Page 91 of Foolish Games

“And you still went out with someone else,” I say, my throat tightening.

“You broke up with me,” he points out. “That’s the only reason I’m with her.”

I walk away just as Krissy arrives at the table. I’m done crying over him. I’m done explaining myself to him. It doesn’t matter if he understands why I like Sebastian. It only matters if Sebastian understands.

And I’m not sure that he does.

By the time I reach them, a crowd has gathered, cheering them on. Finally, Sebastian misses a grape, and they all boo him and start to disperse. I step up behind the wall of Dolce brothers just in time to see that Rob is still next to Sebastian.

“Want to tell me what’s going on?” he asks. “Why aren’t you with Viv? What’s the point of you being here if you’re not making her look good?”

“Come on, man. I said I’d be her date, and I’m here. You gonna be up my ass about it all night?”

“Hell yeah, I am,” Rob says, glaring at him. “As long as you’re dating my sister, that’s exactly where I’m going to be.”

“Dude, relax,” Sebastian says, picking up a cup with ice and drink remnants in the bottom. “You don’t trust me with Viv? You act like I’m some asshole you don’t even know.”

“You’re an asshole I know real fucking well,” Rob says. “Which is exactly why I don’t trust you with her, and why I’ll keep reminding you to keep your hands off her as many times as I need to.”

“You don’t think I’m good enough for your sister?” Sebastian demands.

He actually looks a little pissed, and I decide to intervene before the miserable weather outside carries over into the party inside. Maybe that’s why Sebastian was so irritable. It’s been cold and rainy out for days, and if he’s anything like my brother, being cooped has him going stir-crazy.

“Of course he doesn’t think that,” I say, taking the glass from Sebastian. I slip my hand around his arm and give it a squeeze. God, his muscles are nice. I can’t remember what Chaz’s arms felt like anymore. I’m not even sure he had them at this point. Sebastian has eclipsed all other guys in my mind.

“Actually, I do,” Rob says quietly. He stares down Sebastian, but his words are for me. “It’s fine if you want to play this little game for your ex, but don’t forget it’s a game. Because he won’t forget for a second. Everything is a game to this clown.”

“I take my team real fucking serious,” Sebastian says, stepping up on my brother. “So let me remind you, I’m your fucking captain, and you’re on the team because of me.”

“I’m on the team because I worked my ass off and earned it,” Rob says, not backing down. The other conversations around us have died as people turn to watch. I squeeze my eyes closed and will my brother not to blow our cover over this stupid ego trip. If anyone heard him saying it’s just a game, they might guess, and if it gets back to Chaz, I’ll never live it down.

“Let it go,” I plead, but they both ignore me.

“Try to cut me out and see what happens,” Rob challenges. “The season’s over. You’re done. I still have another year. And don’t forget, I’m a Delacroix. Things tend to go our way in this town.”

“So you’ll cry to daddy, and he’ll get you minutes?” Sebastian asks. “Which one is it, Rob? You worked hard and earned your spot, or your name earned it for you? You can’t have it both ways.”

“I’m a founding son,” Rob says. “This is our town. We can have it any way we want.”

A whole crowd has grown around us now, and a chorus of “hell, yeah” and “tell him” rings out from several Darling onlookers. There are plenty of people here who aren’t from founding families, but a large percentage in attendance are, and most of them go to Willow Heights or graduated from the private school in the past few years. They’re up for a takedown of their rival team’s captain.

But I’m not.

My pulse is pounding. I stand straight and make my voice firm. “Rob. Stop being an asshole.”

“Not until this clown understands,” he says, not even looking at me. “I’m a Delacroix. And so is my sister. We take that shit seriously. So don’t go thinking you’re going to get away with anything. My sister’s not like that.”

“I know what she’s like,” Sebastian says quietly, his arm tightening on mine. “I know what I have. I’m not going to fuck it up.”

“Then keep your fucking hands off her.”

“I’m not the one who’s lost sight of what’s going on,” Sebastian says, giving him a warning look. “Chill the fuck out. I don’t need a babysitter. I’m not stupid, Rob.”

“You sure about that?” Rob asks, leaning back on the table and gesturing at the Darling house where the party is being held. This is only one story of one wing of the giant manor house. “Look around you, Swift. This is the kind of guy she belongs with. This is the kind of family we come from. Where do you come from?”

Sebastian’s jaw clenches. “You know where.”

They stare each other down, and I let my brother’s words sink in. By now I’ve gathered that Sebastian doesn’t hire private tutors because his family isn’t as wealthy as ours. But he said he was volunteering at the Founders Ball with some of the football team, and he never acted overly impressed when he came to our house. His friends may be wild and vulgar and reckless, but after being with uptight Chaz for so long, it’s been nice to let loose and have a little fun.

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