Forever Golden: Dark High School Bully Romance (Kings of Cypress Prep Book 3)

by Rachel Jonas

  Passing my brothers’ rooms on my way to the elevator, I see both have their bags packed and on standby for tomorrow. It reminds me that I procrastinated until the very last second and still need to pack when I get in tonight.

  “I’m out,” I announce.

  “Okay.”

  “Right behind you.”

  I’m too far away to know who said what, but the plan is to meet up outside the school. The elevator doors close and no sooner than they do, my phone rings. Seeing as how it’s not the secret line, I know it isn’t Southside, but I definitely don’t expect to see Parker’s name pop up.

  “Shit.”

  I stare at the screen, ninety-nine percent sure I’m gonna let the call go to voicemail. But then I remember how I dismissed her at the party before the Championship. Then, she’d been trying to warn me about my dad’s NDA spree, and I blew her off. With the possibility of her calling to give some sort of heads up, I go against my gut and answer.

  “What the fuck do you want?”

  She scoffs into the phone and I don’t care that I’ve already pissed her off within the first millisecond of this call.

  “I’m sorry. Am I interrupting while you’re getting ready for the Snow Ball?” she asks snidely. “Looked like you had fun playing dress up with your hood rat the other night. You always did have a soft spot for strays.”

  Apparently, she didn’t miss Pandora’s montage dedicated to me and Southside’s shopping trip a couple days ago. She deserved a new dress for tonight and we thought that by going to a mall a few cities over, we’d avoid having our every move clocked. Obviously, we were wrong about that.

  “It’s funny,” Parker says. “I always thought you hated these things.”

  She sounds salty as hell, but I don’t call it out. Instead, I hit the button to unlock my car as my steps echo in the parking structure.

  “What is it about her?” she asks. “I mean, yeah, she’s pretty or whatever, but so are all the other randoms you fuck. Did you choose someone so far beneath you because you needed an ego boost? Does being with her make you feel… superior?”

  I don’t have time for this shit.

  “Get a fucking life, Parker. I’m hanging up.”

  “Do you even care?” she rushes to ask, halting me from ending the call.

  “The fuck are you talking about?”

  She scoffs and I start my engine, letting the call pick up on the car speaker.

  “I lost everything, West—my scholarship, my friends. Yeah, I may have fucked up, but do you really think you didn’t have any part in that? You don’t think there are consequences for how you emotionally abuse women? For how you sweet-talk your way into their heads, fuck them, then fuck them over?”

  I let out a breath when I pull out into traffic, resisting the urge to hang up.

  “There a point to this call? Or are you just wasting both our time with this bullshit?”

  “You’re such an asshole!” she shouts.

  “Tell me something I don’t know.”

  She’s fuming. Even without seeing her, I know this to be a fact. She’s one of those people who hates it when her anger shoots up to a ten, only for the person she’s directing it at to stay cool.

  “My parents put the house up for sale, West,” she reveals next. “They’re getting me out of this city because—thanks to you and that bitch you’re sponsoring—they’ve realized how toxic this place is.”

  I laugh. Can’t help it. “And I’m guessing you want me to believe this move has nothing to do with your dad’s dealership going under, right?”

  I’ve got her so pissed now I can hear her heavy, angry breaths on the other end.

  “Go fuck yourself, West.”

  “As soon as you get some fucking help, Parker.”

  The line goes dead then, and I’m left wondering what her point even was. Was hearing that she’s leaving Cypress Pointe supposed to make me feel guilty? Far from it. As far as I’m concerned, that bitch can move to the fucking moon and I wouldn’t give a shit. She made her own damn bed, now she can lie in it.

  BLUE

  “Red’s definitely your color,” Jules beams, looking me over in the mirror.

  “I tried on about a hundred dresses and it came down to this one and two others. West hasn’t seen me in it, though.”

  Jules laughs a little. “Wasn’t he there when you bought it?”

  I nod. “Yeah, but when I realized this was the one, I stayed in the dressing room so he wouldn’t see me in it.”

