The Punk and the Plaything (When Rivals Play #3) - B.B. Reid Page 0,31

head from his ass, but he wasn’t a complete idiot. He knew my family was broke, and even more daunting was that he knew what my father planned to do about it. He reveled in it, hoping for a chance to steal me from Ever and finally have revenge for his sister.

Anyone would think that my request was light-hearted teasing. However, the money my father lost playing golf had really set us back. The men who attended the club were high rollers who didn’t gamble in mere tens or hundreds but rather tens of thousands. It was the kind of thing bored men with too much money did.

My father was a different story, however. I wouldn’t be surprised if he were gambling in a foolish attempt to flip the little money we had left. Elliot Montgomery was sinking fast, and he was determined to bring my mother and me with him. It was anyone’s guess how he’d managed to maintain our illusion of wealth this long, but I was sure I didn’t want to know. Whatever it was would haunt me for the rest of my days. No matter how far away I got from him.

I could have run years ago when I found out his plans to marry me off and fatten his pockets, but the risk of being dragged back again kept me at bay. No one, not even Ever, knew about my single failed escape attempt. My father had made sure to keep it under wraps and painted an ugly picture of what would happen if I tried it again. I’d barely made it out of Blackwood Keep. It was a wonder how I’d make it all the way to Scotland.

Don’t go there.

I realized it was no use as my mind drifted to Jamie anyway. I’d been desperate, not for salvation, but for the love I now know I didn’t deserve. Knowing Jamie might have needed me, too, drove me to not care about the consequences if I were caught. I blamed my foolish heart and myself for following it, but never again.

I knew better this time.

“Mr. Montgomery, I’d be happy to play a few rounds with you,” Jason offered as he took a seat. “That is if your future son-in-law doesn’t mind.” Jason made a show of looking at the empty setting next to me before looking around the dining room for Ever. “Is he here?”

The tension could have been cut with a knife, but I would have much rather used it to slice Jason’s balls, which had grown considerably in the years since he had left. He’d never been so bold before. Any sympathy I’d had for him had been washed away by his cruelty.

“I’m afraid not,” my father answered before his gray brows furrowed. I knew the question that was coming next and took a deep breath. I’d already rehearsed my answer. “Where is Ever? Did he and his mother not receive our invitation?”

“Yes, Father, but since Mrs. McNamara only just returned to town, she didn’t think it appropriate to celebrate the holiday.” At least, that was what I imagined she’d say if I’d bothered to invite her. And Ever… God. Pretending to be my fiancé now that he was dating Four was complicated enough. Expecting him to celebrate Mother’s Day with the woman who abandoned him for my benefit was too much to ask. The last thing I wanted was to push my best friend too far. He’d already given so much. And more than anything, I wish I’d never let him get involved.

“It’s just as well,” Mr. Portland said with a sniff. “Honestly, Elliot, I don’t see how you can allow your daughter to marry that wretch after what he did to our Olivia.”

“It’s no wonder Evelyn left,” Mrs. Portland chimed in. “Her son is a monster.”

As if they’d conjured him up, I blinked stupidly at the tall figure crowding the entrance a moment later. His mother was at his side, and although Evelyn couldn’t seem to take her eyes off her son, Ever didn’t acknowledge her as he searched the crowded room for an empty table.

Forgetting the lie I’d just told my parents, my lips parted to call out to him. His name quickly became lodged in my throat at the sight of his cousin cockily sauntering past them and into the dining room.

Faintly, I heard my name being called, but I couldn’t tear my gaze away from the vision Jamie created in dangerously sagging khaki Bermuda shorts and the black