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

He was talking about my mom. He knew she was the one who got Hunter entangled in the circumstances that eventually ruined his life.

“No! I was just trying to get him some work!”

“You might be an idiot, but everyone on the southside knows what kind of work Paul Ruiz does! Don’t pretend you had no clue you were putting Hunter in danger. He went in deeper because you wanted him to! Because you’re a greedy bitch who’d rather have that damn poison in her veins than have her kids home safe.”

She attempts to take my wrist when I turn to leave, but I snatch away.

“You have to know I didn’t know this would happen. Please, Blue Jay.”

I ignore her sorry ass and start up the steps, but when I do the back door swings open. While I thought it’d be Scar coming to see what all the racket is, I’m staring up at Mike instead. And his eyes aren’t set on me. They’re on Mom.

I’m half-expecting him to go to her, try to bring her inside, so my guard is up. If he even looks like he’s thinking about inviting her into this house, I’m fully prepared to burn the whole fucking thing down before I’d let that happen. But to add to tonight’s surprises, Mike opens the screen to let me in, then closes and locks it behind me, leaving that woman and all her bullshit outside.

“You all right?”

I peer up when he asks, shocked by the sincerity in his gaze.

My body slumps against the door and I draw in a deep breath when I nod. “I’m okay.”

He continues to stare, like he’s unsure whether to believe me or not.

“She tried calling earlier today and I hung up as soon as I heard her voice. If I thought she’d try to stop by, I would’ve given you a heads up before coming home. You shouldn’t have to deal with that.”

I’m not sure how to feel. I have no memory of Mike protecting me, considering my well-being. Nor do I recall him ever not being Mom’s doormat.

“It’s fine. She doesn’t get to me like she used to,” I say.

After hearing that, he eventually nods and steps back toward the stove, then stirs whatever’s in the pot while flashing a look at me.

“You’re probably gonna say no, but I’d love it if you’d eat with me and Scar. I—”

“Sure.”

His stare darts toward me again, and I think the only person more shocked that I just agreed to share a meal with him, is me.

There’s a dim smile on his face and he goes to the cabinet to pull down a third plate.

“Wash your hands and I’ll set the table. And grab your sister on your way back.”

I nod. “Okay.”

Slow steps carry me toward the hallway, but before I’m out of his sight, Mike speaks again.

“Thank you,” he says gravely, and when I look into his eyes again, I don’t miss that they’re filled with emotion.

This is a small step, and I’m not sure if there will be others, but for tonight, it seems I’ll have a father for the first time in a long time.

And… I’d forgotten how nice that feels.

Chapter 42

BLUE

Blue: Saw my mom last night and she knows a lot more about my brother’s case than anyone realized. She talked a lot about Paul Ruiz. If you can bring her into the station, she may be willing to give a statement, but I’m not sure what good she’ll be. Looks like she’s started back up with meth.

Roby: I’ll send a patrol car out to look for her, but fair warning, people in her condition are hard to find if they don’t want to be found. You know we’ll do our best, though.

Blue: I’ll let you know if I see or hear anything else.

“Anything you’d like to share with the class?” Uncle Dusty teases when he catches me sneaking a text in between customers.

Embarrassed, I slide it back into my pocket and smile. “Nah, just Jules being Jules.”

“Say no more,” he says with a laugh. “Order’s up for table twelve.”

“On it.” I grab the burger and fries he’s just plated and head across the diner.

No sooner than I deliver the meal, the chime over the door rings and I have a new customer to greet.

“Good morning, Sir. Have a seat wherever you’d like. I’ll be right with you,” I say with a smile. The customer, on the other hand, is stoic and only tips his hat before settling into a corner booth.

I eye him on my way to cash someone out, then I’m standing at the newcomer’s side, waiting to take his order.

His cologne’s strong, but not cheap, and his shoes look like they cost him an arm, a leg, and maybe even an ear.

“Can I start you with something to drink?” I ask, getting some pretty intense vibes from this guy and he has yet to say a single word.

“Just coffee today,” he answers, the depth of his voice sending a chill down my spine.

“Sounds good. Would you like a slice of pie or anything to go with it?”

He peers up with the brim of his hat still casting a shadow over his eyes, an odd grin on his face.

“No thanks. The coffee will be all.”

Feeling creeped out, I offer a smile and head back to the counter to grab a mug. I keep my eyes trained on him the entire time I pour. So intensely that I nearly overflow it and burn my hand. After grabbing a tray, I walk the order back to him.

“Thank you,” he says in that unearthly deep voice of his, and again, I only nod before hightailing it back to the other side of the counter.

“Everything going okay now that Mike’s back?” Dusty asks, drawing my attention from the stranger briefly when I flash a look toward the kitchen.

“It’s… strange, but not as bad as I thought,” I explain.

“I’ve