Savage Little Lies (Court Legacy 2)

Dorian’s arm dropped from my shoulders, and at this point, Bow stopped her conversation with my brother and the other guys. We’d had to push two tables together today at Jax’s just to accommodate with the boys’ grub. Dorian put his hands together. “I took her to meet Sloane.”

“Why?”

Dorian’s brow lifted slow. “Because she asked.” He leaned back. “She wanted to meet the girl who’d helped you with your project. I ran into her in the hallway, and we got to talking about it.” He tossed a fry at him. “What’s your deal?”

He seemed to have one, Ares’s gaze shifting in my direction. He had an audience, and once he realized he did, he sat back and gripped his arms. “My mom’s busy, bro. She doesn’t have time for that shit.”

That… shit?

He grunted. “What did she have to say about it? The project? Sloane?” He shook his head. “I wasn’t trying to bother her with that shit. She’s obviously seen it and everything. I just don’t want to bother her with any unnecessary shit while she’s trying to work.”

Again, I didn’t know what he was calling shit, but whether he was talking about our project or me, I was insulted either way. I cocked my head. “What is your problem—”

“I was talking to D, little.” Once more, he dismissed me, and what the fuck?

I twitched at his response, and he put his hands to his mouth.

“D, you know how busy my mom is.”

“I’m aware.” His arm returned behind me. “But like I said, she asked me.” He eyed him. “And what’s with you coming at Sloane like that?”

The question was on my mind too, everyone else watching on.

Ares’s jaw shifted. “We just agreed that, even though my mom is at school, she isn’t.” His lips pulled together. “I obviously can’t stop her from doing what she wants to do, but when it comes to us.” He waved a hand at him and the guys. “We do our thing until she gets this out of her system and leaves.”

Was he embarrassed by his mom? He shouldn’t be. I mean, she was really cool. I cuffed my arms. “Your mom’s really nice.” I glanced between him and Dorian. “She even asked if I needed help figuring out college stuff.”

His digit touching the table, his gaze flicked my way. “She did?”

I nodded, and Dorian did too. He put a hand out. “She was happy to help Sloane.” He nudged me. “Especially when she realized she didn’t have anything figured out.”

My eyes lifted. “She was cool about it. Wants to meet with me tomorrow.” I put my hands on the table. “But if this is going to be a thing, I can cancel.”

I wasn’t trying to piss beast boy off.

Even if I hadn’t done anything wrong.

Ares’s lips closed, and the rest of the group stayed real quiet. Wells leaned forward. “Wolf, bro. You okay?”

Ares tossed a fry in his basket. He shrugged. “My mom being there is just stressing me out.” He eyed the table. “I’m sure none of y’all would want your parents around either.”

The general consensus appeared yes from the way the guys all looked at each other, and it was rather stereotypical they wouldn’t want their parents around them. I mean, what were we in? Grade school? I wished I had a parent to be around.

I wished I had parents.

I studied my brother on Bow’s other side. He appeared just as confused as I felt. In fact, Bow looked that way too, silent as she nibbled her chicken fries. Maybe she didn’t feel the same way they did as well.

“Nah, you can keep your appointment, little,” Wolf stated, swallowing. He faced Dorian. “And I’m assuming we’re not seeing you tonight? You and her are hanging out, right?”

I wasn’t sure when I became a her or shit, but I really wasn’t liking how he was both talking and referring to me.

What’s his problem?

It felt like I was dealing with Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde at the moment. True, Ares was always a prick. He was gruff in his delivery and often colder than the rest of the boys, but he had been coming around. At least when it came to me.

It appeared I wasn’t the only one looking at Ares funny. He had the whole table’s attention, but it was Dorian to tip his chin. The dark prince outlined his lips before he tossed an arm behind the booth. He glanced my way. “Actually, do you want to hang out with us tonight? The guys and I usually have a pizza night once a week at one of our houses. This one’s at Wolf’s.” His attention drifted over to him. “That okay with you?”

Wolf sat up, but before he could speak, Thatcher shook Wolf’s arms.