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

winter, so I can only assume this smooth, bronzy tone is natural for him.

Curtains of nearly jet-black hair stretch to his torso, covering most of his face, but I see enough to know he’s laser focused, honed in on a target.

My sister.

The twins are standing at either side of him now and he leans left to speak to River, but his eyes never leave Scar. As I watch him through the flames, it isn’t lost on me that this moment is so familiar. Then it hits me—the many parallels to the night in Bellvue when I first spotted West.

The one with the physical makeup of a certified heartbreaker is walking toward us now. He’s confident beyond his years, like he’s lived more life than he has, but it doesn’t fade even a little as he draws closer.

I glance over at Scar and she’s mesmerized, gawking as the length of his hair moves with the breeze. Short of being rude and stepping directly between these two, there’s not a damn thing I can do about what’s getting ready to happen. It might seem silly to not even want these two to meet, but I know for a fact that my sister has a type—tall, bronzed skin, dark hair. And add to it that he seems to possess that ability to control a room with his presence, just like the Golden boys.

“Hey,” he says.

Scar smiles a little. “Hi.”

His gaze roams from Scar’s eyes, down to where the black zip-up she borrowed from Joss shows a bit of her chest, then lower where skin-tight jeans hug her hips.

While he checks her out, I picture his eyes bugging and his tongue rolling out his mouth like I’ve seen on cartoons.

“I’m Linden.”

“Scarlett.”

He nods, finally remembering she has eyes. “How long are you here for?”

“About a week.”

He nods again, like he’s plotting against her, thinking of all the ways he can defile her before we leave.

“Cool. Maybe we’ll get to hang out between now and then. You into music?”

Scar’s smile broadens. “Depends.”

He’s grinning now, too, but it’s reserved. Like he’s too cool for excitement and shit.

“Well, if you’re not too busy, I’d love for you to come hear us play. We’ve got our second gig Thursday night.”

“Oh yeah? Do you sing at all?”

He nods, pretending to be humble, but I see it all over his face. Kid thinks he’s the shit.

“I sing lead, actually.”

“Ah, that explains the voice.”

Scar’s statement has him cocking his head. “Meaning?”

Scar shrugs. “It’s raspy and kind of strong, I guess. I don’t know, it’s just… different. In a good way,” she adds.

He’s eating this up. That slick grin on his face makes that crystal clear.

“So, do you think you’ll come check us out?”

Scar makes a big show of considering his offer. “I would, but… I’m kind of seeing someone.”

“Kind of?” he repeats. “Doesn’t really count if you’re not sure.”

Scar smiles politely but stands her ground. “I’m only confused about our status, not my feelings for him,” she explains. “But I do appreciate the invitation.”

With that answer, Scar walks off, having surprised me and Linden both with that response, followed by the prompt exit that forces him to end this play he’s made for her attention. He’s a little wounded by the well-played rejection, but he is far from defeated. In fact, he’s still watching her, smirking as she walks away, like he knows something she doesn’t.

God, please don’t let him be as persistent as West. If he is, the fact that she isn’t giving in to him will only make him want her more. At this point, my only solace is that there are several states between them.

Apparently, Joss and I are finally worthy of Linden’s attention, because he suddenly seems to notice that we exist. He puts on an innocent smile as he shoves both hands inside his pockets.

“Nice to meet you both,” he croons.

Scar’s right about that voice. Pretty sure he’s tried to sing the panties off half the girls in this town. Hell, maybe all of them.

I smile but see right through him. “Nice to meet you,” I force out.

Not even five seconds have passed and he’s glancing over his shoulder again, to where Scar’s now posted beside Sterling, chatting while they watch the flames.

Joss and I share a look that suggests this guy’s left the same impression on us both.

He’s trouble.

West is finally on his way back, and when he pulls me into his side, he seems to take notice of where Linden’s sights are set.

“Something over there got your attention?” West asks, prompting Linden’s head to whip back toward us.

He doesn’t answer, but then a menacing smile tugs at one side of his lips.

“Nope. Don’t even fucking think about it,” West warns, at which point Linden chuffs a short laugh, and then slowly trudges back to his post. He strums a few chords on his guitar like before, but his eyes never leave Scar.

Never.

“Relax. I’ll keep an eye on him,” West says close to my ear.

Dane comes to claim Joss, convincing her to join him near the fire. Now, it’s just West and me.

“Tired?” he asks.

“Exhausted.”

Thinking about how little sleep I’m running on, that was the easiest question I’ve answered all day.

“I figured, which is why I was thinking.”

When he leans in to make sure no one hears but me, I’m admittedly intrigued where this is going.

“When all this is over and everyone leaves, you should meet me somewhere.”

A laugh slips out. “This is your cure to my exhaustion?”

“Not exactly,” he shrugs, “but if you agree to it, I promise to make it worth your while.”

This proposal has me thinking I can probably make it a bit longer without rest. I mean, it isn’t like I can’t sleep in tomorrow, right?

I only hesitate for half a second before asking, “When and where?”

He smirks, knowing he has me on the hook.

“Just keep your phone close. I’ll let you know.”

Chapter 26

WEST

“Pretty sure this is about the most un-Christmas-like thing I’ve ever done,” Southside huffs, still trying to catch