Never His Girl (Kings of Cypress Prep #2) - Rachel Jonas Page 0,73

ago.

“The fuck? You gave that kid our shit?” Sterling asks.

I sigh and my only response is to dig into my pocket, pulling out my bank card.

“I owe you shoes,” I say to him. “And… we might also need to head back into the game store.”

“What the—”

“Just go rebuy your shit so we can get out of here,” I say, cutting Dane off before he can ask too many questions. Before he can find out I have kind of a soft spot for Southside’s sister.

I know what I did here today doesn’t even come close to making up for what she’s been through on account of me, but it was better than nothing.

“Know what? I think I had a watch in that bag, too,” Dane jokes when we start walking.

“Well, if you did, fuck you and that watch,” I shoot back.

He shrugs, readjusting that stupid candy cane scarf. “Can’t blame a guy for trying.”

Chapter 28

BLUE

‘For your safety, for Scar’s… I’m begging you to let this go, Blue. Please’

Hunter’s words have been swimming around in my head since he spoke them hours ago. They’re the reason I called Uncle Dusty on my way home, asking him to watch Scar this coming weekend, instead of Jules. Simply because, by comparison, Uncle Dusty is way more capable of protecting Scar should something happen.

Should someone come after her.

I hate that I even have to worry about this, but crying about it won’t change things. The situation could definitely be worse, though, and that isn’t lost on me. Scar and I are together, and we’re fine.

For now, anyway.

As a loud laugh from the living room floats into my bedroom, I smile a little, grateful Scar has no clue how bad things really are. She deserves to just be a kid, not concerned with all the other B.S. that haunts our family like ghosts.

“No!” Shane yells when Scar beats him in another round of whatever they’re playing, on a gaming system I couldn’t even dream of buying her.

My first thought when she walked through the door carrying that huge box was that Ricky had slipped her some cash, before his Aunt Carla took her and Shane to the mall. Wouldn’t be the first time he’d done something like that. However, I quickly learned I assumed wrong. The one who brought that huge smile to my sister’s face was the last person I expected.

West.

I almost told her she couldn’t keep it. Not because it came from him, but because I don’t want her getting used to people giving her things so freely. Mostly, because I know for a fact that there aren’t many who do so as ‘freely’ as they pretend to, but I decided not to take this from her. She’s endured some pretty ugly shit. One gift won’t spoil her.

Settling on the edge of my bed, needing a break from packing for the bus ride to the game tomorrow, I glance toward my phone. Despite nearly a week passing since West left his number, I haven’t called. Maybe it’s pride? Maybe it’s knowing that a phone call would further build the bridge between us? One I waver between being ready to mend, and also kind of uncertain about.

Although, I’m positive that kiss on Monday told us both all we need to know.

It dawns on me that I’m probably overthinking all of this, so I stop being wishy-washy and just grab the phone.

It only rings twice, which is unexpected.

“Shut the fuck up,” he whispers first, catching me off guard before a rushed “Hello?” touches my ears

I hold back a smile. “Uh… not sure if I should say ‘hello’ or if I should just shut the fuck up.”

West lets out a quiet laugh and I melt at the sound of it. It always gets to me when he’s softer like this, easy.

“Yeah, sorry about that. Tried to quiet down Dane and Sterling before I picked up, but I guess my timing was off,” he explains, sounding sort of surprised to hear from me.

Can’t blame the guy. I haven’t exactly been easy on him lately. Or maybe not ever, but that goes both ways.

Scar lets out another noisy laugh and I’m reminded why I called.

“Listen, thanks for what you did for Scar today.”

“No problem. I don’t think those pieces of shit will bother her again, but if they do, I know my way to South Cypress High.”

My brow tenses when his response isn’t quite what I was expecting. “I was talking about the game system. What were you talking