Book 2: Beginning Again -Carlos Sainz

Chapter 43

"So, you gonna tell me what that was all about?" Carlos said, with a surprisingly cold tone.

"I was going to ask you that question," Marie replied, still unable to wipe the pure shock off her face.

"What do you mean?"

Marie barely heard his question because she was too busy admiring his ass as he bent down to get ice out of the freezer. He had quickly directed them to the nearest training room, making sure no one suspected anything.

"Sorry, what?" Marie finally said after a pause.

Carlos turned to face her, concern written all over his face.

"Are you okay? Do you have a concussion?"

He rushed over to where she was standing, carefully placing his hands on her head, surveying for any cuts or bumps.

"Did he hit you?"

Marie saw his concern shift to pure rage, but he still cradled her head softly. She let her eyes roam around his face, not wanting him to take his hands off her or leave her personal space. The voice in her head that was constantly reminding her of what he had done was suddenly silent, letting her heart take the lead as she continued to stare at him unashamedly. He came to her rescue, like a knight in a freaking red racing suit. It felt like something out of a movie, like it wasn't actually real. And when Chad started saying things about her, Carlos laid him out before he could even finish his last dirty word. Marie knew she would need a couple hours to process all of her conflicting emotions, but instead decided to put Carlos out of his rage-fury.

"He didn't hit me, I don't have a concussion. I think I might just be in a little bit of shock," Marie finally said as she raised her hands to wrap around his forearms. His hands lowered to her shoulders, still barely touching her.

"I think I would've killed him if he did. But honestly, it didn't seem like you needed my help," Carlos said as one corner of his mouth upturned.

"What do you mean?"

"You landed that punch well."

"You knocked him down. Speaking of, is your million dollar hand okay?"

"In this line of work, you learn quickly how to throw a punch without breaking a hand. I'm fine, just a small cut and some bruising. It also helped that you already broke his nose."

Carlos smiled at her, practically beaming with pride. Marie knew he wasn't even trying to hide it.

"Like I said, you didn't need my help, " he reiterated.

"I'm so glad you were there. Wait, why were you there?"

Carlos raked a hand through his hair, looking up to the ceiling, as the silence grew.

"Uh... honestly I don't know. I was gonna come up with some excuse, but I really just wandered out there. I was sort of hoping you'd be there because I... missed talking to you and I... uh, yeah. It's none of my business, but I just need to ask. Why him? Why did you invite him here? I know you guys probably got back together on the summer break but you could have anyone you want, Marie, you're beautiful, smart, bossy..." his voice faded out as he knew he could list adjectives for a much longer-than-normal amount of time. "Why him?"

"I... didn't invite him here. He just showed up. I walked outside for some fresh air and bam there he was, trying to get into the garage. I did... actually see him this summer and yeah, he kissed me, but I just knew I could never get back together with him."

Marie knew the "because I still love you" was the silent part of the rest of her sentence that she didn't speak. She watched as his face changed, suddenly going cold.