Page 71 of Ruse
Tate spins on her heels to face my friends who are all gathered around eagerly waiting for someone to say something on the matter. They’re not only watching her expectantly but are visibly baffled by whatever’s happening. “We all know thatHer Majestyhere,” she says with an edge to her tone, “has been a little distant and behaving oddly, even for her, since her near downfall earlier this year. You know when the scandalous affair of her parents came out and rattled all of Malibu Cove’s social scene,” she adds as if they all don’t understand what she’s implying.
“Cut the fucking Bullshit!” Brooklyn shouts rather irate and drunk as he stumbles toward her.
Tate rolls her eyes, putting her hand out to block Brooklyn from moving any closer to her.
“Why yes, I see that is still a sore subject. Any who…” she sing-songs, turning back to everyone. “I understand our dear Phoenix has been avoiding all of us tonight, but let me tell you, she hasn’t been alone. Looks like ourReigning Queenhas found herself aKing.” It’s at that precise moment her gaze flicks to Maverick who has somehow moved closer and is standing protectively behind me. “Or at least a ridiculously hot bodyguard.”
I can feel his chest rising and falling, pushing against my back, while his hand rests possessively on my waist, pulling me in closer to him. Tate holds out her phone to us, and on it plays a video of Maverick and I on the Ferris wheel moments ago. You can’t see everything we were doing, but you can clearly make out I’m straddling his lap and my lips are on his.
Can’t get any clearer than that.
Donavan and Darcy gasp while Fitz mutters“Oh shit”, just as Brooklyn’s fist lands on the edge of Maverick’s chin, making him release his hold on me as he stumbles a step back.
Mav doesn’t fall to the ground, Brooklyn’s drunk and therefore his aim is faulty, but the contact is there no less. “You fucking bastard!” Brooklyn shouts, going in for another blow. However, this time Maverick blocks him, refusing to return the hit toward my brother. Instead, Mav wraps his arms around Brooklyn holding him in a weird sort of headlock, not only stopping him from throwing another punch but also from hurting himself in the process.
All the wandering and prying eyes in our vicinity are on us, watching and gossiping about the show these two idiots are putting on.
Behind them Chad and Tate smile victoriously, the two snakes meant for each other watching how I eagerly try to control what is happening. Laughing at how hard I’m trying to keep it all together before my life blows to pieces and I lose everything.
“Stop it both of you!” I shout, making Maverick release his hold on Brooklyn. Fitz helps by pulling my brother back, but Brooklyn shrugs him off and takes off toward the parking lot, not able to stomach looking me in the eye. “He can’t leave like this,” I cry out. However, Fitz is already responding to the terror-stricken look in my eyes.
“I’ll get him home, don't worry.”
“I’ll go with you,” Dee tells him, reassuring me.
“I will too,” Darcy adds. “Someone needs to drive, and I haven’t been drinking.” Fitz nods in agreement, tossing Darcy the keys to his Jeep.
Anger bubbles inside of me clouding my vision as they take off after Brooklyn, the events of not only the last few months but also of these past few days flashing in my mind like a warning sign. I’ve reached the point in my life where I'm going to explode if I don’t take back hold of the reins and control my own actions and decisions. I’ve had it with everyone concocting these elaborate lies and making their own assumptions about me and my life. It’s time I put the rumors to rest myself.
“Let me make this easy for you Tate,” I mutter, deciding no one is going to get the satisfaction of dragging my name through the streets anymore. I’m the only one who has the power to decide what I do with my life. Not my parents, not Maverick, not Brooklyn, not Chad, and surely not fucking Tatum Mortimer. “Yes, I’ve found someone new to keep me warm at night. It’s easy too given he shares the room right next to me.”
Tate’s victorious grin falls, and in its place, a vicious scowl appears, nipping at her dignity and making her want to crawl into a little ball and die of embarrassment from the ego hit she’s just suffered.
I, however, no longer give a flying fuck.
Maverick’s arm wraps around my waist, claiming me, putting to rest any doubt they still may have about my confession.
“You fucking whore,” Tate screeches, her hands fisting at her sides like a temperamental child about to drop to the floor kicking and screaming. The crowd around us gasps after hearing our exchange.
Excitement flows through me at the sight of her all ruffled up and out of her element. She thought by outing Mav and I she was going to make me run away crying or beg her to stop, but on the contrary, it made me brave enough to silence all of those who mocked me behind my back. It’s my turn to smile proudly like I’ve won this round, and I do, making sure everyone hears me.
“Yes dear, I hear that’s the way he likes it.”
ChapterTwenty-Three
MAVERICK
She’s mine.
Phoenix is mine and she’s finally accepted it.
I was bewildered by her admission which was not only in front of her ex-boyfriend and number one nemesis, but with her brother and friends merely a few feet away. One thing is for everyone to suspect that we’re fooling around with each other, but after what she said to me about it being a mistake, I didn’t think she’d risk them knowing it was true.
Maybe it was the adrenaline rushing through her veins from what we’d just done, or the video proof Tate used as ammunition smirking like she’d just ensured Phoenix’s ruin. Regardless of what the cause was, she did it, and I’ll be taking advantage of all the time I can get with her before she changes her mind again.
After leaving the fair and crowd standing there gaping at us in shock, we’re back home, alone. Only I’m not ready for the night to be over.
Phoenix exits my car and rushes to the gate, unlocking it before I can get out myself.
