Page 48 of The Golden Boys
I’ve long-since grown numb to my father’s insults, his indifference towards my siblings and I, but it stings especially bad to be treated this way in front of West. Someone who already thinks I’m worthless.
I suppose I don’t answer quickly enough for Mike, because his next move is to amble across the living room, coming straight toward me to get in my face. Surprisingly, he’s never struck anyone under this roof before, so I don’t brace myself for impact, but … West does.
In what I guess is some kind of knee-jerk reaction, he’s suddenly standing between Mike and me. Like a fortress, shielding me from the encroaching storm. Shocked, and very much confused, I’m unsure what to do or say. So, I watch in silence as the two engage in a fierce stare-down.
“Try it, boy,” Mike grunts, barely sober enough to stand on his own.
West is unwavering, but his biceps tense when he readies his fists. Just in case, I guess.
“You should back up,” is his cold warning to my father. “Maybe go sleep it off before you do something you’ll regret … sir.”
Mike doesn’t take kindly to threats, but I imagine the polite, and yet stern, tone of West’s voice is confusing to him. He certainly wouldn’t be the only one with no clue what’s going on.
They seem to have reached a stalemate, neither having spoken a word in several seconds. But then, adding to this batshit crazy turn of events, Mike retreats. Yeah, he’s grumbling and cursing to himself, but he’s doing all those things while slow-walking it back to his bedroom.
There’s an awkward silence in the room, hovering between West and me as I keep my stare trained on his back. With each of the deep breaths he draws in, his shoulders rise and fall. But he has yet to face me.
Maybe he can’t.
A wall came down I don’t think he intended to lower.Ever.But what’s done is done. There’s no taking back what I know—that he just put himself in harm’s way for me. If it had been anyone else who intervened just now, I wouldn’t hesitate to show my gratitude, thank them, but … not him.
Neverhim.
Instead, I’m bitter as hell that he’s pushed himself into this corner of my life, seen the dark parts I keep hidden at all costs.
Furious, I can only get one word out of my mouth. “Leave.”
I don’t regret the chill in my tone. Not even a little. He has no right to be here.
What could have been an act of valor, only feels like an invasion of privacy to me and I want him gone.
Opening the front door makes it clear I mean what I said. And I don’t breathe again until West brushes past me without either of us even attempting to make eye contact. Then, he storms down the steps of my porch, hopefully knowing better than to ever come back here again.
* * *
@QweenPandora: Hold up … RED ALERT: Fellas, hide your ladies if you intend to keep them. It looks like there’s a new player in the game. My sources identified this bringer of hotness as Ricky Ruiz. However, his official, Pandora-issued moniker tells you everything you need to know about him—SeXyBeAsT.
If my eyes on the street are right, it seems he may already have his sights set on a prize. Perhaps, … a prize fit for north side royalty.
Looking at you, KingMidas.
A little friendly advice for our beloved QB-1: It might be time to channel that energy you bring to the field, because from where the rest of us are standing, NewGirl’s got options. And since it’s my job to express my completely unbiased opinion, I’ll give it.
The King might already be too late.
Later, Peeps.
—P
* * *
Chapter 16
BLUE
Today’s been quieter than expected. I mean, sure the Golden boys’ followers are still on a hundred—whispering insults, purposely bumping me in the halls—but the boys themselves have absolutely nothing for me.
Which should come as a relief, but instead, I’m paranoid as hell.