Page 268 of Face Off

Rider looks at me. He knows every part of the story because I told him the moment Temple entered our circle. “I’ve got her,” he says.

I nod once and Rider follows Charm toward the castle.

Lyric touches the side of her face and stares at Bliss. “You fucking hit me.”

Cade still has Bliss suspended against his chest. She points around his arm. “Say another word about Charm, Ryan, or Temple, and I’ll make it symmetrical.”

“Threatening her isn’t helping,” Aura says.

“It’s helping me.”

I turn toward Lyric.

The fury inside me becomes quiet enough that Cade lowers Bliss to the ground but keeps both arms around her. Easton moves closer to Aura while Rider disappears through the terrace doors behind Charm.

Temple remains near the fire. She’s no longer wrapped inside the blanket. It hangs from one shoulder while embarrassment burns across her face, but she doesn’t lower her eyes or pretend the night with me is something she needs to deny.

“You didn’t tell Charm because you believed she deserved honesty,” I say. “You told her because Briggs caught you giving your number to another man, and hurting two women was easier than answering him.”

Lyric folds her arms. “I told the truth.”

“You weaponized my private life.”

“She was throwing herself at Briggs.”

“I shared a marshmallow with him,” Temple says. “You’re acting like I climbed onto his lap and removed my underwear.”

Briggs turns toward her despite everything. “You didn’t.”

“I’m aware.”

Lyric’s eyes narrow. “You weren’t this defensive when you climbed into Ryan’s bed.”

Temple’s mouth tightens, but she refuses to look ashamed. “Ryan and I were single adults. We had one fun night. It never happened again, and we’ve been friends since.”

“You fucked him.”

“Yes.” Temple lifts her chin. “I’m not ashamed that I slept with Ryan. I’m disgusted that you decided my sex life belonged to you because humiliating me might distract everyone from yours.”

Briggs looks at Lyric with something harsher than heartbreak entering his face. “You’re the fucking cheater,” he says.

Lyric turns toward him.

“Ryan and Charm were single. Temple was single. Ryan didn’t betray anyone, and neither did Temple.” His hand shakes when he points toward the man still disappearing beyond the garden. “You got caught giving your number to another man, so you used them to hurt Charm and embarrass Temple.”

“I didn’t force either of them to have sex.”

“No,” Briggs says. “You only announced it in front of everyone because cruelty is the only thing you have left when lying stops working.”

Her face changes. “You’ve been staring at Temple all night.”

“That has nothing to do with what you did.”

“It has everything to do with it.”

“No, it doesn’t.” Briggs steps between Lyric and Temple. “You don’t get to punish her because I finally noticed how fucking miserable you make me.”

Lyric looks around him at Temple. “Congratulations. You finally got his attention.”