I wonder if they’re hooking up. And if Devlin knows. And why I care.
I turn my attention back to the lesson and make it to lunch without issue. There, I head straight for Dixie’s table. She’s wearing the dog collar and ears from the day before, along with a black top that shows ample, freckled cleavage. I slide into a seat next to her.
“So,” I start. “Tell me more about this Darling Dogs and Darling Dolls thing.”
She looks taken aback by my question. I can’t tell if she’s surprised that I asked, or that I sat with her again, or some other reason.
Before she can answer, the Dolce boys arrive, towering over our table.
“What are you doing?” King asks.
“Sitting with my friend,” I say flatly. For some fucked up reason, I feel bonded to her because of the stupid Darling Dog label.
King jerks his chin toward the next table, which sits empty. “Can we talk?”
I sigh and stand, following them to the empty table. “I gave up the whole being a wallflower plan,” I say. “I admit, it was stupid. But I’m not going to be a bitch, either. I like Dixie. And she needs me.”
“You’re punishing yourself for what happened in New York by making over that girl?” Royal asks, hitting way too close to home.
“No,” I say with a scowl.
“She’s a dog,” Duke says.
“A what?” I ask, my heart lurching. Do they know about that? And that I’ve taken over that title from her?
“Ugly,” Baron says. “She doesn’t take care of herself. If she put in a little effort, she’d be okay. Nice tits.”
“You’re gross,” I say. “And against the rules.”
Since they basically reject any guy I’d even consider while they can fuck anyone they want, I made them swear my friends were the exception. No dating them, no hooking up, no talking about their tits.
“Fine,” Duke says. “But do you really want to start off like this? I don’t see her as a social climber. We’re going places, and she’s going to hold you back.”
I cross my arms and stare at him, refusing to back down. “Either she comes with me, or I’m not going anywhere.”
“Fine,” King says. “Have it your way. But you’re making more work for yourself.”
“I’m not afraid of hard work,” I say. “Besides, she knows this school. She’s lived in this town all her life. Maybe she can help us. And I know I can help her.”
“Then let’s sit with her,” Royal says with a shrug. My brothers all take seats around the table with Dixie, who looks like she’s about to have a heart attack. Her face turns red, and she stutters through my introductions. She barely says a word for the entire lunch while my brothers discuss trying out for the football team. The season’s already started, but Dad’s influence can get them at least a tryout.
“Who starts?” King asks Dixie.
“What?” she asks, her eyes going wide. “Oh, I… The Darlings, obviously. And… them.” She gestures vaguely to a table where I spot the three cousins and their crowd.
“Once we’re on the team, we’ll prove ourselves,” Royal says, glaring at the Darlings. “We’ll see who’s starting then.”
“They’re really good,” Dixie says.
“You haven’t seen us play,” Duke says with a smirk.
“You should come to the game on Friday,” Dixie says. A blush sweeps over her cheeks, and she shoves a bite of sandwich into her mouth.
“Sounds good,” Duke says. “We can scope out the competition.”
“By next week, there won’t be competition,” King says.
When lunch ends, Devlin and Preston swagger by, beautiful blondes swarming around them like flies. Devlin catches sight of us and snickers. “Is that the best you can do?” he asks.