The Artist (The Game Changers #2) Read Online Free

still courting her, so he could eventually guide her financial decision-making, and in turn, make more money for himself. Fortunately, I genuinely liked this woman’s work. She specialized in understated abstract paintings that portrayed realistic images in dreamlike states, and Blythe was good. She was very good.
    Once dressed in a sleek black dress, I took one last glance in the mirror before I headed down to meet my friend. I always had to be ready for the photographers that would undoubtedly be at an event like this.
    Maddox Walker was Grant’s best friend. We all grew up together, even though I was younger by a few years. Still, I was Maddox’s first kiss, female or otherwise. I was twelve, and he was sixteen, a late bloomer, supposedly. I knew then that he was gay, but he made me swear not to tell. I kept his secret until he decided to come out last year, fourteen years later. In some of my angrier moments, I threatened otherwise, but I would have never shared his secret. He struggled with it enough. Maddox was the one thing Grant and I shared, and I didn’t take that lightly.
    “Hey, Kit Kat. Ready to go scout some art and kiss the artist’s ass?” he said by way of greeting as he held the passenger door to his Porsche open for me.
    “You know it. I love kissing ass in the name of my father.” He closed the door once I was in and headed to his side of the car.
    “You love kissing ass in the name of Dick?” He grinned. I hadn’t mentioned yet that I called my father, Richard Peters, Dick. Not only was it exceptionally funny to the boys when I was in middle school to call my father Dick Peters, but Dick was the best word I could use to describe my father. It truly suited his personality.
    “Oh, shut up. So why didn’t Nolan want to come?” I changed the subject as he pulled into traffic.
    “Oh, he did.”
    “And?”
    “He’s bringing Eve.” I saw Maddox’s eyes dart my way to gauge my reaction. When he saw how unfazed I was, he continued. “Grant had to fly to San Fran for a meeting. The only way he’d leave Eve behind was if Nolan was going to keep an eye on her. Crazy bastard.”
    “A bit overprotective, isn’t he?”
    “You have no idea. Once she told him she was pregnant, he has made it his mission to keep her in a bubble.”
    “She’s pregnant?” I screeched in surprise.
    “Shit…yeah. I probably wasn’t supposed to say anything. With Iris getting treatments and them planning their wedding, I think they wanted to keep it private. Don’t you dare say—”
    “I won’t.” I cut him off. “Good for them. I bet Iris went nuts when she found out Eve was knocked up.”
    “I think Iris has come around. Eve has a way with Iris…like you do.”
    “Yeah. I have a way with her, all right.” I rolled my eyes at the thought I had been kissing Iris Mitchell’s ass for years just as Maddox pulled into the parking lot of the gallery.
    “Grant has no idea how much he’s dodged because of you. One day he’ll be grateful.”
    “No need. I’m doomed no matter what. I can take the heat from both sets of parents.”
    Maddox gave me a sympathetic smile. He knew what it was like to disappoint your parents. He spent the last fourteen years worrying about doing exactly that. Grant was the golden child, and at the end of the day, Iris Mitchell loved her children. Maddox and I didn’t have that luxury.
    Being the ultimate gentleman, Maddox came around to my side of the car and held out his hand for me while I climbed out in my four-inch heels. I hooked my arm in the elbow he offered, and we slowly made our way into the gallery.
    The large warehouse-like space was dark except for the lights highlighting the art on the walls and the sculptures in the middle of the room. I knew Blythe painted, but the sculptures were a welcome surprise. Familiar faces and waiters with champagne quickly greeted Maddox and me. We made quick conversation with business affiliates of our fathers before making our excuses