Golden Rule (Kings of Cypress Pointe Golden Empire #1)

Chapter 8

Chapter Eight

Blue

N o sooner than the waiter leaves our table with his tip in hand, Joss breaks our only rule for the evening.

“Ok, I know we agreed not to mention Ira’s name during dinner, but I swear all I can envision is him spontaneously combusting during the next press conference. Just… sitting there, burning, screaming.”

She zones out on her fantasy, and I smirk too, thinking that would be perfect karma for that asshole.

Jules stops mid-sip to lower her glass and ask a question. “You really think he’ll be invited to the next one?”

“Of course, he will,” Joss scoffs. “Yeah, Coach Wells gave him a warning, but it takes a lot for a reporter to get banned from these sorts of things. And unfortunately, being a dick isn’t grounds for dismissal.”

Too bad.

Joss goes quiet, and I assume her rant is over, but then she gets fired up all over again.

“It would’ve been some consolation if their teammates at least had their backs, but with how Dane says the introduction went in the locker room this morning, there’s no chance of that happening. I mean, hell! If the other Emperors even took a small stand, like posting on their socials about how shitty the media’s been behaving, I’d even be satisfied with that! But it’s like we’re the only ones in our guys’ corner, and it fucking sucks.”

It's like she just took the words right out of my mouth. In between the press conference and West leaving for Ricky’s bar, he’s hardly said a word. Yeah, he’s pissed about everything, but I know my husband. More than anything, he’s hurt.

Hurt that the city he loves doesn’t always love him back.

And Joss is right. It does fucking suck.

My next thought is of Pandora’s post, what she subtly threatened to reveal at the end. Only Joss and I know what secret our least fav gossip queen’s hinting at. It’s an incredibly sensitive subject, for too many reasons to name, but I can’t just not talk about it.

Blue: Be honest. Should West be worried about the whole… Casey thing getting out?

I set my phone in my lap as Joss’s pings on the table. I tune into Jules, Dez, Lexi, and Scar’s conversation while I wait for a response. Then, the second my phone chimes, it’s in my hand again.

Joss: It’s hard to tell. P’s been a nightmare this time around, so I won’t even try to predict her next move.

Blue: My thoughts exactly, which is why I’m wondering if West needs to just get out in front of this whole thing.

Joss: You mean like… tell Coach now?

Blue: Better to hear it straight from the source, isn’t it? If it comes from Pandora, it’s out of West’s control. Which means whatever spin she decides to put on it is how Coach will think it really went down.

My stomach has been in knots about this all day. West fought hard to get where he is—and the idea of his reputation, and possibly even his career—being one post away from ruin is a terrifying thought.

Joss: Trust me, I get your reasoning, but we might be jumping the gun. Let’s see if P drops anymore hints, then we’ll reevaluate.

Blue: If you think that’s best.

Joss: I do. For now. And sorry this is coming up again. I know it’s not fun reliving all the old shit.

I pause to take a breath as I let that sink in, how we’re literally having to relive every terrible thing we thought we’d left behind all those years ago. But, nope. Turns out it was all just lying dormant, waiting for us to return.

Blue: Thanks. Same to you. It’s not fair to any of the guys that all this stuff with their dad keeps getting shoved at them.

Joss: But like always, we’re in this together.

“Care to share with the rest of the class?” Lexi’s words alert Joss and I that we aren’t exactly flying under the radar with our under-the-table texting.

“Sorry, just running something by PR Joss and not so much Friend Joss this time , ” I explain. “But you’re right. It can wait until later.”

Lexi’s expression softens, although it was clear she was just giving me shit in the first place. “Everything okay? I mean, aside from the usual bullshit,” she adds with an eye roll.

I force a smile, but it feels fake as hell considering all we’ve been through. But the fewer people who know these particular details, the better.

“Yep, all good.”

Lexi studies my face for a sec, and I suspect she knows I’m not being one hundred percent honest, but she lets it slide.

Thank God.

“Anyway, Joss and I aren’t the only ones being secretive,” I point out, nodding toward Jules. She’s practically had her nose to her phone since before our food arrived, and as soon as she finished eating, she was right back at it.

She looks up, pushing long, red hair behind her shoulder, playing the innocent role when she finally lowers her phone.

“Blue’s right. Who the hell have you been texting all evening? Lemme see.”

Dez makes a failed play for the phone, drawing a loud laugh from Jules as she tucks her cell, and her secrets, safely inside her purse.

“Geez, Mom. Didn’t realize I had to run every single detail of my life past you five.”

Dez nudges her with a smirk. “Are you kidding me right now? How the hell did you not know that?”

There’s a long pause. I think we all expect Jules to open up, to say something about who’s stolen her attention from us, but… nothing. Her lips are sealed, and it seems she intends to keep it that way.

