The Peer and the Puppet (When Rivals Play, #1) (72)

“You’re about neck and neck.”

Before Jason could respond, a tall figure brushed past me. Casually, the newcomer rounded the banister and climbed the stairs to the landing. I stifled my groan when I recognized the skin fade and tattoos disappearing under the wave of thick reddish-brown locks. “Interesting place and time for secret meetings.”

Jason’s scowl deepened, but Barbie’s icy composure held as Jamie pushed between them, effectively creating space, before leaning against the wall in a casual pose. The tension was thick enough to choke on as he locked gazes with Jason after a dismissive glance at Barbie.

“What do you want, Buchanan?”

“Nothing in particular. I’m just curious.”

“Walk away.”

“Funny…I was going to suggest you do the same.”

“Careful…I don’t see your cousin around.”

Jamie’s pierced brow quirked. “I guess that means there’s no one to stop me from kicking your ass, huh?”

“There’s no need for that. We’re done here, Jason.” Barbie’s dismissal and the promise of violence in Jamie’s eyes sent Jason scurrying up the stairs and back to whatever hole he had crawled out of.

Once they were alone…well, mostly…their gazes clashed, and in them was unmistakable desire. It made me wonder how they’ve managed to deny one another.

“I’ve been looking for you, Bette.”

Bette? I mouthed.

“And I’ve been avoiding you.” She attempted to strut away, but with a hand around her waist, he gently guided her until her back was against the wall.

“Stop running from me,” he cooed as if attempting to woo her.

When he stepped closer, she held up her hand to ward him off. Effortlessly, his chest pushed against her small hand, forcing her to drop it as he crowded her against the wall.

Strawberry blonde curls bounced and caught the light as she shook her head. “I won’t let you do this to me again.”

“Do to you?” Jamie spat incredulously. “Have you forgotten that you’re fucking my cousin?”

“You’re acting like a child.”

I couldn’t agree more.

“Did he know you’d always be mine when you gave it up?” A low growl echoed around the empty hall. “I should have been the first and only inside your sweet cunt.”

“I’ve never slept with him!”

A snort that sounded much too casual drowned my gasp of surprise. Was it true or just another lie?

“My cousin gets what he wants,” Jamie snarled, “and so do I.”

“You don’t want me. You just don’t like that Ever has me.”

“And?”

“What is your problem, James? We had nothing. I’m not some toy you can just dust off and play with until you get bored again.”

“Then you’re remembering it wrong or lying to yourself. Chasing after you was never a dull moment. Playtime with you was always my favorite time of day.”

“Yeah, well, we aren’t kids anymore.”

She pushed past him, and he didn’t try to stop her. My surprise quickly turned into panic, however, when I realized Barbie was descending the stairs. Any moment now, she’d notice me and know that I’d been eavesdropping. It was too late to run, so I waited, and not a breath was spilled when her glacial gaze, nearly hidden behind a curtain of thick lashes, met my own.

“Um…hi.” I gave a lame wave which she ignored in favor of the point.

“How much did you hear?”

Enough. “Don’t know what you mean.”

“Leave her alone,” Jamie called from above. His hands were shoved inside his slacks, and his jaw was set in hard lines.

She turned her fierce gaze on Jamie but not before I saw the flash of jealousy in them. “She’s your problem now?”

“She’s none of your business,” he bit back.

With a huff, she flounced past me, and we both watched her disappear from sight before speaking.

“What the hell was that?” I hissed up the stairs.

He shrugged and looked away. “You’re new here. Tread carefully.”

“You shouldn’t push up on your cousin’s girlfriend. It makes you look like a sleazebag.”

With a shake of his head and a scoff, he started up the stairs. I wanted to chase after him, but the bell rang, so I headed to class instead.

The rest of the day passed quickly, and like any other day, I was looking forward to my mechanics class. Dave wasn’t as knowledgeable as Gruff, but he had a great sense of humor. I was the first to arrive as usual, but Dave was nowhere to be found. The bay door was open, so I headed that way and found Dave hauling a bag of dog food from his F150. Suddenly, a long whine erupted from a box next to the door, and out popped a black furry head that could easily fit inside my palm and tiny paws that scratched the cardboard.

“Hey, Four. I didn’t see you there.”

I couldn’t take my eyes off the puppy. He fought to free himself from the box, and when he fell back onto the newspaper, I couldn’t take it anymore. I lifted him, and he immediately began licking my face to show his gratitude. While he covered me in doggy saliva, I got a better look at him. He had blue eyes and a short, shiny coat of fur.