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

by Rachel Jonas

  Blue: Yes, it’s weird, but so are you.

  West: Fair answer. Send nudes anyway.

  Another laugh slips out.

  Blue: PTSD won’t let me. The last time I did that, the pic ended up in the hands of some creepy old guy. Maybe you’ve met him?

  West: Shit. Forgot about that.

  An idea hits me and I’m so close to telling myself it’s too risky, but I’m so, so weak when it comes to him.

  Blue: Well, are you busy tonight?

  West: I have a thing, but I can work around it. Why?

  Blue: Locker room. Twenty minutes after practice ends.

  @QweenPandora: As we all watch the demise of everyone’s fav couple, you’d expect to see PrincessParker gloating from the window of her gilded tower, but she’s been far too busy. With what, you ask? Packing boxes.

  Yes, you heard right. She—along with her parentals—have been spotted hauling load after load to a moving truck, all while PrincessP looks like her entire world’s crumbled around her.

  On second thought, maybe it has.

  Not only will she spend the remainder of senior year at an all-girls school halfway across the country, she lost the guy, lost her friends, and lost her scholarship.

  Perhaps NewGirl should be taking notes. It’s a long way down when you fall from the king’s good graces.

  Later, Peeps.

  —P

  Chapter 38

  WEST

  Having damp hair in the freezing cold isn’t the smartest thing, but an invitation for shower sex with Southside seems worth the pneumonia risk.

  I’m too spent to even head inside, hence the reason I’ve been sitting in my car, staring at the cinderblock walls of the parking structure for the past ten minutes.

  My phone buzzes and I look down, seeing an ‘I love you’ text from Southside that I return quickly. For a moment, I’m reliving tonight’s hookup and it dulls the sting of having to hide behind this bullshit smokescreen we’ve built. This week alone, I’ve been approached by ten girls offering to help ‘take my mind off things’. I play into it, giving them false hope that I’ll come find them when I’m ready, but it’s all part of the lie.

  West: Make it home okay?

  Blue: I did. Mike cooked again.

  West: You eat this time?

  Blue: Nope. I don’t believe in fraternizing with the enemy.

  At first, I was completely on her side with this whole “boycott Mike” mission she’s on, but I’m starting to think she’s hurting herself as much as she’s hurting him. If anyone knows what dicks fathers can be, it’s me, but I also like to think I know when someone’s genuinely making an effort. And Mike seems to be.

  West: Maybe try for Scar. Pretty sure she misses you guys eating as a family. Might be good for her.

  It takes a while to get a response and I wonder if I’ve overstepped. But when I put myself in her shoes, and imagine if my dad were to legitimately try to be a better man, I like to think I’d be able to give him a chance. Only, alcoholism isn’t to blame for who and what Vin is. He’s a grade-A asshole all on his own. No excuses.

  Blue: I’ll consider it. Probably. Maybe.

  West: I’ll take it. Just want what’s best for you.

  The phone buzzes with a response, but I quickly shove it in my pocket when I spot Mom easing into her parking space. Seeing her makes me wonder if sitting here was just laziness, or perhaps it’s fate.

  She’s avoided me since I overheard her and Vin discussing the ledger. Then, the one time I did try my hand at sneaking up to snoop through their shit, I discovered that the passcode to their floor had been changed. Seeing as how Vin has no clue I even know the ledger exists, this little safety precaution had to have been taken by her.

  My best guesses are that she’s either protecting Vin, or thinks she’s protecting us as a family. Either way, hiding the evidence in that book is the wrong move.

  She’s mouthing words to whatever song she’s listening to, and as soon as she shuts off the engine, I climb out of my car and sprint toward her.

  “West!” she gasps, settling down once she realizes the one who just rushed her in the parking structure is me.

  “You’ve been hard to catch lately.”

  When she shoots me a look, I can only guess she realizes I’m annoyed by being ghosted for more than two weeks now.

  “You’re being silly,” she insists, forcing a smile. “You three were out of town, then I had an event to plan with the women’s organization. This is just a busy time of year, sweetheart. You know that.”

  Her expression softens with a laugh. She expects me to believe I’ve imagined how she’s tried keeping her distance, but I’m not an idiot.

  “You and Dad were fighting about a ledger the night you caught me in the hallway. I heard you say there were names and dollar amounts, and I’m sure you find that just as fucking disturbing as I do.”

  “Language,” she winces, which prompts me to roll my eyes.

  I don’t have time for her delicate sensibilities. Not when I’m starting to look at her as an accomplice in whatever fucked up thing Vin’s involved in. I mean, if she knows what he’s got going and does nothing to stop him, she’s just as bad.

  “I need to know what else is in that book.”

  She flashes a look toward me, like she wishes I’d just leave this alone, but there’s no fucking way that’ll happen. She climbs into the elevator, thinking I’ll let this shit rest, but I’m making it as clear as possible that I know there’s something shady going on.

  “Where’s the ledger,” I repeat, prompting her to point a freshly manicured finger toward the camera in the corner as the doors close us in.

  It doesn’t go unnoticed that she’s avoided putting in the code to her and Vin’s place, instead entering mine.

