“Savor this, because it rarely happens,” Diana jokes, breaking the silence. “Being outsmarted.”
“You do it all the time to me, Just Diana,” Carson points out, not once looking up. “Wait, Carly’s nearby. Why don’t we just go to her?”
Maybe because she doesn’t want to be around people right now.
Both Diana and Carson turn to me. Did I say that out loud? Well, I didn’t intend to, but they definitely need to hear it.
“I think I know exactly where Carly is,” I admit. Honestly, I figured it out from the moment Carson mentioned that Carly was overwhelmed at the celebration dinner.
And when she’s overwhelmed, there’s one place she’ll go to.
“Then tell us,” Carson demands.
I think Diana is reconsidering her earlier statement about how Carson isn’t terrifying whatsoever, because when it comes to hisfamily and the people he loves, that guy will tear off a limb and not break a sweat.
“There’s this spot on the beach that she goes to when she’s overwhelmed,” I explain. “That’s probably where she is now.”
“Great. Come on, let’s go.”
I hesitate. “Wait, me too?”
He nods. “That’s what I meant.”
“I’m not sure Carly wants to see me right now.” Understatement of the month. I am, without a doubt, the last person she wants to see.
Carson scoffs. “Well, suck it up, Movie Star. You’re coming.”
God, him too? What’s with Carly and people related to her giving me that nickname?
“Help.” I turn to Diana, who shrugs.
“Do you want me to be honest or soft?” She suggests, her arms folded over her chest.
“Do I have a choice?”
She mutters something under her breath in Spanish.
“In English,” Carson murmurs to his girlfriend.
“He does not want to hear the English translation.”
For fucks sake.
“How did Carly fall for acobarde? Crew, nothing is easy. If you need to talk to Carly, then keep trying.”
“She called you a quitter,” Carson translates. “Just come with us. You may think Carly doesn’t want to talk to you, but I’m her family. Right now,I’mthe last person she wants to see. Not you.”
“Carly may need someone like you right now,” Diana adds. “Someone to just listen to her, or be with her.”
Could she be right? I think back to that night I snuck her into the aquarium and the drive back, and the words that stick out like a sore thumb.
All you did was listen.
“Everyone has a silent battle,” Diana continues. “The decision is merely whether they want to give up the sword or keep fighting. Or, ask for help.”
She’s right. I have to go with them.
Even if Carly didn’t ask for it, she needs someone right now, and I’m selfishly hoping that person is me.