Tilting her head, Dez’s brow lifts with the realization that this is the end of the conversation. “Well, damn. Okay. Keep your secrets, I guess. Anybody else wanna share since this one’s playing coy today? What about you, Blue? How’s house hunting coming?”

Just the thought of it has me sighing with exhaustion. “Well, after touring more houses than we even thought possible in a week’s time, it seems it wasn’t all for nothing, because… I think we might’ve actually found something.”

Scar’s eyes grow to twice their usual size as she sets her Mojito back on the table. “You didn’t tell me that! When do I get to see?”

I smile at her enthusiasm. “We haven’t even decided if we’re making an offer yet, but as soon as that’s settled, promise you’ll be the first to know.”

“I better be.” She shoots me a look. The same scolding stare I used to give her back in the day.

Lexi squeezes my hand from across the table. “That’s awesome, girl! Good for you!”

“Thanks. Hopefully, this means we won’t be living out of boxes much longer.”

“That sounds like heaven,” Joss says. “First of all, congrats! Second, pray Dane and I find something soon, too. The other day, I ate ramen with my bare hands because I got tired of digging through boxes, looking for a fork. Let’s just say times are hard.”

I purse my lips, holding in a laugh as I imagine it—her picking noodles out of her bowl with freshly manicured acrylics.

Times are hard indeed.

“Also… I might have a bit more news,” I say with a smile. “The timing of us finding the house—assuming it’s the house—is kind of perfect.”

Scar’s brow arches, and she sets her drink down again, waiting for me to finish.

“West and I decided to try again.”

Without having to explain any further, the looks on their faces say it all. There are tears in Jules’ and Scar’s eyes, and the others are smiling so big you’d think they just got the best news of their lives.

The next second, Scar’s arms are around my neck, squeezing me half to death.

“I’m unbelievably happy for you guys, and I’m here. For everything.”

Hearing those words, I squeeze her tighter, because that’s exactly what I needed.

Shit, now I’m crying.

“I’m gonna need each and every one of you,” I admit, glancing around the table when Scar lets go. “This process is tough as hell—physically, emotionally—and I don’t think we could do it again on our own.”

More tears fall, and I swallow to gather myself.

“We were able to make this decision because, this time, we know it’ll be different. We know we won’t be alone.”

“Damn right,” Lexi says, and the next second, she’s out of her seat, coming to my side of the table to squeeze me just as tight as Scar did.

“You’ve got us,” Jules says.

“ All of us,” Dez adds.

My hand warms when Joss takes it, confirming the spoken and unspoken promises alike. I never doubted they’d have my back, but it’s still amazing to hear.

“I love each and every one of you. Thank you.”

“Welcome,” Scar says. “And lucky for you, I’ll have all the time in the world to help with the move and whatever else you’ll need. School’s almost done, and seeing how I have yet to hear back about the internship… I’ve got nothing but time.”

She forces a smile, but it’s steeped in bitterness. She’s been so touchy about getting snubbed by PinnacleNorth Marketing Group—Cypress Pointe’s most prestigious firm. So touchy, in fact, that it goes in one ear and out the other when I point out her many other options.

“Wait… you’re looking for an internship?” Joss stops in the middle of reapplying her lipstick.

Scar’s brow gathers. “I am. Why? Have you heard of an opening somewhere?”

“Sure have. With me,” Joss explains. “Granted, PR isn’t your degree focus, but I think there’s still a lot you could learn. Plus, wouldn’t hurt networking with pro athletes, would it? I’ve got quite a few high-end clients.”

Scar takes that in, seeming to slowly think of all the possibilities. Then, when she almost knocks her drink over, I think it’s safe to say she’s excited.

“Seriously?”

Joss nods. “With all the shit happening right now—the drama with the guys, house hunting, planning the wedding—I’m desperate for help.”

Scarlet lets out a screech, earning herself a stern look from the three snobs seated at the next table. “OMG! Yes! I’m in!”

“Then, it’s settled. You’ll be with me,” Joss says. “And who knows, you might find that you like the PR direction. Hell, you might like it better than whatever else you had in mind.”

Scar nods and shrugs. “I’m open to that.”

And just like that, my sister’s no longer moping over PinnacleNorth. Because she’s just landed a badass internship with a badass PR rep.

“Shit, we have to go,” Joss says, glancing at the time on her phone.

I do the same, realizing we’ve cut it a little closer than we meant to. “Well, duty calls.”

I try not to glance toward Lexi, but I can’t help it, knowing she’s aware of where Joss and I are headed—to our first Empress Circle meeting.

With Tiffany.

A deep sigh lifts my shoulders. This shit’s been so hard, finding a balance.

“Have fun!”

I arch a brow at Jules’s enthusiastic comment. “Yeah, probably not. We got to meet a few of the wives at the team facility today, and it wasn’t the warmest welcome.”

