Page 27 of The Dixon Rule

“We certainly don’t.” I peer into my mailbox. I find a few pieces of junk mail that I stuff into my gym bag. “He gives new meaning to the word fuckboy.”

Priya grins. “You realize being promiscuous doesn’t make one a bad person, right?”

“Of course not. But one should also handle their hookups with tact, and that is something Shane is lacking.”

I quickly tell her about the way he treated Crystal, reciting his morning-after message verbatim. Yes, I memorized it.

Priya’s jaw drops. “No.”

“Yes.”

“He didn’t even say, I had a good time? You’re an amazing person, but… It was fun but…” She lists all the polite platitudes Shane could’ve offered Crystal and didn’t.

“Nope.”

“And I was thinking of inviting him to the neighbors group chat!”

“Oh, bad idea. We don’t want that kind of energy in the group chat.”

“You’re right. We don’t,” she says firmly. “In fact, I’ll spread the word. Make sure everybody knows to steer clear of this creep.”

“Good call,” I say, turning my cheek so she doesn’t see my grin.

“Ugh.” Priya nudges my shoulder with her own. “Don’t look now, but here comes Broomstick Niall.”

I hear his loud footfalls from the entryway behind us. For someone who lodges so many noise complaints, you’d think he’d work on moving with a lighter step.

Niall’s mailbox is next to mine, so there’s no avoiding him. “Hey, Niall.”

He yanks out his mail, ignoring my greeting. “Have you heard what’s going on in 2B? I swear, that hockey boy must be throwing pucks around his living room.”

Priya and I exchange an eye roll behind his head. We’ve both learned to brush off Niall when he claims another neighbor is too loud.

“Forget about the noise, Niall,” Priya advises. “We have other things to dislike him for.”

“I’ll dislike him for the noise, thank you,” he says tightly.

Jeez. Get over it, man. Life is noisy.

“Priya is putting out the call for everyone to not roll out the welcome wagon,” I tell Niall.

For the first time ever, a genuine smile spreads across his lips. “Outstanding. A good old-fashioned shunning.”

“So we completely ignore him?” Priya asks with an evil look.

“Exactly,” he replies. “Don’t talk to him in the hall. Don’t invite him to any of the summer barbecues. Really drill it in that we have no interest in getting to know someone who doesn’t respect the noise ordinances.”

“Well, that’s not why we’re shunning him, but sure,” I say.

Priya grins at me. “You in?”

“Oh, definitely.” Nothing would give me greater pleasure than tormenting Shane Lindley.

“Then it’s settled, we’ll make a pact to shun him.” Niall beams proudly.

I can’t believe Broomstick Niall is now my ally. Before Shane moved in, Niall was the person Priya and I disliked most in the building, and now here the three of us are, organizing a shunning.

Nothing like hate to bring people together, I guess.

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