Page 73 of The Golden Boys

A breeze sweeps past then and I hug myself through my hoodie, thinking deeper.

“Trust me,” Ricky continues. “If I could drag out of Hunter whatever it is he needs to say to you, I would’ve done it already. But he isn’t talking. Not to me. Not about that, anyway.”

My gaze shifts toward the house where I know Scar is waiting inside. I’ve made it my business to spend more time with her, which means making time for Hunter is even more of a challenge, but … he’s family, too.

I meet Ricky’s gaze and I don’t miss how differently he’s looking at me. It’s not like usual. If I’m not mistaken, he has his guard up with me, which hasneverbeen the case.

“I can’t go this evening,” I share, giving in. “But I’ll make time tomorrow morning.”

He does that thing with his brow again, where it creases in the middle.

“You got something more important to do?” There’s judgement in his tone, and I feel it.

“There’s a school thing I have to attend, but I don’t work in the morning. I can head out to see him then,” I answer.

It’s not until Ricky lowers his gaze, shaking his head, that I think I’ve figured out what his problem might be.

“Let me guess,” he grumbles. “Can’t afford to miss your boyfriend’s game. Am I right?”

I can’t even begin to explain all the things wrong with that statement, but I’m going to start with it being none of his business where I’m going or why I’ll be there.

“You and I aren’t together, Ricky. Have you forgotten that?”

There’s a humorless smirk on his lips when he answers. “Nah, I’m pretty sure I got that message.”

For so many reasons, I don’t have time for this. When I finally push past him, he’s on my heels.

“This isn’t like you, Blue. Never known you to be some dude’s doormat. And if I’m being honest,” he adds, “it’s not a good look.”

Feeling heat sweep up my spine, I turn to face him.

“What the hell are you talking about?”

He rubs a hand down his goatee and looks everywhere but at me. “I saw the update about him leaving your car on bricks,” he shares. “Now, you’re putting Hunter on hold to show up at this asshole’s game? Shit just doesn’t add up.”

I’m so sick of people assuming they have me pegged. Only, Ricky being one of those people is completely new to me.

“For your information, dickhead, the thing I have to do at school is for Journalism Club,” I admit through gritted teeth. “Yes, I have to be at the game, but only because I’m required to submit pics from every home event, and it just so happens that tonight’s Homecoming game is on Cypress Prep’s field. Is that okay with you? Or do you need me to make a presentation on what my entire schedule is looking like this week?”

I sense it the moment he backs down, realizing he messed up. Now that I’ve gotten my point across, I steer my angry glare from him and take a breath.

“I didn’t mean to piss you off,” he concedes. “It’s just that, when I saw what he did, and knowing you’re supposed to be together or whatever, I just—”

I don’t have anything else to say and it seems he doesn’t either. I’m simply counting down the days until I can put high school behind me and move on with my life. The drama is exhausting. Drama I desperately tried to avoid, might I add.

“I um … I showed up at the school that day,” Ricky eventually admits. “As soon as I saw the post about what happened. But the lot was clear when I got there, so I figured I just missed you.”

My eyes dart to him and, for obvious reasons, I’m not glaring quite as coldly as before.

“Not sure which I planned to do first—put the tires on for you or beat that guy’s rich ass, but … I just knew I should be there.”

It’s things like this that make me forget why I ever put distance between us, but one glance at the tattoos on his knuckles—a reminder of the crew he hangs with—and I remember.

When it came down to choosing me or embracing the lifestyle here in South Cypress, I never stood a chance of winning that battle.

“You shouldn’t worry so much about me,” I say calmly, which brings his eyes to mine. “We’ve got bigger problems than that.”

His brow quirks. “Like?”

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