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“Not as much anymore, but we used to pull each other’s hair a lot.”A lotwas an understatement. Her relationship with Dallas consisted of just as many rocky moments as it did smooth, but their bond felt stronger than ever now.

“I’ve pulled Malakai’s before,” Jewels declared, a devious glint in her eyes. “Remember that, big bro?” He merely grunted.

“Dal has a bald spot back here,” Loren said, indicating to her own head—the area right above her nape—with a graze of her fingertips, “where her hair never grew back.”

Ivy snickered. “Ouch.”

“It’s true—ask her to show it to you sometime.” Dallas was weirdly proud of it, as if it were a scar she’d earned in battle.

This time, when Jewels laughed, her smile reached her eyes.

But it was soon fading as she gave her brother a contemplative look.

He bristled. “What?”

“You already know what. Go get Travis!”

“Fuck no!”

“Fuck yes,Malakai.”

“No.”

“Yes!” she said again. “You’re going to stop with this ridiculous attitude right this instant. I refuse to let you bully my friend.”

“Friend?” he gritted out.

“Yes. Travis is my friend, whether you like it or not.” Was Loren imagining the hint of pink in her powdery cheeks?

Malakai grumbled, but—surprisingly—got to his feet. “As long as that’s all he is.”

“Friend or more than friend, I get to see who I want to see.” She pointed at the door. “Now. Go. Get. Him.”

He was still grumbling as he ripped the curtain aside and stomped into the hallway. “Let’s go, Tiny Dog!” To Travis he shouted, “Devlin, get your ass in here before I change my mind.”

Jewels’s ash-blonde brows hit her hairline. “Tiny Dog?”

“Tell me about it,” Loren said with a sigh. “It’s worse thanBlondie.”

“Tiny Dog’skind of cute, actually.” She and Ivy laughed at her expense.

“Wouldyoulike it if he called you that?” Okay, maybe it was alittlecute… More annoying than cute, but she had to admit it wasn’t bad coming from someone like Malakai, who seemed more likely to choosedork, goober,or something too offensive for most people to say out loud.

Jewels grimaced. “Hell no. If he called me that, I’d hang him by his balls.”

Malakai shouted from the hallway, “I’d like to see you try, Tiny Dog!” Darn, a hellseher’s hearing sure was good.

Quieter, Jewels vowed, “Iwillhang him by his balls.”

Ivy fought a smile. “We’ll give you and Travis some privacy.”

Loren followed Ivy as she ducked around the curtain. “I’m glad you’re okay,” Loren said.

“Thanks. Take care of yourself, hey?” Her probing stare said everything her lips didn’t: We need you.

Malakai whistled sharply, as if calling a dog who’d wandered off.

“She will,” Ivy said, her tone rigid with warning.