The Peer and the Puppet (When Rivals Play, #1) (48)

Ever had given me his jacket.

I debated declining his offer, but his scent beckoned me into its warmth. I wanted to roll around in it until it lingered on my skin. I was still considering giving it back when he leaned over to wrap me tighter in his jacket.

“Don’t take it off.”

A second gust blew through the stands, and his order was suddenly one I didn’t mind obeying. I slipped my arms through the sleeves and sighed when his heat and scent surrounded me. His jacket was huge on me and a bit heavy, but man, was I warm. Tyra glanced back at Ever and then shot me an inquisitive look. Knowing how it must have looked, I shrugged, feeling guilt clawing at my skin. After one last suspicious look, she went back to watching the game.

I bet Ever was proud of himself.




We won the game by a landslide. Everyone in the stands was still going wild when Ever took off without a word and without his jacket. It wasn’t until the crowd began dispersing that I felt the stares. People were beginning to notice the McNamara name boldly flaunted across my back.

Tyra had been going on and on about some celebration at the Point tonight, but eventually, even she noticed the attention.

“People are staring,” she huffed.

The wind was blowing steadily now, and the air was chillier, but it didn’t compare to the discomfort of people staring, so I shed the jacket. Shivering, I looked around for Ever. The team was busy shaking hands with the opposing team when I caught a glimpse of him on the other side of the gate standing with Vaughn and the coach.

“Come on.” I started to pull Tyra with me onto the field but stopped when she resisted.

“Um…I think I’ll just wait for you here.”

I faced her with my hands on my hips. “Wasn’t it you who only recently proclaimed herself my best friend through thick and thin?”

“Yes,” she answered slowly.

“This is the thick, my friend.” I grabbed her hand again, and this time, she didn’t fight me.

Vaughn was the first to notice our approach. His gaze passed over me and lingered on something over my shoulder before he nudged Ever. They were standing in the middle of the field, and I hadn’t even covered half the distance, but I could still tell that Ever wasn’t happy with me yet again. The coach stopped mid-sentence when Ever walked away to meet me across the field.

“I know you’re cold,” he said with a growl. “Put the coat back on.”

“I’ll be fine.” I held out his jacket, but he didn’t even look at it.

“Put. It. On.”

My arm dropped to my side, and neither of us cared that his jacket was practically lying on the field now. “Why do you care so much?”

“You’re no use to me sick.”

“Please. You got bored toying with me weeks ago.”

Tyra’s wide eyes shot back and forth between us, but I was too pissed to care how our argument might look.

“Four, so help me…” He took a step toward me, but Coach Bradley clapped a hand on Ever’s shoulder, keeping him at bay.

“Son”—the coach chuckled good-naturedly—“everyone knows you catch more flies with honey than vinegar.”

Ever rudely shrugged off the coach’s hold and grabbed my hand before stalking off. His G Wagon, which was totally boss, was parked at the dark end of the football field, and we were headed straight for it. I resisted a little harder, so he threw me over his shoulders and slapped my ass. I was blushing hard as I looked around but the field and the stands were mostly cleared. When we reached his car, he trapped me between him and the hood after setting me on my feet.

“You really need to learn some manners.”

“Put the jacket on.” I was getting ready to deny him again when he added, “Please.”

“If you had only listened, I would have told you it wasn’t necessary for me to wear this anymore because I’m going home.”

He shook his head. “Tyra’s going to the campfire.”

“And?”

“She would have talked you into going.”

“You don’t know that.” I had no intentions of being around Ever and his people for an entire night.

“I do know.” His hand cupped my hip, and I could feel his fingers splayed over my ass as he tugged me closer. “I know that the last thing you want is to be stuck at home with our parents.”

I sighed, exasperated even as my toes tingled. “You’re not seriously starting this up again, are you?”

His nose grazed the side of my neck. “So what if I am?”

“The last time you touched me like this, you turned to ice after you had your fun. I’m not a toy, Ever.”

“Yes, you are, puppet. My father is a rich man, so I’ve never wanted for anything.” He fingered the end of my ponytail and stepped back. “But then you proved to me that the best things in life really are free.” I watched from the corner of my eye as he walked around to the driver’s side. “I don’t care if you come to the bonfire or crawl under a rock, but I care if you’re no use to me. Put on the fucking jacket.”




Ever’s prediction came true. Tyra had convinced me to go to the celebration bonfire after the game. The beach was already full when we arrived. There were also a few fires burning with our classmates drinking, dancing, and making out around them. Brynwood’s finest, the football players, partied hardest amongst the crowd while music poured from the red Jeep Wrangler Sahara Jamie bought a couple weeks ago. I’d been bumming rides to school from him ever since. The back hatch was open, and I didn’t notice Jamie sitting in the back until he called my name.