Page 74 of The Golden Boys

I take a deep breath and glance toward the house to make sure the windows are closed so Scar doesn’t overhear.

“Has Shane … said anything to you lately? About anything major?”

Ricky’s thoughtful for a moment, and then shakes his head. “Nothing that stands out. Why?”

I swallow hard before speaking. “A couple weeks ago, the day of the whole … tire thing,” I explain, “I came home and found Scar and Shane in her bed together. And they weren’t taking a nap.”

Ricky’s expression is blank, and then he stares off, gazing down the alley instead of at me.

“Damn…”

I breathe deeply. “Precisely my thoughts.”

I’m not sure what he’s thinking, but I’m sure he’s at least as shocked as I was.

Well, maybe notasshocked. Seeing as how I was the one with a ringside seat of the whole thing.

“I’ll talk to him,” he promises. “And I’ll tell him not to come around anymore.”

“It’s probably best that he wait until I’m home, but I don’t think keeping them apart indefinitely is the answer. With our luck, that’ll only push them together,” I say with a quiet laugh that has him smiling. “They’re friends before they’re anything else, so … I think it’s just on us to steer them in the right direction, explain why moving too fast too soon isn’t healthy.”

He nods. “I can agree with that.”

“And in case you’re wondering, they were careful all three times.”

“Three?” He flashes a surprised look my way.

I nod. “Three. After we talked things out, she showed me the box of condoms she had hidden under her bed to ease my mind. I counted and only three were missing, so she didn’t lie about anything.”

When I peer up, I’m shocked to see Ricky smiling even bigger than before.

“What could you possibly be smiling about right now?”

He shrugs and his dimples deepen. “It’s just crazy how you Riley girls seem to be me and my brother’s weakness.”

I roll my eyes playfully and start up the steps of the back porch. “On that note, I’m going inside. Gotta grab Scar and Jules before the game starts. And I guess washing my hands wouldn’t be a bad idea either.”

Glancing down, I observe the pink paint I’m still sporting.

Ricky’s gaze lingers on me, and he nods. “Yeah, you do that. And if you need someone to vent to after seeing Hunter tomorrow, you know how to get a hold of me.”

“Ok,” I answer, but as he’s walking away, I stop him to say more. “I haven’t said it lately, and I know I’ve been kind of a bitch to you these past few months, but … thank you for being such a good friend.”

The smile reappears and so do the dimples. “Anytime. You know that.”

* * *

@QweenPandora: Well, lovelies, members of this year’s Homecoming Court have been decided, and I don’t think the nominees were a surprise to anyone. It looks like PrincessParker has been given a chance to make another move on KingMidas, especially since there seems to be a bit of trouble in the paradise he’s carved out with NewGirl. Speaking of, NewGirl, what gives? This pic surfaced of you chatting it up with SeXyBeAsT in your driveway. Keeping secrets, are we? Guess we’ll have to stay tuned to see what happens next.

Later, Peeps!

—P

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Chapter 24

BLUE

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