The Punk and the Plaything (When Rivals Play #3) - B.B. Reid Page 0,97

half. “I’ve got it covered, thanks. I didn’t risk my freedom racing street for nothing.”

She swung her leg over the bike and headed inside and upstairs. When she stepped through her bedroom door, she looked over her shoulder and frowned once she realized I’d followed her.

“Uhhh… Jamie?”

“We need to talk.” Reaching behind me, I slammed her door closed. “Tell me what you know about Ever’s father.” It wasn’t a question that she knew more than she should have.

Her deep frown would have been adorable if I weren’t on a mission. “Who? Thomas?”

“No,” I snapped, giving her an indignant look. The women in my life made a habit of playing coy. “His real father.”

She blinked, took a step, and then another until she reached me. “Sean?”

Four’s bedroom door flew open before I could answer. I swung around, and my heart dropped to my stomach when I found Ever leaning against the jamb.

Shit.

IT WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE graduation, but the ceremony, one of the most important milestones I’d have in my lifetime, was the furthest thing from my mind. Six days had passed since the country club. Six days of agony. Six days of wondering. I couldn’t erase the devastation from my mind that I saw in Jamie’s eyes. Even when he was angry, I couldn’t recall him staying away this long. There were no late-night break-ins or random pop-ups at my school. He’d even deprived me of the mocking texts he always sent in the morning and sometimes throughout the day.

Deciding I’d had enough, I tossed back the bedsheets, shoved on my flip-flops, and snuck from my bedroom and the house. Ready or not, Jameson John Buchanan would just have to face me. Tiptoeing through the backyard, I made my way to the tool shed, hoping it was still there. As I slipped inside, relief and nostalgia flooded my heart when I spotted my old, red Huffy. My bike, the harmonica, and my journal were the last that remained of Bee.

Quietly, I pulled the bike from the shed, hoping the chain hadn’t rusted too much. After a quick inspection, I swung my leg over the seat, feeling giddy. I had to pedal a little harder than necessary since there was a little rust, but in no time, I was flying down the dark, empty road.

It was dangerous.

Completely reckless.

I’d never felt freer.

I was out of breath by the time I reached the huge mansion. It wasn’t until I stopped in front of the closed gates that I realized just how rashly I’d acted. It was after midnight. Of course, I wasn’t getting through. Not unless I called Jamie.

But it was also the night before graduation, which meant there was likely a party happening and even more likely that Jamie wouldn’t even be home.

So much for carpe diem.

Or however that saying went when it was the middle of the fucking night.

Giving up, I started to turn around when the sound of creaking metal filled the night. The gates slowly opened, and I realized someone was coming. I quickly ducked inside the bushes and hid as best I could with a bike for a beacon.

The sound of an engine roaring made me hold my breath. Moments later, I saw a flash of red as Jamie’s Jeep flew through the gates. “Gold Digger” by Kanye West was blasting from the speakers.

Where the hell was he going in such a hurry?

I stared at his taillights until they disappeared. The gates began creaking as they slowly shut, and I realized this was my chance. Without a second thought, I slipped through them. There wasn’t enough time to talk myself out of it. I left my bike behind in the bushes and decided it would be safer there hidden from sight.

Jogging up the long drive, I bypassed the front door, knowing it wouldn’t be unlocked, and slipped around the side of the house. I wondered if Mr. McNamara ever had the lock fixed on the window in the butler’s pantry.

It was a long shot, but it was my only one.

This place was huge, which meant there were a thousand places to hide a key. Jamie could return before then. I’d come here to confront him, but now I was more interested in satisfying my curiosity.

Reaching the window, I nearly clapped and jumped for joy when I pushed up on the glass, and it slid open. I wasted no time swinging my leg over the sill and climbing inside. The pantry was dark, but I could still make out