Page 120 of The Golden Boys
Apparently, she’s not as adverse to prying as I was a moment ago. I feel my face warm, which likely means it’s red, too.
“Well, I—”
There’s no real answer for that, so I pause. I showed up at the school today, expecting West to be at least alittlewarmer than usual, considering, but instead I got the cold shoulder.
“He’s just a bit hard to figure out,” I share with her, not feeling like I’ve said too much.
My statement draws a laugh from her. “Giving you whiplash, huh?” she asks, sounding like she knows a thing or two about that.
“That’s one way of putting it.”
She nods. “I will say this, though. Whatever the beef was between you two when you first got to Cypress Prep, West definitely seems far less hostile about it. Like, maybe he’s starting to soften up a bit.”
I suppose that would’ve come as a relief if I considered myself one of West’s groupies, but I’m not. What has me feeling weird is how he’s seemingly gone cold toward me again. No, he hasn’t been cruel, but having seen that there’s another side to him recently, I can admit to not being ready to let that go.
I enjoy that side of him.
Iwantthat side of him.
It felt like things were changing between us—I mean,reallychanging—and now this.
“You two should just talk,” Joss suggests. I’m not even sure she realizes how complicated something as simple as a conversation can be for West and me.
“Easier said than done,” I admit.
“Tell you what. Trip and Austin are having everyone over to their room tonight. You should drop in and just, you know, pull West aside,” she suggests. “Despite what he has you thinking, he’s not atotald-bag. Actually, he’s a closeted sweetheart,” she says with a laugh. “You just have to get to know him.”
I nearly laugh out loud.No way West Golden is a sweetheart. Not even on his best day.
“I’ll think about it,” is all I say, but I’ve already made up my mind.
I’m staying as far away from him as possible. I’ve already given him too much slack, too much access to my thoughts, my body, and my heart. I’m sick of being made to feel like a fool, but that’sexactlyhow I feel every time I fall for West’s games. If this cycle we keep repeating is ever going to end, it’s up to me to end it.
So, that’s what I’ll do. Right here. Right now.
Whatever West and I were on the verge of becoming, it’s officially dead.
Completely.
* * *
@QweenPandora: Guess what team is one step closer to State Finals, lovelies! Our boys have looked good out on the field all season, and call me optimistic, but I believe we’re positioned to dominate at Regionals, too. It’s possible I’m a little biased, but it’s undeniable that CPA’s team has been on FIRE! Assuming they don’t party too hard this weekend, I’m putting it out into the universe … we’re bringing home another big win! Go Panthers!
Later, peeps!
—P
* * *
Chapter 37
BLUE
“This is so stupid.”
I’m talking to myself, because I’m alone in my hotel room, being lame. A sharp sigh of frustration puffs from my lips as I stare at the ceiling.
It’s eight P.M. and I’m the only person on the planet—under the age of seventy—poised to go to bed this early. But I have nothing better to do, and sleep is the only guarantee I won’t do something I’ll regret.