real. Suddenly, Tyra and Officer Trip’s warning that Ever was trouble didn’t seem so empty.
Not only did I tell the biggest gossip at Brynwood that Ever McNamara had much to compensate, I may have also told her that I’d innocently walked in on Ever as he was leaving the shower and that he had a shrimp dick—a dick so small it curled into itself for love because no one else would.
I may have screwed up.
Tyra offered to drive me home when I found Ever’s Range Rover missing from the parking lot after school. I guess I should have expected that. By the last bell, the rumor that spread like wildfire was completely extinguished. That didn’t mean it was over for me, though. Ever would come for his pound of flesh, and I’d be waiting.
I think it was safe to say we were no longer dancing around each other. Ever and I had locked horns.
“Do you think you’ll be okay?” Tyra said as she parked next to Ever’s Range Rover in the driveway.
I nodded, but she was too busy ogling McNamara manor to notice.
“I’ll be fine. What’s he going to do, kill me?” I’d meant to lighten the mood and ease her worry, but Tyra’s frown only deepened.
“Just be careful, okay?”
I assured her I would because she seemed to need it. I damn sure wasn’t afraid of that pompous prick. We had exchanged numbers hours before, so I promised to call her later before I headed inside.
“Oh, there you are,” Rosalyn greeted. “Ever said you made a friend and caught a ride with her instead.” I was getting sick of that cunning bastard’s web of lies. “I’m so happy for you.” Most mothers would hug their daughter at hearing the news, but Rosalyn and I weren’t most mothers and daughters. Rather than a warm hug she offered a wavering smile. “I suppose I don’t need to ask how your first day went.”