Forever Golden: Dark High School Bully Romance (Kings of Cypress Prep Book 3) by Rachel Jonas (books like beach read txt) 📗

well as I do, but I really think they can help us sort things out,” he suggests. “Even Joss. She’s not blood, but she’s like family.”

My chest rises when I breathe deep.

“I’m not really in a position to turn down help,” I say, chuffing a humorless laugh, not realizing one of the tears has slipped down my cheek. West brushing it away with his thumb is what signals me that it has.

“With the five of us working together, Vin’s ass won’t know what hit him,” he adds with a faint smile.

“Actually, you should probably make that six,” I hesitate to say, which has West casting a questioning look toward me.

“Six?”

“You forgot Ricky.”

The look he gives next says he could never forget Ricky. Seeing as how his permanent place of residence seems to be just under West’s skin.

“I know he’s not your favorite person in the world, but he’s one of the few I trust,” I add.

West could not be unhappier with what I’ve just proposed, but I believe he knows I’m right. Ricky may be stubborn as hell, and a little cocky, but he’s also the most resourceful person I know. Plus, he’s a friend, and I don’t have many of those.

“Six,” he repeats with a nod, but as a statement this time, instead of a question.

I don’t know what’ll come of us all working together, but I can say for sure that we’ll accomplish more as a team than I would on my own.

A team.

Feels so weird to say I actually have one of those, but this guy standing in front of me today is proving to be a rock. I don’t know, maybe it’s not so crazy to think we’ll actually figure this out.

It’s obvious I have enough faith in us that I’m willing to give it a shot, which has to mean something, right?

Deciding to give someone my heart is hard enough, but giving someone my trust… that almost never happens.

I guess if a girl’s going to be blindsided by a guy, being totally knocked off her feet by how amazing he is would be the best possible scenario.

@QweenPandora: You’re so vain you probably think this post is about you.

Well, I suppose they usually are, but today I’ve got a bit of a treat for you lovelies.

This one’s about me.

It seems I’ve ruffled the wrong feathers somewhere along the way and there’s a rumor going around that someone’s using their power for evil. In short, there’s a witch hunt in Cypress Pointe and guess who these misguided souls are hoping to find.

Yep, you guessed it—yours truly.

While I’m certain letting me know I’m being pursued was meant to strike fear, I’m rather flattered. Am I really so good that the mere thought of me existing in my little slice of the web has you shaking in your boots?

Who would’ve guessed little old me had that kind of power?

Maybe I’m selling myself short only dishing dirt on Cypress Prep’s elite. Perhaps I should consider going national. You’ve given me much to consider.

At any rate, it seems this little game of cat and mouse is officially on.

Catch me if you can, but be warned: I’m much, MUCH better at this than you are. And if you do manage to get me in a corner, be careful. I’ve got one nasty bite.

Be seeing you soon.

Later, Peeps.

—P

Chapter 7

WEST

The peace of mind that comes with having the alarm installed at Southside’s is unmatched. As soon as school ended, I walked her to practice, got her key, and then met the installer at her place. To some, that move might seem like some serious, overbearing boyfriend-type-shit, but I don’t give a fuck what people think. As long as she’s safe, I’m good with all the rest.

The next item on my agenda was to bring my brothers up to speed on all the details they’ve missed. I’ve officially done that, and Sterling zones out thinking about it all. I can only imagine what’s going on inside his head.

But when he speaks up a second later, I’m not left wondering for long.

“Damn. This shit’s more fucked up than I thought.”

He stands at my bedroom window, overlooking the city as he and Dane process everything I’ve revealed. His analysis of things isn’t wrong—this shit’s definitely fucked up.

“Guess I get why her hand’s all busted. Hell, I might’ve taken out a whole wall if I’d been her,” Dane chimes in, but then his brow quirks when he seems to have an epiphany right after. “Anyone else thinking Pandora’s last post was about Vin?”

“Oh, it was definitely about Vin,” Sterling adds. “That asshole’s probably trying to flush her out because she outed him about that little pitstop at Southside’s last night. We all know how he gets when something’s out of his control.”

“Think he’ll succeed? He’s got the cash and resources to do pretty much whatever the hell he wants,” Dane points out.

He turns when I shake my head, laughing a bit. “You kidding me? That bitch won’t get found out until she’s good and ready.”

He shrugs, probably realizing I’m right, but Sterling faces us with concern marking his expression.

“Should we even be talking here?” he asks. “I mean, for all we fucking know, Vin’s got this whole place bugged.”

“Thought about that. When I came home to change for school this morning, I checked everything. Pretty sure it’s just the phones—our calls, our texts,” I explain. “So, once we get the new ones tonight, that should settle it.”

“And… where are these phones coming from again?” Sterling asks, shooting Dane a look.

“You fucking deaf? I said I know a guy.”

Sterling laughs to himself before mocking Dane’s answer. “That’s right. You know a guy. Suddenly, I feel so much more at ease. Thank you for clarifying.”

“Why’s it so hard to believe I communicate with people who aren’t either of you two assholes?”

“Let me guess. He’s one of your followers or some weak shit like that. Am I right?”

Dane laughs off the insult, reaching for his phone. When he