Page 81 of Obligation
Friday was the day after tomorrow. Talk about short notice. Not that she really had anything stopping her from up and leaving, but still. She’d have to tell her friends, and her parents, even though she didn’t want to.
Before she could respond, her phone chimed. With a heavy sigh, she slipped her phone from her pocket. Bradley’s name appeared on her screen, and she bit back her smile. She didn’t need Danny to think she was being insensitive. Opening her messages, she read Bradley’s text.
Bradley: Fundraiser is this weekend. Didn’t know it was so soon. My sister is an asshole.
Carissa let out a surprised laugh, then clamped her lips shut.
Bradley: I know it’s short notice, and I really will understand if you don’t want to go. But you will owe me that date when I get back.
She shifted on her feet, her bottom lip tucked between her teeth. Even though she wasn’t super comfortable with the circumstances surrounding Bradley’s invitation, she couldn’t deny that she wanted to spend a weekend with him, no interruptions or outside forces, and see if there really was something more than intense lust between them.
But Bradley was leaving the same exact day as Danny. She lifted her head to look at the man she used to love more than anything else. He was utterly broken, on the verge of possibly losing the only family he had left, and he undoubtedly needed her a lot more than Bradley did.
She had no idea what to do. Did she stand by her promise to Danny and help him through this difficult time? Or did she put herself first and follow her heart—which was very clearly leading her toward Bradley? If she went with Bradley, she was prepared to take things a lot farther with him. Would Danny expect the same from her? Was he hoping this trip would bring them back together?
“Carissa?” Danny said.
“I don’t know what to say,” she said, reveling in her ability to be honest with him. “I’m not sure I can just leave.”
He nodded, his expression somber. “Yeah, no, I get it. I’m sorry I asked.”
“Don’t be sorry.” She slid her phone back into her pocket and placed her hand softly on his bicep. She always had loved how muscular his arms were. “I told you I was here for you, and I meant that. Let me see what I can do, okay?”
Not that she was fully sold on the idea of going with Danny, but she needed to buy herself the rest of the day to figure out what to do. And she desperately needed to talk to Tiffany.
“Okay.” Danny yanked a folded piece of paper from his back pocket and held it out to her. “Here’s my flight information. I have a ticket on hold for you, too.”
Hand shaking, she took the paper and clutched it in her palm. She swallowed hard but couldn’t form any words.
Danny leaned over and dropped a soft kiss to her cheek. “I hope you’ll be there,” he said, “because I have no idea how I’m going to do this without you, Carissa.” Then he left without another word.
The breath rushed from Carissa’s lungs in a harsh whoosh. She fumbled for her phone, more frantic than ever to talk to her best friend. She had new messages waiting for her.
Bradley: Dad’s sending the private jet. Leaving at 3pm Friday.
Carissa scrambled to unfold the paper Danny had given her, and she quickly scanned the information. His flight was leaving at 3 pm, too. She hung her head, indecision heavy on her shoulders. Her phone buzzed again.
Bradley: No pressure, promise, but I need to let them know by tomorrow morning if they should expect another passenger.
She sank down onto her bed. Tears pooled in her eyes. A trip to Texas with Bradley would be fun and romantic. A trip to Maine with Danny would be full of tension and grief. What if Danny lost his temper again? What if he left her somewhere in Maine, and she didn’t have anyone to call for help? Was he truly in need of emotional support, or was he emotionally manipulating her again? Questions swirled in her mind, but only one stood out the loudest.
What the hell was she supposed to do now?
Chapter Thirty-Two
Unease slithered through Bradley’s veins, though he wasn’t sure why. He’d had an amazing afternoon with Carissa, and he was in the best mood knowing she’d ended things with Danny. That meant Bradley could finally make a real move without worrying about being “that guy” who broke up a relationship.
Yet, something was wrong. He didn’t know how he knew that. He just did. His instincts were on high-alert. The fact that Carissa hadn’t replied to a single one of his messages since he’d left her room an hour ago didn’t ease his fears, either.
Feet propped on the coffee table, he flipped aimlessly through the TV channels, but he was much too distracted to focus. He tossed the remote on the couch cushion, snatched his phone from the arm of the couch, and checked his messages. Again.
Still nothing.
He frowned, then stood. Aggravation was his companion as he strode into the kitchen, yanked open the fridge door, peeked inside, then swung the door shut a little harder than necessary.
Blowing out a breath, he rested his hands on top of the kitchen island and glanced around. For campus-approved housing, the place wasn’t too bad, though it wasn’t the penthouse. The urge to go back there, to be surrounded by the memory of Carissa being there consumed him. Hell, he wanted to take her back there. She never did get a chance to swim in the pool.
Across the room, his phone lit up, and he practically ran back to the couch. He scooped up his phone and read the message.
