Page 10 of Golden Rule

“Say the word. I’ve still got my bat,” I chime in, only to be outdone by Dez.

“To hell with a bat; I have agun.”

We laugh a little, and Lexi’s expression softens.

“Ugh, this sucks!” she growls. “And I know what this fucking looks like. I know you guys think I’m crying over Sterling, but I’m not. We’ve been done for years, and I’m over it. It’s just that…I just…”

Her voice trails off, and I suspect it’s because she’s just told a huge lie. Not only to us, but herself. I can’t even begin to know what this feels like. I let my mind go there, imagining thedevastation of not onlylosingWest, but having to watch him be happy with someone else.

I can’t even stomach it.

“And come on! Why the hell am I finding out with everyone else?” Lexi rages. “Like, we have a fucking kid together! Doesn’t that warrant, I don’t know, just asmidgemore respect than that?” she whispers as her expression darkens with anger.

It’s crossed my mind that Sterling’s plan might’ve been to share the engagement news in person, maybe even starting with Lexi, so she wasn’t caught off guard. Only, there’s no way of knowing that now.

Again, thank you, Pandora.

“Do you want to get out of here? We can go someplace else,” I offer, but she’s already shaking her head.

“No, stay. This is supposed to be a welcome home party, but… I do thinkIshould probably go. My head’s all fucked up now, and I don’t think I’m ready to see him yet.”

I nod. “Sure. Whatever you need to do.”

“Text when you get home,” Jules says, squeezing Lexi’s hand as she passes. Then, Dez catches her in a hug before she makes it to the door, whispering something in Lexi’s ear. Whatever she says has Lexi squeezing her tighter.

I brush a tear from my cheek, and this—seeing her in pain—is killing me. She’s already been through enough.

Dez lets go, and Lexi starts toward the door again. She makes it a few yards but doesn’t get to make the clean getaway she planned. All because that small bell over the entrance has just dinged.

I swear every ounce of air leaves the room and time screeches to a halt. In a perfectly shitty turn of events, the worst possible scenario unfolds right before our eyes. My heart races, staring as Sterling walks in with Tiffany clinging to his arm with one hand, and tucking one side of her auburn waves behind her earwith the other. But then, awareness fills both sets of eyes as they notice Lexi standing nearby.

My gaze slides back to Sterling, and it’s like watching a car crash. His breathing picks up. I can tell by how his chest heaves, how the rims of his nostrils flare, and I don’t miss the nervous look on his face either. But then, as he studies the look onLexi’sface, likely seeing her fresh tears, his expression falls completely slack.

Lexi takes a step back and instinct tells me to run to her, gather her in my arms to shield her from everything about this moment, but… it wouldn’t do any good.

“Hey,” Sterling says. “Can we?—”

That’s as far as he gets into whatever he’s just attempted to say to Lexi, because she quickly sidesteps him in favor of making a b-line for the exit. I can only imagine the restraint it takes for her to refrain from sprinting to her car.

The music seeping from the mounted speakers is the only sound, because every conversation around the diner has come to an abrupt end. Now, all eyes are on Sterling and Tiffany. As she takes a deep breath, squaring her shoulders, I wish I could read her thoughts.

Does she know Lexi’s tears were for Sterling?

Does she know it’s been tough letting her in because her presence in Sterling’s life has left Lex devastated?

I’m not naïve. People grow apart, people move on, which means none of this is Tiffany’s fault. Hell, it isn’t evenSterling’sfaultfor that matter, but… I think we all still find ourselves needing someone to blame. Especially Lexi.

I glance toward West, and I see it in his eyes. He’s thinking the same thing I’m thinking. That if our re-introduction to Cypress Pointe is any indication… we mightallbe in over our heads.

@QweenPandora:

Shoot! Did my last post strike a nerve?

Someone snapped a pic of #LostAngel burning rubber as she pulled out of the parking lot of Dusty’s Diner about an hour ago. And seeing as how the place appears to have been crawling with security, I think it’s safe to say the rest of the Golden Crew was present, too.

Which likely included #MrSilver and #TheSubstitute.

I’m keeping this update short and sweet, because I’m pretty sure we can all guess how things played out, but a word of advice for #LostAngel.

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