Page 86 of Obligation
“I haven’t told him anything yet.” She leaned against her desk. “His dad is the only family Danny has, and I’m worried how Danny will handle it if his dad dies. Danny’s just finally starting to see he has a problem and needs help. Losing his father could push him over the edge.”
“That’s not your problem.” Tiffany stood and planted herself directly in front of Carissa. “No one can fix Danny but Danny. And you going across the country with him, alone, is dangerous. You even said yourself that you’re worried what this will do to him. Do you really want to be the only one he has around should his dad die?”
Carissa’s shoulders slumped. Tiffany was right, and those were all the same questions and worries Carissa had, too.
“Sorry, sis, but if you go, I’m telling Dad,” Cory said with a very non-apologetic shrug.
She ignored her brother’s threat, but secretly, she was relieved he’d made it. If any excuse would work to get her out of going with Danny, blaming her father would do the trick. Even though Danny never admitted it out loud, Carissa knew he was terrified of her father. Then again, who wasn’t?
“I’ll go with Danny,” Garrett said. “This is all my fault anyway, so it’s the least I can do.”
Carissa gave him an odd look. “What do you mean this is your fault?”
“Yeah. Explain that.” Tiffany crossed her arms, her stare unflinching and stern.
“I’m the one who introduced you to Danny in the first place. If I hadn’t…”
“You didn’t force me to get into a relationship with him,” Carissa said.
“Okay. Enough.” Tiffany sliced her hands through the air, and everyone shut up. “Everyone just needs to knock it off. No one here is at fault for anything. Let’s put the blame where it belongs. On Danny.”
Garrett dragged his hand through his hair and blew out a breath. “Fine, but if you’re really worried about how he’s going to handle whatever happens with his dad, and you truly think he’s going to need someone there, then I’ll go.” Garrett pointed at himself. “I am his friend, after all.”
“I can’t ask you to do that,” Carissa said, pushing away from the desk.
“You’re not. I’m volunteering.”
Carissa scrunched up her face and chewed on the inside of her cheek. Danny did consider Garrett his best friend, and if Danny listened to anyone, he listened to Garrett. Still, Danny hadn’t invited Garrett, and if he showed up unexpectedly, Danny would lose his mind. Carissa refused to put Garrett in that situation.
She shook her head. “No. I appreciate the offer, but no.”
“Well, you’re sure as hell not going,” Cory said, and in that moment, he sounded so much like Dad.
“Agreed.” Tiffany nodded. “In fact, if I even think for one second that you’re going to that airport to meet Danny, I will tie you to that bed and keep you there.”
“Yeah… about that…” Carissa moved toward the window and glanced down at the parking lot.
Was that Bradley’s car? She leaned closer to the window and squinted to get a better look. Her heart raced, but she couldn’t be sure that was actually his car or not. Maybe he was on campus for a class or something. But then why would he be parked in a lot near the residence halls as opposed to closer to the academic buildings?
“About what?” Tiffany asked.
Carissa spun around and blinked. “I like Bradley,” she said, her voice stronger than she’d expected. “A lot.”
“Wait. My roommate, Bradley?” Garrett’s eyebrows rose.
“Yeah. We’ve been flirting quite a bit, and he’s made his feelings about me very clear.” Heat rushed to her face just thinking of what he’d said to her at the penthouse. “He wants me to go to Texas with him for some fundraiser thing his family is hosting.”
Cory whistled, and Tiffany smacked his arm. He laughed and rubbed at the spot she’d hit him.
“When?” Tiffany’s tone held entirely too much enthusiasm.
“Friday. Same day and time Danny wants me to go with him.”
Cory clutched his stomach and laughed until he was red in the face. Carissa gave her brother a dirty look. Glad he saw the humor in her situation because she surely didn’t.
“Sorry.” He gasped and held up a hand. “It’s just… Are you seriously having a dilemma about who you should go with?”
Carissa narrowed her eyes.
