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

his hand as we move through the tightly-packed crowd. Of course, we make several stops because every few steps, someone’s calling his name—mostly just guys he’s played ball with over the years.

“I swear you know everyone,” I say, clinging to his arm.

He shrugs all casual like. “I’ve just run in the same circles as a lot of these kids my whole life.”

“What you mean is that the rich stick together,” I tease, earning myself a playful glare. “It’s true, though, isn’t it? It’s the reason our paths never would’ve crossed if I didn’t get a scholarship.”

“Whatever brought you to me, I’m just glad it happened,” he answers.

Not sure if he’s trying to rack up points or not, but I’m definitely rewarding him for that later.

I spot Dane and Joss first, chilling against a pillar near the patio. He’s talking and she’s smiling, both pretending they don’t wish to be more than they are. Sterling’s got two on his lap, one kissing him, the other… I don’t know. Waiting her turn?

The guy’s wild and single, so who knows what’s going on over there.

All in all, it’s a good night. Everyone’s in their element, having a good time, and I have my guy at my side.

“I love you, West Golden.”

He peers down at me, and I swear I feel his response before the words even leave his mouth. “Love you more. Forever.”

Epilogue

Three months later…

BLUE

There’s a bonfire, there’s music, but the Bellvue house feels completely different when there’s no party. Tonight, it’s just us—the solid fivesome Pandora’s dubbed “The Golden Crew”. Graduation’s been over for hours, but we only changed out of our caps and gowns twenty minutes ago. Guess we kept them on for so long because we’re all kind of proud we made it.

And maybe a little surprised, considering.

I’m perched on West’s knee, staring out across the water while we sit poolside. This just feels right. Like all the drama, all the chaos was to get us to this very moment.

As soon as I walked across that stage this morning, I felt the change. It was like a switch had flipped and we all took one giant leap forward. No, not every important person was present, but I’m okay with that. This chapter of my life is closing, and I’m beyond excited to see what’s next.

My mother was one of those key people missing from the audience, but she’s exactly where she needs to be—in rehab, finally getting help. It’s not the same as having her home, clean and sober, but if that’s ever going to happen, this is the first step. I, at least, have peace of mind. Every night, when I lay down to sleep, I know she’s someplace safe, too, being looked after.

Which brings me to Mike, who’s made a complete turnaround. For five months now, he’s been an actual father to Scar, which is all I ever wanted. To me, it’s priceless to see him fully invested in her life, in her future. He’s even taken steps to get her waitlisted at Cypress Prep. I’m not usually one to give second chances, but he’s proven that it was totally worth it this time.

I certainly had family members missing today, but I wasn’t the only one.

We can’t turn on the TV or scroll social media without seeing Vin’s mugshot. He’s been slapped with all kinds of charges, and although he’s still awaiting trial, it’s common knowledge that he’ll likely spend the rest of his life in prison. Not only for the crimes he’s committed, but the lives lost on account of him. However, one thing has remained abundantly clear—he’s planning to go down alone.

Aside from the few key people brought in on charges tied to the trafficking organization, the Ruiz family has yet to be named. Mike seems to think Vin’s keeping his mouth shut because life behind bars will be a million times worse if he’s labeled a snitch. Especially with the Ruizes having connections inside, and outside, those walls.

Long story short, Vin can either rot in jail for the rest of his life or die a very painful death when news reaches the Ruizes that he’s talked.

Whatever the case, I’m just glad to have him off the streets.

Roby’s still on a mission to bring down everyone involved, and I’m learning to trust that whatever the outcome, this case couldn’t be in more capable hands. Once they’ve found irrefutable evidence leading them straight to Paul and crew, they’ll all be brought to their knees.

I can only pray that won’t include Ricky.

With my thoughts now on him, I picture him seated in the audience today, supporting me like he’s always done. No matter what. He didn’t stick around long, though. As soon as I exited the stage and looked up, his seat was empty. Not many others know this, but he’s heading to Puerto Rico as we speak. Yes, he misses Shane and Carla, but he also needs to lay low. With Roby and his task force up all the Ruiz’s asses, they’re looking for any excuse to lock up members of the family.

Somehow, Ricky caught wind of this before shit started going down, which some might see as a coincidence, but I know better. Roby definitely tipped him off, and I’ll never believe he didn’t.

Add that to the list of reasons I’m glad I took a chance on trusting him.

Another reason being that he personally interviewed the rescued victims of the trafficking ring, digging for evidence that eventually proved Hunter hadn’t fired the shot that killed Robyn Helms. Since then, he’s been moved to a facility closer to home and his sentence has been lightened to only reflect his true involvement in the scheme. Because, according to the witness, Robyn’s death isn’t on him. It’s on the one who actually pulled the trigger.

Vin.

But all that’s behind us now. Well, as much as it can be. I suppose we’ll always bear the scars of the past to some degree.

As if having heard my thoughts, West’s hand