Page 35 of Obligation
Carissa shook her head. “I can’t. He won’t understand.”
Averting her gaze to her lap, she let out another heavy sigh. Before all the bad stuff happened between them, she used to be able to talk to him, to tell him anything and everything. He’d listen and offer comfort. Now, he just got mad and yelled. She wasn’t sure how much more she could take.
“Are you thinking about breaking up with him?”
“Yes,” Carissa whispered.
While the thought had been on her mind since their blow-up fight last weekend, she hadn’t voiced it—until now. And something about admitting out loud that she wanted to end her relationship with Danny was freeing. But could she actually go through with breaking up with him? She honestly had no idea.
“Wow,” Tiffany breathed out the word.
“Yeah.” Carissa picked at her nails, then looked up. “He cheated on me.”
“What?” Tiffany said a little too loudly, eyes wide and jaw hung open. “When? Are you absolutely positive?”
“Yes. He admitted he’d cheated. He swears all he did was kiss her, that they never took off more than their shirts before he stopped it, but I don’t know if I believe that.” Carissa pushed to her feet and paced toward the window. She stared out at the dark night sky. “Happened near the end of last semester, before he went home for the summer.”
“Wow.” Tiffany remained seated on Carissa’s bed.
“I know.” She crossed her arms over her chest and turned to face her friend. “Things haven’t been the same since then.”
For a hell of a lot more reasons than just Danny’s infidelity, but Carissa was not ready to have that conversation just yet.
“I’ve kinda noticed that you two haven’t been quite as close, but I had no idea…” Tiffany shook her head. “Now it makes sense, though.”
“I’ve tried to forgive him, to get past what he did, but I can’t.” Tears pooled in Carissa’s eyes, and when she shook her head, a few of those tears trickled down her face. “He’s like this completely different person now, and…” She chewed on her bottom lip.
“And what?” Tiffany stood and approached Carissa. “Whatever’s going on, you can tell me. You know that, right? I’ve got your back. Always.”
“I know.” She nodded. “I just… I don’t know.” She shrugged. “I guess I’m realizing that I don’t like this person Danny has become. We’re constantly fighting, and sometimes, he scares me. He explodes over the smallest things.”
Tiffany frowned, a glimmer of unshed tears in her eyes. She jerked Carissa into a hug. “Then break up with him,” she mumbled against Carissa’s shoulder. “You don’t need to put up with that from him.” Pulling away, Tiffany held Carissa out at arm’s length. “I’m serious, Carissa. End it with him. I’ll do whatever I can to help, and you know Garrett will, too.”
Carissa forced a smile. “I know. Thanks, Tiff.” She yawned, then wiped her eyes. “Right now, though, I need to sleep. I’ll deal with Danny tomorrow.”
Besides, Carissa wanted to think about the situation more and not do anything rash that she might regret, because deep down, she did love Danny. They’d been through so much together, and in the beginning of their relationship, he’d been the perfect guy—loving, considerate, romantic, funny… He’d been everything she’d ever wanted.
Maybe Tiffany was right, and Carissa needed to try to talk to Danny. He couldn’t necessarily change his behavior toward her if he didn’t know how much it bothered her, and the only way he’d know that was if she told him. Maybe they could work through this.
“Well, whatever you need, I’m here, okay?” Tiffany pulled back the covers on her bed and slid beneath them.
“Thanks, Tiff. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” Carissa took off her shoes and socks, wiggled out of her bra, and then climbed into her bed.
“You’ll never have to find out.” Tiffany stretched up and flicked off the lights. “Love you.”
“Love you, too.” Carissa smiled in the darkness, forever grateful for having such an amazing, loyal friend. If only Carissa’s boyfriend wasn’t such a jerk all the time, she’d have close to a picture perfect life.
Her phone buzzed on the shelf above her head. She reached around in the dark until she found her phone, fully expecting to see Danny’s name on the screen.
Bradley: Invite still open to hang at the game and bonfire with you guys?
Carissa’s smiled widened, and her heart fluttered at the thought of Bradley hanging out with them tomorrow. Granted, she’d be occupied during the bonfire, but they could all sit together during the game.
Carissa: Of course. Does this mean you’re coming?
Bradley: Yes, ma’am.
Hugging the phone to her chest, she closed her eyes and could easily hear him saying those words, his deep baritone twinged with that sexy southern drawl. A shiver wiggled down her spine.
