The Punk and the Plaything (When Rivals Play #3) - B.B. Reid Page 0,6
snort, so I settled for a subtle eye roll instead. And just in case my father happened to see, I rapidly blinked as I picked at my eye with a perfectly manicured nail. I’d tell him there was an eyelash stuck in it if he asked, but he didn’t. He’d likely already forgotten that I was in the room.
“Brunch will be an intimate affair with a friend of the family. We won’t be in the public eye.”
“And who is this friend of the family?”
“Vaughn Rees.”
My father’s thick brows pulled down even further at Ever’s answer. “I’m not sure I want my daughter in the company of a Rees.”
“Our fathers have been considering business together. It’s in everyone’s best interest that we push aside our personal feelings.”
My father’s only response was to sit back in his chair, and after a moment of contemplation, he nodded to me. Elliot Montgomery would never pass up the chance for more money. Money that he’d never get his hands on if I had anything to say about it.
I crossed the room on the Mary-Jane Prada pumps my mom insisted I wear. Just as I cleared the door, I heard my father speak. The light feeling that came during the rare times I was free of my father’s thumb dissipated at his demand.
“Have her back in two hours, or you won’t see her again until your wedding day.”
Ever’s back was already turned, so my father couldn’t see the dark expression that clouded his face, but I did. I also knew there would be serious trouble if I didn’t separate them right now.
Grabbing Ever’s hand, I pulled him toward the front door. I actually broke a sweat since he was resisting a little. Somehow, I managed to get him out the front door. The moment we stepped outside, I spotted Four leaning against the passenger door of the G-Wagon. She wiggled her fingers in greeting, but when she caught our hands clutched together, her eyebrow rose. I dropped his hand as if it were made of hot coals, which only made her grin harder. Even though touching Ever had been innocent and extremely necessary, I had trouble meeting Four’s gaze. The shame sweeping over me made me loathe this arrangement even more. I almost wish she’d done what any woman would have and kept Ever’s ring when I’d given it back to her. When I cornered her in the girl’s bathroom five months ago, it was the last thing I’d expected.
“It’s not like Ever and I could go public, anyway,” Four reasoned as she lifted the ring I’d laid on the counter. “Our parents are still dating, and Rosalyn”—Four exhaled as her shoulders sagged—“she wouldn’t take the news well. She’ll just think I’m trying to ruin her relationship with Thomas. I don’t want her to get sick again.”
“What are you talking about?” I prodded with a frown. If Rosalyn was her mother, why did she call her by her first name? And why would Four dating Ever make her mother sick?
“It doesn’t matter now,” Four answered cryptically. And then she handed me the ring. What the hell? “Think of this as you doing me a solid too. Us girls have to stick together, right?”
“I don’t think this is what they meant.”
A small smile was Four’s only response, and despite the fact that I felt weird about it, I gave her a hesitant smile back as I accepted the ring. I had the feeling this wasn’t going to end well for anyone.
“Trouble with your future in-laws?” Four jested, jerking me back to the present as we climbed inside Ever’s truck.
Ever gave her a look that said, “Not now,” and I concurred as I leaned my head back and closed my eyes. Feeling someone watching me, I popped them open seconds later and found Four leaning around her seat in the front.
“Are you okay?” The furrow between her brows made me think her concern was genuine. Since we didn’t know each other all that well, I wasn’t ready to get my hopes up that we could be friends. I was fake dating her boyfriend while she hid in the shadows as his dirty little secret. How could I ever expect her to get past that?
“I’m fine.” It was obvious she wasn’t convinced when she continued to stare. “Do you really care?” I asked after a few seconds passed, and I begin to squirm.
Shrugging, she turned to face forward. “I don’t have to if you prefer.”