Joss laughs a little. “To hell with warm. I would’ve settled for chilly. Those bitches were downright brisk.”

“Did they at least introduce themselves?”

I shrug my shoulders while answering Dez’s question. “Barely.”

“Damn.”

Complaining won’t change anything, so I switch the subject, making the most out of being here with my girls.

“Selfie before we go?” is my half-assed attempt at saving the moment.

“Yep, and tag us when you post it,” Lexi reminds me.

“Of course.”

We stand, gathering near our table, earning ourselves another hard glare from the trio of ladies who probably wish they’d sat on the other side of the restaurant. A second later, we pose and smile, then with one click, our time together has officially come to an end.

Per Lexi’s request, I quickly tag them all in the pic. Joss grabs her purse, and I note that the look on her face mirrors how I feel.

“We should get a move on. Tiffany just texted that she’s ready.”

The second the words leave Joss’s mouth, regret fills her eyes. Immediately, she glances toward Lexi.

“Sorry, I…”

“Don’t sweat it,” Lexi cuts in, probably hoping we don’t realize that smile she’s wearing is completely fake. “Life moves on, right?”

All of a sudden, I’m back at that night in my uncle’s diner, watching her heart break all over again.

My eyes lock with Dez’s, and I see the concern in hers.

“Relax,” Lexi laughs. “I’m good. I’m swinging by the vet clinic to grab Jaxon from Matt, then I’m dropping Jax off with Mom and Benny, so I can get to class. See? No time for sulking.”

I should feel nothing but relief, knowing Lex won’t be home alone, thinking about Joss and I spending time with Tiffany. But I’m more interested in that little piece of info she just dangled in front of us.

Jules and Scar are both arching their brows at her, waiting for an explanation, but Lex is clueless.

“What?”

Jules folds her arms. “Umm… do you think we didn’t hear what you just said about Matt—your sexy-ass boss—watching your son while you’re having a girls’ night? That sounds very…”

“Couple-ly?” Dez says.

Jules points at her, like she’s hit the nail on the head. “Yes. That’s exactly the word I was thinking of.”

“You’re all insane,” Lexi laughs, but no one says a word. She rolls her eyes, realizing we’re not letting this go. “Oh my gosh. Matt and I are just friends. He was there for me during my pregnancy—occasional doctor visits, food runs when the cravings hit. And now, Jaxon loves him, so…”

“So…?” Dez pushes, prompting Lexi to roll her eyes again.

“So, nothing! He’s just had my back a lot over the years,” she adds. “Jaxon’s daycare is right around the corner from the clinic, so Matt grabs him sometimes when I have things to do. Jax loves it, because he gets to see the animals, and I love it because he loves it. There’s nothing more to it than that.”

Dez Narrows her eyes, Joss arches a brow, and the smile on Scar’s face can be seen from space.

“What?!?” Lexi asks again, beginning to smile.

Jules puts her hands up. “Just saying, #TheGoodDoctor, as Pandora calls him, is hot as hell. And anyone with a pulse knows he’s always had a thing for you, Lex. If you don’t see that, you’re blind.”

We stand there, waiting for a response, but Lexi’s silence says it all. She knows everything Jules just said is spot-on.

“Whatever, I need to get my kid,” she says dismissively, and I know what that means. She’s done talking about it.

“Okay, Fiiiiine. Good night,” I laugh, squeezing her tight. “Hug my nephew for me.”

“Will do,” she promises.

“Drive safe.”

“We have to do this again. Soon!”

“Call me tomorrow.”

The collection of responses have me wishing we didn’t have to part ways so soon, but… I suppose there’s no putting this off.

As much as I hate it, mine and Joss’s next stop after collecting Tiffany, will be the Emperess Circle meeting.

Fun.

@QweenPandora:

How cute!

My inbox has been flooded with pics of the #QueensOfCypressPointe all dolled up tonight. Looks like the girls met for an early dinner at a swanky, downtown lounge. However, I couldn’t help but notice that something seemed to be missing.

Or should I say… someone.

While #NewGirl, #LostAngel, #BrokenBeauty, #VirginVixen, Jules, and Scar were out living it up without the boys in tow, #TheSubstitute was nowhere to be found.

Did the newcomer’s invite get lost in the mail? Or was this an intentional snub?

I’m placing my bet on the latter.

Ouch, #MrSilver.

How does it feel to know your family will ALWAYS prefer your ex over your next?

Side note: Jules and Scar are long overdue for a proper renaming, don’t you think?

So, I hereby dub Jules, Cypress Pointe’s serial dating, job hopping wildcard, #WanderLost. I mean, let’s be honest. I think she’s just as confused as the rest of us about where her life is headed. Unless, of course, she’s intentionally aiming for the ‘broke best friend’ look?

In that case, you’re killing it, girl!

And Scarlett, don’t feel left out.

You’re next.

Later, peeps :)

—P