“Right.” I grab my turkey sandwich and take a bite, knowing I’ll need as much protein as I can get to make it through the day. “Still think my idea was stupid.”
“Totally agree,” Derek says.
Cam’s gaze slides from me to Derek, then back to me again. “I don’t think it’s stupid. It might actually be smart, avoiding women. I have to agree they’re a complete distraction. The constant hooking up is draining. What’s so wrong about being with the same girl for a while?”
I rear back. “What’s going on? You suddenly have a steady girlfriend? Someone we don’t know about?”
I live with the guy. You’d think I’d know if he’d found someone.
“No.” Cam sounds defensive. “Of course not.”
“You ask me, I think you’re both ridiculous. How can messing around with women fuck with your focus that bad? And a steady relationship is the wrong way to go,” Derek explains.
“No one asked you,” Cam tells him.
“I spoke to my dad last night. He actually said starting a serious relationship at this point in my life might be smart. Finding a woman who knows you before you become famous means you can trust her, according to him. She’s not dazzled by your fame or how much money you have. She loves you for who you really are, and not what you have,” I explain.
“See?” Cam nods. “Your dad is a smart guy.”
“That sounds like a bunch of horse shit.” Derek points a fry in my direction. “I love your dad, but that’s some bad advice.”
“He met my mother when he was nineteen,” I tell him.
Derek lets the fry fall, landing on the table with a plop. “Lucky him. Why would he tie himself down at nineteen? Sounds like he wasted all of his best years…”
His voice drifts the longer I scowl at him and Cam shoves at his shoulder.
“Don’t disrespect his mama, jackass.”
“Sorry.” Derek looks around, his eyes lighting up. “Oh damn, look at the tits on that one!”
Cam and I both lift our heads, checking the area out for a girl with an impressive rack. But the only female I spot is…
Oh, holy shit.
“God, you’re a moron.” Cam shakes his head, his face a mask of barely contained rage. “That’s his sister, for Christ’s sake.”
“No way.” Derek turns to me, his voice shaky, eyes wide. “I didn’t recognize her, man. I swear I didn’t!”
“Whatever.” I sit up straighter as Blair approaches, a friendly smile on her face. “Hey sis.”
“Hi, Knox.” Her gaze slides to my best friend, her smile small. “Camden.”
“Blair.” He nods, gathering up his trash in quick, efficient movements and shoving it in the small to-go bag it came in. At the same time, he rises to his feet, slinging his backpack over his shoulder. “I’ll see you guys later.”
Cam nods once and is gone, lightning fast.
“What’s his problem?” I ask once he’s out of hearing distance.
Blair takes the spot Cam vacated. “Who knows? He always acts like he has a stick up his ass around me.”
“Blair,” I chastise, making Derek chuckle.
He goes silent when I send him a death glare.
“I was hoping you could help me out.” Blair offers her best smile, the familiar one that always appears just before she asks for a favor.
“With what?” I ask warily.