Forever Golden: Dark High School Bully Romance (Kings of Cypress Prep Book 3) by Rachel Jonas (beach books TXT) 📕

“Very cute. What’s up?” I ask.

She sighs. “Shane’s texting someone, and I refuse to stand here looking like a loser.”

It’s impossible to miss how these sudden changes between them are affecting her.

“Well, tell me how school was, since you’re using me,” I tease, leaning against the brick wall near the drinking fountain.

“School was drab as usual. Although, there was a fight in the teachers’ lounge before fourth period.”

“Wait, two students fought in the teacher’s lounge?”

“Nope,” Scar clarifies. “Two teachers fought in the teachers’ lounge.”

I’m speechless, which has her laughing.

“Yeah, that’s pretty much been everyone’s reaction,” she says. “People are making all kinds of jokes about it, but it sounds like Ms. Pritchard’s been sleeping around with Ms. Sanchez’s fiancé.”

“Geez. Glad they’re around to set good examples for you guys,” I say with heavy sarcasm.

“Just another day at South Cypress,” she adds with a laugh.

I hold the phone away from my ear when one of my coaches passes by, pretending Scar’s call isn’t the reason I’m not changed and in the gym. So, as soon as she’s gone, I pick up again.

“I should go. Ricky there to get you guys yet?” I ask, leaning to drink from the fountain before I head in.

“He texted Shane that he’s about a minute away, but don’t hang up. There’s some creepy guy hanging near the curb.”

My heart sinks. On a normal day, this isn’t news I’d want to hear from her. Now, given all that’s happened, I’m even more flustered by Scar’s update.

“Is he in a vehicle? Is he coming toward you guys?”

I’m aware of sounding just as frantic as I feel on the inside when asking, but there’s good reason to be concerned.

“Black van,” she answers. “He isn’t coming over or anything, but he keeps looking this way.”

I instantly go into panic-mode, patting both pockets for my keys. “You need to get inside the building, Scar. Now!”

“Don’t be weird,” she sighs. “Dude’s creepy, but I’m pretty sure it’s unnecessary to duck for cover, Blue. Chill.”

“Scar, I mean it!”

Yelling, I’ve earned the attention of several of my teammates as well as other students still lingering in the halls, but I don’t care.

“Shane’s with me. Relax.”

“Damn it! Why won’t you just listen to me for once!” I scream, running toward an exit now.

There’s silence on the other end and I fear that my headstrong sister just planted her feet even more firmly now that I’ve shouted at her.

“Fine,” she huffs. “I’m dragging Shane toward the door as we speak, but when are you gonna tell me what’s turned you into an insane person?” she whisper-shouts into my ear.

Feels like all she does these days is question me on everything.

“Please, just get inside.”

“Because nothing’s going on with you and everything’s so fucking normal, right?”

In case it isn’t clear, she says those words as sarcastically as humanly possible.

“Scar—”

“Ricky’s here, which means there was zero point in running back inside. I need to go,” she interjects just as I hear the door to the school re-opening when she and Shane head back outside.

She isn’t crying, but I’ve definitely upset her, which likely has more to do with the fact that she’s distinctly aware of how she’s being kept in the dark. My heart’s still racing a mile a minute as I brace myself against the door frame just inside the lobby. While I get that she’s pissed, I can’t let her off the line yet.

“We’ll hang up once you’re in the car with Ricky.”

“Whatever,” she scoffs.

I’m winded and trying to settle down now that I know she and Shane aren’t alone. Then, half a minute later, I breathe a sigh of relief at the sound of Ricky’s voice in the background.

“Hanging up now,” Scar announces, right before following through with those words.

With trembling hands, I shoot Ricky a text.

Blue: Clearly, whatever shit you had to do today was more important than being on time, so don’t bother with Scar anymore. I’ll figure something else out.

Distraught and feeling like we just narrowly avoided a tragedy, I fall against the wall to catch my breath. Several who witnessed my meltdown are still watching, and while I’m certain pics of me freaking out will be sent to Pandora, I’m also certain of something else.

I’m done playing it safe.

I have no idea who the hell was in that van watching Scar, but I can’t sit around and wait for something bad to happen. I changed my mind before, but not again. If it comes down to it, it’s a must that I’m equipped to protect her.

By any means necessary.

@QweenPandora: Well, let’s see whose life I can randomly ruin today. That’s what Pandora’s all about, right?

Oh, shit! This one looks fun!

Apparently, things aren’t going so well at the dealership. From the looks of this doc I managed to get my hands on, it appears Laurence Holiday’s downtown Cypress location is experiencing a bit of financial trouble. And for those of you who don’t know, Laurence is none other than Princess P’s wallet/father.

Uh-oh! Looks like the princess isn’t the only one under that roof whose life’s going to shit right now. Guess the whole family’s reputation’s gone down the drain.

Ah, well. Just another day in our beautiful city.

The moment I dig up something else newsworthy, I’ll be back to drag another CP lowlife through the mud.

Later, assholes.

—X

Chapter 11

BLUE

I promised myself I’d never come back to this place, but thanks to my completely warranted paranoia, here I am.

All through practice, I kept wondering what would’ve happened if Ricky had been just a little later. Would my sister be another missing southside girl? By the time we were let out and I changed, my mind was completely made up. I can’t just sit around waiting for the worst to happen. I need to be ready.

For anything.

At one point, visiting Louisiana felt like a burden. It was the fear of having to fake my way through the holiday to avoid bringing West down. But all things considered, I can’t wait to get