I press my lips together, refusing to answer the question.
“Don’t worry about it.” Brayden claps me on the shoulder. “We’ll get you fixed up this weekend and then you’ll be a new man.”
Crosby laughs his ass off as he saunters into the shower room.
I can only glare after him.
That guy is really going to get it.
Chapter Thirty
Elle
I wind the fuzzy scarf around my neck as Mike and I head out of the theater. The nights have grown colder as the temperature dips lower. As much as I like wearing shorts and T-shirts, sweater weather is my favorite. I enjoy knee-length boots and short skirts paired with cozy sweaters and maybe a knit cap. Let’s face it, the fashion choices are endless.
“Look who showed up,” Mike says, “it’s Mr. tall, hot, and incredibly muscular.”
My gaze snaps up before landing on Carson like a heat-seeking missile. Even in the darkness, it’s not difficult to find him parked on a bench outside the auditorium. My heartbeat picks up its tempo at the mere sight of him.
I’ve been a mass of nerves since we last saw each other. He said he needed a few days to mull over the situation, and it felt important to give him that. I had to fight myself not to reach out. Every time I pulled out my phone to call or text, I had to stop myself before slipping it back into my pocket for safekeeping.
When I fail to respond, Mike whispers, “Please tell me he has a brother. Or a cousin. I’m not picky.”
Those comments have me blinking out of my thoughts. “No, sorry. He’s an only child. And all of his cousins live out of state.”
A heavy sigh escapes from him as his shoulders slump. “That’s a shame.”
The corners of my lips lift, and for that I’m grateful. Already I can tell from the serious expression on Carson’s face that I won’t like what he has to say. As I force myself to move down the short flight of stairs, he rises to his feet and shoves his hands into the pockets of his jeans.
“Has something happened between you two that I should know about?” Mike’s voice drops. “I get the distinct impression that it did. More shocking than that, you didn’t tell me about it.” He knocks into my shoulder with his own. “Bitch.”
I glance at him and shake my head. “No.” All right, so maybe that’s a teeny tiny lie.
“Hmmm.” His eyes narrow as he contemplates me. “Why don’t I believe you? You’re both wearing similarly strained expressions. And just in case you’re wondering—you two look miserable.”
His observation only confirms my previous suspicions as to how this conversation will go.
Normally, whenever I catch sight of Carson, I gravitate toward him like a flower seeking out sunlight. This is the first time I have to physically prod myself to close the gaping distance between us.
“Hi.” It takes effort to keep all of the rioting emotion that’s attempting to claw its way to the surface tamped down where it belongs. Upon closer inspection, his eyes are hooded and there’s a tightness to his expression that only reinforces the knowledge that this won’t be a pleasant conversation. This is not the easy-going Carson I grew up with. Now that I think about it, he hasn’t been that person for a while.
“Hey.” His gaze flickers to Mike, who remains steadfast at my side. Recognition sets in and he gives him a chin lift in greeting.
Mike beams. “Congrats on the season so far. There’s no way you guys won’t make it to the championship.”
Carson’s lips tug into a tight smile. “That’s the plan.”
His attention returns to me, where it settles. “Do you have a moment to talk?”
As much as I want to shake my head, I don’t. There’s no point in prolonging the inevitable. “Sure.”
We glance at Mike, who straightens as if only now realizing he’s the odd man out. “I guess that would be my cue to leave.”
I pull him in for a quick hug before he can retreat into the darkness. “I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”
His arms tighten around me, and he presses his lips against the side of my face. “Call me later if you need anything.”
My heart sinks with the realization that I’ll probably need a shoulder to cry on. After we break apart, Mike gives us one last wave before taking off.
It’s only when he rounds the corner of the building and disappears from sight that Carson says, “How about I drive you home and then we can talk?”
A knot forms in the pit of my gut as I nod.
A suffocating silence falls over us as we walk side by side through the parking lot to his shiny black Tahoe. The truck is decked out with all of the bells and whistles. It was a high school graduation present from his parents.