The Peer and the Puppet (When Rivals Play #1) - B.B. Reid Page 0,36

you mean?” We reached my locker, and I quickly grabbed the materials for my next class.

“How did you get under his skin? Ever McNamara has never stooped that low before.”

I sighed, getting sick of everyone believing Ever was some god to be revered. “I didn’t do anything. He hates me because I don’t belong here, and he’s right.”

“Have you seen the way he looks at you? I totally believe he can’t stand you, but I think he—” She suddenly looked unsure.

“What?”

“I think he wants you just as much.”

The bell saved me from responding, and we parted ways, but a minute later, I received a text from Tyra.

TYRA: Think about it.

I wanted to tell her that all I did was think about it, but never in a million years would I admit to desiring a boy who treated me so horribly. I stepped over the threshold of my English class and found that very boy sitting in the back.

Vaughn was seated on his right with some blushing bombshell parked in front of him. He had a hand planted on the back of her chair, and the other twirled the end of a long brown lock between his fingers as he whispered in her ear. Like a magnet, my gaze returned to Ever who was sketching something inside a small notebook. He didn’t even notice the avid admirer sitting next to him.

“Ms. Archer, glad to have you back,” the rotund teacher greeted with a clipped tone. Ever’s head jerked up as if he’d just had a bucket of cold water thrown on him. “Please…have a seat.”

I headed for the only empty seat available at the front of the class, but Mr. Driscoll had other plans.

“Actually, I’d like you to switch seats with Ms. Brooks. I’d rather she be able to concentrate on the lecture.”

When I realized he meant the brunette whose drool probably puddled the floor and maybe her seat too, I grew annoyed. Vaughn was just whispering sweet nothings to the girl in front of him but that he noticed?

The pretty brunette stood in a huff and bumped my shoulder when she passed. I wanted to rip her eyes out. Maybe then I wouldn’t have to sit next to him.

Mr. Driscoll, noticing that I still stood, glowered over the rim of his glasses. “Ms. Archer, I’d like to begin.”

Ever’s lips twitched as he sat back slowly, never taking his eyes from me as I moved down the aisle and slid into the desk. The teacher immediately began going over the syllabus. Vaughn, with his hand now groping his conquest’s ass, leaned forward to wink at me.

They were two peas in a pod, and I hated them both.

I tried to follow along with the teacher’s ramblings, but I couldn’t stop watching Ever from the corner of my eye. He twirled a pencil between long, tanned fingers, drawing my attention to his bruised knuckles. They hadn’t been that way during lunch.

I hadn’t realized I was openly staring until the pencil suddenly stopped twirling.

“See something you like?”

The space between my thighs warmed when I envisioned him touching me with those fingers. Oh, no. Don’t go there. “Fighting?” I nodded toward his knuckles. “Are you sure the peerage would approve?”

“The what?” His confused frown was almost adorable.

“The peers and peeresses.” His blank stare held, so I added, “The other rich assholes.”

Understanding dawned and he smiled. “Peer…” His finger caressed his cleft chin. “Is that my pet name when you’re whispering about me with Tyra Bradley?”

I snorted at the same time my face heated. He’s obviously been paying attention. “What makes you think we’ve been talking about you?”

His eyebrow perked as if the answer was obvious, and then he turned his head toward the front of the class.

I’d been dismissed.

I straightened in my seat.

Fuck him and what he thinks.

But what if he thinks I have a crush on him like every other girl in this school?

Before I could consider my dignity, I was facing him again. “Just so you know,” I whispered heatedly, “I was talking about you, but it wasn’t about what you think. It will never be what you think. Got it?”

“What do I think?” he retorted while focusing on his syllabus. I hated how easy it was for him to ignore me.

“Coy doesn’t suit you.”

A whisper of a smile graced his lips. “Lying doesn’t suit you.”

FOUR ARCHER WAS A PUZZLE piece I couldn’t fit into place. She was equally infuriating and fascinating, and I could never let her know. It would give her