The Moth and the Flame (When Rivals Play #2) - B.B. Reid Page 0,153
confirmed as we stepped inside the crowded house. “We’re having a contest,” he shouted over the music.
After shoving on the sweater, I looked around and saw everyone wearing one, each uglier than the last. ‘Get Low’ by Lil Jon, The Eastside Boyz & Yang-Yang Twins was playing, and everyone started pushing and shoving to out-hype each other. We escaped into the kitchen where the drinks were, and with one bellow, Vaughn cleared the room.
“What does the winner get?” I asked even though I didn’t care. I just needed to distract myself from searching the crowd for Lou.
“Our respect,” Vaughn answered.
“At least until the party’s over,” Jamie added.
“Wow,” Lou drawled as she stepped inside the kitchen. “A bit douchey, don’t you think?”
I spun around, eyes wide, but thankfully, her gaze stubbornly fixed on Jamie, which gave me time once Vaughn nudged me to compose myself. And admire her. Lou had her hair pinned up in a ponytail, curls cascading down her back while a few framed her face. The sweater she wore was white with red and green ribbons covering the front. She looked so soft and wholesome, concealing the hard edge I knew she possessed and often displayed proudly.
“There’s also a five-hundred-dollar cash prize,” Four wryly informed me. I hadn’t even realized her and Tyra were standing there wearing sweaters just like Lou’s. “Unfortunately, ninety-nine percent of Brynwood’s population have rich mommies and daddies, so a high-five from these three is as good as it gets.”
Ever fought a smile as he moved behind Four, who stood in front of the island and started mixing a drink. Four tensed at his closeness for some reason before looking around in a panic.
“I don’t know what you’re getting tight about,” Jamie scoffed. “You’re one of us now.”
Crossing her arms, she moved away from Ever and squared off with Jamie. “How is that, exactly?”
“You made your bed,” he answered, jerking his chin toward his cousin, “now lie in it.”
Vaughn, Tyra and, to my surprise, Lou sighed, telling me this may have been a reoccurring argument.
“Make up your mind, Jamie. You either want me with your cousin, or you don’t. Frankly, I couldn’t give a shit what you think, but the bitch fits are getting old.”
“Careful not to say that too loud,” Jamie taunted. “Someone might hear.”
“And why would I care?”
“Because you sold your soul for that dick. But look on the bright side,” he continued before Four could rebut, “at least you can’t tell anyone.”
Four stood still for God knows how long, with Ever at her back practically blowing steam from his nose, before she blinked away the tears forming and stormed from the kitchen.
“Jamie!” Tyra scolded before punching him in the arm and running after Four.
Ever started to follow, but Jamie stopped him in his tracks.
“So how many times am I going to have to make her feel small before you do something about it?”
Ever approached him, each step silent but lethal, until his chest brushed Jamie’s. “You mean other than kicking your ass?”
Jamie shook his head as if Ever were the one who was hard to believe. “You and I both know a bloody nose and busted lip won’t do shit but piss me off.”
“What the fuck do you want me to do, Jamie?”
“The right thing,” he bit out.
“You don’t have the facts to tell me what’s right and what’s wrong.”
“But I’ve got twenty-twenty vision.” Ever’s answering silence had Jamie narrowing his eyes. “You really don’t see what your little arrangement is doing to her?”
“And you do?”
“I can relate,” was all Jamie said.
“She’s fine,” Ever said, gritting his teeth.
“Now. Maybe. But for how long?”
Ever pinched the bridge of his nose. When he met Jamie’s gaze again, the same mask he wore when he was Danny Boy was in place. “Don’t say shit else to her about our relationship, Jamie. I’m fucking warning you.”
“Can’t do that, cousin. You don’t give a shit if I insult you, but your panties bunch so tightly they might split you in half whenever I say just one word to Four.”
Jamie didn’t stick around, bumping Ever’s shoulder on his way out. I had the feeling he was going after Four to comfort her since he was a dick but not a heartless dick. As if realizing this himself, Ever rushed out of the kitchen a moment later. Vaughn sighed and after downing the last of his drink, he left, too.
That left me alone with Lou, who was eyeing the exit. She was probably afraid I’d pounce if she