Page 68 of The Dixon Rule

“Stop laying it on so thick,” I warn in a low voice.

“Why? It’s making her jealous.”

That gives me pause. “You think?” I had a feeling, but Lynsey can be hard to read.

“Absolutely,” Diana says. “When you said we were going to do the competition?” She points two fingers at her eyes. “Daggers. Like, I felt them stabbing into me. Spin me.”

Grinning, I lift our joined hands so she can execute a little spin, then pull her toward me again.

Diana studies our feet, as if she’s critiquing me. “Your footwork’s not bad.”

“We’re literally just moving back and forth and side to side.”

“Hey, a lot of men can’t even do that.”

Tyreek returns to the living area, smiling at us. To be honest, he’s a decent guy. Soft-spoken, easy to talk to. I wanted to hate him, but I can’t.

“Diana, here’s that routine I was telling you about,” he says. He’d been trying to track down a video of one of the cheerleading routines the BU squad performed last year.

“Oh, perfect. I’m dying to see it.”

Diana lets go of me and darts to the couch. She plops down next to Tyreek as he plays the video for her.

Lynsey emerges from the hall a moment later, joining me by the balcony door. She follows my gaze to our respective partners. Well, her partner. Mine’s a fraud.

I can’t believe she has a boyfriend. And I can’t believe she had the nerve to show up with him. It’s a huge slap in the face. Makes me angry every time I think about it, but I can’t let it show. Besides, I don’t want Tyreek thinking I’ve got beef with him. It’s all Lynsey.

“Some warning would’ve been nice,” I murmur to her. This is our first moment alone since they arrived. She literally hasn’t left his side.

“Yes. It would have,” she agrees tightly.

I glance at her in surprise. “Seriously? You think I should have warned you?”

Our voices are hushed, but I don’t think Diana or Tyreek even notice. They’re engrossed with the video.

“You didn’t tell me you were dating anyone.”

“Right back at you, Lynz. Also, I’m not the one showing up at your house with Diana asking her to sleep over.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t think it would be a big deal. We’ve been broken up for a year, Shane.”

“How long have you been seeing him?”

“About a month. We met at a party in Boston. He’s friends with Monique’s cousin.”

So she was with him when we spoke on the phone a couple weeks ago. Would’ve been nice if she’d filled me in then. I get it—she doesn’t owe me anything. She doesn’t have to update me about her love life. But it still feels shitty to be kept in the dark and then ambushed on my doorstep.

“You’re not mad, are you?” She studies my expression.

“No, of course not.” I take a step away. “I’m going to grab another beer. You want anything?”

“No, thanks.”

I cross the room toward the kitchen and hope she doesn’t notice the stiffness of my stride. I’m annoyed as fuck. I would never have blindsided her like this. Never would’ve dreamed of bringing my new girlfriend to Lynsey’s apartment for an overnight. And I realize I’m going to have to give them my goddamn bed now. It’s only the polite thing to do.

Awesome. Now I’ll have to burn those sheets.

When Diana sees me in the kitchen, she pats Tyreek’s arm and tells him she’ll be right back. A moment later she’s beside me, hopping up to sit on the counter.

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