Forever Golden: Dark High School Bully Romance (Kings of Cypress Prep Book 3)

by Rachel Jonas

  No point in sugarcoating the truth.

  “Pandora’s gonna eat this shit up. You do know that, right?” Sterling asks, eyeing my shirt with a grin.

  I shrug, pretending that wasn’t the point, but honestly? This is intentional. I need Southside to know she has my heart, know I care more than I’ve ever cared, because things are going to change soon.

  This week has been one filled with harsh realities. Starting with the conclusion I reached about two nights ago regarding my dad. Grandpa made a solid point, and I haven’t been able to get his words out of my head. He’s right about my dad being smart, tactical. Even if we don’t see it, he’s watching us. Watching to see if she’s making the right moves. Watching to see if I’m still head over heels for her or if things are starting to fall apart. Which means we have to play our roles and we have to play them well.

  As if the universe just heard my thoughts, the unlikely answer to all my and Southside’s problems comes strolling into the gym.

  “Watch my things. I’ll be right back.”

  I feel Joss and my brothers’ eyes on me when I stand, grabbing my hoodie before shooting a quick text and heading down the bleachers to the court. When I pass Ricky, he glances down to his phone to read the message.

  West: Meet me out back near the track.

  If ever there was a conversation I didn’t want to have, it’s this one. Ricky’s been a pain in my ass since the first time I saw him dancing with Southside at the block party. What kills me is the emotion I see in his eyes for her. But tonight, I’m almost relieved he hasn’t been able to let go yet, because his love for my girl might be the only thing that saves us.

  “This better be good. It’s fucking cold out here.”

  I peer up from my phone when Ricky pushes through the doors, announcing himself.

  “Wouldn’t have asked you to meet me if it wasn’t.” I haven’t even gotten into what I need to say and, already, I feel ill.

  “What is it?” he asks.

  “Honestly, I don’t even know where to start.”

  “Well, maybe I should leave your ass out here to freeze to death while you figure it out.” He starts heading for the door again and I just say it.

  “Augustin Ruiz is your grandfather, right?”

  Ricky stops in his tracks and turns to face me but doesn’t speak.

  “I think you’ll want to see this,” I say next, showing the image I’d been studying before he came out here. I snapped a pic of the birth certificate Boone shared with Southside and me, knowing Ricky would need more than just my word that this was real.

  “The fuck am I looking at?”

  “My father’s birth certificate,” I answer, enlarging the document a bit, zooming in so he sees clearly the section marked Father’s Name.

  He snatches my phone and glares at it. With how his shoulders are suddenly heaving, I’m guessing this isn’t what he wanted to see tonight.

  “This isn’t possible. My grandfather loved my grandmother. If this shit were true, it would mean—”

  “It’d mean he had secrets,” I interject. “Listen, take it from someone who’s been where you are right now. It sucks hearing that sometimes people we respect can really fuck up, but it doesn’t take away from whatever he was to you.”

  He shakes his head and hands my phone back. “Nah, this ain’t real. I don’t know what you thought this was gonna prove, but the Augustin Ruiz I know, was a good man.”

  He attempts to walk away again, but for so many reasons I can’t let that happen.

  “Multiples run in your family, right? Explains me and my brothers,” I say. “And whatever went down between Augustin and my grandmother doesn’t make him some fucking monster. It just means he’s human and he isn’t perfect. Who the hell is?” I add.

  “He wouldn’t have done that.”

  I let out a breath and glance at the document again. “Well, his name being on my dad’s birth certificate says otherwise. And for what it’s worth, I’m sorry to be the one to spring this on you.”

  A heavy sigh leaves Ricky when he looks away, shaking his head.

  “No fucking way we’re related.”

  I laugh a bit. “Trust me, I don’t like it any more than you do, but it is what it is.”

  He shrugs and glances toward me again. “So, you just wanted to fuck up my night with this shit or what? Can I go back inside now? Preferably before I freeze my nuts off?”

  There’s more, but I’m not sure whether what I’m about to share is betraying Southside’s confidence. I just have to assume we’re beyond that now. Besides, bringing Ruiz into all this was her idea.

  “Blue’s gotten some detective named Roby involved. Ever heard of him?”

  Ricky’s eyes shift toward me. “I have. He let me off the hook a few times back in the day. He was her dad’s partner for some years.”

  “Well, he’s on our side now and he needed something tying my dad to your uncle, something to at least prove it’s possible they have communication and could be working this thing together. Blue sent him a copy of what we found. We’re hoping it’ll help his case.”

  Ricky’s suddenly quiet, looking off in the distance while he thinks.

  “You know… there’s a much simpler way for me to handle your father. A way that doesn’t involve the cops.”

  He peers up when he’s done speaking, and it only takes a moment to realize what he means. Apparently, he’d prefer to stop Vin from breathing than to have him sent to jail.

  “Believe it or not, letting the police handle things makes shit a whole lot messier,” he adds. “Me and you could easily work out the when and where. I’ll get in and get out before anyone sees me. Then, just like that, all our problems disappear.”

  It honestly shocks me how little I feel when he suggests killing the man, but there’s zero emotion involved whatsoever.

  “You and I both know Blue would have my ass if I let you do that shit. For whatever reason, she cares what happens to you.”

