The Dixon Rule (Campus Diaries, #2)

by Elle Kennedy

“I almost died in there,” I inform Skip when I enter the living room, tucking the towel around me. I glance across the roomy, loftlike space toward the twenty-gallon fish tank against the far wall of the living area. The fat goldfish glances back at me with that deathly, unnerving stare.

He stares again, then swishes his fins and swims to the other end of the tank. A second later, he’s not so covertly hiding behind a gold-painted treasure chest. When I showed the guy at the fish store a picture of Skip, he told me he’d never seen a goldfish that large. Apparently my fish is obese.

“You know what, Skip? One of these days you’re going to be upset about something and instead of comforting you, I’m going to swim away too. So put that in your stupid pirate’s chest and choke on it.”

I hate fish. If I had the choice, I would not be a fish owner. This horrible task was foisted on me by my dead aunt, who bequeathed her prized, unhelpful goldfish to me in her last will and testament. The executor looked like he was trying not to laugh when he read that part out loud to our family.

Understanding dawns. Oh no. Dread forms in the pit of my stomach at the sight of Shane’s amused dark eyes. “No. It’s today?” He flashes a broad smile, showing off a set of perfect white teeth. “Oh, it’s today.” Satan strikes again. Shane is moving in.

“Please don’t rub it in,” I grumble. To Shane, I say, “If you’re expecting a welcome parade, you’re shit out of luck. My new goal is to find a way to live my life without ever bumping into you.” “Good luck with that.” Shane’s dark-brown eyes flicker with humor. “Because my new goal is for us to become best friends and spend every waking hour together. Oh, hey, actually. I’m throwing a party this weekend. We should cohost. Keep both our doors open and⁠—” “No.” I stab my index finger in the air. “Nope.

“Don’t bother. She’s a demon from the pits of hell,” Diana says at the exact moment Lucy wanders over and rubs up against my leg. The cat gives a happy purr, snaking her furry body between my shins. Diana glowers at us. “Why am I not surprised you two get along? Go away, Lucy. Lindley and I need to talk.”

“Oh my God. You have a fish? Who has a pet fish? Have some self-respect, Dixon.” Her emerald-green eyes shoot fireballs at me. I can practically feel the heat. “Leave my fish out of this. He’s not perfect, but he’s mine.”

I smother a laugh. Diana and I have a love-hate relationship. As in, she hates me, and I love to annoy her.

“I think the most important thing for you to remember is, we are not friends.” “Lovers, then?” I wink at her.

“We are neither friends nor lovers. We are floor mates. We are quiet, respectful residents of the Red Birch building in Meadow Hill. We don’t annoy each other⁠—” “I mean, you’re kind of annoying me right now.” “—we don’t cause trouble, and, preferably, we don’t speak.” “Isn’t this considered speaking?” “No. This is the conversation leading up to the future conversations we won’t be having. In conclusion, we’re not friends. No shenanigans.

“All right,” I say impatiently. “Are there any more Dixon rules, or may I please be excused? My furniture isn’t gonna assemble itself.” “That’s all. Although, really, there’s only one Dixon rule that matters. No Shanes allowed.”

“Anywhere and everywhere. But mostly just in my vicinity.” She smiles again, but it lacks any trace of humor. “Okay, we’re done here.” She points to the entryway. “You can go now.” “So it’s going to be like that, huh?” “Yes, I literally just told you it was going to be like that. Happy housewarming, Lindley.”

Look at me, breaking all the Dixon rules.

shrug. “Life’s too short to not do all the things I want to do.” “Life is also exhausting.” She snorts. “To everyone but you, apparently.” I do possess a scary amount of energy. I’ll give her that.

“Don’t sound so thrilled about it.” “I don’t like hockey players,” I mutter. Well, that’s not true. My best friend is a hockey player. So is her husband, and I like him. And I like Beckett. And Will.

Huh. I guess the only one I don’t like is Shane. You learn something new every day.

GIGI: Please be nice to him. He’s basically my brother-in-law now. Nice? Has she met me? I open a new message thread and start typing.

I rinse off and then proceed to stand under the hot spray for another five minutes. Wallowing. I like having a girlfriend. I don’t care if that makes me a total sap. Deep down, I’ve always been a relationship guy.

“Tuesdays are my pool day,” Diana declares. “That’s not a rule,” I answer cheerfully. “It is now.” “You can’t invent new Dixon rules whenever you want.”

I slide my shades on. “So what are we rehearsing for?” “None of your business.” Once again, I seek out Kenji because he seems more level-headed. “NUABC,” he supplies. “What the fuck’s New Absey?” Diana huffs in annoyance. “It’s the National Upper Amateur Ballroom Championships.” “You say that like I’m supposed to know what it is—” I stop. “Wait, actually I do know what that is.” “Bullshit.” “Seriously. My ex competes.”

Grinning, I slice through the cool water to start the first lap. It brings me deep enjoyment knowing Dixon doesn’t want me here. I’m in a terrific mood now.

“And I was thinking of inviting him to the neighbors group chat!” “Oh, bad idea. We don’t want that kind of energy in the group chat.”

“Forget about the noise, Niall,” Priya advises. “We have other things to dislike him for.” “I’ll dislike him for the noise, thank you,” he says tightly. Jeez. Get over it, man. Life is noisy.

“Priya is putting out the call for everyone to not roll out the welcome wagon,” I tell Niall. For the first time ever, a genuine smile spreads across his lips. “Outstanding. A good old-fashioned shunning.”

