The Punk and the Plaything (When Rivals Play #3) - B.B. Reid Page 0,59

wand. When I was younger, she’d pull most of it back and secure it with a white ribbon so that my face could be seen. It was the same hairstyle she had forced me to wear every day. “You’re a beautiful girl,” she would say. “You shouldn’t hide behind your hair.”

My mom didn’t get that it was because I was pretty that I hid. Girls who looked like me were rarely taken seriously. No one ever expects pretty girls to get their hands dirty or chip a nail… I liked doing all of those things.

“You do know you can talk to me, don’t you, dear?”

No, I didn’t know that. In fact, I knew better. It had been five days since I had dinner at Lou and Wren’s, and somehow, I’d become more hollow than I was before. Deep down, I knew it was because I’d had a glimpse of what could have been.

“Is something the matter?” I hedged. We both knew this wasn’t about me, anyway. My parents were only concerned about themselves.

“Your father and I were wondering if everything is okay between you and Ever?”

“Of course,” I lied. “Why do you ask?” It was all I could do to hide the truth. I was worried. While my engagement to Ever was a farce, I wasn’t so sure our friendship would survive. I never asked for any of this, but like a coward, I’d accepted too much from him, and not for the first time, I questioned if I should have let him get involved at all. Faking a relationship had been his idea, but it was my choice to go along with it. I should have run when I had the chance, but I’d been afraid. Terrified that I’d never see Jamie again. There was no way I could ever return to Blackwood Keep if I left.

Once I left.

“He seems… distracted.”

Translation: my parents were afraid that Ever was losing interest in me.

I was eager for the day they’d realize we’d been playing them all along, even though I knew I wouldn’t be around to see it. Or would I? I could feel Ever pulling away and feared that soon, I’d be on my own.

“Barbette, you’re slouching.”

This was one time I didn’t mind my mother criticizing my form. Squaring my shoulders, I lifted my chin. I guess I was okay with being alone, after all. Ever had Four, and Vaughn had Tyra, and though it didn’t bode well for me, I couldn’t help but feel lighter knowing that I’d be leaving them in good hands. It was everything a girl could hope for her best friends.

And Jamie… well, he’d never had trouble finding someone to comfort him.

“I’m sure he’s just nervous about starting school in the fall.”

Ever had chosen to attend Cornell. They had one of the best architecture programs in the country, but Ever didn’t seem all that excited. Something told me it had to do with the four-hour distance it would put between him and Four.

From what I had heard, since Ever could never seem to talk about anything other than Four, she planned to race professionally, which would have her on the road often.

“He’ll also be marrying you,” my mother naively reminded. “Your wedding should be his priority, as well.”

“It is.”

“He hasn’t helped with the planning.”

“Did Dad help plan your wedding?”

“Don’t talk back, young lady.”

I could barely keep from rolling my eyes. “I’m not. I’m just wondering, I guess.”

After a brief pause, my mother let out one of those dainty chuckles that were totally fake. “No, I suppose not.” She resumed curling my hair, but I knew the inquisition was far from over. “I thought you’d be more excited about marrying the man of your dreams.”

My eyes shot up to meet my mom’s in the mirror. Was she serious? I wasn’t in love with Ever, and she knew it even if my father didn’t. My mother had been the one to advise me that love was an illusion, and if I were smart, I’d find someone I at least liked before my father chose a husband for me.

I turned around in my chair, and my mother stepped back with her hand clutching her neck at the look in my eyes. “We both know he’s not the man of my dreams, Mother, but he’s rich. Rich enough to dig us out of the hole Father dug us into. You should be thanking me rather than complaining. Pretty soon, you’ll both be at my mercy, which means I can