The Punk and the Plaything (When Rivals Play #3) - B.B. Reid Page 0,43

never seen so much anger in one person before. Jamie had been explosive, a bomb with a very short fuse. I’d have to tread carefully.

I gritted my teeth at the thought and discarded it as quickly as it had come. This was my town, my crew. Jamie, like it or not, was just going to have to get in line.

Finally catching my breath, I stood up straight, prepared to face the music, and at the same time, I heard what sounded like a twig snapping. The moment my head swung in that direction, I was tackled to the ground.

The force of the impact knocked the breath I’d just caught from my lungs. I felt dazed, but I could still make out the fist hovering in the air, and Jamie’s handsome face, wet with pool water, twisted in anger. His hair, which was longer in the front, was now plastered to his forehead and dripping water into brown eyes that seemed darker now. I started to feel bad for pushing him into the pool until I realized his fist was heading straight for my face. I dodged the blow just in time, leaving his fist to crash into the ground. The pain I could imagine radiating up his arm right about now distracted him long enough for me to wiggle from under him. Once free, I saw my red cap lying a few feet away and scrambled to grab it.

Big mistake.

I felt Jamie’s hand clamp around my ankle, and then he was dragging me back. I suddenly felt like the stupid heroine in a horror movie who’d just tripped over an invisible rock. The sticks and stones scraping my skin had me gritting my teeth. Despite my struggling, Jamie managed to flip me over and grip my wrists. I was pinned, and fighting to free myself only made this cruel boy tighten his grip until I whimpered from the pain.

Losing my cool, I screamed in his face. “It was just cookies, asshole!”

Jamie didn’t respond.

In fact, his anger was gone, replaced by shock as he stared at my chest. My T-shirt had lifted during the struggle, exposing my bright pink training bra underneath. His shock seemed to clear a few seconds later, and then he was stumbling back in horror.

I fixed my shirt with a huff and stood, too. I watched him warily while he tried to process what he’d seen. Despite my bra no longer being visible, he was still staring and blinking stupidly at my chest. My boobs that I resented so much were once more safely hidden by my baggy t-shirt.

“You’re a-a-a—you’re a girl.”

“That’s right,” I admitted shamelessly. “I am.” And then I drew my fist back before sending it flying into his nose. It was the first time I’d punched someone, and boy, did it feel good. I understood now why the guys were always eager for a fight. I fought a smile, suddenly hoping that Jamie didn’t hold back.

Instead, he stumbled back while clutching his nose.

I became alarmed by the amount of blood spilling past his hands. I turned toward the sound of running feet. Ever, Vaughn, and Jason had found us, and they looked as bad off as Jamie. Clearly, there had been a fight between them, and clearly, Jamie had won. It made me think twice about hitting him. Three against one were tough odds, and my guys had never been bested.

“Dude, you okay?” Vaughn asked as he tipped toward Jamie.

“I think she broke my nose!”

I rolled my eyes at his dramatics while fighting a smile. It was hard to feel sorry for him since he’d started it. It didn’t have to go this far, but obviously, he’d wanted to prove a point. I hugged myself as I admitted a part of me had wanted to prove myself, too. The guys constantly got shit for taking orders from a girl. I was afraid that one day they’d give in to the pressure, and I’d be without friends.

“We should get back,” Jason said. “My sister probably already told your mom what happened,” he said to Ever, who nodded.

With a final glare, Jamie stormed away with Vaughn on his heels.

“Dude,” I heard Jason whisper to Ever. “Your cousin totally got his ass kicked by a girl.” I could hear the awe in Jason’s voice and Ever’s snickering.

With my back turned to them, I smiled while trailing Jamie and Vaughn. I was sure to keep my distance, though. Every once in a while, Jamie would glare at me