The Peer and the Puppet (When Rivals Play, #1) (84)

“Fine.”

After he kissed my lips, I discreetly took a look around.

“No one’s around.”

“Did you forget about Dave?”

“A non-factor.”

“How arrogant you are.”

He shrugged and tilted my chin up higher so he could kiss me again.

This time, I pulled away. “I don’t want you kissing me at school while everyone thinks you and Barbie are an item.”

Anger made golden honey burn.

“I don’t give a shit what they think. I like kissing you.”

“Well, I do if they think I’m a whore!”

“Fuck,” he croaked, laughing at my accent. “You’re such a hick.”

“And stop calling me that! It’s offensive.”

“Anything else?”

“I’m serious about the kissing.”

His groan was a deep rumble I felt in the pit of my stomach. “I always wondered what having a real girlfriend would be like…now I know.”

“You’ve never had a girlfriend?”

“No.”

I stared into his eyes, forgetting for the moment that I wasn’t his girlfriend and could never be.

“I’ll meet you in the parking lot after school.”

“Okay.”

“And, princess?”

I gritted my teeth but answered anyway. “Yes?”

“No more concessions.” He turned and disappeared down the path while anticipation raised the hairs on my skin.

Yeah, we’ll see about that.

Inside the garage, Tyra was playing in the corner with a hyper and happy Jay D. Surrounding them was all the necessities and luxuries a puppy could hope to have. What? In the corner was the fluffiest puppy bed, a neon green tennis ball, various jelly chew toys, a bone he and Tyra were currently playing tug-of-war with, two bowls, one filled with food, the other with fresh water, and around his neck was a collar that matched the blue in his eyes and a sterling silver tag. I picked him up to inspect the tag. Our names and my cell number was on the back. “Where did all of this come from?”

Dave was busy chatting on his cell phone with a happy grin. He smiled even wider when he noticed me watching him and absently waved from inside his glass office.

With a smirk, Tyra said, “I’ll give you one guess.”

Turns out I only needed one. “Why would Ever do this?”

“You tell me,” she smugly countered.

I studied all the new puppy stuff with a shake of my head. “I don’t know this game.” I sounded as if I’d already accepted defeat.

“Whatever he’s after, he’s not fucking around, Four.”

I buried my face in Jay D’s neck to hide how much her words both delighted and frightened me. Ten minutes later, Jay D was happily covering me in puppy saliva when Dave finally emerged from his office.

“If it isn’t my star pupil.”

“Thanks again for keeping an eye on him. Has he given you trouble?”

“Nah. He’s a good pup. Thank you for taking him in. I would have hated to see him in the pound.”

“Did you buy all this stuff?” A part of me was hoping he had so Ever and I could return to our original script.

Bushy eyebrows raised in surprise. “Uh…no, Four. I didn’t. I assumed you knew your stepbrother was bringing all this by.”

“He’s not my stepbrother,” I corrected with a flush. Stepsiblings wouldn’t do what we did last night. “I mean…our parents aren’t married. We just live together.” God, just shut up already.

“Ah. My mistake.” He then checked his watch. “Well, you two should get going. The next period will be starting soon.”

With a nod, I relinquished Jay D to his brand-new plush bed.

“Oh, Four,” Dave called as we made our way out.

“Yes?”

“Just so you know, the money is appreciated, but I would have done it for free.”

“I’m sorry?”

“Your not-stepbrother paid me to dog sit during school hours. You didn’t know?”

I was simmering on the inside and just barely keeping my composure. “I’m sorry,” I said with an even tone. “I didn’t know.”

“He was quite generous.”

“I’m sure he was,” I mumbled. I felt awkward and exposed, wondering if Dave might question Ever’s motivation. This was above and beyond. I’m going to kill him.

“I can give the money back if it makes you uncomfortable. I tried to refuse it, but that young man was pretty persuasive.”

Don’t I know it?

Dave clearly didn’t want to give the money back. He had been griping about getting the heating at the shop fixed for a month now. Taking money from a student is probably against school policy, but Dave was a good guy. He wouldn’t have taken the money if he wasn’t desperate.

“I’m sure the money would be better spent getting the heat working in the shop. Your employees will need their hands this winter.” This was my chance to ask him about a spot on his team, but Ever throwing his weight around ruined everything. I didn’t want to risk Dave feeling obligated to grant any more favors.

“Jesus, don’t remind me. I don’t think I could listen to their whining much longer.” He then patted my shoulder. “Thanks, Four. Now get to class.”