Axel commands Lacey to sit between Theo and Xavier to avoid the boys having to “Suck and Blow” each other—yes, I am aware of how dirty that sounds—and wraps it up with, “Everyone know the rules?”
“I’ve never played, actually.” I speak for the first time since I joined them.
That’s Brie’s cue.
“Ugh. Forgot she was here. How’s your sister, Vee? Still better than you at literally everything?” Brie cackles.
I wish I had the perfect comeback to shut her venom-spewing mouth, but all I can do is sit there and take it. Let her walk all over me. By all means, spit in my face.
Story of my fucking life.
“Oh, I’m sorry, where are my manners. Is it too bright for you here? We can turn off the patio light if you want. You must be used to the dark. You know, living in her shadow,” Brie adds.
I usually don’t give a flying shit about Brie’s comments, but right now, I feel like she’s scrabbling at the few strings still holding me together. It’s one thing to tell yourself you’re the family’s reject, and another to have a professional bully dig up your insecurities and weaponize them against you.
“What about mommy dearest? She send you back for a refund yet—”
“Oh, fuck off, Brie.”
We all stop breathing, trading glances that essentially say, “What. Just. Happened?”
Then it hits me.
Xavier.
Xavier happened.
“Excuse me?” Brie spits.
“Did I stutter? Stop talking shit to her.”
Stunned, I blink at my childhood bully. Did I just get transported into a parallel universe where Xavier Emery is a good person?
Meanwhile, Brie is staring daggers at me.
Not her boyfriend, who just put her in her place.
Me.
As though I’m the one she’s blaming for this.
“Why the fuck are you defending her?” she hisses.
“Dia’s one of us now, which means she is, too. End of story.”
A beat of silence.
I’m dumbfounded by Xavier’s chivalry.
“Are we fucking playing or not?” Brie snaps, her glossy red lips curling with rage as she reclines against the safety net.
“Vee still doesn’t know the rules,” Theo points out.
“Right.” Axel turns to me. “It’s easy. You suck in air so the card sticks to your lips, then pass to whoever’s sitting next to you by blowing. Sound good, babe?”
“And if we drop the card?” I skirt his flirting.
“Both you and the person next to you drink, then you rip parts of the card so there’s more lip action. Ready?”