Page 106 of Forever Golden
One that has me wanting to say fuck this whole idea because… I just can’t.
However, I know my feelings have very little to do with any of this. The whole thing has been about doing what’s best for my sister, and the other girls this could possibly save down the line. It’s so much bigger than me, so I suck it up, grab my things, shrug into my coat, then head to my car.
As planned, Ricky’s parked beside me, but he’s not inside his ride because he’s leaning against the trunk of mine. He smiles when he spots me and I do the same, but mine is fake. Not because I’m not happy to see him, but because I can’t help but wish there was someoneelsewaiting here for me.
“Killed it on the court as usual.”
“Thanks.” My smile broadens because there are enough people still waiting in this lot that I’m certain at least one of them has their phone out to be the next Pandora informant. They’ve been eating up all the curated drama me, West, and Ricky have cooked up. It’s the love triangle that’s turned Cypress Pointe on its head.
I step closer and rest against the hood beside him. Hugging myself inside my jacket for warmth.
“So, what’s next? We just wait here for him to show up?”
“Yep,” I answer with a nod. “And Joss suggested that we find a posture that says,‘I’d fuck you if no one was watching’.”
He laughs, likely not expecting those words to leave my mouth, but they’re not my own.
“Wow. That’s pretty direct.”
I nod. “Sure is.”
There’s an awkward moment while we just stand there, maybe trying to figure out what that looks like exactly. But then, Ricky has an idea.
“Come here.”
I glance his way when he speaks, letting him draw me closer by my hand. I’m facing him again and he brings me to stand between his knees. Then, he slides both hands inside the pockets of my jacket, lacing his fingers with mine.
“This feel about right?”
There’s an awkward tension between us that makes me want to let go, but I can’t. This is great for optics. However, even though this whole thing was West’s idea, I can’t help but to feel horrible standing so close to Ricky. Letting him hold me like I’m still his. Maybe it’s a bit more intense because of our history, but I find myself super uncomfortable as we wait.
He keeps the conversation light—filling me in on how Shane’s adjusting in Puerto Rico. And every now and then, I toss my head back and laugh, making it look as though we’re talking about something far more interesting.
Far more intimate.
We keep it up for about five solid minutes before the screeching of tires signals our next cue. I spin toward the sound, releasing Ricky’s hands, and meet West’s furious glare through his windshield. Yes, he’s acting, but some of that fury is real. I feel it even from here.
“This is what the fuck you wanna do?” He climbs out of the car, yelling these angry words while storming toward me and Ricky.
“West, we were just talking,” I insist. “You overreact abouteverything.”
“Honestly, at this point, who even gives a fuck? If you want to forever be southside trash, fucking around with assholes like this, be my guest,” he scoffs. “In fact, to show you I’m not upset, how about I send you two a pair of tickets to one of my games once I’m drafted?”
There’s the cocky asshole I know and love. And here I was, thinking he’d forgotten how to be a douchebag.
We’re drawing a crowd. Good. At least all this effort won’t be for nothing.
I step away from the hood of my car and move closer to West. “Okay, so you’re done with me. Great. So, why are you here?”
Crossing both arms over my chest like a defiant child, I look him straight in the eyes.
He gives me a sweeping look that’s dripping with disgust. “Just letting you know to your face that this shit’s over. Also, you might want to keep in mind that bitches like you don’t make it far in my city.”
“Watch yourself, rich boy,” Ricky rasps from behind me, sounding menacingly calm.
“Fuck you,” West snaps.
All of a sudden, both are walking toward the other and I’m in the middle.