Page 62 of Forever Golden

While thoroughly weirded out by whateverthesetwo have going on, I’ve got bigger fish to fry. My gaze whips back to Scar and Shane.

“What the hell were you two thinking? You’re fifteen years old!”

“And you were, what, sixteen when you and Ricky started screwing? What’s the difference? Where do you think I even got the idea to go to the garage? I used to hear you guys out there all the time!” she yells, clearly trying to make this as awkward for me as it is for her.

Really, Scar? In front of West? Thanks.

I ignore the personal jab and stay focused.

“The difference is, I didn’t have a big sister ready and waiting to beat my ass over it! I didn’t have someone looking out for me, telling me to slow the fuck down, but you do,” I remind her. “So, slow the fuck down, Scarlett!”

“You think you’re so perfect,” she hisses, crossing both arms over her chest.

I don’t even justify that with a response. She knows it’s a lie. No one will admit their flaws more readily than I will.

“You gave me your word you two were done with this,” I remind her. “When did a promise between us stop meaning something? What changed?”

She breathes deep and eyes Shane before speaking.

“What changed is… he’s leaving,” she reveals. “He just told me tonight.”

I don’t miss how her voice breaks a little while getting those words out.

Now, I’m wondering if I was wrong. Maybe Shane’s distance wasn’t that he was into someone else, but rather that he was starting to pull away from Scar because he knew he’d be gone soon. I could relate. The thought crossed my mind when I got spooked by Vin.

My gaze flits to Ricky and I’m not sure what to think or say. Naturally, I assume he’s leaving too, and then I’m left wondering why I’m only hearing about it now. It’s possible that my heart may have even sank a little. He’s always been here, not just in this city, but he’s always been here forme. It’s hard to imagine life in this city without Ricky Ruiz—one of the best friends I’ve ever had. Hell, our friendship was so strong it even weathered our breakup.

“You’re leaving?” I ask, hoping West doesn’t misread the emotion in my voice for something it isn’t, but I’m a little confused right now.

Ricky shakes his head. “Not me, just him. Aunt Carla’s heading back to Puerto Rico for a bit and I asked her to take Shane. It’ll only be for a little while,” he adds.

“Too long,” Shane mumbles under his breath, prompting Ricky to lower his gaze when I can only guess guilt sets in.

“There’ve been a lot of changes lately and I just think it’s best,” Ricky explains. “I don’t want him getting caught up in anything.”

Oh, the irony. It’s as if he’s inside my head, staring at my plan for Scarlett.

The last thing he said bordered on cryptic, but I probably know more about the hidden meaning behind those words than he thinks. All because of something Tommy clued me in on the last time I saw him. He mentioned a new family working their way into Cypress Pointe’s underworld, and he also mentioned that things were becoming more volatile because of it. Without realizing, Ricky just confirmed what I feared—he’s in deep and he’s scared. At least for Shane.

I suppose I could relate to that, too. And, like me, Ricky chose to send his brother someplace safe since protecting him seems impossible.

“He’s known for a few weeks. I told him not to say anything, but I guess he felt Scar needed to know,” Ricky adds.

He doesn’t seem pissed that Shane told, just a little uncomfortable. Like it was supposed to stay a secret. From everyone.

I’m finding it hard to be angry now that I know what fueled this late-night garage rendezvous. Especially knowing I’m taking her away for a week. Do I condone my fifteen-year-old sister having sex? No, but I know what it’s like to be in love—to feel like you can’t breathe if you can’t be with someone.

I’ve been there.

Twice.

“Just… go to bed. We’ll talk about this more later.”

Swiping tears, Scar gets to her feet, passing a glance toward Shane that breaks my heart a little. He’s still clinging to her hand and I think it shocks us all when he stands and pulls her to his chest. They hug like they’ll never see each other again and, in a bold show of affection that even takesScarby surprise, he kisses her. Like no one else is in the room. Like no one else exists.

It’s in this moment that I realize they’re not kids anymore. Sure, they have a lot of growing to do, but… what they feel for each other is real and I’ll never take that away from them.

“I’ll call every day,” he promises. “And I’ll come back to visit whenever I can.”

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