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

sitting beside her bed right now. And because I know that before taking a walk to clear her head, she came in and wrecked shit to get her rage out. Something happened here tonight, and I get the feeling she doesn’t want to talk about it. However, with Vin being involved, one thing’s for sure.

It was shady as fuck.

Ricky and I share a look. Our mutual animosity doesn’t ease with time. Actually, it grows whenever we’re face-to-face, forced to acknowledge that we’re stuck with each other in a way. I know Southside will never fully kick his ass to the curb because they’ve been friends since childhood. And as much as he wishes otherwise, I’m not going anywhere either.

“I’ll be expecting a call from you by morning, rich boy,” he threatens. “Either you find out what the fuck is going on, or I’ll get the job done myself. And trust me, you don’t want me to get shit done myself.”

“You’re not helping, Ricky!” Southside snaps, interjecting just as I open my mouth to tell this dipshit to go fuck himself.

He meets her gaze, and it isn’t until now that the hatred he holds for me starts to fade. Why? Because he’s not looking at me anymore; he’s looking at her, and that damn soft spot is showing again.

“I know you’re just worried about me, and I know you made Hunter a promise, but this has nothing to do with you,” she adds. “I’m a big girl and I can take care of myself.”

“So, I’m supposed to just—”

“All you need to know is that West will not be calling to report anything to you in the morning,” she cuts in, “So, please, just… stop. I can’t do this right now.”

Ricky stares, shoulders heaving as he holds in whatever else he wants to get off his chest, but he says nothing.

Well, I’ll be damned. She did it. She found this dickhead’s off-switch.

Don’t think I’ve ever seen him this quiet. While I would’ve typically gloated a bit, I don’t. Because, as someone who’s seen Ricky off his leash, I know this is just another example of how deep his feelings run for her.

“I’m dropping Scar off with Jules for tonight and taking Shane home, but I’m coming back,” he says flatly. Like his mind is already made up.

“Ricky—”

“I’m coming back, B,” he repeats, but with more authority this time. “I’ll chill in the driveway to keep watch. You know, in case Daddy Warbucks decides to bring his ass back.”

It takes strength I didn’t know I had not to put him in his fucking place. He starts toward the door and makes it to the porch before Southside calls out to him again.

“And I’d like my key back,” she asserts. “Hunter gave you that for emergencies only.”

“Guess it’s a good thing this was an emergency.” He doesn’t bother looking back as he continues toward his car.

“Fine, I’ll just have Dusty change the locks.”

Ricky shrugs, still not meeting Southside’s gaze. “Do what you gotta do.”

“Ugh! He’s so damn stubborn,” she groans, glaring as he hops in his car and revs the engine.

Frustrated, she slams the door, and all I can think about is what screwed up shit my father might’ve done or said that made her pack those bags. Made her bust up her hand.

Something my brothers taught me not so long ago stuck in my head. That thing about not pushing too hard, not backing her into a corner.

So, slow and steady it is.

I lift her chin until her gaze meets mine. She’s fucking beautiful, yeah, but that’s not what has me addicted. Life’s dealt her a shit hand, but despite all that, she’s one of the toughest people I’ve ever met. There’s a fire in her that nothing’s been able to kill—not even me, before I came to my senses.

I lower my stare to her hand and gently examine it. The bandage is bloodier than before, which means the wound needs some attention.

“Does it hurt much?”

She shrugs and meets my gaze. “Probably less than you think, seeing as how this isn’t the first time I’ve done something like this out of anger.”

That doesn’t surprise me, but what does catch me off guard is when she manages to smile. Her eyes are glassy, though. Like she’s holding back unshed tears.

“I know you can stand on your own two feet, and I know you don’t need anyone to take care of you, but… maybe you should let me. Just this once, at least.”

She stares for a moment, maybe sensing all the unspoken things that just ran through my head—about loving her, wanting to be whatever she needs me to be.

Her hair shifts when she finally nods, giving in. “…Okay.”

It isn’t lost on me that she doesn’t let many people in, but somehow—even being the twisted fuck that I am—I managed to be counted in that number. I don’t take that lightly. But something unexpected came with the territory of being with a girl like Southside. There’s this powerful loyalty she brings to the table and, in turn, she draws the same out of those closest to her.

Guess that’s why I’m here instead of out there, hunting down my father for the shit he pulled. I’m staying put, making sure Southside’s good, because she needs someone more than ever tonight.

“Let’s get this hand cleaned up. Then, we’ll talk.”

She hesitates, but eventually nods. There’s a tough conversation ahead of us, but we’ll take this on the same way we’re learning to handle everything else.

Together.

Chapter 4

WEST

Don’t ask about the bags. At least not before getting her hand cleaned up.

Southside trails me when I head to the bathroom in search of supplies to clean her wound. While I rifle through the medicine cabinet, she takes a seat on the edge of the tub, still not speaking much. All I come up with are a few drops of alcohol, a tube of antiseptic with the cap missing, and one strip of a gauze bandage that might be enough.

Note to