The Peer and the Puppet (When Rivals Play, #1) (29)

The admission nearly knocked me off my feet.

I’ve never denied that Ever was hot—beautiful really—but now I also knew why there was a burning ache in my belly every time he was near.

Was I the next Olivia Portland?

“Doesn’t change the fact that he’s a dick.”

“Ever’s running things because he makes it possible for people to be accepted. The kids whose parents aren’t doctors, lawyers, or millionaires walk these halls with their heads high because of him. And no one gets stuffed in their lockers for being gay or captain of the chess club.”

“And the undesirable?”

“Your first day was the first time anyone’s said it since he took over.”

“I guess I just bring out the best in him,” I mocked.

“He’s not so bad. Stay out of his way, and he won’t even notice you’re here.”

Yeah…easier said than done.

I forgot to respond when the girl from Women’s History walked by. My gaze followed her until she stopped at the crowded table in the center of the room. It was filled to the brim with bruisers in letterman jackets and girls with easy smiles. And reigning over them all was Ever.

Tyra peeked over her shoulder to see what had stolen my attention and then whispered, “That’s her.”

“Who?”

“Ever’s girlfriend. Her name is actually Barbette, but everyone except for their inner circle calls her Barbie.”

I watched her sink gracefully into the chair next to him, but then Jamie said something that made her stiffen. Ever gave him a look, but Jamie was already bored. He looked around the cafeteria, and when he caught me watching their exchange, he flashed his teeth and headed for the door.

Well, that was weird.

My attention shifted back to the middle of the room. Ever was taking a sip from his orange Gatorade and staring dead at me. Barbie touched his hand fisted on the table, and I was forgotten.

Typical privileged kid and his pretty things.

“Why?”

“Well, you’ve seen her,” Tyra answered with an eye roll.

“I mean, why don’t they call her Barbie?”

She shrugged as she frowned at her broccoli. “Ever and Vaughn call her Bee. I don’t really know why, and if you ask me, I think Jamie has a thing for his cousin’s girlfriend. He calls her Bette, and whenever he does, she either gets all gooey-eyed or she bares her claws. Everyone pretends not to notice.”

This was starting to sound like an episode straight out of The Young and the Restless. “And Ever’s okay with that?”

“I doubt he notices. He hasn’t cared about much since his mother skipped town.”

Finally.

The one missing piece to the puzzle.

“No one really knows if she’s alive or dead,” Tyra added while frowning at the middle table. “Ever hasn’t been the same since.” Her pensive tone suggested she was just now putting together the pieces herself.

Still, it was hard for me to imagine Ever as anything but severe. “How was he before?”

“A lot more fun to be around, that’s for sure,” a deeper voice answered. Jamie folded his long frame into the chair next to me and snagged my apple from my tray.

“What is it with you McNamaras and stealing food?” I tried to snatch it back, but he quickly bit into it.

“I’m not a McNamara,” he retorted with a mouth full, making his Boston accent sound even weirder. “I’m a Buchanan.”

“McNamara…Buchanan…shouldn’t you be with the other snobs?” He was too busy making eyes at Tyra to answer. She tried to conceal the effect his staring had on her by rolling her eyes. “And can you stop eye-fucking my friend, please? She’s not interested.”

“I think we should let the pretty girl speak for herself.”

“She’s not interested,” Tyra confirmed.

Jamie grunted. “Damn shame. I have a sweet tooth.”

Tyra crossed her arms, which only drew his attention to her breasts. “Are you referring to my coloring?”

“Yup,” he boldly answered without moving his eyes away from her chest.

Tyra looked ready to slap him, so I gripped his chin and turned his face toward mine.

“Her eyes aren’t down there, douchebag.”

He clicked his tongue and sang, “You shouldn’t touch me. We have an audience.”

My hand quickly fell into my lap. I knew who he meant. “So what?”

Jamie waggled his eyebrows. “Well, I’m game if you are.”

“Never gonna happen.”

He snorted. “Especially if my cousin has anything to say about it.”

I glanced at Tyra, who seemed equally confused. “Why would he care?”

Deep dimples appeared as he smiled around a mouth full of Granny Smith. “You’re not that na?ve.”

“Humor me.”

Rather than do so, he changed the subject. “Did I hear you two discussing him?”

“And if we were?”

“I’d be careful with rumors.” He cast an indignant glance at Tyra, who lifted her chin in return.

“So enlighten me.”

“Hell no! I’m not getting in the middle of his shit with you.”