The Peer and the Puppet (When Rivals Play, #1) (59)

“So you’re going to leave with an attitude?” she yelled after him.

I was certain we’d all be caught soon.

“Pretty much,” he snarled from downstairs. A second later, the front door slammed, and an engine roared as Vaughn and Ever sped away.

“Spoiled rich brat,” she muttered. “God, sometimes I swear he isn’t worth the trouble.” Turning to me, her eyes bucked and her jaw dropped. “Son of a—you’re shaking! What did Ever do to you in there?”

I debated telling her what went on in that kitchen, but embarrassment wouldn’t let the words free. “Nothing that should have surprised me.” Except he was full of them. Like when he had his hands down my pants and used his mouth to drive me crazy.

“Let’s go finish your cake and talk about it.”

I paused at her mention of the cake.

So much for keeping what happened a secret. “Um…I’m really sorry, but it’s not a good idea to use the frosting.”

Her frown deepened. “What happened to the frosting?” At my blush, understanding dawned, and suddenly, Tyra had trouble keeping eye contact. “Okay,” she squeaked, “no cake then.” After an awkward silence, she said, “I’m sorry your birthday had such a shitty start.”

“It wasn’t all bad.” Everything that came before had been so very good.

“Well, I’m just going to go grab the sanitizer. Meet you in the kitchen?” She took off without a response.




The peer begged her forgiveness.



I found the note waiting for me on my pillow later in the morning. Since facing Ever made me want to throw myself off the nearest cliff, I’d slept over at Tyra’s. The palace had been empty, so I was able to escape to my room without incident. Deciding a shower was in order, I tossed the card in my trash bin and shed last night’s clothes minus panties. When Tyra and I had returned to the kitchen, I’d discreetly searched for them, but the purple cotton had disappeared. I didn’t dare allow myself to think about them being in Ever’s possession or why he took them.

The hot water cleansed my body, but it did nothing to erase last night. I never expected him to apologize, so forgiving him had never entered my mind. Frankly, it was the last thing I wanted to do. The first was forgetting what happened between us. A knock sounded at my door the moment I finished dressing, and I opened it to find Jamie, also dressed in his uniform, on the other side.

“Birthday girl!” He snatched me up in a bear hug before I could say anything. “Happy birthday.”

“Thanks,” I choked out.

His arms immediately loosened, and he set me on my feet. He then stepped back but not before placing something on my head.

“Uhh…” I touched the plastic object with curiosity and started to remove it.

“Leave it. It looks good on you.”

“What is it?”

“A tiara for a princess.”

I snorted. “I’m no princess.”

“Couldn’t agree more. Let’s go!”

He clasped my hand in his and held it until we reached the kitchen where Rosalyn, Thomas, and Ever waited.

“Happy birthday!”

Thomas and Jamie wore bright smiles while Ever was watchful, and Rosalyn was like a statue carved from despair. Of course, she hadn’t given Thomas the memo. We never celebrated my birthday.

“Sit, be merry, eat cake with us,” Thomas offered cheerfully. It was then I noticed the buttercream cake sitting in the middle of the island. I finally met Ever’s gaze.

“I wasn’t expecting cake.” I had eyes only for Ever but not in the romantic, all-consuming-love way. I wanted to plunge the knife meant for cutting the cake into his black heart.

“Of course, there would be cake. I didn’t expect my son to bake one himself, though.”

Ever baked me a birthday cake?

It was then I noticed the bit of flour on his cheek. Thomas’s expression turned thoughtful as he gazed at his son, but he quickly shook it away and beamed at me. “Hope you like buttercream.”

“Love it.”

Jamie launched into song, and Thomas and Ever followed. On the last note, I made the same wish I did every year, and then I blew out the candles. I stared into Rosalyn’s empty eyes over the rising smoke, but like every year, there was no genie to erase her pain. An oblivious Thomas picked up the knife and extended it to Ever. “Why don’t you do the honors?”

Ever took the knife from his father and cut five perfect slices before placing them on the expensive china. We all dug in while Rosalyn ignored her slice of cake and excused herself. Too bad my sorrow couldn’t leave with her. I hoped her rejection would escape their notice until all three men frowned after her. When their questioning gazes turned to me, I smiled and pretended all was fine.

She’s heartbroken.

She doesn’t hate you.

She’s just sad.

The mantra was an old friend, chasing away tears and self-hatred.

“Do you have exciting plans after school?” Thomas questioned. I could tell he was trying to lighten the mood and distract me from Rosalyn’s absence.

“Tyra and I were thinking about hanging out at the beach.”

“That sounds like fun,” he replied absently as he checked his phone. He excused himself, leaving me alone with Ever and Jamie.