Broken Course (Wrecked and Ruined #3)(57)

I laugh humorlessly. "I think I’ve got that covered. Thanks for stopping by."

"I’m here because I wanted to reach out and tell you all the ways I f*cked up so you don’t make the same mistakes. It’s been seven years since that wreck, and we’ve all gotten better. Well, everyone but Sarah. She’s been stuck in this holding pattern, yet it appears you made her better…even for just a minute.

"You have to understand, Sarah was always high strung. She was wild—always the first to be dancing on the bar or fluttering around socially. It was hard for me when she changed. I tried so hard to make her the woman I remembered. And you know what it did? It drove her away."

"Gosh, as enlightening as this has been, I didn’t know Sarah before any of this, so I’m not trying to make her anyone she isn’t."

"No, you’re missing what I’m saying. I tried. There was nothing natural about it. Whatever the hell you did in that restaurant wasn’t forced and she responded to it."

"Yeah, well, things have changed since then." I grab the back of my neck and let out a loud exhale.

"Well, fix it," he says simply. "Leo, there’s an invisible chain that has bound the six of us together since the wreck. When I met Jesse, it severed a link. Emma snapped one and then Eli’s betrayal shattered another. However, there’s one left. And I need you to break it. Sarah deserves a happy ending too, and I’m going to need you to give that to her."

"No pressure, right?" I laugh then swallow hard. Fuck, I want to give that to her too.

"No one’s been able to touch Sarah in seven years. Don’t f*ck this up. I spent a third of my life with Sarah Erickson, and when she loves, she loves harder than anything you have ever experienced. However, your problem is going to be making her remember that."

"Damn it, I’m trying!" I yell, causing Brett to shake his head.

He walks to the door and pauses just before he passes me. "Then stop. I’m assuming you weren’t trying before. Don’t f*cking start now." And without another glance, he walks out my door, ending the weirdest virtually one-sided conversation I have ever experienced in my life.

Just as the door clicks, I snatch up my phone and call Johnson. He’s only downstairs, but I need to talk to someone—preferably someone who hasn’t slept with Sarah.

"Yo."

"Would you leave her alone?"

"Erica?"

"No, *. Sarah. Tell me I’m wrong for giving her space."

"Would you be doubting it if Sharp hadn't just been up there?"

"Probably," I answer honestly.

"Then yeah, you’re probably doing the wrong thing."

I let out a long string of expletives and snatch my keys off the table next to the door. "Does Slate need you this week?"

"Nope. They are laying low until Erica has the baby."

"I’ll be gone for a few days. I just finished payroll, so things should be smooth."

"I won’t let it explode, I swear." He laughs and I can hear it as I step off the elevator. He meets me as I walk to the car.

"Will you close down the house? I’m sure I left every light on."

"No problem. Hey, can I say something without you being a prick?"

"Right now? Probably not," I snark.

"Oh well. I guess I’ll take that chance. Leo, I can almost guarantee she’s overthinking all of this. All her gears are probably spinning, but none in the right direction. If you want any type of future with Sarah, this is the time to lay it all out there."

"I know," I answer curtly.

"No. I mean all of it," he reiterates.





"OH MY God!" I hear Sarah scream, causing me to jump to my feet.


"Jesus Christ. Shhh."

"What the f*ck are you doing here? You scared me to death."

"Change of plans. You parked your ass at my apartment for days while I worked through my shit. I’m here to do the same."

"Leo, it’s two a.m. Go home," she says calmly.

"Nah. I’m good, thanks. We don’t spend nearly enough time here. Your couch is actually really comfortable." I recline back down, propping my feet on the coffee table.

"You have lost your f*cking mind. Get out," she demands with attitude creeping into her voice.

"You got anything to eat?" I ask, and for a brief second, I think her eyes might pop out of her head.

"Are you kidding me here? What the hell is wrong with you? Get. Out," she snaps right alongside her temper.

She’s beautiful when she’s pissed. And also a tad bit scary. I decide to stick with being a smartass. She’ll have to laugh eventually. Hopefully.

"Jesus, calm down. I didn’t eat dinner. It’s not the end of the world."

"I’m not doing this with you. Get the f*ck out of my apartment or I swear to God…" Her chest begins to heave.

"I’m not going home. I miss you."

"Well, I don’t miss you. Now, leave," she bites out.

Even though I’m relatively sure she’s lying, it still feels like a punch to the stomach. But I refuse to back down. I have my mind set on making this right, and I can be stubborn as hell when I need to be.