Page 76 of Thunderstruck
I start off easy, worried about hurting her. But when she withstands the pressure, I push harder. She doesn’t budge. Worried now, I look down at our hands and realize she’s curled her wrist inward, putting my own at an angle that makes it difficult to get the right leverage.
“Clever,” I say, shocked when my voice comes out strained.
Carissa’s sweet smile feels like a punch to the gut as it evokes memories of a week ago, before I took the idiot route. “You can give up now, if you’d like,” she says.
I narrow my eyes. “No way.”
“Fine.” Next thing I know, she’s leaping forward and pressing a kiss to my cheek. My arm goes slack, just enough for her to slam it down on the table. She whoops and high fives several of the guys as they cheer.
I stand stunned. Not only did the feel of her lips send an electric shock through me, but based on the reactions of my teammates, they all probably got the same treatment when they went up against her.
They all got kisses.
What does that mean for us?
Wyatt claps a hand on my shoulder, laughing like he just heard the world’s best joke. “Guess you’re not as heartless as we all thought.”
Carissa scoffs before I can bite out an angry retort. “Are you kidding? You know that fancy car I’ve been driving?”
Grayson whistles low while Freddie says something about how nice it is. (I don’t actually know Freddie’s real name, which is something I should probably fix.)
“Cole lent it to me when he realized I don’t have a car,” Carissa says. She scoots around the table to stand at my side and press her palm against my chest, over my heart. I doubt the guys will like her closeness, but I can’t bring myself to care. I’ve missed her, and it’s taking everything in me not to place my hand over hers. “He and Moxie didn’t like the idea of me taking the bus to the grocery store and things, so Cole took pity on me.” Her eyes lift to meet mine, and heat spreads from where she touches until I’m overheating. “This man has always had a heart, but I don’t think he has let any of you see it because his fame doesn’t make it easy for him to trust. Not even the people closest to him.”
I trusther.
I may not have shown it this week, but I’ve never trusted anyone the way I trust her. Even when she’s talking about me like I’m not here, I want her to know every part of me. And that can’t happen if I’m constantly running scared at every hint of trouble.
I look up at the guys, surprised to see more of them have gathered. It looks like half the team surrounds this table now. “I’m sorry,” I say, hating how difficult this apology is before I’ve really started. “I’m sorry I haven’t trusted any of you, that I’ve been distant, that I haven’t come out with you in months. Sorry I’ve been a terrible teammate and friend.”
Everyone is quiet for a long time, many of them shooting glances at each other, and it’s Wyatt who breaks the silence. “We haven’t exactly made it easy on you.”
I snort. “No, you haven’t.”
Quiet laughter spreads through the team, and I meet Carissa’s warm gaze just long enough for her to give me a look that says something along the lines of, “I told you so.” I don’t know how she did it. She’s been here for two weeks and pulled down immovable barriers like they were tissue paper, and she has left me completely thunderstruck.
As the guys start chatting about cars, I pull out my phone and send a text.
Cole:
Thank you.
I don’t get a reply until several minutes later, when Carissa excuses herself to use the restroom. I’ve got a Coke in hand as I watch a few of the guys play a round of pool, but I’m content to lean against a wall and keep my focus on my phone for a minute or two.
Carissa:
You’re welcome. But this is only the beginning.
Cole:
I’m sorry I avoided you this week.
Carissa:
Does this mean you’ll start carpooling with me again?
Cole:
Only if you let me. I was a jerk.