  Looking myself over, I let out a nervous sigh.

  “Well, in this dress, you’re sure to put the ‘ho’ back in ‘ho-ho-ho’ tonight,” she teases.

  My best friend, the class act.

  “It’s super cute that he took you shopping.”

  Listening to Jules swoon, I smooth both hands down the satin clinging to my hips, just above one incredibly high-cut split on the right side.

  “I just wish he didn’t have to spend money on me,” I add, still looking myself over.

  “Dude, your boyfriend’s a fucking millionaire. He can afford to buy you a damn dress without it taking food off the table,” she teases. “Besides, I’m sure you’ll make it worth his while tonight.”

  She peers up from her phone to wink at me.

  “Yeah, but it’s not just the dress. It was Scar’s party, and the alarm system, and the trip to Louisiana.”

  “To visit his family,” she points out. “And like I said, he’s loaded and probably would do a shit-ton more if you’d let him.”

  She isn’t wrong about that. With his generous heart, he’d probably pay all my household bills if given the chance.

  “I just don’t want him to ever think I see him as a paycheck on legs,” I add. “As it is, people see him and they see dollar signs. Yeah, because of his family being loaded, but also because they’re already saying he’s gonna go pro. I just—”

  “Stop,” Jules cuts in, grabbing me by the shoulders after setting down her phone. “You do this all the time. Something totally unrelated will have you stressed out, then you start picking at the low-hanging fruit. What’s really bothering you?”

  Her question has my gaze shifting to the closet where, inside, a thick white envelope I haven’t had the heart to open rests on the top shelf. Inside it, is the enrollment information for Scar. It came yesterday after I reached out to administrators in my grandmother’s town. It only adds insult to injury that I have it sitting right on top of the envelope Pandora delivered, holding within it this city’s worst nightmare—proof that Vin intends to announce a mayoral campaign in the coming weeks.

  “B.J., talk to me,” Jules says, bringing me out of my thoughts.

  For so many reasons, I can’t do that, so I do something I hate. I lie.

  “Everything’s fine. I guess I’m just nervous.”

  She smiles and it’s warm, comforting. “You’re so used to being a grown up, you forgot how to let go. But I need you to promise me you’re gonna try.”

  Hearing the truth in those words, I nod. “I’ll try.”

  She pulls me into a hug that would’ve probably gone on forever if it weren’t for the knock at the door.

  “Crap, he’s here,” she gasps, pausing to check my makeup before giving me the okay to leave.

  With her seal of approval, I grab the leather jacket she’s loaning me. It completely undermines the formalness of this dress, but in an intentional, badass bitch kind of way.

  I make it to the door, but when I open it, I swear my heart stops.

  I’ve seen him in jeans and sweats. I’ve seen him in a football uniform, and even semi dressed up for Homecoming. But West golden in a suit is… a work of art. Especially one that’s tailored and incredibly well-fitting.

  The dark fabric shows off those deliciously broad shoulders, cinches in at his waist, while also hugging his biceps and muscular thighs just a little.

  “Well, shit.”

  My reaction draws a smile from him. “I’ll ta
ke that as a compliment.”

  I’m two seconds from telling him he can take it as a damn marriage proposal.

  It takes a hard nudge from Jules to bring me to my senses, making me aware of having left West standing outside in the cold.

  “Sorry. I’m ready. Just let me say goodbye to Scar.”

  Jules has me by the shoulders again, stopping me.

  “Text her. She’ll be fine. I’m here until whenever you get back, even if that’s not until tomorrow,” she adds with a wink. “Now, go.”

  She gently nudges me out onto the porch, then closes and locks the door behind me.

  West’s hand settles on my back and we walk toward the car. Stealing another glance at him, I swear he got even hotter since I turned away a second ago.

  “You look… fucking amazing,” he says, eye-banging me so hard I’m honestly wondering if we’ll make it to this dance at all.

  When he opens the passenger door and I step in front of him, I smile.

  “Thanks. The dress is a bit tight, but with any luck it’ll loosen up some by the end of the night.”

