The Peer and the Puppet (When Rivals Play #1) - B.B. Reid Page 0,62
to be chosen.
“Was her name Olivia Portland?”
Adam’s apple bobbing, he looked away.
“I shouldn’t be surprised that you know,” he said after a while.
“You didn’t think the most popular boy at school would be excluded from gossip, did you?” My teasing was meant to lighten the mood, but his expression only became more solemn.
“I’d rather you get your facts from me. At least then I could be sure you believed only the truth.”
I was startled by his admission but smart enough not to let it show. “Why should I trust you not to lie to me?”
“There are worse things I could do to you. Lying should be the least of your concerns.”
“I see Exiled is training you well,” I remarked snippily.
“Good.” His smile was faint but dripped with deadly intent. “I’ll need them to.”
Ignoring the phantom feel of icy fingers trailing down my spine, I hastily tried to dissect his meaning. It was the first indication he’d given that he was Exiled for a reason other than simply seeking a thrill.
“Why join a gang? You have everything you could ever want.”
Eyes shooting flames, he said, “You don’t know shit about what I want.”
“Then enlighten me. You seem to know all of my secrets. Level the playing field.”
He bared his teeth and smirked. “I know your secrets because I’m clever.” Amber eyes that reminded me of autumn dropped to my lips where a sneer was forming. “And you’re reckless,” he whispered.
“I’m reckless because I have to be. It seems to me like you joined a gang because spending Daddy’s money got boring, and you needed a thrill.”
Only a millisecond passed before I was shoved onto my back. I had to quickly close my eyes to keep the sand from getting in my eyes. Ever didn’t move or make a sound, but he didn’t have to.
I could feel him.
When I opened my eyes, he was crouched low over me with his elbows resting on his thighs.
“You constantly bring up my family’s money as if it’s what truly separates us. Would you like to know the difference between you and I, little troublemaker? You run from your demons. I chase mine.”
Heart pumping and skin flushed with shame because maybe he was right, I could only muster through gritted teeth, “Get off me.”
“You’re free to go,” he replied matter-of-factly.
Still, he didn’t move an inch.
And because he wasn’t actually restraining me or even touching me for that matter, I realized he expected me to crawl if I wanted to leave.
Feeling murderous by the time I stood, I furiously brushed the sand caked on my skin and clothes, then started the short trek back to the bonfire without looking back.
Maybe Ever was right about being the clever one. I couldn’t help but feel as if I had drawn the short stick. We lived in the same house, rode to school together, shared meals, and have even kissed, but while he seemed to know my every thought, desires, and fear, I realized that I was not even close to discovering his.
Once I reached the bonfire, I headed straight for one of the large blue coolers. Before I could reach for the white lid, however, some guy shoved a fresh beer in my hands.
Returning his smile, I lifted the can. “Cheers.”
I had only just popped the top when the beer was plucked from my hand by Ever. I was too shocked to do anything but watch as he took a healthy gulp of my beer and gave who I assumed was our classmate a threatening look that sent him running to the other side of the party.
“Why did you do that?”
Rather than respond, he began rummaging through the cooler until he pulled out a beer, popped the top, and handed it to me.
Clutching the cold can to my chest, I repeated my question.
“Don’t take a drink from anyone else except Vaughn or Jamie,” he ordered.
“Afraid I’ll smear the McNamara name?”
“Nothing you do will be worse than what I’ll do if someone—” His eyes seemed to glow while heat bloomed in my belly, and desperation for him to finish that sentence filled me. Instead, he looked me up and down and said, “I still haven’t decided if you’re worth the trouble yet.”
I was still sneering at his retreating back when Tyra appeared out of nowhere and grabbed my shoulders.
“I’ve been looking for you everywhere!” she yelled.
“Are you okay?” Even while she shook me, it was hard to miss her flustered appearance.