Page 91 of Thunderstruck
That’s my middle name.
Cole:
Your middle name is Lynn.
I gasp. How in the world does he know that?
Cole:
I’m avoiding you tomorrow. Just know that I don’t want to.
I appreciate the clarification, though I still don’t like it. Nor do I like the idea of ending this conversation.
Carissa:
What’s yourmiddle name?
Cole:
Camilo.
Carissa:
Where is that from?
Cole:
It’s Portuguese. The male version of my mom’s name, Camila.
Carissa:
I love that. I wish you could have known her.
Cole:
I wish that too, but I’ve got my dad and Gramps.
Carissa:
You have me too.
Maybe that was too bold of me because Cole doesn’t reply. I settle myself beneath the covers, wondering how tomorrow is going to go. This is my first away game, and I think the guys badly need a win after what happened to Moxie. Part of me wishes Cole had waited until after the game to kiss me so we wouldn’t have a distraction, but the bigger part of me keeps reliving the kiss as I close my eyes and try to sleep.
Another text comes in right before I fall asleep, and I look at it with bleary eyes.
Cole:
Do me a favor and don’t read the Hot Scoop article that was just posted.
My heart skips a beat, and I roll my eyes as I type the website into my search bar. Surely he knows me better than—oh. My stomach twists into knot after knot as I quickly read the article. Yeah, maybe I should have listened.
Hollywood Hot Scoop
Carissa Paxton—Carouser, Cavorter, and Completely No Good for Cole
Scoopers, someone needs tohelp Cole find a good woman to love because this guy is oh for two now. Either the man has terrible taste, or he’s way too trusting, but after the heartache he endured at the hands of soon-to-be Badger bride, Sage Morrow, Cole has found himself attached to yet another heartbreaker.
I mean, this picture alone is bad enough. Carissa Paxton, new rehab specialist for the Los Angeles Thunder rugby team, was seen at an airport bar earlier today making eyes at a whole slew of strangers and flirting her way to free libations, leaving Cole miserable and broody on his own while waiting to board. Clearly she’s not as invested in this relationship as our favorite scrum-half.
