Page 71 of Obligation
“Hey,” Tiffany said as she walked into their shared room.
Carissa looked up at her friend through tear-filled eyes.
“Oh, honey.” Tiffany sat beside Carissa and pulled her into a hug. “What’s wrong?”
“Danny and I broke up,” she said, her voice much calmer than she expected. “I know it’s for the best, but it still hurts, y’know? I feel like I’ve just lost an entire year of my life.”
“No.” Tiffany released Carissa, then took hold of her hands. Tiffany’s gaze was insistent yet full of compassion. “What you had with Danny in the beginning was great. We all saw that, and we all thought you two would be together a long time. Finding love like that, no matter how short, is never a waste.”
Carissa smiled through her tears. “Thank you.”
Tiffany nodded. “How did Danny take it?”
“Surprisingly well.” She stood and snatched a couple tissues from the box on the edge of her desk. “In fact, he admitted he needs help with his temper. He apologized for how he’s been acting and swore he would do whatever it takes to make things right between us.”
“And that’s what you want?” Tiffany leaned back on her hands.
Carissa shrugged. “I don’t know what I want anymore. All I know is I hate this person I’ve become.”
“Well, I think you’re fucking amazing, and my opinion is the only one that matters.”
Laughing, Carissa rolled her eyes. Tiffany always could make Carissa laugh and lift her mood, even in the worst situations.
“And because I know you’re dying to hear my advice, I’m going to give it to you.” Tiffany sat up straight and grinned. “I think you should take this time to have some fun. You went from dating Garrett in high school to then dating Danny your entire first year of college. You’ve had no time to just be you and have fun. So, seize this opportunity.” Tiffany stood. “I’m single. You’re single. We’re pledging our dream sorority. Let’s enjoy this.”
A smile broke out on Carissa’s face. Tiffany’s pep talk lifted Carissa’s mood even more, and Tiffany’s enthusiasm was contagious. After everything that happened this past weekend, Carissa hadn’t thought much about Theta Omega Pi, but once again, Tiffany was right. Carissa wanted to savor the pledging experience. She wanted to participate in every second of every silly tradition and ritual and prank—without fear of her boyfriend getting angry or jealous.
“You’re absolutely right,” Carissa said.
“Of course I am.” Tiffany gave her an incredulous look, like she couldn’t believe Carissa had any doubts. “Now, tell me every detail about Bradley.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Bradley wandered around the campus quad. His next class started in a few minutes, but he was procrastinating, hoping he’d catch Carissa on the way to her class. She hadn’t been back to the house since she’d rushed out Sunday night, and that was three days ago. She also wasn’t responding to his messages.
His phone rang, and he scrambled to get it out of his pocket. Heart racing, he wished with everything in him that Carissa was finally getting in touch. But one glance at the screen, and his hope deflated. He accepted the incoming call from his sister.
“Hey, Beth. What’s up?” He stopped wandering and plopped himself at the nearest table.
“Well, don’t you sound chipper,” she said, her tone teasing. “What’s wrong, little brother? California not what you expected?” She laughed.
Bradley rolled his eyes. “California is fine. College is fine. Life is fine. What do you want?”
Bethany only ever called when she needed something. As the youngest of three siblings, Bradley didn’t have the closest relationship to his sister, who was almost ten years older than him. His relationship with his brother, who was only four years older, was much better.
“If you’re going to be cranky, I’m hanging up,” she said.
“I’m not cranky.” He rubbed his forehead, the stress of the past few days building to an unmanageable headache. “I’m running late to class, so can you please make this quick?”
“The annual charity auction for the ranch is coming up soon. Can I count on you again this year?”
“Of course.”
Not that hewantedto go, but if he didn’t, his parents would kill him, and he never wanted to disappoint his mother. But the thought of being auctioned off like a prime piece of cattle—again—had an undercurrent of anger and resentment burning in him.
If not for the fact that this event raised a shit ton of money for the ranch that helped at-risk kids, he’d tell his sister where she could shove her Bachelor Charity Auction—an event that starred him and his brother as the most sought after items. Women went crazy bidding on them for a single date.
Bradley loathed the event, but because he was still single, he had a standing agreement with his sister to help out. The few years he’d been in a relationship with Faith, he’d had a reprieve, but now he was literally back on the auction block.
