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

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