The Punk and the Plaything (When Rivals Play #3) - B.B. Reid Page 0,8
It was completely random and not to mention unnecessary.
Already used to his antics, she didn’t miss a beat as she continued to fill her plate. “Ask me if the carpet matches the drapes, and I’ll disembowel you right here, Buchanan.”
Jamie snorted and scooped a huge helping of eggs into his mouth. “Give me a fucking break,” he said with a mouthful. “I answered that question thoroughly years ago. Besides…” He swallowed this time before saying, “I already know you’re as bald as a baby’s ass.”
Everyone looked shocked and a little disturbed while my eyes narrowed on him. He wouldn’t meet my gaze, which only confirmed my suspicions. Rather than getting to me, I’d gotten to him, and just like a child who didn’t get their way, he was acting out.
“How the fuck do you know that?” Vaughn roared, breaking the stunned silence.
Jamie’s smile was small as he methodically slathered cream cheese on a bagel, perfectly content to leave us in suspense. Eventually, he winked, but I still wasn’t sure if it was because he was teasing or confirming what we were all thinking. “Saw the reminder for her wax appointment on her phone.”
Everyone seemed to release a collective breath—everyone except Tyra.
“You guys actually think I fucked him?” she screamed.
“Jamie can be persuasive,” Four muttered guiltily. Tyra rolled her eyes, but it was Ever’s scowl that stole the show.
“How persuasive?” he demanded.
I was taken aback at the possession in Ever’s tone. I still remembered him as the kid who was a little too carefree, never caring about the consequences of his actions or the long term. He’d lived for the now. I’d need my fingers and toes to count how many times he’d come close to death—and jail.
We all watched Four woo Ever with a kiss that melted him instantly. Jamie was the only one who wasn’t moved at their display of affection. I watched from the corner of my eye as he watched me instead. I knew he was waiting for my reaction, for me to scream, and to play the role of a scorned lover. Instead, I made a show of examining my fresh manicure.
“Only ever you,” Four promised Ever.
If I hadn’t been sitting so close, I wouldn’t have heard her whisper. I couldn’t help but wonder if she’d meant it. I hoped she did. Ever had been a shell before Four came to town. Guilt would do that to a person.
I’d know.
“Fucking better be,” he whispered back. He smirked, probably thinking it would hide his blush. I almost snorted. Boys.
“So, guys,” Tyra shouted cheerily to Lou and Wren. She seemed eager to change the subject, and I agreed. “How are you liking living together? It isn’t weird?”
“Not at all!” Lou answered with an affectionate smile. “I’m learning so much about my baby. Like how fast the toilet paper goes when he’s around.”
Wren’s lip curled into a mocking sneer. “I’m sorry that I need more than two squares to wipe my ass.”
“More like two rolls,” Lou corrected before laying a sympathetic hand on his arm. “It gets a bit explosive down there, huh?”
I snickered and then panicked, thinking someone might have heard. My mother would not have been amused. In fact, she would have run from the table. Fortunately, Jamie’s loud guffaw drowned out the small sound I’d made while the rest of the table pushed their food away. I quickly became entranced by Wren and Lou’s bickering until the grimness in Vaughn’s tone when he spoke pulled my attention away.
“Jamie,” Vaughn drawled, “it’s your lucky day. That stunt you pulled got you chauffeur duty. The girls want you to drive them around when they go dress shopping.”
Jamie’s nonchalance at the announcement surprised me as he reached for a strip of bacon. I used to think he was like every other boy, unwilling to take orders from a girl until I realized he didn’t like orders no matter who was giving them. To say I was relieved would be an understatement. They say most girls fall in love with a man most like their father. I was glad that hadn’t been the case for me. Jamie and my father loathed each other beyond redemption.
“Only if I get to help them try some on,” he retorted lasciviously.
“You don’t,” Ever, Vaughn, and even Wren echoed.
“Dresses?” Four questioned, making my heart stop. “For what?”
The trippy organ inside my chest began to beat again but much too fast.