Broken Course (Wrecked and Ruined #3)(84)

I look at the ground and wish I had just gone to Emma. She at least would have sugarcoated the lecture.

"So, tell me this. Did Leo lie to you or did he just decide not to deal with his own shit?" He quirks an eyebrow as my chin begins to quiver.

"He was paying child support," I answer as some sort of proof, but it only supports Caleb’s theory.

"Well, good. That makes me respect him at least."

"He could have told me. How am I supposed to marry a man who just leaves out details this big?"

"As I recall, it took you months to tell him your bullshit. If he didn’t know all about it, you think you would have just dumped it all on him over coffee one day?"

"No, but I sure as shit wouldn’t have proposed to him without telling him everything," I bite out.

Caleb releases a loud sigh. "What’s your gut say? You think he’s some big * who purposely duped you or do you think he f*cked up big time but really f*cking needs you right about now?"

I drop my chin to my chest and fight back the waterworks. "What if there’s more? I feel like I’m in the dark. I hate surprises, and Leo James had been nothing but." I sniffle.

"That’s life, Sarah," he announces. "You’re going to have to learn to roll with the punches or that bitch will beat you down in no time."

"Well aren’t you poetic," I say sarcastically.

"You remember that day Collin was born. You gave me this whole speech about our lives coming full circle. Could this be the point that closes your own circle? You found a man who accepts you for exactly who you are. Now you just have to be willing to do the same."

"Jesus Christ, where the f*ck did you come from? Does Emma know you get all deep like this?"

"Nope. And I’d appreciate it if you didn’t mention it." He smirks.

"I don’t know if I can do this."

"Just listen to yourself. You’re more concerned that Leo was dealing with his own issues instead of telling you all about it. I’m not saying he’s right, but I am saying your spat can be dealt with after he gets that little girl somewhere safe. If you are going to commit to being part of Leo’s life, she’s going to need you too."

"Oh my God." I panic when that little realization hits me. "I can’t be someone’s stepmom."

"Good, because now that her real mom is gone, she’s probably going to need more than that."

"Stop!" I shout as my heart begins to race. Surely, Manda of all people would understand if I puked on her grave.

"Okay, okay. How about you just start with supporting Leo and worry about your relationship with the kid later."

I take a few deep breaths. "Yeah, that makes more sense."

"So, should I start cleaning out the guest room for you to move in?" He tosses me his signature smirk.





ONE PHONE call, two plane tickets, and three hours later, I’m halfway to having a daughter. Although I guess in reality I’ve had a daughter for a while now. From what the Department of Child Services in Texas told me, when I arrive tomorrow, it should be an easy process. As her legal father, there isn’t a ton of paperwork to be done or a long, drawn-out custody battle to be won. Basically, I show up and they give me a pink bundle of joy. Or, in my case, knowing her mother, a sassy-mouthed five-year-old.


As soon as Sarah left, I called Emma and let her know that she was gone…again. She didn’t ask any questions and I didn’t provide any answers. I just needed to know that Sarah was safe. She can hate me all she wants, but I love her. That will never change. Deep down, I don’t believe for a single second that things are over for me and Sarah, but that doesn’t make the hole she left behind any less unbearable.

I’m terrified of how I’m going to manage to be a full-time father. I don’t know the first thing about kids. Much less how to deal with one after something as traumatic as losing her mother. I can’t imagine what she has been through for the last week, and that alone has managed to snap me out of my usual doom-and-gloom spiral. For once since my life changed, I feel like I’m actually doing the right thing. No matter how much it scares me.

After packing a small bag, I try to call Sarah one last time. She’s been gone for just over five hours and I ache for her already. I didn’t lie to her when I proposed. We’re better together. Alone, the what-ifs become overwhelming and tomorrows seem impossible, but with one embrace, she makes even the most difficult parts of life seem manageable. While I don’t want her to fix this for me, I’d give anything to just have her at my side while I navigate the winding path to right the wrong.

I head for the shower with only the visions of blue eyes and blond hair preventing me from breaking down completely. As I stand in front of the mirror, I take a hard look at the same man I saw this morning, but for some reason, I now no longer recognize him. Let’s just hope that’s a good thing.

Tomorrow’s a big day, and I’m completely exhausted. I wrap a towel around my waist and head into my room with big plans for a date with the backs of my eyelids. I don’t make it two steps into the room before I’m suddenly very awake.

Sitting in the dark on the edge of my bed is the most beautiful sight I have ever seen. Her cheeks are tear stained, but her shoulders are squared and confident.