Camden's Redemption (Gloves Off #4)(23)

Jason happened to catch my arm and pull me the rest of the way. “Look at your boy go.”

“What is this?” I asked, glancing at the fighting ring. It had never been there before.

“I did it. I talked to Mason about it and he thought it would be a good idea. Since you’ve been ignoring lover boy he’s been a little on edge. I thought this would bring him down a bit.”

Camden looked at home in the ring with his perfect stance and complete focus. He was fighting Reese and completely dominating. In fact, he looked like a lion playing with its prey. Reese deserved to be taken down a notch; he was an *. Thankfully, he wasn’t a part of Mason’s team. “Whose idea was it for him to fight Reese?”

“Reese’s,” he said. “The guys talked about it earlier before Jameson and I got down here. He wanted a piece of the fighter first.”

“He’ll regret that decision tomorrow.”

“You know it.”

“I’m surprised Blake didn’t want to fight. I figured he’d want to be the first one; especially after the way they were at the gym on Monday.”

“I’m sure he would have, but he wasn’t at the station when the guys discussed it. His sorry ass has to wait his turn. I think he has other plans tonight anyway.”

“Like what?” I asked.

Blake came up behind me and put his arms around my waist. “Like playing you in a game of pool,” he said, kissing me on the cheek.

Before I could get out of his hold, Camden looked up and saw me in his arms. Fuck, f*ck, f*ck. I elbowed Blake in the side. “Get off me,” I hissed.

Chuckling, he moved back and smirked at Camden who reared back and punched Reese right in the jaw, keeping his venomous stare on Blake. Reese went down with a loud thud.

I pushed him back away from the ring and the crowd of people. “What’s the matter with you? You’re really starting to get on my nerves.”

“And he’s really starting to get on mine. Next, he’s going to start pissing on you to mark his territory.”

I groaned. “You’re being ridiculous. He knows I don’t like you.”

“So he’s protecting you? How sweet. You know, once he gets a taste of that sweet *, he’ll leave.”

“Just like someone else I know.”

“Yo, B. What’s up?” Gabe hollered. The crowd started to disperse and surround the pool tables where Blake and I stood.

I smiled and let Gabe swing me around. “Hey, G. You want to play tonight?”

“Sure do. I claim first game.”

“And I’ll play the winner,” Blake cut in.

Gabe rolled his eyes and ushered me toward one of the tables. “Is he always going to be a pain in the ass?”

“You know it.” My favorite pool stick was in the rack so I grabbed it and rolled the cube of chalk around the tip while Gabe racked the balls. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Camden walk up with Jason in tow. I wanted to look at him, but I needed to concentrate.

“And I’ll play the winner of that round,” Camden announced. This time I did look at him and he winked. He bumped his elbow into Jason and my brother had the gall to smile. Traitor.

“Fine,” I agreed. All Blake did was clench his jaw and lean against the wall.

Gabe nodded toward the table. “All right, what are we betting tonight? I say, if I win you buy me lunch for a month.”

That was an easy one to agree to. But what could I have him do for me? “I accept. And, if I win you wash my car at least once a week for the month?”

Gabe smiled and we shook hands. “Deal. Now break ‘em.”

I had never been nervous until now. What was it about Camden that had me scared shitless? He was intense. Especially with the way he watched me with those crystal blue eyes. Leaning over the table, I took a deep breath and sent the cue ball sailing. The balls separated quickly and I smiled as I heard the thunk of a couple of them landing home.

Gabe glanced in the different pockets. “Two solid, one stripe.”

“I’ll take solids.” One by one, I called my shots and they all landed in their pockets with ease. Gabe made a mistake letting me go first. He had already given up and put his pool stick back in the rack. “Now don’t be like that,” I laughed. “Do you want me to miss one so you can have a turn?”

He waved me on. “No, go ahead. I think the crowd’s ready to see you and Blake battle it out.”

Blake smiled and cracked his knuckles. Why did I agree to play against him? The eight ball was right by the front left pocket so I pointed to it and took my shot. In the hole.

Gabe shook his head and grinned. “I knew it. I guess it’s a good thing I have car cleaning shit at my house.”

“Why thank you. I’ll bring it over next week,” I chimed. Now it was Blake’s turn.

Smirking, he racked up the balls and stepped back. “Be my guest, sweetheart.”

“I’m not stupid enough to play without establishing terms.”

He chuckled. “Smart girl. How about if I win . . .” Looking around the crowd, his gaze settled on Camden. “You spend an entire night with me.”

I rolled my eyes and laughed. As much as it would suck monkey balls to spend an entire evening with him, it wouldn’t be so bad if I could make that time absolutely miserable. I could sing Christmas songs all night long.