The Peer and the Puppet (When Rivals Play, #1) (68)
“I’m not the one offering,” he retorted with a shrug.
Agitated, I folded my arms and stuck out my hip. “Even if he cheated with me, she still wouldn’t take you back. Not after everything you’ve done to hurt her.”
It had suddenly become clear that Jamie was practically shoving me into Ever’s arms for one selfish reason. Barbie.
“Take me back?” he questioned with a tilt of his head. I didn’t know what to say, so I stayed quiet. He scoffed and the side of his lips tilted with a mocking half smile. “I suppose he would tell you his side to get into your pants.”
“We haven’t—”
“Not yet,” he interrupted with unchecked arrogance.
“Why are you so sure I’ll fuck him?”
“Because he always gets what he wants, and make no mistake, Four, he wants you.”
“I—” My denial fled. The truth felt too powerful. “I have to go.”
I turned away only for a thought to hit me. “You didn’t deny hurting her.”
He took a deep breath, and for the first time, he looked ashamed. “Because I have. I need to. Nothing else will do.”
“Then you deserve to lose her.”
I hurried from the kitchen and made my way to the garage. I was in such a hurry that I let the door shut me in. The garage was dark and drafty. I couldn’t see a thing, but I felt his presence. Slowly, my eyes adjusted to the dark, and I was able to make out the tall figure.
“You could just flip the light switch next to you,” Ever called out. A jingling sound followed.
My fingers quickly fumbled for the switch, and when I found it, light flooded the room. Ever was leaning against the Racer twirling the key ring on his forefinger.
“How did you—”
“I’ve known the combination to my father’s safe since I was ten.”
“Why do you have them?”
“I figured you’d want to take your new ride for a test drive.”
I narrowed my gaze. “Why would you help me?”
He sighed and ceased twirling the key ring. “I told you we aren’t enemies as long as you stay out of my way.”
But it couldn’t be that simple. Not with Ever. “How do I know you aren’t setting me up again?”
“You don’t.”
Ever was a magnet drawing me close until I stood directly in front of him, hating how feminine he made me feel. “So I should just trust you?”
His nostrils flared. “Your choices have always been yours to make. I didn’t put that bottle of Jameson in your hand, and I didn’t make you use it as a weapon. Take some fucking responsibility.”
“Whatever.” I tried to grab the keys, but he jerked them high out of my reach, causing my body to fall into him. My breasts were pressed into his chest, and I held my breath when he lowered his head.
“That doesn’t sound like gratitude.”
“You’re being a jerk.”
“And you’re being a whiny bitch.”
I stretched to make another grab for the keys, which was a huge mistake. My hips met his, and he kept me there with a hand on my ass when I tried to pull away.
“Give me the keys.”
“Say please.”
“Never.”
“Then I’ll take a kiss instead.” He smiled, making him even more irresistible.
“You…you h-have a girlfriend,” I stuttered.
His playful expression vanished, and he narrowed his eyes. “You seem to only remember that when it’s convenient for you.” He stared down at me for a moment before his arm came down, and he dropped the keys in my palm. The hand on my ass slid to my hip, and he moved me away. “Be back by ten,” he ordered.
I watched him walk away. It didn’t feel right letting him leave with a barrier between us, so I blurted the first thing that came to mind. “What if I get caught?”
He paused, and already, I could feel the pain in my chest easing. “They went to the city for dinner and a show,” he said without facing me. “You’ll be home long before they get back if you do as I say.”
“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”
“Very much.” He made a quick exit.
Pulling out my cell, I texted Tyra that I’d meet her at the theater.
SHE DIDN’T KNOW THAT I’D been following her since she left home. Watching her ride had me wishing I was between her legs instead of that goddamn bike. Stealing the keys from my father had been to satisfy a curiosity. I didn’t expect her skill or the thrill of watching her.
I had resigned myself to staying away from Four, but then I came home from school and heard her arguing with my father. My baser instincts had taken over my free will, and I couldn’t stop myself from standing up for her. I wanted to beat my chest and roar at our parents and the entire goddamn world that if they fucked with her, they fucked with me. I didn’t understand my need to protect her, but I was beginning to realize that I was powerless against it. Even my father was becoming suspicious as I knew he would be, but I couldn’t reason with myself to care. I wanted him and everyone else to see that she was mine. Even though she shouldn’t be.
Four didn’t meet her friend right away. Instead, she took to the deserted back roads. My hands itched to grab hold of her and shake some sense into her each time she took a curve without slowing or accelerated on a straight road. When my speedometer read ninety, and she was still a few car lengths ahead, I promised to get my hands on her ass when I got her back home.