Page 28 of Thunderstruck
“Carissa…” He growls something under his breath, and just as he opens his mouth to say something else, a car pulls up beside us.
“Evanson?” It’s Moxie, and he leans across the passenger seat to look at us. “Carissa, what’s going on?”
I grab the passenger door handle and climb inside before either man can stop me. “Can I get a ride to the stadium?”
Moxie stares at me for a second before looking at Cole again, a clear question in his eyes.
Instead of offering an explanation or apology, Cole simply adjusts his bag and starts walking.
“Are…” Moxie clears his throat. “Are you okay?”
“Not really, but I’ll be fine.”
“What did he say to you?”
“Nothing.”
“Look, I know he can be rough around the edges, but he’s a good guy. If he said—”
“He didn’t say anything.” I sink into my seat, knowing Moxie won’t believe me. Though I don’t like the way he judged me, Cole has every reason to distrust me. I can’t stop him from telling everyone else about Darcy, but I also can’t tell Moxie why Cole definitely hates me now. I’m sure breaking my NDA more than once would make things worse, and that’s the last thing I need.
There’s nothing I can do now except wait.
One of these days, I could really use a win in life.
Chapter Nine
Cole
“Wanna tell me whyyou made our new specialist cry today?” Moxie graciously waits until the locker room clears out before he asks that one.
With the way the guys were even more obsessed with Carissa today than they were yesterday, my foot-in-mouth syndrome probably would have resulted in my execution before practice ended, so I’ve spent the bulk of practice in the weight room. I took my time in the shower, waiting until the locker room sounds died down, but I didn’t change fast enough to avoid the captain.
I knew it was only a matter of time before Moxie confronted me.
If I told him the truth I learned today, that Carissa is Tamlin Park’s sister, he would probably validate my anger. Then again, he was all chummy with Tamlin when she was here. But if he knew Tamlin wasn’t Tamlin and that she’s actually married to an extremely famous baseball player…
I’m still trying to wrap my head around the idea that the incredibly likable blonde woman with Carissa at Derek’s house the other day is the same leggy brunette who for most of her career has ruined lives. If Darcyis so good at acting, what might her sister be like? Maybe Carissa isn’t the peppy and innocent girl she’s shown me so far.
“What was your take on Tamlin Park?” I ask instead of answering Moxie’s question.
As he settles on the bench next to me, Moxie gives me a brow-furrowed look that clearly says he’s not okay with my change in subject. “Park? She doesn’t seem as predatory as I’ve heard, but it’s not like I want to be BFFs.”
I choke out a laugh as I pull on a fresh t-shirt. “You did not just say BFF.”
“Stop changing the subject. What happened with Carissa?”
She’s related to Tamlin. I could say that so easily. It’s not like I signed an NDA, and I’m sure the world would be better off knowing the ruthless reporter is actually an alter ego. But something stops me. Darcy was…nice. Bonnie loves her, and I generally trust Bonnie’s opinion. And Carissa is so convinced that Tamlin—Darcy—isn’t a threat.
Maybe I should give Darcy the benefit of the doubt.
Maybe Carissa deserves that too.
She certainly doesn’t deserve some of the things I said to her this afternoon. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about what came out of my mouth in my anger and fear, especially because Moxie showed up before I could apologize.
“I was a jerk,” I say after a long moment of silence.
Moxie snickers. “You? No!”
