“They’ll make a great pair then.”
“He didn’t take the celibacy vow?”
“I’m the only idiot who did that.” His expression turns sheepish.
“Regret it yet?” I casually bump my shoulder against his, surprised by the cascade of tingles that scatter across my shoulder and down my arm from the contact.
His gaze holds mine steadily. “You don’t even know how much.”
From the look on his face, I can tell. I need to change the subject.
“You didn’t tell your roommate I’m your tutor?”
“Oh, I did.” He drops his gaze to the table. “I just don’t want it getting out.”
“Ah.” I nod, hoping he’s not trying to hide me. Though why should I care? I’m not important to Knox Maguire.
Just like he’s not that important to me.
“Time to drink up!” Derek reappears, carrying multiple plastic glasses that are filled to the very top. He sets them on the table all at once, some of the liquid spilling, and he slides one toward me. “Here ya go, Jo.”
“Thank you.” I gratefully take the alcohol, sipping from it, wincing at the overwhelming taste of vodka. How does Natalie find all of these bartenders who pour so much liquor into the drinks? “Wow, that’s strong.”
Derek grins. “Better watch it.”
Knox shifts, his expression grim as he watches our exchange.
“Hey.” Natalie reaches for a drink, lifting it up in the air before she tilts her head back and drains half of the glass. “We’re going to sit at the other table. There’s no room here, it’s so crowded.”
I send her a look, one that saysdon’t ditch me, but she either doesn’t get what I’m trying to tell her or she chooses to ignore it.
I’m going with the latter assessment.
She leaves with Derek, settling into the table that’s to our left. I glance over my shoulder at the other table to see Blair sitting with a bunch of guys and one other girl, downing beer like it’s water. Chewing on my lower lip, I turn back to find Knox watching his sister as well.
“Hey Fields,” he calls, his gaze never straying from Blair.
Cam stops talking to the fangirls midsentence, turning to Knox. “What’s up?”
“Go check on Blair for me real quick, would ya?”
Cam frowns. “What’s wrong?”
“Make sure the guys know she’s off-limits.”
Rolling his eyes, he smiles apologetically at the girls, who are still trying to talk to him. “Duty calls, ladies. I need to attend to Lord Maguire’s needs.”
Knox chuckles. “Fuck off, Duke of Camden.”
Cam slips out of the booth, the women stepping back to allow him room, then he inserts himself into the booth next to us, sitting right next to Blair, glowering at all the guys at the table.
“Why didn’t you go over there and tell them to leave her alone?” I ask Knox, once the fangirls leave.
“Blair would get all pissy at me and say I’m trying to ruin her good time. Which I am, by the way.”
“And she won’t get mad at Cam?”
“No, she never gets mad at Cam. They don’t know each other that well, and he’s the perfect decoy. He sits there and scowls at everyone and they leave her alone. He’s done it for me before, right after she first arrived on campus.” Knox polishes off his beer, setting the mug onto the table with a loud clank.