Page 90 of Forever Golden

“Hell no,” he answers. Zero hesitation.

“Poor choice of words. I need a favor, but it’s not for me. It’s for Blue.”

Now, he’s listening.

“I know she told you what my dad’s forcing her to do, and we’re running out of time,” I explain. “While we figure shit out, I think it’s best if we make it look like we’re cooperating with Vin, make it look like she’s giving him what he wants.”

“What the hell does any of this have to do with me?”

My jaw is tense and I’m trying to force the words out.

“Blue and I are gonna have to stage a breakup. It’s the only way, but my dad knows I’m stubborn just like he is, which is why he knew to tell Blue to cut deep. So… that’s where you come in.”

Ricky’s brow arches at me, like I’m speaking a foreign language or something. Clearly, I’m gonna have to spell this shit out.

“If we fake the breakup, I’ll have to keep my distance. Which means I need someone around her who’ll protect her likeIwould. Someone who loves her like I do,” I add, causing my own stomach to turn.

For the first few seconds, Ricky only stares. But then, out of nowhere, he laughs.

“You’re out your damn mind, rich boy. So, let me get this straight. Your big master plan is to make it look like she dumped your ass and came back to me?”

He finishes speaking and laughs again.

“All I know is, I can’t leave her unprotected. You got a better idea?”

He shrugs and levels a look my way. “Don’t get mad, I’m just realizing something.”

At the risk of knowing I’m about to regret this, I ask anyway. “What are you talking about?”

“Just saying,” he begins, arching a brow as he smirks. “If you thinkI’myour safe option, Blue’s clearly spared you a few details about us from back in the day. Hell, even from this time lastyear,” he clarifies.

I don’t say shit, because until he just mentioned it, I thought I was content knowing they dated for a while, knowing he was her first and the last before me. But now, he has me wondering if throwing them together will be like tossing a lit match into a vat of gasoline.

Southside,I believe in completely. It’sthismotherfucker I don’t trust further than I can throw his ass.

“But whatever. I’m in. For her,” he adds, like I’d ever think otherwise.

“If we do this shit, there are three things I want you to remember,” I warn. “Number one, this isn’t real. Two, this is temporary. And three, I’ll kick your ass if you try anything.”

He smirks again, already backing toward the building. “I’ll try to keep my hands to myself, but you know, things happen.”

Before there’s even time to get upset, he starts laughing, probably imagining what’s going on inside my head.

“Relax. I’ll behave. She’d never have it any other way.”

He disappears inside the building just as I hear the announcer starting to introduce the players. While this might be one of the worst conversations I’ve ever had to have, it was necessary. It’s no secret Ricky’s not my favorite person in the world, but one thing Blue’s said about him is true. He’s loyal to her.

And in a world where we can’t even trust our own parents, a little loyalty goes a long way.

Ricky’s on board, now here comes the hard part—getting Southsideto agree.

* * *

@QweenPandora:Well done, Cypress Prep! Our girls were on fire tonight!

If you missed it, here’s a recap.

Our southside connection was definitely the star of tonight’s game, knocking down a whopping thirty-nine points on her own. She was alert, she was focused, and no one can say she didn’t give it her all.

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