Page 80 of Obligation
“I’ll text you the details about Texas. Just let me know when you’ve made up your mind,” he said.
“I will.”
With a nod—and a hell of a lot of willpower he didn’t know he possessed—he walked out of her room, confident this was the first of many times he’d be with her.
Chapter Thirty-One
Carissa blew out a breath and shook the tremors from her hands. Her lips were mildly numb and tingling from Bradley’s kisses, and every inch of her body was either covered in chilled goose bumps or burning from his touch.
She let out a small squeal, danced around her room, then flopped onto her bed with a dreamy sigh. Even though she was still healing from her broken and tumultuous relationship with Danny, she was flying high from her time with Bradley. Being with him made her forget everything else—all the grief and pain and heartache and fear. With Bradley, she felt alive again, like there was still hope for the future she’d always dreamed of.
Her mind wandered away from his hot kisses to his invitation to go to Texas with him. An extended weekend with him was one thing—a big thing—but she’d be meeting his family, too. That was a huge step, one she hadn’t even taken with Danny during the time they were together. If she could gather the courage to do that, could she also go along with lying to everyone? She’d promised herself she wouldn’t do that anymore, that she’d find a way back to herself.
And from the way Bradley spoke about his family, they sounded like good people. She didn’t want her first impression with them to be based on a lie. What if she did end up in a real relationship with Bradley? She’d always have their lying and deception hanging over her head. Then again, getting out of California and away from everyone and everything, even for a few days, was exactly what she needed.
Blowing out a breath, she folded her hands on her stomach and stared up at the ceiling. She’d explain the situation to Tiffany and ask for her advice. Of course, Carissa would have to check with Mallory, too, to make sure she could leave for a few days and not miss anything important with the sorority.
A loud knock startled her from her thoughts, and her heart jumped in her chest. Bradley must’ve changed his mind and came back. Excitement flared up inside of her.
She rolled off the bed and jerked open the door. “Just couldn’t stay away, could you?”
But the man standing in the doorway wasn’t Bradley.
“Danny?” she said.
He lifted his head. His eyes were bloodshot, and his face was red and tear-stained. “I didn’t know where else to go,” he said, his voice thick with emotion.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, her emotions bouncing from concerned to horrified. She’d never seen Danny so visibly upset before, not even when she’d told him about the miscarriage. She shook her head and moved aside. “Come in.”
As soon as he was inside the room, he broke down into sobs. Carissa’s shoulders drooped, and her heart splintered. She wrapped her arms around him in a comforting hug, and he clung to her. Neither of them spoke for several moments.
“What happened?” she whispered.
“My dad’s been in an accident. He’s in ICU, and they don’t know if he’s going to make it.” He sniffled, then pulled away from her embrace. He shoved his hands into his pockets. “I don’t know what I’ll do if he…”
“Hey, don’t think like that,” she said in a soothing tone. “I’m sure he’ll be okay. Doctors always have to give you the worst case scenario.”
Danny nodded. “I have to go home,” he mumbled.
“Of course.” She hugged herself, unsure what else to say or do to make him feel better. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
“Will you go with me?”
She took a small, stunned step back. “Go home with you?” She had to have misheard him.
For the entire year they’d been a couple, she’d suggested going home with him to meet his dad, and every time, Danny had refused, coming up with one lame excuse after another. And now that his father was in the hospital, he wanted her to go?
“I just don’t think I can do this by myself,” he muttered. “My dad’s all I’ve got.”
Carissa drew in a shaky breath. Danny had talked a lot about his dad and how close they were. Considering Danny’s mother left when he was young, she wasn’t surprised he had a tight relationship with his father. She couldn’t imagine how scared Danny must be right now.
“Please, Carissa?” he said, his eyes pleading.
What were with guys asking her to go away with them? First Bradley and now Danny. What was she supposed to say? Obviously Danny was dealing with an emotional family situation, and he needed someone he could count on. She’d vowed to be that person for him. But going with Danny would send a message to Bradley—a message she absolutely did not want to send.
She rubbed her temples, a blistering headache quickly building behind her eyes. “When are you going?” she asked.
Danny dragged his trembling hand through his hair. “Friday. I need to get home as soon as possible.”
