Page 41 of Obligation
She scrunched up her face, her stomach twisting. Carissa gently pushed him away again. “Danny, stop. This isn’t the time or place. Besides, we need to talk about what happened at the game.”
“You mean that stupid fight we had?” He waved his hand dismissively. “It’s no big deal.”
“No big deal?” she said incredulously. “You told me if I kept pledging TOP, you’d break up with me. That may not be a big deal to you, but it is to me.” She pointed at her chest, her finger shaking with anger. Tears burned the back of her throat, and she swallowed against them.
“It’s only a big deal if you choose them over me,” he said, his words slurred. He swayed on his feet but steadied himself.
“I shouldn’t have to choose,” she said and blinked away the tears pooling in her eyes. “If you loved me like you say you do, you wouldn’t want to make me choose.” Her bottom lip trembled, and she drew in a shaky breath. “You should trust me, Danny. I’m not the one who cheated, remember?”
He scowled. “When the hell are you going to let that go?” His face turned an angry shade of red, and he clenched his jaw. “Or do you get off on throwing it my face every chance you get?”
“I’m not doing this with you again.” She gave a hard shake of her head and attempted to go around him, but he grabbed her arm, stopping her. His hold was tight, and no matter how hard she tried to get out of his grip, she couldn’t, so she stopped struggling.
“What? Now that you’re in some stupid sorority you think you’re better than me?” He narrowed his eyes.
“Of course not,” she said as calmly as possible.
“Bullshit.” He released her with a shove, and she stumbled back a step. “Spoiled rotten little princess is too good for someone like me. Is that it?”
“Go home, Danny. You’re drunk.” She rubbed her arm where he’d been holding her. She was more than likely going to have a bruise.
“Don’t tell me what to do!” he shouted, garnering looks from everyone around them.
Carissa wanted to crawl into a hole and disappear, but she straightened her shoulders and jutted her chin. She was tired of him yelling at her and pushing her around.
“I’m not. But if you still want me to spend the night, you need to calm down and sober up,” she said.
At that, Danny’s posture softened, and he dragged a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry,” he said with an apologetic frown. “I just hate that we don’t see each other much anymore. I mean, you’re the center of my life, Carissa, and sometimes you make me feel like I’m second to everyone else in yours.”
As badly as she wanted to tell him that wasn’t true, the words wouldn’t form. While he wasn’t second to everyone, he also wasn’t her top priority. Not anymore, anyway. But she could never tell him that. He wouldn’t understand, and despite everything, she didn’t want to be mean and hurt his feelings.
Carissa glanced around, noticing for the first time that people were leaving in droves. The fire was now nothing more than a pile of smoldering ash. The tables set up to serve drinks and snacks were gone. How long had she been standing here arguing with Danny? She massaged her aching temples.
“That’s what I thought.” Danny huffed. “When you get your priorities straight, call me.” And then he stormed off, leaving her there alone.
Chapter Sixteen
“We’re inviting some people back to the house for an after party. See you there?” Garrett asked, keys clutched in his hand.
Bradley nodded. Where else would he go? That house was his home for the time being. Even though he wasn’t in the mood to keep partying, he wasn’t about to deny anyone else their fun. Besides, Tiffany was headed home with Garrett, and if she was going to be there, chances were good that Carissa would show up, too. Probably with Danny, but having her around—even with that jackass in tow—was better than not seeing her at all.
Although, Bradley hadn’t seen Danny at all since he stormed off halfway through the football game. Maybe he wouldn’t be bringing Carissa to the party. He had the sudden urge to find her and invite her. Knowing she was best friends with Garrett and Tiffany, one of them had more than likely already told her.
“You going to ride home with me?” Bradley asked Jeremy.
“Nah, I’m gonna ride with them.” Jeremy hooked his thumb at Garrett and Tiffany. “Gonna stop and buy beer on the way home. Want anything?”
“No, I’m good. I’ll drink whatever you buy.”
“See ya later, man.” Jeremy smacked Bradley’s shoulder, then climbed into the car with Garrett and Tiffany.
Bradley reached into his pocket for his eyes, then hesitated. The designated parking area for the bonfire was almost empty of cars. He hadn’t seen Danny’s crappy SUV anywhere. Had he bothered to show up at all? Or had he and Carissa already left?
He took a deep breath, indecision warring inside of him. The logical part of his brain told him not to worry about Carissa and Danny and just go home. But his intuition told him not to leave just yet. Shoving his keys back into his pocket, he turned and headed toward the bonfire.
For the most part, the place was deserted except for a handful of people hanging out, talking and laughing. A couple made out beneath a tree, the sounds of their lips smacking in wet kisses echoing.
Bradley shook his head and continued to walk around, though he wasn’t sure what he was looking for. If Carissa was still here, he would’ve found her by now. She must have left with Danny. Giving in to his disappointment, Bradley changed direction to go back to his car.
