I shake my head, my smile weak. “I’m fine.”
He clenches his jaw, staring at everyone around us like he wants them all to disappear. “Want to get out of here?”
“And go where?”
“I don’t care. I just want to be alone with you.”
He keeps saying things like that and I’ll do whatever he tells me.
“What about Nat?”
“I think your friend will be okay without you.” We both swivel our heads, catching sight of Derek and Natalie laughing together at the very table Knox was sitting at when I first walked in. “She won’t mind if you leave.”
“I need to tell her.” I can’t ditch her. What if she’s just humoring Derek but is dying to get out of here?
I really hope that’s not the case.
“I should find Cam.” Knox reluctantly lets me go, giving me one last squeeze on my hip. “Meet at Derek and Nat’s table in five?”
“Okay.”
I make my way over to Natalie, standing behind her as she listens intently to Derek tell a story about a play he made during a past football game. She’s leaning into him, her body language telling me she’s totally into him, but I’m not completely sure.
Nat has this way of making guys think she’s all about them, but really, she’s just not that interested. She calls it a blessing and a curse.
“Hey.” I tap her on the bare shoulder and she turns, a smile blossoming on her face as she throws her arms up in the air.
“Jo!” She wraps me up in a big hug, squeezing me tight. “Tell me you gave Knox hell.”
This she whispers in my ear.
“Only if you can tell me you’re doing the same to Derek,” I whisper back before I pull out of her embrace.
“Can’t say that I am!” She laughs.
So do I.
“Look, um.” I glance around, spotting Knox as he moves through the crowded bar, searching for Cam. He’s easy to find, considering how tall he is. How pretty he is.
I’m sure he wouldn’t like it if he knew I just called him pretty.
“Um what?” Nat teases, her eyes sparkling.
“I’m going to get us more drinks,” Derek tells Natalie, grazing his fingers across her arm and giving her a faint, sexy smile before he walks away.
The moment he’s gone, I’m on her.
“Is everything okay with you two?” I ask.
She nods, smiling. “He actually apologized for not talking to me since Saturday night. Said he’s been busy.”
“Do you believe him?” I raise my brows.
“Even if it’s not true, at least he acknowledged it. That’s all I wanted.” Her eyes narrow the longer she looks at me. “What about Knox? Please tell me he said something to make up for what he’s done.”
“He apologized.” I nod. “I also complimented him on his dick size.”
Her jaw drops open. “Seriously?”