Page 46 of Thunderstruck
When she remains silent and mostly unreadable outside of a slight blush of color in her cheeks, I say, “I’m sure he thinks he came across an intimate moment.”
Freya gasps. “Didhe come across an intimate moment? Are the two of you—”
“Of course not.” I wince, realizing how that sounds. “Carissa and I are friends.”
“You did not think of her as a friend a few days ago. She was your enemy.”
“That was a few days ago.” And oh, how wrong I was. Carissa is my…well,frienddoesn’t feel like the right word. I don’t know if any of my friends could have gotten me away from that panicattack so quickly.
Carissa skipped the friend stage and jumped right into seeing the deepest parts of me. It’s like she has latched on to my soul, and her hold on me was strong enough to pull me out of the panic.
Dangerous.
“Hmm.” Freya is quiet for a long time, and though I planned to text her, I can’t wait for this conversation to end.
“Peach, I promise I’m okay,” I say, surprised that it’s actually true. I’m exhausted, but I’m…okay.
“And I won’t leave him until I’m sure he’ll continue to be okay,” Carissa says.
I’m even more surprised by that, enough so that I gape at her. I’ve brought her nothing but trouble, and yet there’s no sign of deception in her words. She really does want to make sure I’m okay. I can’t help but smile at her as I reach back and grab a water bottle from my bag. She never does what I expect, in the best ways, and I’m starting to realize how much I like the way she surprises me.
When Freya speaks again, a hint of emotion softens her words. “Thank you, Carissa. Cole does not often trust people, but I am glad he has come to trust you. The man needs more women in his life.”
I choke on my water, spewing it all over the dash and coughing uncontrollably as my lungs try to expel what I just inhaled. “Freya!” I gasp.
“What?” she replies. “You do.”
“I really don’t.”
“Because you are cursed, yes?” Thank goodness I already told Carissa about the family curse, though I still don’t like the way it sounds when someone else talks about it. “Cole, you are too intelligent to truly believe in something like fate. Loving a woman will not lead to her death. Carissa, has he told you his ridiculous notions?”
I’m not sure I want to hear what Carissa has to say.
Pressing her lips together, Carissa seems to debate how she wants to answer. “He told me about his family history,” she says.
Huh. I don’t mind that answer.
“Hmm.” Freya pauses again, then lets out a deep sigh. “There is more I could say on the subject, but I should go. My bodyguard has realized I am awake and is concerned.”
I swear when I realize what time it is. “Peach, it’s four in the morning there!”
“I am aware.”
“Why are you awake?”
“Because I was worried about you, Cole. And you should control your language, especially in the presence of a lady.”
“I don’t mind,” Carissa says at the same time I grumble, “I know.” We look at each other, smiles playing on both our lips.
“Thanks for calling, Freya,” I say. “It means a lot.”
“I need you to take better care of yourself, Cole. Please.”
Though I roll my eyes, I appreciate how much she worries about me. “Promise.”
As the call ends, silence fills the space around Carissa and me. I usually crave quiet moments like this, but not after all that’s happened since practice ended.
It’s been a lot.
