Broken Course (Wrecked and Ruined #3)(49)

Not even a half second after the bathroom door closes behind us, I sprint to the big stall and dry heave into the toilet.

"You need to ignore Brett," Emma calls out. "He can be a real * sometimes."

"He’s not the *," I grumble from behind the closed door.

"No, but it’s more fun to talk shit about him than it is to listen to you puke," Emma states with a laugh.

My hands are sweating, and I lean against the wall as Erica decides to join the conversation.

"I dated this guy in college who used to whisper sweet nothings in my ear like, ‘You’d be really hot if you got a boob job.’ Unfortunately for my apparently small breasts, it didn’t work out. A few months ago, when news broke that I was with Slate, he tracked me down and asked to borrow ten thousand dollars. We all have an * ex."

"Brett’s not a bad guy. I’m his version of the guy who asked for money." I walk out of the stall and start washing my hands.

"We still all have them. Everyone gets a turn in life at being the *. We’re no exception," she replies, and I stare at her curiously. "Regrets will only hold you down. Own the wrongs and move on." She shrugs. "Come on. Let’s get back out there. If I know Slate and Leo, they are probably arguing about something by now. You going to be okay?"

"Yeah. I think I am. Sorry you had to witness that."

"Sarah, you never have to explain yourself to me. Just keep doing what you’re doing to make Leo happy and I’d be willing to forgive anything." She smiles kindly.

"Thank you," I say, returning her smile. Then I clean my face, apply lip gloss, and head back to Leo—needing to feel his touch more than ever.

"Hey, ángel." He stands from his chair as soon as I walk up.

I fold my arms around his waist and fill my lungs with as much of Leo as I can possibly hold. "I’m sorry about all that. That was—"

"The ex-husband. No biggie. Caleb filled me in."

My eyes immediately flash to Caleb, who gives his head the tiniest shake, letting me know that my secrets are still safe.

"Okay then." I slide into the booth with Leo right behind me.

The rest of the evening is spent laughing. I am quiet at first, but the atmosphere at the table is infectious. Caleb and Slate get along like old friends, and Erica is great too. It’s clear why she and Leo are such good friends. She’s really funny. A brief argument ensues at the table as all the guys fight over the check. Finally, it’s Erica who wins. She sneaks out to go to the bathroom and pays for it behind everyone’s backs.





Wednesday at five p.m.


Leo: I can’t make it tonight.

Me: Well, you suck. ;) Want to do lunch tomorrow?

Leo: I’ll let you know.



Thursday at ten a.m.

Me: Lunch?



Nine p.m.

Me: Hey, where you been today? I’ve missed you!



Eleven p.m.

Me: Okay, I’m starting to worry. Did you fall off the face of the Earth? This isn’t like you to not respond.



Friday at eight a.m.

Me: So, are you speaking to me today?



Friday at noon.

Me: I’m not really sure what to do here. I can’t decide if something is wrong or if you’re trying to brush me off. Care to enlighten me?



Friday at six p.m.

Me: Are you kidding me with this? Together, huh? Now, you’re just going to disappear? What a load of shit.



Friday at eight p.m.

IT’S BEEN three days since I last heard from Leo, and for seventy-two hours, I’ve been a bungee cord of emotions. Finally, tonight, I decide to just get pissed and confront him.

"Where’s Leo?" I snap at Aiden as if he has any control over Leo’s being a dick.

"Shit," he cusses under his breath, stepping out from the guard’s desk. "He’s upstairs. But you shouldn’t go up there," he answers and my heart sinks.

"Is he with someone?" I whisper, my hands beginning to tremble at my sides.

"Oh God no!"

"Then why the hell can’t I go up there?"

"He’s…" he starts but doesn’t finish.

"He’s what?"

"He’s just busy. That’s all," he lies unconvincingly.

"Bullshit," I bite out, pulling my security card from my purse.

"Sarah, don’t. He’s not in good shape right now." He grabs my arm to stop me.

I pointedly look down at his hand, which he promptly releases. "What the f*ck is that supposed to mean?"

"Just… Go home and I’ll get him to call you."

"Aiden, don’t screw around with me here. What the hell is going on?"

He shakes his head and toys with one of the gauges in his ear. "Sarah, I don’t talk about his shit any more than I would talk about yours. Just know that this happens occasionally. Just give him a day or two. He’ll snap out of it. He always does."

"While I appreciate your discretion, I’m going up there regardless of whether you tell me or not. So I’m going to highly encourage you to do both Leo and me favor and give me a heads-up about what the hell I’m going to find up there."