Broken Course (Wrecked and Ruined #3)(72)

"Oh, coffee sounds great. I’ll go with you." I smile and pat Leo’s arm. He needs a few minutes alone with Erica, and it doesn’t appear that Slate is going to leave her side often.

"Grab me some too." He kisses my forehead before going back into Erica’s room.

"So, how bad did he flip the f*ck out earlier?" Slate asks as soon as the door clicks.

"Um, well…it wasn’t terrible. But seeing her in pain really affected him," I respond evasively. I feel bad talking about Leo behind his back, but I don’t exactly want to hide his struggles from the people who love him either.

"Right." He nods, not bothering to look at me. "Did Leo ever tell you that I used to have a real issue with their relationship?"

"No," I answer shortly. I’m unsure, yet very concerned, about where this conversation might be headed.

"Well, I had a big problem with it at first. I’ve heard Leo told you about their past." He glances over at me questioningly.

"He did." I once again give nothing away.

"Come on, Sarah. You have to admit it’s a weird friendship they have." He stops walking and turns to face me. His expression is kind, but his words are starting to annoy me.

"No. I don’t think it is. Sometimes, your only choice is to stick to the people who truly understand. It’s easier than opening up to those who don’t." I lift an eyebrow with a little attitude, causing Slate to grin.

"Is that why you and Leo are together?" he asks bluntly.

My eyes snap to his. I guess it’s not surprising that Slate and Erica know about my past as well. To hear Leo tell it, I had a big impact on his life back then. But his question still catches me off guard.

"I…uh…" I stutter, not exactly sure how to answer. I like to think that our pasts aren’t the only reason we are together. However, it might be the reason I truly fell in love with him. He gets me and accepts me for who I am. God, I love him for that.

"Leo needs you."

"No, he doesn’t, but I’m more than happy to stay anyway," I inform him.

Slate’s smile widens a fraction of an inch, and I decide to close the conversation.

"Erica and Leo’s relationship is unconventional, but it’s real. I think, fifty years from now, they will still be close. And it’s not because they have some twisted dependency on each other. I don’t disagree with you that it might be how it started, but every day, I think it evolves. In my eyes, they are just two people who bonded over a shared experience, but isn’t that how all friendships start? Just because it was something ugly that brought them together doesn’t make the bond any less pure." I begin to walk away.

I didn’t exactly intend to be a bitch with my parting words, but I have a feeling that’s exactly how it came off. Slate struck a nerve with this conversation though. I’m well aware of how Erica and Leo feel because my relationship with Casey has been scrutinized by everyone who knows our story. This all just hits a little too close to home for me.

I hear Slate bark out a laugh from behind me as I march away. With one giant step forward, he catches up and grabs my arm to stop me.

"Sarah, I agree with you now. So stop getting upset. This isn’t what I was trying to say at all. You have no idea how f*cking happy it makes me to hear you say all this. The truth can be a little overwhelming with those two, and I wanted to make sure that it doesn’t intimidate you. I like you with Leo. I think you are really good for him. I just wanted to make sure your head was in the right place and you don’t view Erica as some sort of competition."

"No, not at all. I mean, maybe I did that first night I heard them on the phone together," I say sheepishly.

"I can’t blame you there, but you have no idea what a relief it is for me to hear all this from you. See, if you give Leo hell about spending time with Erica, she’s going to, in turn, give me hell about…well everything." He scratches the back of his head.

"I promise. I’m okay with all of it. You don’t need to worry about me." I smile reassuringly and it seems to sink in.

"Okay, coffee. Come on. My treat." He holds the hospital cafeteria door open and motions for me to enter.





Two weeks later….


"WHAT DO you think about moving in with me?" I ask Sarah over the computer during our Thursday night chat. Broaching this topic over a video chat while I’m in LA is probably not my most romantic move, but I couldn’t wait any longer.

I’ve been thinking about it for weeks now. We stay together most nights, but a few times a week, she goes home to clean her apartment or get more clothes. Slowly, the contents of her closet have been trickling their way over to my place. First, it was just some shampoo and pajamas. But it gradually became more. Now that she’s working for me, it’s not too hard to convince her to spend the night at my place.

"Seriously?" she asks, surprised.

"Yeah, seriously," I laugh. "Don’t look at me like that."

"Leo, we haven’t been seeing other each that long."

"You planning on breaking up with me anytime soon?" I ask, leaning back against the bed, suddenly wishing I hadn’t blurted this out tonight. I’ll be home tomorrow. I should have done it then when I could have coerced her with my body. Mmm, her body.