  His gaze slips lower until he’s staring shamelessly at my ass.

  “I sure fucking hope not.”

  Maybe that shouldn’t make me blush, but the heat blooming in my cheeks means I am. He offers his hand and I climb in, then watch as he rounds the hood of the car to join me. As far as ‘first dates’ go, I have a feeling this’ll be one for the books.

  @QweenPandora: The big night has finally arrived, lovelies! Yep, you guessed it. It’s time for the annual Snow Ball! Whether you’ve been naughty or nice this year, I’m pretty sure everyone’s bells will be getting jingled at the end of the night.

  Forget to buy a ticket? You can get yours at the door, but they’re charging double.

  Guess that’s the cost of procrastination. Either way, I wouldn’t miss it if I were you.

  Have fun, Peeps.

  —P

  Chapter 20

  BLUE

  My shoes came off an hour ago, my hair has lost most of its bounce, West has stolen every trace of lipstick off my lips, and I can’t remember a time I’ve had more fun. This is the first song we’ve sat out on since we walked into the gym, and I’m nowhere near tired. In fact, I’m practically buzzing with energy.

  Guess I’ve taken Jules’s advice to heart and I’m living a little.

  Resting his back against the wall, West grips my hips in front of him while we stare out on the crowd, hundreds of bodies moving to the same beat. Our whole crew is posted now, even Joss. As part of the dance committee, she’s spent most of the night working, so it’s cool she finally gets to chill for a bit. She and Dane share a laugh, but the music’s too loud to even guess what’s funny.

  Gently grinding against West because the music still has a hold of me, I pan the room. Sterling’s standing to our left, wearing a suit that fits almost identical to West’s, but in navy blue instead of black. He slips one hand in his pocket and scans the gym, taking a slow drink from his cup. His head swivels a bit and I’m curious when it stops, following his gaze. I can only guess he’s just realized the tall blonde near the punchbowl’s been watching him.

  I recognize her from one of the infamous X’s last posts. The woman is definitely Headmaster Harrison’s wife, filling the role of a chaperone tonight it seems. Only, she doesn’t appear to be interested in anything or anyone but Sterling. She’s beautiful, has the body of a woman who spends a fair amount of time in the gym, and the only thing that even hints that she may be up in age is that she’s married to Harrison. Otherwise, she’d pass for being in her late twenties, early thirties.

  Whatever the case, she’s too old for Sterling, but doesn’t seem to care.

  A slow smile spreads across her glossed lips and my eyes dart back to Sterling. His expression hasn’t changed, which gives the impression that he’s ignoring her. But when he turns without making a big deal of having had her attention at all, I’m now certain he means to ignore her.

  My eyes lock with his, and the curious look on my face is likely what gives away that I caught the whole, strange interaction. When one corner of his mouth tugs up into a smile, silently acknowledging what only the two of us seemed to notice, he sets down his empty cup and weaves his way back into the crowd. Eventually, he finds a girl in the right age group to dance with and I glance back toward Harrison’s wife. Sure enough, her eyes are glued to him, causing me to see X’s post in a whole new light.

  Apparently, the woman’s known for going after younger guys, and if she has it her way, Sterling might be her next victim.

  “Ready to get back out there?”

  West’s deep timbre pulls me out of my thoughts. I steal a glance at him over my shoulder, then answer his question with an action instead of words. Taking his hand, I lead us back toward the middle of the dancefloor. By the third song in, it’s like we never took a break at all. Sweat dampens my hairline, but I’m nowhere near wanting to stop.

  Heat.

  So much heat.

  Where his chest presses against mine. Where his breath caresses my neck. Where his palms slip over the smooth material of my dress.

  The music isn’t what moves us anymore. It’s the thick cloud of lust that’s been hanging over us all night. Which is why we seem to keep forgetting it isn’t just the two of us out here.

  Twice, chaperones have made their way over to remind us to keep things PG. Both times it was because West’s hands lingered on my ass a little too long for their liking.

