bar when Ever emerged. My best friend took his time as a wicked grin spread his lips slowly. I watched as Tommy’s eyes bulged, and his mouth dropped in horror. Big mistake. Ever’s first balloon hit Tommy square in the face. Jason, who’d been tiptoeing behind Tommy, joined in. It wasn’t long before Tommy was pelted with glue bomb after glue bomb. It wasn’t until Ever glanced up at the tree with a look that said “Well?” that I jumped into action. By now, Tommy was covered head to toe in glue. He looked like a big white blob.
“Hey, Tommy?” I called down.
He struggled to lift his head, and I stifled a giggle when all I could make out underneath all that glue was the blue of his eyes.
“Who’s the girl now?” Without warning, I tipped over the bucket, and his cry of terror was cut short as a waterfall of sparkly pink glitter rained down on him.
The boys could barely contain themselves and were bent over, clutching their stomachs as I climbed down from the tree. When Tommy started to cry, I actually started to feel bad, but I knew that showing mercy would only prove his point. Instead, I chose to prove mine.
I was running the show now. Balls or no balls.
“Stop crying,” I snapped.
His wails instantly dissolved to whimpers. One of my crew snickered when he even hiccuped. I stepped closer until I was standing on the ring of pink glitter around him.
“Jason?” I called, and he stepped forward, waiting for my command. “Search his pockets.”
He did as he was told with a crooked grin, which dissolved into disgust when he pulled out a crumpled Lincoln covered in lint and something… sticky. “Gross,” Jason griped.
“Find out who that”—I pointed to the Butterfinger lying on the ground covered in glitter—“belonged to and give them the cash.”
“But that’s the last of my allowance!” Tommy raged.
“Does it look like we give a fuck?” Vaughn coolly replied.
It always amazed me how easily curse words flowed from his lips. He did it naturally and never seemed to care if an adult might hear. Considering who his parents were, I guess he wouldn’t. His mother’s family not only founded this town but his grandfather was also the mayor. And if that weren’t enough, his father… well, no one knew what his father did, but what we did know was his father was bad news. Everyone in Blackwood Keep gave Franklin Rees a wide berth. Including his son.
Jason set off to complete his task. It wouldn’t be hard to find the kid because Tommy wouldn’t have just settled with taking the candy. Somewhere on the playground was a helpless kid nursing a black eye or a busted lip.
“What do you want to do with him?” Ever inquired, sounding bored already. I knew he was probably eager to be done with Tommy. Ever was a terror, too. However, it was usually just himself that he ended up hurting. Mr. and Mrs. McNamara were having a tough time controlling their son’s restlessness. Or perhaps running a multibillion-dollar hotel chain didn’t allow much time for parenting. It seemed beneath Ever to act out just to seek attention from his parents. Then again, maybe that was just the crush speaking. Ever was no different than any other kid.
But I was.
I had to be the only kid on the planet who wished their parents would forget they ever existed. Right?
“We’re going to let him go,” I answered, earning Vaughn and Ever’s disappointed frowns and Tommy’s hopeful stare.
“Seriously?” Vaughn griped.
I nodded and stepped even closer to Tommy. I wasn’t afraid he’d try anything. Not even he was that dumb.
“But you’re going to stop picking on the smaller kids, and you’re going to stop talking crap, or else you’re going to find out what was behind door number two. We clear on that, Vann?”
Tommy nodded eagerly.
“Good. You can go.”
He tried to step around me so he could leave out the back way where no one would see him covered in sparkly pink glitter. Did he really think it would be that easy?
“Where do you think you’re going?”
He stopped dead in his tracks. “L-leaving.”
“Oh, no. We didn’t get you all dressed up for nothing, hot stuff. You’re going to take the scenic route. Let everyone see what a pretty girl you are.”
Vaughn and Ever both snickered.
“But—”
“Walk,” I commanded, leaving no room for argument in my tone.
Vaughn closed in on him, forcing Tommy to back up step after step until he was retreating