  “So, just so I’m clear, you’re willing to let whatever he’s into slide? Because you’re too busy to deal with it?”

  Another cold look slices in my direction, but that shit doesn’t scare me. I’m not a kid anymore, believing her and Vin are perfect.

  She stays quiet the whole time we climb to the penthouse level, then we step out. Finally, once the door closes behind us, she speaks up.

  “Why this sudden interest in your father’s business? Is there something I’m missing?”

  “Are you seriously feeding me this B.S. right now? You expect me to believe you were in tears and chewing his ass out because that book had something legitimate in it?”

  With a frustrated huff, she crosses both arms over her chest and clearly wishes I’d leave it alone.

  “I’ll admit, I can understand why what you saw that night would alarm you, but it was a simple misunderstanding. Your father and I have discussed the situation since then and I overreacted.”

  Unbelievable. She trusts him more than she trusts herself.

  She sees the look on my face and speaks again.

  “Okay, West, since you seem to think you know so much, why don’t you tell me what you think that ledger is for.”

  I smirk at her, knowing how easily she falls apart, turns into a puddle of weakness anytime someone threatens her world.

  “You don’t want that,” I warn. “Because unlike Vin, I’m not gonna lie to you.”

  She snarls a bit. “Vin? Since when did you start calling him by his first name? He’s your father and he deserves respect.”

  “Are you fucking kidding me right now?” I scoff, causing her to literally clutch the pearls around her neck.

  “I honestly don’t know when you got to be so vulgar, but I would appreciate you remembering that I am your mother.”

  “Then act like it,” I snap.

  You could hear a pin drop after those words leave my mouth. She eventually regains her composure and looks away. I, on the other hand, see this as a golden opportunity to speak my mind. Lord knows it’s high time someone was honest with her.

  “At what point do you plan to stop letting him feed you his bullshit? You’re a middle-age
d woman who’s smart, wealthy in her own right, and yet you allow that asshole to do all the thinking in the relationship. Isn’t that exhausting? Forcing yourself to be blind to all the shit he does? I mean, the man’s fucked half this city!”

  At the precise moment her surprised gasp hits the air, a powerful, unapologetic slap sets one side of my face ablaze.

  My eyes fall shut and the fury that builds within me is unmatched, contrasting the calm I exude. When I finally do meet her gaze again, I don’t even see her the same.

  She eyes me when I smirk, working my jaw a bit.

  “Of all the things that could’ve set you off over the years, it’s this? Me? Not the man who’s made you look like a world-class dumb-ass? But me, your son.”

  Her eyes water and I still feel nothing for her. “I shouldn’t have done that.”

  “Fuck you.” I stare into her eyes, hoping she feels the raw, unfiltered hatred spewing from every fiber of my being.

  There’s a moment of complete silence as she stares, looking as though she feels every bit of regret she just expressed, but it’s too late for that shit.

  “I should’ve known you wouldn’t give a damn. You never have. About anything. Your ass sat by while he verbally and emotionally abused all three of us, all because you’re terrified of what life might be like without him.”

  She sniffles a bit, but I’m not moved by her tears.

  “Allison Duchene. Kimberly Patterson. Theresa Sandoval,” I call out. “Those are the latest southside girls the news says have gone missing. And if you were stupid enough to give that ledger back to Vin—which I really, really hope you didn’t do—I guarantee their names have already been added.”

  Her eyes glisten with more tears and she lowers her stare.

  “West, I—”

  She can’t get the words out, but it doesn’t matter anyway. If Vin’s the devil, she’s his second in command. Being complacent is just as bad as being responsible.

  I start toward my bedroom, leaving her standing near the elevator. Things would’ve been easier if she were on board, but I’m willing to do this without her.

  Just like I’ve done everything else.

  Chapter 39

  BLUE

  Winning a game doesn’t hold much weight when it feels like I’m losing at everything else.

  I’m squeezed tight and lifted a few inches off the ground when a teammate attacks me with a bearhug. The team, like the crowd, is going crazy as we claim another victory and maintain our undefeated record.

  Meanwhile, I’m forcing a smile that’s almost painful.

  Ricky’s in the crowd like he’s been for every game. Mike and Scar came, too. I’m starting to get used to seeing him here, so I suppose his persistence is working. Honestly, I haven’t seen Scar this happy in a long time. It seems that having Mike back has dulled the sting of losing Shane. And I can’t lie and say having him around hasn’t brought me some measure of peace. He arranged his new work schedule to be off in time to get Scar from school. That’s been so much easier than having to find places for her to go, so she was never left alone. He cooks or buys dinner every night, helps her with homework, and hangs out with her before bed. Plus, with his background in law enforcement, he’s probably the best person to keep an eye on her.

  God, I can’t believe I just said that.

  Nor can I believe that having him home has me rethinking the decision to send Scar to Virginia. I’ve been on the fence about it anyway, which is why I haven’t bothered returning the school enrollment paperwork. Not to mention, now that Mike’s alert and sober, I’d have to fight him tooth and nail to get Scar out of here.

  With little more to say to my team than the occasional “good game,” I shower, change and begrudgingly head out to the parking lot. No surprise visit from West this time, because there’s another plan in place tonight.

