Changing Course (Wrecked and Ruined #1)(16)

"Excuse me? Did you just say the F-word to me?" I say in disbelief and anger. "What the heck did I do that was so wrong? I thought it would be fun to go to the game together, but I'm sorry I even asked you now. So you can just calm down and wipe the crazy ogre look off your face. I officially withdraw my offer. I'm sure you have better things to do, and other people to swear at. You are a jerk, Brett Sharp. No, you are more than a jerk, you’re a...whatever...you’re something worse than a jerk!" I finish on a shout, only pausing to catch my breath.

"Caleb, any chance you are free on Sunday? I happen to have two tickets to the Bears game." I turn, very matter-of-factly looking at Caleb. Why I asked him, I have no idea. It just came out of my mouth. Maybe it was some hopeful plan to make Brett so jealous that he realizes he can't live without me, thus sweeping me off my feet and heading straight to the wedding chapel. I've seen that work a few times in the movies. It could totally happen here.

"He'd love to," Brett says before slamming his coffee down on the table and walking out the door. Well, okay then. I assume since Brett just fixed me up on a date with his best friend, I should officially accept that he doesn't want to go out with me. Which reminds me, I need to google the quickest route to Oklahoma.

"I'm sorry about that." I hear Caleb say as he slumps in his chair. "Damn it," he grits through his teeth while grabbing the back of his neck.

"No need to apologize, I shouldn't have asked him out. It's obvious he isn't interested. I...I um, I don't know." I lean down picking up the chair Brett knocked over. I sit down feeling defeated.

"That wasn't about you Jess." I look up and see Caleb's face paled and looking like a lost child.

"Are you okay?" I know I probably shouldn't have asked. It's really none of my business, but seeing this man so torn up makes me need to help him though. It's not my fault I was born a nurturer.

"Yeah. No. Shit!" He sighs, obviously overwhelmed by the simple question.

"What was that all about?"

"That was me being a dick. Ugh, he should have punched me."

"What? No he shouldn't have! I'm sorry there is nothing you could have said that would have warranted being hit by your best friend."

"I told him his wife was supposed to die."

"Oh, well in that case you deserve to be kicked too. Wait," his words suddenly hit me. "Brett's married?"

"No, no. He's not married," he says, shaking his head.

"You just said ‘his wife.’ Is he divorced?"

"No. Look, I shouldn't have said anything. He doesn't," he pauses looking off to the side. “I mean he's not...um, well he's not currently in a relationship." He slides his eyes back over to mine.

Something's not right with this answer. So I squint my eyes questioningly, letting him know I don't believe him. But my glare doesn't seem to faze him in the least. He just stares back and I think I may even detect a twitch at corner of his mouth as if he is trying to force back a smile.

"Alright, I need to go apologize to him. He'll meet you at the game on Sunday."

"No way! I am not volunteering to embarrass myself again. Just tell him I said to forget all about it, and I'll see you guys next time you come in."

"He's interested, Jess."

"Yeah, okay, sure. I'm not buying it." I roll my eyes.

"It's been a while since Brett has been out with anyone. You have to be patient with him."

"How is that even possible? The man is hot." I slap my hands over my mouth as my face turns red at my slip up. But if Caleb notices my embarrassment he doesn't mention it. I'm starting to think I'm obsessing over the wrong cop.

"Let's just say, he's had a lot on his plate recently."

"Well, after the way he reacted today, I'm pretty sure he doesn't want to add me to that plate."

"Brett insists that we meet at Nell's tiny coffee shop, which is several miles out of our way, every Monday through Thursday. He might be a shit cook, but I'm pretty sure he could manage to make his own fruit and granola every morning. Or at the very least, buy it from a shop closer to the station."

"Um, okay," I say confused by his change in conversation.

"Do you want to know why we only come in Monday through Thursday, Jesse?" I nod, sucking in a deep breath through my nose, suddenly aware where he is going with this.

He smiles at me and motions me to lean closer as if he was going to tell me a secret, and whispers into my ear, “Because you don't work Fridays." I sit frozen as he stands and heads to the door. "We may not be here tomorrow or Thursday, but he will definitely be at the game on Sunday. He's interested Jess, he just doesn't know what to do with that yet." And with that, he strides out the door.





Brett

I CAN'T believe that I let Caleb talk me into this. After I showed my ass at the coffee shop on Tuesday, I've been avoiding Jesse all together. The vending machine at the station has been my only source of breakfast for the last two days. I polished off my supply of protein bars early leaving me starving in the mornings. I tried to send Caleb to get me my usual fruit and granola from Nell's, but he refused. He then proceeded to lecture me for forty-five minutes about how I needed to “man up and face Jesse”. For a best friend, he is completely worthless. It's all his fault I'm even in this situation to begin with.