Laughing, we ran off in separate directions.
With fifteen minutes beforeSparringwith Elaine, I went in search of the gym to see if Max was hiding there.
That got me nowhere.
On my way toSparring, I grew more and more frustrated.
I finally considered who else might have a clue for me, on the off chance Max evaded me forever or had vanished into thin air. That also got me nowhere.
My reaction to Elaine’s comments throughout our session did the same.
Eager for me to fill my position as the future help, she made it very clear, loudly and repeatedly, that she’d want the sheets on her marital bed changed more than once a day.
Somehow, I found the will to ignore her, and I made it through our first roundwithoutwringing her neck.
I deserved a cookie or something.
A pat on the back.
Give a girl a gold star.
Anything, really, because it wasnoteasy.
Josh called out from the side of the ring. “Hey, Everly! Where’s your head today?”
I glanced up as Elaine came at me, blocking her punch at the last second. Shaking my head to clear it, I refocused and avoided her next two jabs.
“What’s the matter, Quinn? Still thinking about how you don’t belong here?” she taunted, brushing her curls over her shoulder with her gloved hand. “I know I am, but thankfully, I won’t have to deal with you for long.”
I’d like to say I blocked out whatever she said next.
But that would be a lie.
“You know, it really is better this way. I’ll win The Quest, marry Kingston, and he’s so close with Landon, who always follows his orders, that I’m sure if it meant pleasing his new wife, Kingston would make sure his right hand did whatever necessary to help. Maybe even bring him into bed with us.”
She giggled, her delusions on full display.
I seethed, forcing air in and out of my nostrils.
Still raw over everything with Max, I couldn’t handle even the thought of losing both Kingston and Landon.
Elaine smirked. “Landon must befantasticin the bedroom since you forgave him after the Knights’ Quorum”—she dropped her voice to a whisper—“he really was doing you a favor, but a girl will forgive anything for good dick, right?” Her smile, as ifwe were gal pals swapping secrets, curdled my stomach. “And Kingston? I danced with him at the last party. He’s got moves,andI swear I felt…well, you know.”
She winked, and the edges of my vision bled.
“God. Can you imagine having them both in bed?”
I gritted my teeth. “Yeah, I can.”
Then, I swung at her, dropping my arm and forgetting my footing. I neglected to cover my face right after.
Elaine was ready to strike.
Her punch to my temple snapped my head to the side and jolted my body into the ropes.
“That’s time!” Josh called. “Everly, get over here!”
I blinked past the stars in my eyes, breathing hard and fighting to regain my bearings.
