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

details about us from back in the day. Hell, even from this time last year,” he clarifies.

I don’t say shit, because until he just mentioned it, I thought I was content knowing they dated for a while, knowing he was her first and the last before me. But now, he has me wondering if throwing them together will be like tossing a lit match into a vat of gasoline.

Southside, I believe in completely. It’s this motherfucker I don’t trust further than I can throw his ass.

“But whatever. I’m in. For her,” he adds, like I’d ever think otherwise.

“If we do this shit, there are three things I want you to remember,” I warn. “Number one, this isn’t real. Two, this is temporary. And three, I’ll kick your ass if you try anything.”

He smirks again, already backing toward the building. “I’ll try to keep my hands to myself, but you know, things happen.”

Before there’s even time to get upset, he starts laughing, probably imagining what’s going on inside my head.

“Relax. I’ll behave. She’d never have it any other way.”

He disappears inside the building just as I hear the announcer starting to introduce the players. While this might be one of the worst conversations I’ve ever had to have, it was necessary. It’s no secret Ricky’s not my favorite person in the world, but one thing Blue’s said about him is true. He’s loyal to her.

And in a world where we can’t even trust our own parents, a little loyalty goes a long way.

Ricky’s on board, now here comes the hard part—getting Southside to agree.

@QweenPandora:Well done, Cypress Prep! Our girls were on fire tonight!

If you missed it, here’s a recap.

Our southside connection was definitely the star of tonight’s game, knocking down a whopping thirty-nine points on her own. She was alert, she was focused, and no one can say she didn’t give it her all.

Especially the girl who caught that nasty elbow to the ribs while attempting to steal the ball from the beast we all know as NewGirl.

And speaking of beasts…

Anyone else spot SeXyBeAsT in the crowd tonight? He waltzed in boldly, paying no attention to our own KingMidas, seated in the stands repping his girl with a sweet t-shirt to show his support.

Careful, NewGirl. Not a good look having your Ex and your Next seated on the same bleachers. One has to wonder, are you giving SeXyBeAsT reason to hold on so long?

Let us hope not, because the king’s wrath would certainly come down hard and swift.

Consider yourself warned.

Later, Peeps.

—P

Chapter 32

BLUE

Roby: Received the docs you scanned and emailed. Much appreciated. Stay safe out there and remember what I told you—don’t get too close.

Blue: Noted. Talk soon.

I set my phone on the desk and I’m so tempted to doze. Tonight’s game wore me out. Seeing Mike in the stands after I specifically told him not to come, I played a bit harder than usual. A bit more aggressive.

He’s been trying to get in good with me since weaseling his way back in a little more than a week ago, but the problem with that is that I don’t want him to try. The years I needed him to be a father, he chose to drown himself in booze. Now that I’m a breath away from college, he wants to make up for lost time.

No thanks.

Despite how hard I’m fighting it, my lids fall closed, but I’m startled awake when someone bangs the door with their fist. I’m off my bed and sprinting down the hallway before Mike or Scar can even get off the couch. They’ve been in the living room, talking and laughing since we got home, zoned out on some lame cartoon I was invited to watch. I suppose it goes without saying, but I gave that one a hard pass. Passed on the pizza he ordered, too, choosing to settle for ramen instead.

I make eye contact with him while walking between the couch and TV. He keeps throwing me the sad, puppy dog eyes, but every time I catch him doing it, I resist the urge to give him the finger.

Fuck him.

Fuck his weak apology.

Fuck him for getting inside Scar’s head.

I’m counting the days until he breaks her heart like he’s done a million times already.

Before he can ask me to join them again, I rush to the door and unlock it. Smiling as I let Ricky inside.

“Hey. Thanks for stopping by.”

“No problem.”

After speaking, he glares at Mike. Because Ricky’s been here for most of the shit my siblings and I have seen over the years, he holds the same grudge.

“We can talk in my room,” I say, knowing we’ll need a bit of privacy.

He trails behind me and a few seconds later, the TV’s muffled on the other side of my closed door.

Without asking, he drops down onto my bed. Old habits die hard, I guess. So, since he’s made himself at home, I sit at the desk.

“Good game tonight.”

“Thanks. I’m glad you made it.”

“You knew I would,” he says with a smile.

“Pretty sure I bruised that girl’s ribs, which wasn’t intentional. The game just got intense.”

“Or you got intense,” he counters, calling me on my shit.

“Guilty, I guess.”

He shakes his head and I’m recalling how many times I nearly got into fights over a game. I grew up playing with guys who didn’t take it easy on me at the court, so I’ve never been one to play a dainty game of ball. I come at the other team hard and fast, and I make no apologies for that.

“How’s Shane?” I ask, genuinely concerned with how he’s settling in. Puerto Rico is so far away.

Ricky shrugs. “As good as can be expected. Of course, he’s pissed about having to leave Scar and school, but he’ll be okay,” he reasons.

I nod, sympathizing with that in so many ways.

“He’ll adjust, make new friends.”

Ricky nods once, keeping his eyes trained on me. “Maybe, but your first love’s hard to get over.”

I draw in a deep breath