Page 93 of Forever Golden

He cuts me off with a quiet laugh. “I’m cool, B. You don’t have to worry about me getting attached or getting my feelings hurt. I’m a big boy,” he adds.

I see he wants me to believe that, and I’m trying, but I know therealRicky. He’s tough on the outside, and no one on the street would even consider crossing him, but he’s got a huge heart. And, as his friend, I’d never want to do something I think could hurt him.

“You’re not lying?”

He laughs again. “No, so stop asking all these damn questions.”

“Okay, okay.”

He peers up and I meet his gaze. “So, does this mean we’re doing this?” he asks, making me think long and hard about that before nodding.

“For Scar, for all those girls out there, yeah. I guess we are.”

He nods and stands from my bed. “Then, I’m in, too. When’s this whole thing supposed to kick off?”

At the thought of it—publicly humiliating West, pretending not to love him anymore—a heavy sigh leaves me before answering.

“Monday.”

Ricky seems okay with that. “Cool. Let the games begin.”

He puts on a tough act, but I can only hope he’s really this strong on the inside. I guess time will tell.

* * *

QweenPandora:Did I call it, or did I call it?

What started as just a seemingly innocent pop-up appearance made by SeXyBeAsT at tonight’s game, has turned into a shady rendezvous of sorts. Shout out to the follower who just sent this pic of him headed inside NewGirl’s house.

While we can’t be sure what went on once they were alone, we have our imaginations. Tell me, do youthink there’s a scandal brewing in Cypress Pointe?

Let the speculation begin.

Later, Peeps.

—P

Chapter 33

BLUE

Turns out being exposed in Pandora’s last post—although completely unplanned—worked in our favor.

Most commenters are convinced there’s some shady reason behind Ricky being at my house, so West thinks we should use that to our advantage for day one of what Joss has officially dubbed Operation: Heartbreak.

I guess naming these missions is kind of her thing.

To start, I’m supposed to seem disinterested when West shows up at my locker to walk me to first hour. So, spotting him coming down the hall, I put on my game face.

“Hey,” he says sweetly.

To which I respond with a very unimpressed, “Hey.”

I look away and close my locker before we start toward my first class. He puts his arm around me, and I keep my gaze on the ground, not saying another word. When we make it to the door, I barely wave before ditching him to head inside. He lingers there a moment, even after I’ve taken my seat, and this is already killing me. Even though we’re pretending, this is going to hurt us both.

The walk to second-hour is a repeat of the walk to first. I hardly pay him any attention and he plays the role of the doting boyfriend. At the door, I turn with an eye roll, then leave him hanging like before.

Gut-wrenching. This whole thing.

---