Page 105 of Thunderstruck
The word sobers him immediately, as if he just now remembered who I am and how long it’s been. “Right.” He glances to the right, where Sage and Javi are mingling with a group of people. “What are you doing here, Evanson?”
It’s a valid question, and one I’m not sure how to answer until a soft hand slips into mine. I look down at Carissa, offering her a smile, and then I say, “Sage invited me,” like it’s a perfectly normal thing for me to be here. Before Burley can reply, I pull Carissa closer and say, “Carissa, this is Chuck Burley, one of the best receivers in the country. Burley, this is Carissa.”
Though Burley waves my praise away, he takes an interest in Carissa, studying her with keen eyes. “Ballsy move,” he tells me, “bringing a date like her. You,” he says to Carissa, taking her hand and bowing over it, “are exquisite.”
“And you are a bit too bold,” I growl back.
But Carissa laughs as Burley kisses the back of her hand. “Was Cole this much of a grump when he played with you?” she asks.
“Worse,” Burley says, standing straight again. He grins and shakes his head. “Nah, Evanson’s always been an easy guy. He just doesn’t like when someone plays with his stuff.” His eyes dart over to Javi again before fixing on me. “Does he know you’re here?”
I shake my head. “I doubt he knows she invited me.”
“Probably not,” Burley agrees, folding his arms and pressing his lips together. He’s clearly expecting some sort of drama to go down, and I’m right there with him. I haven’t talked to Javi since the day I quit, and after Sage’s whole spiel a few weeks ago about how we weren’t good for each other, I can only assume she gave me the invitation for one of two reasons. Either she wanted to deal a wound deeper than she already had, or she hoped I would come and stir up some trouble because she thrives on conflict.
Another thing I didn’t realize until I was looking at our relationship in the rearview… Or maybe I realized it because of Carissa, who is anything but confrontational. She’s honest and open, and I never wonder what she’s thinking. Even now, as she meets my gaze in the soft lighting of the venue, I can practically hear her telling me that she’s here to support me however I need.
Burley chuckles, glancing between Carissa and me. “This could be fun. Do me a favor and talk to the bride and groomafterthey serve the cake.”
“Hey.” I grab his arm before he can leave. Burley’s a good guy and has always been more committed to the game than making money, but I still need to be careful. “How are…things?”
His eyes jump to Javi again before resting on me. “Depends on who you ask,” he grunts. “I, for one, miss the good old days when we had guys like you. Take care of yourself, Evanson.” He wanders off, pointing a couple of guys in my direction as he goes.
There are so many layers to what he said—and didn’t say—and guilt settles heavy in my chest. “It must be worse than I thought,” I mutter, clasping Carissa’s hand tighter.
“What are you going to do?”
If I hang around and try to get a better sense of how many guys are involved in the bets, my chances of having to talk to Sage and Javi will only get higher. I don’t see any of that ending well, but I already abandoned this team once. I don’t know if I can do it again now that I’m here.
“I’ll be with you the whole time,” Carissa says, leaning up on her toes to kiss my cheek.
Her support gives me the courage to step forward and greet another teammate.
I learn some important things while mingling with the Badgers. One, I am clearly not incapable of friendships outside of Derek and his gang because I fall right into step with some of my favorite players like no time has passed at all. Two, the guys I know are into the betting mess do their best to avoid me at all costs, and I am perfectly fine with that. Three, there aren’t as many of my former teammates here as I expected, and the ones who don’t avoid me look almost relieved to see me, which only reaffirms my resolve to fix things if I can.
It’s not easy to bring up the corruption in casual conversation without coming right out and asking, but I do my best, and I’ve come to a solid conclusion: the good guys all know exactly what’s going on and are only playing for Portland because of contracts, and they badly need a rescue. I’m more determined than ever to talk to Darcy and find a way to bringthe team back to playing honestly. There are enough players who aren’t in on the scheme that the team could survive if there was a way to prove only certain players are rotten.
The other thing I learn, though it’s more of a reminder than anything, is Carissa isgreatat making friends. She and Liam have that in common, and I swear she becomes the most popular person in the whole place in a matter of minutes. In Liam, the trait is maddening because it gets him into trouble, but I can’t help but admire the way Carissa so easily connects with people. It gets Carissa into trouble too, but at least she has me to keep an eye on her.
I guess Liam has Kasey now, which reminds me that my night is far from over and I have one more mystery to solve.
When conversation ends between Carissa and the wife of one of the defensive linemen, leaving us relatively alone at the side of the room, I press my hand to Carissa’s back and lean in close to speak in her ear. “Are you ready to tell me about your slipup when talking about Liam earlier?”
As I expected, Carissa’s face blossoms with pink. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she says, but her voice wavers.
I press a lingering kiss to her jaw, loving the way her skin pebbles with goosebumps as I begin trailing kisses down her neck and along her collarbone. “Are you sure?”
“Mmm…” She shivers and grabs my arm, like she’s trying to steady herself, so I slide my hand around her waist to offer support and continue brushing kisses along her skin. These explorations of mine are new, but Carissa seems to like them, and I’m thoroughly enjoying myself. Forget Liam. Maybe we can go back to the hotel instead. Spend some time in the hot tub. Watch a movie on the couch in my suite, snuggled up together. Kiss until the sun rises.
“Cole?” The last voice I want to hear cuts through my fantasies, chilling the air around me.
I could ignore her. She would deserve it. But I was forced to come to this wedding for a reason, and it wasn’t to kiss the woman in my arms where everyone can see. I don’t actually know what the reason is, but I’m probably about to find out.
Lifting my head, I keep Carissa close to my side as I make eye contact with Sage for the first time in weeks. She looks beautiful, her dark hair pulled up in an elegant twist, with a silky white dress hugging her curves and fanning out behind her. It is low cut but elegant at the same time, and she’s glowing. The perfect bride. Javier stands beside her wearing a tailored burgundy suit and a clenched jaw, not nearly as flawless as his wife.
“I wasn’t sure you would come,” Sage says as her eyes drift to Carissa. I can’t tell what she thinks of my date, but I also don’t care.
Javi turns to look at his bride. “You invited him?” He’s a lot easier to read, and he’s clearly not happy I’m here.
