Page 26 of In Too Deep

“Wait…” I pant, shaking my head. “You think Cat is interested in me?”

This is certainly unexpected. I figured he noticed my lingering stares in Cat’s direction. I had no clue she was looking at me the same way. Excitement courses through my veins.

“I’m not blind. Besides, Care said Cat has been asking questions about you.” He pauses, carefully studying me for any reaction. I manage to keep my face neutral despite my heart beating angrily. “But you’re just the new guy. Cat and I have history. She knows I love her and that we’re meant to be together.”

My jaw tics as I try to stomp down my flaring anger, reminding myself Robbie is my best friend and Cat is not an option for me. “If that’s true, why can’t I stay?”

“Because I don’t think you know that,” he says, his eyes narrowed as he pokes my chest with his pointer finger.

I shove his hand away. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means Cat is off limits for you,” he grits. “She hasn’t been the only one showing interest. I’ve seen the way you stare at her when you think no one is watching.”

I avert my gaze and rub the back of my neck, trying to think of a way to explain my behavior that won’t result in Robbie trying to kick my ass or the end of our friendship.

“That’s only because I’m trying to understand why you’re so obsessed with her,” I lie, continuing to avoid his eyes as I kick at the dirt at my feet.

“Bullshit,” he hisses as my glare finally lifts to meet his. “You’re looking because she’s beautiful without knowing it. And I know better than anyone there’s something special about her. But you need to knock it off, dude.”

He’s right. I shouldn’t be looking at Cat, and I shouldn’t be thinking about her the way I have been lately. She’s just a girl. Robbie’s girl. She’s not worth losing his friendship over. I need to cool it.

I raise my hands in surrender, and his rigid posture relaxes. “You’re my best friend. I’m not trying to move in on Cat. Chill out.”

He sighs and gives me a curt nod before going back to work on the tent. “You know, Caroline asked me to hook the two of you up.”

“Really?” I jeer, picking up the hammer I’d discarded earlier. “I thought she was dating Andrew.”

From what Andrew has been boasting about, they’d been doing something other than dating. I can’t understand why Caroline would be interested in such a jerk. She needs a nice guy, one who can help her forget about that loser. I just don’t think I’m the guy for the job.

“Andrew doesn’t do the girlfriend thing.”

He gives me a pointed look, and I shake my head. “I don’t know, man. Don’t you think dating your sister could get messy with our friendship?”

“Nah…” He shrugs a shoulder, waving off my concern. “I don’t care.”

His eyes narrow as he waits for my response, making me feel pressured to agree, even though everything in me is telling me it’s a bad idea.

“I thought you’d be happy about this,” he snaps. “You used to have a big crush on her.”

“That was a long time ago, Robbie.”

His glare hardens as he crosses his arms. “Or maybe you’re just interested in someone else now.”

Of course, this is about Cat. He’s trying to force me to date his sister to keep me away from Cat.

My nostrils flare as I suck in an agitated breath.

“So, you’re saying if I date your sister, it will prove to you I’m not into Cat?”

His eyebrows lift with the tilt of his head. “It would definitely relay that message to Cat.”

I wish I could tell him he has nothing to worry about. But, deep down, I know my attraction to Cat could be a problem. Maybe it’s best for me to put a stop to it before anything happens.

I sigh. “Fine. I’ll think about it.”

Catelyn

My stomach knots with insecurity as I check my reflection in the mirror on Caroline’s dresser, my gaze flickering over to her as she applies massive amounts of makeup to her face. She’s only a year older than me, but with all that stuff on her face, it looks more like five years. I’m not allowed to wear makeup yet. My mother says once you start wearing it, you start believing you need it. She says I’m beautiful just the way I am and need to set a good example for my little sister. Normally, I don’t care. I’m a bit of a tomboy anyway. But when I got here, I noticed Lawrence in the backyard with Robbie, and now I’m feeling nervous and self-conscious.

---