Page 15 of Stolen Bases

Creep.

Why the hell is he here? Shouldn’t Nico’s agent, Damien, be here?

“Better fucking not, asshole.” Nico shoves Cam out of the way and grabs my arm. “Come on, Lia. We’re leaving.”

“Ow,” I wince.

“Don’t fucking grab her like that,” Cam growls.

The butterflies in my stomach flutter at his protective tone.

My brother’s grip loosens, and he takes a deep breath.

“Take a minute and chill out, dude. We don’t need people reporting back to Anson,” Cam tells him, looking around the half-empty restaurant.

“Whatever. Just … don’t come near my sister. You won’t like what happens to your pretty face if you do.”

“Try it,” Cam says, not backing down.

My stomach plummets at the thought of them fighting over me. Cam doesn’t deserve my brother’s wrath over something I did willingly.

Nico balls his fists, his knuckles whitening with restrained anger. I’m afraid he’s going to punch Cam. I need to separate myself from him before my brother blows a gasket.

“Nico,” I hiss under my breath. “Let’s go.”

Grabbing his elbow, I pull him away from Cam, who looks about a second away from punching Nico and dragging him out of the restaurant.

There’s also Kyle. I can’t have Cam telling Nico about what happened with the creep. It’s not like I’m trying to protect the piece of crap, but I don’t want my brother to think I can’t take care of myself either. It’s bad enough that he treats me like a helpless child.

Nico takes my advice and starts walking towards the exit.

When I look back over at Cam, he’s watching me, fists clenched and chest heaving. Kyle leans in and says something, forcing Cam to break our connection, which is for the best.

Nothing can happen between us.

My chest twists at the thought. Cam was so sweet and genuine. Protective. He’s nothing like Nico said he was. I’m having a hard time reconciling the asshole playboy my brother makes him out to be and the thoughtful uncle who stared at his phone, smiling happily at pictures of his nephew.

For a second, I thought the little guy was his son. It was a private look, and it made him appear soft, almost vulnerable for a second. His walls dropped. My chest ached looking at Cam.

I doubt people get to see that softer side of him.

Nico shouts at the valet, who throws a set of keys at my brother. He drags me over to the horrendous sports car he rented and opens the door for me. I slide in as he slams the door harder than necessary, letting me know he is still very pissed off over what transpired in the restaurant.

My brother gets in the car and peels out of the parking lot. Ignoring me, he connects his phone and calls his agent.

Damien answers on the second ring. “What’s up, man?”

“I need a hotel room.”

“Oh, did you pick up a hot-piece-of-ass and you don’t want to go home where your baby sister will hear?”

Ugh. Damien is such a chauvinistic pig. Of course, he has guys like Kyle working for him.

Scumbag.

“Shut the fuck up, D. The room is for Lia. She needs somewhere else to stay.”

“Nic—” I pipe up, finding my voice.

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