  I feel all the eyes on us, especially coming from the corner beside the inflatable Frosty the Snowman. It’s Heidi and Ariana—Parker’s minions. They don’t have nearly as much nerve as they did when their queen was still attending CPA, but their hatred still burns bright. However, I’m having too good a time to actually care.

  I want West so bad I can literally taste it. It’s like I can’t get close enough, but when I face away from him, grinding my ass against his dick, his hard-on says otherwise. It says we’re plenty close.

  “All right. I fucking give,” he growls into my ear, splaying one hand over my belly ring while he speaks.

  “I’m not sure what you mean,” I tease with a grin.

  “Oh, so you haven’t been trying to drive me crazy all night?”

  My smile turns into a laugh and I face him again, meeting that smoldering stare currently fixed on me.

  “I’m just having fun.”

  Another groan leaves him when my hands slip up from his shoulders and lock behind his neck.

  “I’m doing my best to get through tonight without making it about sex, but shit, Southside. All I can fucking think about is how good you probably taste right now.”

  He’s teasing me back, and it’s working. So well that I’m glancing over my shoulder to see if any of the chaperones are watching. Harrison’s wife is still manning the punchbowl, but two teachers have joined her. All three are chatting and laughing, which means they’re not paying much attention.

  What I’m trying to say is, I think we can pull this off.

  “Someone might notice if we leave at the same time,” I say against his ear. “Meet me by the pool in five.”

  His stare darkens and I don’t miss the satisfied smirk that touches his lips when I turn to leave. Whatever plans he had to be a perfect gentleman tonight, they’ll have to wait for date number two.

  My steps echo in the wide-open space as I pace a small section of tile outside the locker room. The smell of chlorine takes me back to a time that seems so long ago—when West and I were still at each other’s throats, while secretly wanting to get in each other’s pants.

  Now, today, you’d never guess we’re the same people. Actually, now that I think about it, maybe we’re not.

  I spin on my heels when a door unlatches on the opposite side of the pool. My heart’s racing for half a second, thinking one of the chaperones might’ve noticed me slip in, but my nerves settle when I lay eyes on him. The one I love, the one I tr
ust with my life.

  “Interesting choice of location,” West says with a slick smile. The sight of it has me wanting to do less talking and more everything else.

  “It’s as good as any,” I answer, shrugging while my eyes stay trained on him. I’m also clocking each of his slow steps that bring us closer together.

  Along the way, he sheds his suit jacket and leaves it draped over the arm of a chair he passes, inspiring me to undress too, starting with the shoes I unstrap and drop to the tile. He unties his tie next, and lets it fall to the floor before undoing the buttons of his shirt. His gaze moves to my shoulder when I push my dress’s straps down my skin.

  Then, we collide.

  His lips are hot against mine. And soft. So soft. Mine part as his tongue slips between them, feeling like he’ll devour me if I’d let him, which I’d never object to.

  With his mouth still locked to mine, he slowly lowers my hand to the bulge at the front of his pants, revealing the result of my teasing. I caress the length of him, which causes a surge of tension to build between my thighs as I remember what he feels like inside me. As if having just heard this thought, he moves his hand beneath the dress’s fabric by way of the deep thigh-slit, then touches me through the silky, black fabric of my underwear. The touch is gentle, but it’s enough that I’m breathless now.

  West cranes his neck and kisses a trail from my chin to my neck, thoroughly setting my entire body on fire. Impatient, I undo his zipper and push my hand inside his pants first, deciding half a second later to slip it inside his boxers instead. This time when I grip him, direct skin-on-skin contact has me thinking I’ll suffocate if I don’t have him soon.

  I kiss his chest where his open shirt leaves taut skin exposed, not stopping until I’m on my knees, pushing his waistband lower, exposing that damn sexy V.

  “What are you doing?”

  I hear the breathy question he’s just asked, but don’t answer. Peering up, my eyes roam over his six pack, then his solid pecs that move rapidly, in sync with his panting. When my stare locks with his, he’s maybe wondering if I plan to tease him like I’ve done all night, but I answer the question in his eyes a moment later.