Page 15 of The Dixon Rule

“NFL player. Well, former player. He was injured a few seasons ago, tried to make a comeback, and then got hurt again. So now he’s officially retired.”

“Christ. Here I am toiling away to earn my master’s and this guy is my age and already retired.” Percy’s tone is wry.

I study the next contestant. Zoey, a gorgeous brunette with big eyes and incredible lips. “She’s a cellist,” I remark, reading the bio that overlays the screen.

“Poor girl. What the hell is she doing on a show like this?”

“Oh my God. Okay—him. That’s my guy.” I grin at the next contestant who slides onto a stool and introduces himself to the camera. “That’s who I’m rooting for.”

“He goes by ‘The Connor,’ Diana. And he talks like a douchebag.” Distaste drips from Percy’s tone, which makes me laugh.

“Don’t judge a radio DJ by his cover,” I chide. “I bet you he’s a secret softie. Oh, hold on. Getting a text.”

It’s from Gigi. She’s sent me Shane’s contact info.

GIGI:

Please be nice to him. He’s basically my brother-in-law now.

Nice? Has she met me?

I open a new message thread and start typing. For some reason Shane strikes me as the type of guy who would check his texts in the middle of sex, so just to annoy him, I send my message one line at a time.

The tally is up to ten when I’m done.

“Who are you texting?”

“Oh, sorry. Just my new neighbor. He’s so cocky and obnoxious. And this whole year he’s been fucking up my life.”

There’s a slight narrowing of Percy’s eyes. “What do you mean?”

“He’s the one that keeps sleeping with all my cheerleaders. I told you about him, remember? The hockey player?”

“I don’t think you ever mentioned him.” His mouth is a bit tight.

“Oh, I thought I had. Anyway, he plays for Briar and he’s a total fuckboy. I just caught my teammate Crystal going to his apartment tonight after I specifically told him to leave the cheer team alone.”

“How do you know this guy?” Percy’s displeasure is now perfectly outlined in every crease of his face. “Are you dating him?”

“What? No.” I stare at him. “I hate him.”

“Really? Because you seem very invested in the sex life of a complete stranger.”

“He’s not a complete stranger. I just told you, he’s a hockey player. I know him through Gigi.”

“And you’re trying to, what, sabotage his date?” Percy curses softly. “Is that why I’m here right now?”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“Why am I here?”

“Because you wanted to hang out. As friends,” I say pointedly.

“Right. You made that very clear.”

“Of course I made that clear. Because we broke up.” My teeth grind against each other. I clear my throat to hide any agitation. “Actually, this is why we broke up.”

“Why? Because I don’t understand why you’re texting this guy? Why do you even have his phone number?”

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