“Well, that’s not why we’re shunning him, but sure,” I say. Priya grins at me. “You in?” “Oh, definitely.” Nothing would give me greater pleasure than tormenting Shane Lindley. “Then it’s settled, we’ll make a pact to shun him.” Niall beams proudly. I can’t believe Broomstick Niall is now my ally.

Before Shane moved in, Niall was the person Priya and I disliked most in the building, and now here the three of us are, organizing a shunning. Nothing like hate to bring people together, I guess.

“Also, I heard this camp’s got you making bottle rockets. What if you mix all the ingredients wrong and accidentally create a biological weapon?” Maryanne thinks it over for a beat. “Then I guess we kill everyone at camp.” “Wow. Kid. That’s dark.” Laughing, I shake off the fact that my little sister might be a psychopath. “All right, go change out of that uniform. Mini golf ain’t going to play itself.” “Eeee! I love it when you’re home!” Next thing I know, she throws her skinny arms around me. I lift her off her feet in a big hug, making her laugh in delight.

I love being home too. I love my family, and I especially love this geeky girl in my arms. Some kids might resent their parents for giving them a sibling after eleven years of being an only child, but Maryanne’s had me wrapped around her little finger since she was an hour old and I was a preteen.

All I’ve ever wanted was to make him proud. To make both of them proud. I don’t care how sappy it makes me, but they’re legit the best parents anyone could ever have. Maryanne and I are beyond lucky.

“A what?” I ask. “Agate. It’s a gemstone.” She huffs at me. “Don’t you know anything about Vermont geology?” “Nope. And I’m insulted that you think I would. I was popular in school.”

Would you like me to add you to our Meadow Hill group chat?” There’s a group chat? Fuckin’ Dixon. I bet she’s been scheming to keep me off it.

VERONIKA PINLO HAS ADDED YOU TO THE GROUP NEIGHBORS. Hell yeah. Progress! I may have been spurned by everyone else today, but at least I won over Veronika. And now maybe the rest of them will be wowed by my stellar personality via my hilarious messages and start warming up to me. No sooner does the optimism take root than another notification pops up. DIANA DIXON HAS REMOVED YOU FROM THE GROUP NEIGHBORS.

I’m officially adding Constantine Zayn to my list of archenemies, under my old gymnastics coach and Shane Lindley.

“Because that would be breaking a Dixon rule. You and I don’t fraternize.”

“You’re not going to ask me to be your partner?” Rather than answer, Diana starts to laugh. “What’s so funny?” “You thought I would actually ask you.” She’s still giggling as she takes another sip. “That’s cute.”

“Just go and kiss him,” Lily urges Diana. “He’s hot.” “I’d rather eat crushed seashells.” See? Drama queen. “That’s oddly specific,” Will remarks, staring at her.

“Yeah?” My throat is hoarse. She brings her mouth close to my ear. “I win.”

“Then why didn’t you want to go home tonight?” “Didn’t feel like walking.” “Is that what we do now, we lie to each other? We’re supposed to be best friends, William.” He snickers. “No we’re not.” “Fine. Best friend adjacent.

“Stay on your side of the bed or you’ll lose sleepover privileges forever.” “I won’t even breathe in your direction,” he promises.

“Damn, Dixon. You’re a stone-cold bitch. Poor guy.” “That ‘poor guy’ has been bothering me for months,” I retort. “And don’t eavesdrop. It’s not an attractive quality in a person.” “I wasn’t eavesdropping. Everyone can hear everything in this building. Seriously. We need to speak to whoever did the drywall because they skimped on the good stuff. Poor Niall is probably so pissed at you right now.”

I step back into my apartment and slam the door. “I hate that he lives here,” I say darkly. “I hate it with all of my heart.” Will laughs. “I kinda like it.” “Enjoying my misery, huh?” “I prefer his misery, actually.

bet he stays up all night stewing about it, wondering how he can get the last word in.” There’s a very loud knock on the door. Will grins. “See?” Sure enough, when I open the door, Shane stomps past me and walks into my apartment like he lives here.

“I was thinking about it last night and decided that if I’m not allowed to sleep with cheerleaders, then you can’t sleep with hockey players. New rule. The Lindley rule. You can’t screw my teammates.” “Why not?” I counter, even though absolutely nothing happened between me and Will. “Spite,” Shane retorts. “And vengeance. This is purely retaliatory.” “You’re such a child.” “Takes one to know one.” “Oh my God, that’s literally what a child would say.” “Oh, and anothe...

“What did you do to the neighbors?” Shane presses. “Nothing, I swear.” He scowls. “Are you lying?” “Of course.”

“Takes one to know one,” I mimic. “With that said, go away. I need to get ready for the HOA meeting. We can finish this conversation…let me check my schedule…never.” “Don’t worry, we can finish it at the homeowners’ meeting,” Shane says with a smirk. “I’m planning to attend.” “Don’t you dare.” “Oh, I dare. I have some matters to raise with the council.” “There is no council.” “There will be when I’m done with them.”

“I’ll be back in twenty minutes to escort you to the meeting,” he calls over his shoulder. “Don’t you dare,” I growl after him. “Oh, I fucking dare” is all I hear as the door shuts.

Awesome. Shane is following through on his threat to crash our meeting. He smirks when I open the door. “Ready?” “No,” I answer sourly. “Great. Let’s go.”

“Why are there so many people here?” he whispers. “Aren’t these things supposed to be boring?” “Give it ten minutes and you’ll understand why the word boring has no place in this room,” I whisper back, before realizing what I’m doing. No. Absolutely not. I can’t be whispering with him like coconspirators. We are enemies.

“Damn,” Shane murmurs to me, “is it always this dramatic?” “Just wait,” I murmur back,