  One that’s got me feeling more down than anything else thus far.

  One that has me wanting to say fuck this whole idea because… I just can’t.

  However, I know my feelings have very little to do with any of this. The whole thing has been about doing what’s best for my sister, and the other girls this could possibly save down the line. It’s so much bigger than me, so I suck it up, grab my things, shrug into my coat, then head to my car.

  As planned, Ricky’s parked beside me, but he’s not inside his ride because he’s leaning against the trunk of mine. He smiles when he spots me and I do the same, but mine is fake. Not because I’m not happy to see him, but because I can’t help but wish there was someone else waiting here for me.

  “Killed it on the court as usual.”

  “Thanks.” My smile broadens because there are enough people still waiting in this lot that I’m certain at least one of them has their phone out to be the next Pandora informant. They’ve been eating up all the curated drama me, West, and Ricky have cooked up. It’s the love triangle that’s turned Cypress Pointe on its head.

  I step closer and rest against the hood beside him. Hugging myself inside my jacket for warmth.

  “So, what’s next? We just wait here for him to show up?”

  “Yep,” I answer with a nod. “And Joss suggested that we find a posture that says, ‘I’d fuck you if no one was watching’.”

  He laughs, likely not expecting those words to leave my mouth, but they’re not my own.

  “Wow. That’s pretty direct.”

  I nod. “Sure is.”

  There’s an awkward moment while we just stand there, maybe trying to figure out what that looks like exactly. But then, Ricky has an idea.

  “Come here.”

  I glance his way when he speaks, letting him draw me closer by my hand. I’m facing him again and he brings me to stand between his knees. Then, he slides both hands inside the pockets of my jacket, lacing his fingers with mine.

  “This feel about right?”

  There’s an awkward tension between us that makes me want to let go, but I can’t. This is great for optics. However, even though this whole thing was West’s idea, I can’t help but to feel horrible standing so close to Ricky. Letting him hold me like I’m still his. Maybe it’s a bit more intense because of our history, but I find myself super uncomfortable as we wait.

  He keeps the conversation light—filling me in on how Shane’s adjusting in Puerto Rico. And every now and then, I toss my head back and laugh, making it look as though we’re talking about something far more interesting.

  Far more intimate.

  We keep it up for about five solid minutes before the screeching of tires signals our next cue. I spin toward the sound, releasing Ricky’s hands, and meet West’s furious glare through his windshield. Yes, he’s acting, but some of that fury is real. I feel it even from here.

  “This is what the fuck you wanna do?” He climbs out of the car, yelling these angry words while storming toward me and Ricky.

  “West, we were just talking,” I insist. “You overreact about everything.”

  “Honestly, at this point, who even gives a fuck? If you want to forever be southside trash, fucking around with assholes like this, be my guest,” he scoffs. “In fact, to show you I’m not upset, how about I send you two a pair of tickets to one of my games once I’m drafted?”

  There’s the cocky asshole I know and love. And here I was, thinking he’d forgotten how to be a douchebag.

  We’re drawing a crowd. Good. At least all this effort won’t be for nothing.

  I step away from the hood of my car and move closer to West. “Okay, so you’re done with me. Great. So, why are you here?”

  Crossing both arms over my chest like a defiant child, I look him straight in the eyes.

  He gives me a sweeping look that’s dripping with disgust. “Just letting you know to your face that this shit’s over. Also, you might want to keep in mind that bitches like you don’t make it far in my city.”

  “Watch yourself, rich boy,” Ricky rasps from behind me, sounding menacingly calm.

&nb
sp; “Fuck you,” West snaps.

  All of a sudden, both are walking toward the other and I’m in the middle.

  “Wanna say that shit again?”

  “Fuck. You,” West repeats slowly. There’s a challenge in his eyes and it’s clear these two are drawing on their sketchy history to sell this. And based on how the gathering crowd seems to be eating up the drama, they’re convincing more than just me.

  Ricky’s fist clenches at his side and I place a hand on each one’s chest, pushing them apart.

  “West, just… go!” I yell, holding his gaze. His nostrils flare with rage as he stares, saying so much with his eyes, but I know his heart.

  He volleys a look between Ricky and me, then backs off.

  “Fuck you both,” he says, “and I hope he dumps your ass for the next hood rat.”

  I keep my eyes trained on him until he’s back in his car, and then tears out of the parking lot. We’ve got everyone’s attention, which is good and bad all at once. Good for obvious reasons. Bad because, in the blink of an eye… I just became the girl who broke the heart of this city’s golden boy.

  @QweenPandora: RIP NewGirl & KingMidas

  That. Was. Brutal.

  If you missed the drama, the short version is that KingMidas finally pulled the plug on his and NewGirl’s relationship. Let’s be honest, though. It’s been on life support for weeks now. Maybe if they’d gotten off to a healthier start, there may have been something to hold onto, but perhaps this breakup is for the best?

  It seems it’s NewGirl and SeXyBeAsT for now, but who knows how long that’ll last.

  Been there, done that, failed once before.

  Guess we’ll be watching this train wreck play out together.

  Later, Peeps.

  —P