The Punk and the Plaything (When Rivals Play #3) - B.B. Reid Page 0,80
and were washed away.
I see love, I break love. That’s what I do.
Summer… Six Years Ago
DUSK HAD ALREADY FALLEN, AND anyone under the age of sixteen without an adult had been required to leave. Ever, Vaughn, Jason, Jamie, and I managed to avoid security for about an hour before we were caught.
“I love your accent,” Rachel flirted. “Where are you from?”
I was grateful for the huge panda blocking my view of them as security escorted us to the exit. Watching Jamie flirt and enthrall not one, but all three of those girls made me realize they hadn’t been the ones on the hunt. They’d been prey all along.
I couldn’t stop seeing Jamie and Rachel behind that cotton candy stand or how his hand had crept and fumbled underneath her tiny top.
As if that weren’t enough, all day I had to force myself to ignore every wink, heated glance, and sexy grin Jamie threw their way while pretending to have a good time with my friends.
“Boston,” Jamie answered, though he sounded distracted. I had the urge to peek around my prize and see for myself, but I didn’t.
“So what do you guys want to do now?” Vaughn asked once the security guard had left us with an order to go home. I still had an hour or so before curfew, but I was eager to get home and out of this dress. All day, I felt like I’d been wearing someone else’s skin. I missed my hat and the baggy shirts that hid the fact that I had boobs. Not to mention this bear was beginning to make my arms tremble. Ever, Vaughn, and Jason had all offered to help, but every single time, I’d felt Jamie’s gaze, waiting to see if I’d take them up on their offer.
Stubbornly, I hadn’t, and I was more than regretting it now.
Ever murmured something about taking a piss before heading for the row of blue porta-potties down the street. Just then, a screaming kid—maybe four or five—was being carried through the gates by his mother, who struggled to hold onto him. Approaching them, I couldn’t help but notice that he was empty-handed. After getting permission from the weary mother, I squatted until I was eye level with her son and offered him the panda. I almost snorted when the waterworks ended immediately. Now that he wasn’t trying his best to shatter glass, I realized he was pretty freaking cute even with the giant snot bubble hanging from his right nostril.
“What do you say, Alan?”
“Thank you.”
Winking, I stood and watched as Alan struggled to carry the panda that was almost twice his size. Returning to my friends, I realized they’d all been watching me.
“Cute kid,” Jamie drawled. He looked pretty cozy with Rachel’s arm wrapped around his waist. “A little young for you, don’t you think?”
“Funny,” I retorted, seeing that green haze again. “I was going to say the same to your new girlfriend.”
“What do you mean?” Rachel asked, suddenly looking alarmed. When I said nothing, she pulled away from Jamie. He didn’t seem to notice as he pinned me with his gaze. “I thought you said that you’re fifteen?”
“You’re right,” he admitted, brown eyes twinkling mischievously. “I did say that.”
As Vaughn and Jason snickered, I realized that I’d been right about Rachel and her friends being older. I also realized that Jamie must have lied about his age to hook up with them. I didn’t want to be impressed that he succeeded, but I definitely was. Their age difference wasn’t exactly something one could shrug off. Jamie seemed too far out of my league, and we were only a year apart.
“So how old are you?”
“Twelve.”
“Ugh!” Rachel screeched. “I can’t believe you!” She stormed away, forcing her friends to run to catch up. Each of them threw Jamie—and me, for some reason—evil glares over their shoulders. I was a little more than excited to see them finally go.
By the time they were out of sight, the guys were bent over clutching their sides. The only ones not laughing were Jamie and me, though I was sure for different reasons. Spinning on my heel, I carefully made my way across the busy street. Jamie’s full attention was becoming too much for me to handle. The moment I reached the bike racks, I felt fingers gripping my arm and tugging me around. I was taller than most girls, so when Jamie towered over me, it was only by an inch or two.