Page 19 of Obligation
“Just tell me what you want me to do,” he said, his tone a combination of defeat and impatience.
“I want you to understand that I need some time, okay?” She hugged herself. “I need to deal with this in my own way, to regain my trust in you, and I don’t want to make the same mistakes again.”
“Mistakes? Is that what you thought of us? Of our baby?” He huffed. “That’s real nice, Carissa. Glad to know the past year has been nothing but one big mistake.”
“That’s not what I said,” she snapped, her tone venomous.
“That’s exactly what you said.” His face was red with anger, and he pointed at her to emphasize his point.
“I’m not doing this with you.” Fresh tears streaked down her face, and she hastily wiped them away.
“Well, you need to.” His tone was cold, icier than she’d ever heard, and fear stole her ability to speak. “This isyourfault, Carissa.Youlost our baby.Youpushed me away. And nowyou’reblamingmefor everything. I’m sick of this shit.”
She sucked in a sharp breath, his words slicing through her in the most hurtful way imaginable. Was that how he really felt? Did he seriously blame her for the miscarriage? So many any retorts formed in her mind, but she still didn’t utter a single word. Instead, she stormed toward the door, snatched her overnight bag off the floor, and yanked open the door.
“Where are you going?” Danny rushed after her and slipped in front of her, blocking her escape.
“Move,” she bit out.
“No.”
“Danny, I mean it. Move. Now. I’m going home.” Her vision was blurred by her tears that wouldn’t seem to stop. She wiped her cheeks, her hand shaking.
“Fine. Go.” He stepped aside and held his arm out.
Carissa barged past him and ran down the stairs. Bradley and Cory were still in the living room, talking and laughing. They both looked up at the same time, and Bradley’s eyes widened at the sight of her. She was sure she looked like a hot mess, but she didn’t care. She didn’t care about anything anymore.
“Hey, whoa.” Bradley stood. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” She made a beeline for the front door, but Bradley somehow managed to get there before she did.
“Where are you going?”
“Home.”
“You’re in no shape to drive,” he said.
“Yeah, he’s right,” Cory said. He’d stood, too, and now she was essentially trapped between them.
“Then I’ll walk. I don’t care, but I am not staying here.” She attempted to shove her way around Bradley, but he refused to budge.
He held his hands up in surrender. “Okay, calm down. What happened?”
“Nothing.” She crossed her arms, the strap of her bag biting into her shoulder. Her lips trembled with the effort of holding back another wave of tears. She stared in the direction of the kitchen, refusing to look at Bradley or acknowledge her brother.
“Let her go,” Danny said from where he now stood at the bottom of the stairs. “She’s throwing a tantrum, so just let her leave.”
“You’re an asshole,” she spat, losing the fight against her tears.
With all of her strength, she shouldered past Bradley, flung the door open, and raced outside.
Chapter Eight
Bradley glared at Danny, then glanced at the wide open front door. Should he go after Carissa, or beat Danny’s ass for making her cry? He had no idea what happened between those two, but they were very obviously fighting.
“I’m going to go get Tiff. She’ll know how to calm down my sister,” Cory said a moment before he disappeared upstairs.
Danny turned and followed Cory, though Bradley doubted Danny was going to do anything to help Carissa. A split second later, a door slammed shut. Bradley curled his hands into fists, fighting the urge to march up to Danny’s room and give him an attitude adjustment.
