Page 34 of Forever Golden

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@QweenPandora:Looks like I’m bringing you folks a double-header tonight, and this one’s kind of juicy.

There’s been talk that the Harrisons’ marriage is on its last leg. Until now, it’s all been rumors, but this pic of Cypress Pointe’s beloved headmaster and his better half leaving a counselling session—looking rather distraught, might I add—seems to confirm that theory.

What happened? Wifey’s penchant for a fresher,youngercut of meat finally taking its toll? Or perhaps someone has somerealinsight into what’s going on. Got something to add? I’ll be here all night.

Later, assholes.

—X

Chapter 12

BLUE

Scar hasn’t spoken a single word to me since picking her up from the diner. Not even about all the X drama, which she would’ve loved to chat about. If her silence onthatissue hadn’t already let me know she’s pissed about earlier, the sound of her bedroom door slamming shut would’ve made it obvious.

I have every intention to try and clear the air between us, but first, I have a gun to hide. Standing at the opening of my closet, I look around, deciding to shove the box from Tommy under a pile of hoodies in the far right corner. Then, after moving a few things around to conceal it completely, I head to Scar’s room. Surprisingly, she hasn’t locked me out.

“Ok, just say whatever you need to say so we can eat dinner and not have our entire night ruined.”

Apparently, just the sound of my voice has earned me the death stare, but I don’t care. This is how we handle things. We talk them out.

“What difference does it make whetherIsay something or not? Because you’ll say absolutelynothingin return,”she scoffs, dropping down onto her bed after pulling her dark hair into a ponytail.

I should’ve felt that coming. My gaze lowers to the carpet and I still have no clue how to navigate these waters—tell her enough so she knows to be more mindful of her surroundings, but not so much that she’s overly paranoid.

Like me.

“There’s just stuff going on that—”

“That I don’t understand,” she cuts in with an eye roll. “So you keep saying. But honestly, from the outside looking in, you just look like a crazy person who’s becoming evenmoreoverbearing than you already were.”

Her words cut deep. Yes, I’m completely aware of my tendency to smother her, but how could she not know it’s because I love her? How could she not know I’m desperate to keep her safe because if something happened to her it would literally kill me?

“I’m gonna let that slide, because I know you’re confused and upset right now, but—”

“How long has it just been us?” she asks. “Most people would say since Mike left, but you and I know it’s been much longer than that. Even before mom took off and Hunter got arrested, we were all each other had.”

Listening to her, looking into her eyes, my heart’s in my throat because she isn’t wrong.

“A long time,” I answer.

“So, if there’s anyone in this world I should be able to trust, it’s you, right?” she reasons. “Then, why doesn’t that go both ways? And don’t tell me it does, because if that were true, you wouldn’t be hiding…whateverthis is from me right now.”

She stands and takes a step to storm off again, but I have her arm before she can leave the room.

“You’re fourteen, Scar.”

“Fifteen,” she argues, “which means I’m not a baby. Which means I won’t fall apart if you tell me the truth for once.”

There’s a knot in my stomach that only grows the longer this conversation continues. Shielding her has been, by far, the most exhausting job I’ve ever had, but it’s been worth it. I don’t know, though. Maybe she’s right. She’s growing up and maybe it’s time I let her handle knowing things.

But then, as soon as this thought comes to me, I’m aware of how badly I wished there had been someone to protect my innocence. Someone who felt I was too young to see the things I’ve seen, experience the things I’ve experienced.

“All I can say is that you’re not crazy,” I admit. “Things are going on that you don’t know about, but I’m handling it.”

Handling it—I use that term very loosely.

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