Broken Course (Wrecked and Ruined #3)(67)

"Well, I know you. I didn’t want to give you enough time to think of an excuse. Now, tell me you’re still coming. Collin would be so disappointed if you—"

"Fine! I’ll come," I resign and Emma actually squeals.

"Okay! Love you! Bye." She quickly hangs up before I can change my mind.

I toss the phone on the counter, and just as Emma predicted, I begin trying to think of excuses why I don’t have to go.

"Hey, ángel," Leo says as he walks into my apartment.

"Do you think we could make a quick stop at that little Mexican restaurant we went to on our first date?"

"The one that gave us food poisoning? Have you lost your mind?"

"No, it’s just that food poisoning would be the perfect excuse to get out of Collin’s party."

"I thought you were looking forward to this? You made me wait for an hour the other night because you couldn’t find the perfect wrapping paper."

"Hey, if my boy wants trucks, then trucks he shall have!"

He chuckles before leaning in to kiss me. "What’s going on? Why the sudden change?"

"Jesse’s best friend is going to be at the party. She’s dating Emma’s best friend, who’s up from Savannah just for the party."

"Jesus, you people really keep it all in the family."

"Right? That’s what I said."

"You nervous about seeing her?" Leo walks behind me and begins massaging my shoulders.

"I guess. I’m not sure why though. Maybe I’m more embarrassed than anything else."

"When I was in middle school, I had to give this speech in front of the whole class. I got so nervous that, as soon as I opened my mouth, I puked all over my shoes. I know it’s not quite the same thing, but I know you’re a puker, so I just wanted to tell you to at least aim for the carpet instead of my favorite heels."

I bust out laughing. "I think you might be the strangest man I have ever met."

"But it worked, didn’t it?" He kisses my neck and folds his arms around my waist.

"A little bit. Thank you."

"No. Thank you. I plan on f*cking you with those heels on tonight. I’m going to need them to stay vomit-free," he responds making me laugh again.



WHEN WE pull up to Emma’s house, the butterflies begin again. Leo doesn’t tell me any more stories, but as we walk to the door, he grabs my hand and gives it a reassuring squeeze.

"Just breathe, ángel. I won’t leave your side. I promise."

I tentatively nod and knock on the door.

"Sawah!" Collin screams as soon as Caleb opens the door.

"He’s been waiting for you." He passes Collin over to me and extends a hand to Leo.

"Happy birthday, buddy!" I begin tickling Collin and blowing raspberries on his cheeks.

"Oh God, don’t hype him up any more than he already is. Caleb let him have a cupcake for breakfast," Emma says.

"It was a muffin with a candle," Caleb calls out in defense.

"Oh hush. It had icing. That makes it cupcake," she responds as Collin launches himself into her arms.

"Mommy! Sawah!" he says, pointing over at me.

"I see her. Come on. Let’s go put her present on the table." Emma grabs the skillfully wrapped gift from my hand and walks into the other room.

I glance up at Leo to find the oddest expression on his face. I give him a questioning look, but he just shakes his head.

"Hey hey!" I hear Alex greet as he walks into the room.

"Hi." Releasing Leo’s hand, I throw my arms around Alex's neck. I grew up with him, but when I moved to Chicago for college, we lost touch. He’s a quiet guy, but once you get to know him, he is chatty as all get-out. Now that Emma lives here too, Alex and Hunter come to visit quite a bit. I make it a point to see him every time he comes.

"How are you, hon?" he asks warmly.

"Good. Really good," I answer honestly. "Alex, this is my boyfriend, Leo. Leo, this is my old friend, Alex."

"You need a job?" Leo asks randomly, and I can’t help but give him a crazy glance. "You’re a big dude. Seriously. You need work?" He digs in his back pocket and pulls out a card.

"I live in Savannah. That’d be one hell of a commute." Alex grins but tucks the card in his wallet.

"Well, if you change your mind, you give me a call. But yeah, nice to meet you."

I laugh and Leo looks down at me.

"Hey, I need more men. Size is half the requirement in my business."

"Of course." I smile patronizingly.

"Oh. My. God." I hear a woman’s voice I don’t recognize and my stomach drops. Kara. Judging by the tone of her voice, I fully expected to look up and find a disgusted look on her face. However, when my eyes meet hers, she’s not looking at me at all. She’s staring at Leo.

"All right. Girl time!" she announces, walking forward and grabbing my arm.

"Um…I’m good." I tug my arm away and lean into Leo.

He steps between us and very obviously pulls me into his side farthest away from her. "Hi. I’m Leo."

"That was hot," she whispers. "Hi. I’m Kara Reed. Can I borrow your girlfriend for a minute?"