Page 102 of Thunderstruck
Some of them, yes. And it would be nice to get a sense of how many of them have caved to the corruption. But I still don’t know if it’s a good idea to tell Carissa about that stuff, and I’m definitely not going to say anything when we’re surrounded by the Thunder. They’re all in danger too right now.
“I…could go with you,” Carissa says, though her voice sounds thin. I doubt she really wants to go to something like that, though I feel the weight of her offer in my gut. I don’t deserve her.
I shake my head. “You’re going to Liam’s show. I know you would hate to miss that.”
“I could always go another time,” she argues. “It’s not like I don’t know the headliner and his wi—girlfriend.” Red splashes across her cheeks, and she drops her gaze to the mostly untouched food in front of her.
Narrowing my eyes, I stare at her for a second. “What did you almost say?”
She doesn’t look at me. “I really think you should go to the wedding, Cole.”
Yeah, I’m not doing that. I’m more interested in her slip of tongue. “Did you almost saywife?” Liam wouldn’t do that, would he? I huff outa laugh, shaking my head. He would. And if he did… “Carissa, what do you know?”
“I know your old teammates would love to see you.”
“That’s not what I mean, Paxton, and you know it.”
She looks up and fixes a surprisingly powerful glare on me. “Coleman Evanson, why are you so afraid of this wedding? I wouldn’t have guessed you were a coward.”
Her comment feels like a slap in the face, even if she immediately flinches as soon as the words are out of her mouth. Wyatt and Grayson both choke on their food, glancing from me to Carissa before grabbing their plates and slipping away. We’re still surrounded by the team and their obnoxious staring, but at least Carissa and I are alone at our table now.
I grit my teeth, though I can’t decide if I’m more bothered by her thinking me a coward or by whatever secret she’s keeping from me about Liam.
“You’re not a coward,” Carissa says, though her expression remains firm. “I know you’re not. So why won’t you let yourself get a little closure?”
“Because…” I can’t find a way to finish that sentence. Derek, Freya, even Carissa. For some reason, they all think I need this, and if I can’t trust them… I let out a heavy sigh. “Fine. We’ll go to the reception.” No way am I sitting through that ceremony, and I’m going to need something to wash away the discomfort that’s going to be all over me while I’m there. “But we’re also going to Liam’s show so I can figure out whatever it is you know that I don’t.”
Blushing brighter than before, Carissa lifts her chin, looking defiant and beautiful and completely irresistible. “Great.”
“Great.” I clench my jaw, studying the way her eyes light up with a sense of triumph. She clearly think she’s gained the upper hand. And she’s right. “You think you’re soclever, don’t you?”
Her lips twist up in a smile, pulling me closer. “Clever? No. I’m just right.”
“This could get messy.”
“I can handle messy.”
I curse under my breath as a wave of desire rolls over me. This is neither the time nor place, but I can only resist this woman for so long. “I’m going to kiss you now.” I lean over the table and capture her mouth with mine, all too aware of my team watching us. Carissa doesn’t seem to mind, melting into me the same way she did after the game last night.
The small taste I get of her is not nearly enough, but she pulls away and looks at me, her soft hand pressing against my cheek as her thumb brushes the dark circle beneath my eye. “What else is bothering you?” she asks. “And don’t even think about pretending it’s nothing. What happened last night?”
Something I can’t tell her with the whole team trying to listen in. I sigh. “Did you get enough to eat?”
She glances down at the giant waffle on her plate, of which she’s only taken a couple of bites. “Yeah, I’m not really hungry.”
I accept her claim only because I’ll be with her the rest of the day and can make sure she eats at some point. The team is flying back to Cali in a couple of hours, but I booked us an extra night in our rooms so we can go to Liam’s show. Which means I get her all to myself until that stupid reception. As soon as the team’s out of the way, I’m going to take advantage of this time while I’ve got it.
“Can I take you somewhere?” I ask.
Carissa’s eyes light up, her excitement settling deep inside me. “Where?”
Anywhere. “Somewhere special.”
Nodding, Carissa reaches for her plate, but Sharkie grabs it first. “You kids go,” he says, his tone light and friendly, though the look he gives me is anything but.
My body tenses when I realize he’s not the only one looking at me like that. It’s like the whole team is suddenly giving me silent threats that I read loud and clear. If I do anything that might hurt Carissa, they’ll be out for my blood.
I did the same thing to Hank when he started dating Bonnie, so I know better than to underestimate their warnings. They mean business.
