Playing Hard to Get(43)

She probably thinks I’m a stalker. I’m acting like one and it’s obnoxious as shit.

Again, I don’t really care. I’m just waiting for some asshole to approach them and try to flirt with Joanna.

I won’t let it happen.

Taking a deep breath, I rub the back of my neck, annoyed with my own thoughts. I sound like a caveman. All territorial and shit. What the hell is wrong with me?

“I think she gets the hint,” Cam says when Derek finally leaves our table and heads for the bathroom.

I frown at him. “Who are you talking about?”

“Your sister. You can’t stop glaring at her.”

“Oh. Right.” I nod, playing it off. “I don’t want any schmuck to approach her.”

“With the way you’re staring like you’ll cut off someone’s balls if they even look at her, I don’t think you have to worry about it,” Cam says wryly.

I lean back in the booth, a sigh escaping me. “I’m overprotective.”

“I’ll say. She can handle herself, you know. She’s pretty smart.”

“How do you know?”

“Because I just sat next to her for at least a half hour and talked to her.”

“You two spoke?”

“Of course, I talked to her. I’m not going to just sit there and glare like a statue. That’s more your style.” I know he’s trying to tease me and lighten the mood, but it doesn’t work.

I don’t even want Cam talking to my little sister, and I trust that motherfucker more than any other guy on our team.

Cam’s smile fades when I don’t respond. “Come on, Maguire. Lighten up. What’s your deal anyway? And don’t say this has anything to do with Blair. You don’t get this twisted up over her.”

A sigh leaves me and I scrub my hand across my face, wishing I could confess everything.

But I made the bet with Cam too. Even though he said kissing doesn’t count, he might change his mind and view my encounter with Joanna as breaking my celibacy vow and I’ll owe them money. And while losing the money doesn’t matter that much to me, losing in general does. I don’t like to lose.

Ever.

“Let’s get out of here,” I tell Cam, rising to my feet. I lift my arms above my head, stretching out my cramped frame from having to sit in that shitty booth all night, and when my gaze shoots in Joanna’s direction, I find she’s already watching me.

I smirk at her and she looks away.

Ha. Caught her checking me out.

“Let’s go.” Cam appears at my side, and instead of walking straight out of the bar, I stop at the table where my sister sits, pointing at her like a jackass.

“Don’t leave with anyone but these two.” I point at Natalie and Joanna.

Blair rolls her eyes. “Sure Dad.”

Natalie giggles. Joanna keeps her head bent.

“See you around, Blair,” Cam drawls.

My sister actually blushes. “Good night, Camden.”

I slap my best friend in the chest. “Stay away from her.”

“You can’t tell me what to do.” He slaps me in the chest in return, making all three women laugh.

“Come on, Knox. Leave him alone,” Blair says, taking Cam’s side.

No surprise. She’ll do anything to go against me. She’s always been contrary like that.

“We’ll make sure she gets home safely,” Joanna reassures, her eyes glowing when they meet mine.

“Thank you,” I tell her, hoping she can sense how sincere I am.

Feels like no one is on my side tonight, except possibly…

Joanna.

The moment we’re in Cam’s truck and headed back to our place, he lays into me with the questions.

“What’s going on with you and Joanna?”

“Nothing.” I lean back in my seat and close my eyes.

“Liar. I know you were trying to play it off like you were watching out for Blair, but I eventually realized you weren’t staring at her. You were staring at the pretty brunette. Joanna, right?”

I crack open my eyes when he says the word pretty. “Stay away from her.”

“Again, you can’t tell me what to do. I’m a grown-ass man and you’re warning me off of grown ass women. If we want to hook up—”

“You try and hook up with her and I’ll have your nuts in a sling,” I threaten.

Cam just grins, the sadistic bastard. “Which her are you referring to? Blair or Joanna?”

Joanna. Not that I can admit that.

“It doesn’t matter,” I mutter.

“It kind of does. I’m curious. Do you have a thing for the tutor?” Cam hesitates, turning onto the main drag that leads to campus and our apartment complex. “Did you hook up with her?”

A few days ago, is what I want to say, but I don’t.

It’s quiet in the car. Tense as shit. No way can I tell him what really happened.

“She’s my tutor.” My voice is a harsh whisper. “That’s it.”

“Why didn’t you want to talk about that earlier in the bar?” Cam turns right into the vast parking lot. “Why keep that a secret?”

“I don’t want anyone else knowing I have a tutor. I feel like a dumbass.”