Page 19 of The Golden Boys
This anger of his, where is it coming from?
My entire body shakes, from head to toe. I hadn’t done anything to them oranyone. Was having me here such an insult? Did having someone around who hadn’t been born with a silver spoon in their mouth offend them that much?
Both fists tighten at my sides and I’m so tempted to use them, but then I think of Scarlett. Like, how I’d dropped the ball last year because things were so screwed up, and now I can’t waste this chance. I need to make this work. I need to make sure I do everything I can to give my sister the life she deserves. The life our crappy parents have robbed us of having thus far.
So, I loosen my hands and let them fall limp.
West sees the fight leave my body and I know he’s taken it as a sign of weakness when he smiles. I force myself to press tighter to the wall, preferring to have the rough stones scrape the backs of my thighs, versus being any closer to him.
“I’ve heard all kinds of freaky shit about girls from your hood. Rumor has it, you’ll do practically anything if the money’s right. That true, Southside? Cause I have a few dollars in my pocket if you’re game.”
His stare is wicked, smoldering with misguided hatred. But now, I’m filled with hatred of my own.
“Tell you what,” I seethe, feeling my teeth grit as I speak. “If you can somehow find that short dick of yours, we’ll see where things go from there, asshole.”
He’s practically panting in my face, fury burning in his eyes.
“You’d love that wouldn’t you?” he bites back, leaning in even more, until his lips graze the rim of my ear. “But fair warning: the only thing short about me is my fuse. Test me if you want to.”
My breath quivers and I know he feels it, which I hate. I’m not afraid ofhim, but I’m afraidforme. The semester has yet to begin and I cannot start the year proving them all right, proving that where I come from automatically means I’m trouble.
I’d seen the pull West has here, the reverence everyone who passed us held for him. What if that power extends further than just the students, to the staff?
I’ve seen enough of the world to know how these things work. These kids’ family’s checks are the foundation on which these schools are built. The rich, the powerful, they defend their own. It’d be his word against mine and I couldn’t take that risk.
“Thaaaat’s right. Settle down like a good little bitch,” he growls against my neck. His deep timbre is low and even, calm, because he knows he has me right where he wants me.
“I’m not breaking for you,” I choke out. “I’llneverbreak for you. You have my word on that.”
This brings a dark laugh out of him and his weight presses into me more completely now, until I feel all of him.
“Never say never. We’ve got a whole year ahead of us. Anything could happen.”
He’s right and I know I’m outnumbered here, but it’s not in me to give in. My pride is the last thing I have left that’s worth anything.
I feel his long, hot fingers slink around my throat. Then, just as they tighten over my racing pulse, he lets go.
“See you around, Southside.” A deceivingly sweet smile tugs at his lips as he backs away, adding a sinisterly spoken, “…Welcome to Cypress Prep.”
* * *
@QweenPandora: Rumor Confirmed. Cypress Prep has a new blonde bombshell on campus. NewGirl was first spotted several months ago at the Bellvue Bonfire. According to my sources, she was seen again today, sporting a Cypress Prep school ID. The speculation doesn’t end there. She was also seen being escorted by the Golden Trio and one brother seemed particularly smitten. Could this finally be the year the king settles down? Let’s not get our hopes up too soon.
Later, Peeps.
—P
Chapter 6
BLUE
Turning the radio up does nothing to clear my head, and I’m certain Ms. Levinson would agree. She’s been watching me shoot around from her patio, and while I don’t look to confirm she’s scowling about the loud music, I don’t need to. She is.
Normally, I’d be a bit more considerate, but I’m still fuming. Just as much as when I stood face-to-face with that bastard. All three of those bastards, actually.
It’s unbelievable that people like that exist in the world.
The ball rolls off my fingertips and ricochets off the rim. West has even messed with my shot.