Chapter 31
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 when 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 was 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.”
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?