  Ricky smirks when I admit that, but we both know it’s true. She might not still hold romantic feelings for this guy, but she definitely cares about him.

  Even if I hate it.

  “Besides, this is bigger than all of us. If my dad and your uncle are into what we think they’re into, there’s no telling how many girls are out there, terrified they’re gonna die in this shit. We can’t let that happen.”

  As if suddenly remembering the bigger picture, he nods and zones out.

  I know I shouldn’t ask what I’m about to ask, and I’m also pretty sure he’ll say ‘no’ either way, but I can’t help it.

  “Have you… done something like that before? What you mentioned doing to Vin?”

  Instead of answering, Ricky passes a blank look my way. Apparently, it was stupid to ask.

  Fair enough.

  “On that note, I’m going in.” He turns to leave, but I halt him with two words.

  “There’s more.”

  Frustrated, he leans back and faces the sky. “You’ve gotta be fucking kidding me.”

  “I need a favor.”

  “Hell no,” he answers. Zero hesitation.

  “Poor choice of words. I need a favor, but it’s not for me. It’s for Blue.”

  Now, he’s listening.

  “I know she told you what my dad’s forcing her to do, and we’re running out of time,” I explain. “While we figure shit out, I think it’s best if we make it look like we’re cooperating with Vin, make it look like she’s giving him what he wants.”

  “What the hell does any of this have to do with me?”

  My jaw is tense and I’m trying to force the words out.

  “Blue and I are gonna have to stage a breakup. It’s the only way, but my dad knows I’m stubborn just like he is, which is why he knew to tell Blue to cut deep. So… that’s where you come in.”

  Ricky’s brow arches at me, like I’m speaking a foreign language or something. Clearly, I’m gonna have to spell this shit out.
<
br />   “If we fake the breakup, I’ll have to keep my distance. Which means I need someone around her who’ll protect her like I would. Someone who loves her like I do,” I add, causing my own stomach to turn.

  For the first few seconds, Ricky only stares. But then, out of nowhere, he laughs.

  “You’re out your damn mind, rich boy. So, let me get this straight. Your big master plan is to make it look like she dumped your ass and came back to me?”

  He finishes speaking and laughs again.

  “All I know is, I can’t leave her unprotected. You got a better idea?”

  He shrugs and levels a look my way. “Don’t get mad, I’m just realizing something.”

  At the risk of knowing I’m about to regret this, I ask anyway. “What are you talking about?”

  “Just saying,” he begins, arching a brow as he smirks. “If you think I’m your safe option, Blue’s clearly spared you a few 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 and let my gaze slip to the floor, knowing we’re no longer talking about my sister and his brother. Which brings me to why I asked him to stop by.

  “I hear you and West had a talk tonight.”

  After speaking, I imagine how uncomfortable that must have been for both parties involved.

  Ricky nods. “We did.”

  “And… do you think it’s as crazy an idea as I do?”

  He thinks for a moment. “When he first brought it up, yeah, but the more I thought about it, the less insane it seemed. Why? You don’t think it’ll work?”

  “Do you?”

  He gives a nonchalant shrug. “I’m… optimistically intrigued.”

  I think I get what he means. “It’s not so much that I don’t think it’ll work. It’s just that the whole thing feels…”

  “Awkward as fuck,” he cuts in when I can’t find the words.

  His summation draws a laugh out of me. “That’s one way of putting it. I mean, this whole ‘four-step-plan’ has my head spinning, but West seems so ce
rtain this is what it’ll take for his dad to keep his distance.”

  “Yeah, he filled me in on the steps part on my drive over here. We had to cut our first conversation short so no one would see.”

  I smile at him a little when he finishes explaining. “I get the feeling you two talk more than I realize. Do I smell a bromance in the making?”

  He cocks his head to the side, as if to suggest I’ve lost my mind.

  “He’s not my type,” he teases as I laugh.

  “Seriously, though, how’d you do with the whole ‘cousins’ thing? I imagine that had to be quite the surprise.”

  When his chest rises with a deep breath, his expression says it all. Hearing the news about his grandfather was painful, but he’s not so naïve to think it’s impossible.

  “Is what it is,” he says plainly, which is code for ‘I don’t want to talk about it’ for those of us who speak fluent Ricky.

  I take the hint and move on.

  “Well, how are you feeling about this? I mean, with our history and all. Are you—”

  He cuts me off with a quiet laugh. “I’m cool, B. You don’t have to worry about me getting attached or getting my feelings hurt. I’m a big boy,” he adds.

  I see he wants me to believe that, and I’m trying, but I know the real Ricky. He’s tough on the outside, and no one on the street would even consider crossing him, but he’s got a huge heart. And, as his friend, I’d never want to do something I think could hurt him.

  “You’re not lying?”

  He laughs again. “No, so stop asking all these damn questions.”

  “Okay, okay.”

  He peers up and I meet his gaze. “So, does this mean we’re doing this?” he asks, making me think long and hard about that before nodding.

  “For Scar, for all those girls out there, yeah. I guess we are.”

  He nods and stands from my bed. “Then, I’m in, too. When’s this whole thing supposed to kick off?”

  At the thought of it—publicly humiliating West, pretending not to love him anymore—a heavy sigh leaves me before answering.