Page 165 of The Bluffing Game

“Doesn’t what sound so cool?” Dalton is back.

Roman and Brett stand next to him, and women are staring over at them. I have to admit that all three men are handsome, and I’m not surprised to see other women thirsting over them. Though I am happy to note that Dalton doesn’t seem to be paying attention to any of them, maybe that’s because he’s so focused on Toby’s mom. I hate that I don’t know where she is or what went on between them. I hate that I even care.

“We’re all joining a dating app so we can meet cute and cool guys and have fun.” Lucia beams up at her brother and throws her head back. “I think it’s the new beginning we’re all looking for.”

“That doesn’t sound like the best idea you’ve ever had.” Roman frowns as he looks over at Dalton. “I can’t imagine you want your sister dating every Tom, Dick, and Harry in town, do you?”

“I doubt she’d get that many dates,” Dalton jokes, but he frowns as he looks down at us. “But I agree. The idea sounds dumb, and I don’t think it’s a good idea. Now let’s go.” He speaks with such authority that I want to laugh out loud.

Does he really think he has the last word on all our lives? The man is too much.

“Well, it’s a good thing I don’t make decisions for my life based on what you think is right.” Lucia shrugs. “Grab your phones, girls. Let’s all download it now.”

“I thought we were helping you move.” Dalton glances at me and then glares at Lucia before setting his eyes back on me. “Or are we supposed to wait for you while you flirt with random men and then haul all your stuff into your apartment?” If I’m not crazy, there’s an icy tone to his voice.

I’m about to go off on him, but I don’t want to look like a psycho in front of everyone else.

“I don’t have any items to haul right now.” I ignore his sarcasm. “I’m more concerned with cleaning out the studio first and grabbing some air mattresses from Walmart to use until we get our beds. You know, so we can sleep.”

“You don’t even have beds?” He frowns but says nothing else as I shake my head.

“That’s what she said, bro.” Lucia stands up. “Though you may be in luck. I think Jimmy the Fish has a spare bed he wants to get rid of. He was telling me he was thinking of listing it on the Facetext website, and he wanted my help.”

“We can ask him tomorrow.” Dalton looks down at his watch, like he’s in a hurry all of a sudden. “Let’s get going. We don’t have all night.”

“We’re coming,” Lucia whines, then lets out a long, dramatic sigh.

I almost want to laugh at the look Dalton gives her. I love their sibling relationship.

“Download the app now, girls, and then let’s share usernames so we can add each other as trusted friends,” Lucia says.

“Mine’s downloading right now,” Rosie exclaims excitedly. “Maybe I’ll have a boyfriend within a week.”

“Maybe vet the man for a bit longer than a week,” Brett says, and his voice is surprisingly deep.

I notice Lucia’s look of surprise at his comment, and I remember she said he didn’t really speak much. I sure hope that Rosie isn’t bringing him out of his shell. That is the last thing I need. I don’t need or want Brett and Rosie to happen in any way, shape, or form.

“Oh, I will.” Rosie either doesn’t pick up on his attitude, or she’s deciding to ignore it. “I’ll talk the hell out of each date before we even meet up.”

“Hmm,” Brett grunts and then turns to Dalton. “So, what’s the plan?”

“We’ll take two cars. Sage, you can come with me, and then Roman will drive Brett, Rosie, Lucia, and Izzy,” he says in a no-nonsense tone, like it isn’t odd that I will be the only one riding with him. “Let’s go.” He snaps his fingers at everyone. “We’ll head over to the apartment first and then make a plan.”

Before anyone can even answer, he starts making his way to the exit.

“What on earth?” I mutter under my breath.

“There he goes again. My big brother thinks he’s the king of the world and we’re just his minions.”

“Well, he’s about to find out that Sage Meadows is nobody’s minion,” I mumble to both her and myself. “Dalton Leone is not the boss of my life.”

Chapter 10

DALTON

“What’s the address?” I look over at a clearly simmering Sage while she buckles her seat belt.

Her fingernails are a pretty light pink, and I wonder if her toes are the same color.