Changing Course (Wrecked and Ruined #1)(18)

"The other day at Nell's. I was out of line. I had no right to talk to you like that."

"You're right you didn't, but I accept your apology. Thank you."

She takes a sip of her beer turning back to the game just in time to see kick-off. Wow, that was easy. Sarah would have given me absolute hell for hours before finally accepting my apology. Jesse, however, just sits there sipping her beer, peering out of the box's glass windows as the Bears move the ball down the field. No sign of residual anger whatsoever. Interesting. Okay, I guess that part is over, now on to the hard stuff.

"Jesse." I touch her arm to catch her attention.

When she smiles over at me, clearly enjoying the game, I'm floored by how breathtaking she looks. I'm not going to lie, I've noticed that Jesse is attractive. I am a man after all. She's actually really cute. So tiny and innocent. That’s not usually the type I go for, but since I met her a few months ago at Nell's, I've felt some sort of draw to her. It wasn't a sexual attraction, though. The way I feel about her is a lot like the way you would feel for your best friend’s little sister. You know, the one who makes you laugh and you enjoy spending time with, but you tend to think of her as one of the guys more than a woman you would like to see naked. Right now, though, in this tight-ass dress with her long chestnut brown hair draped across her shoulders, legs crossed showing off those incredible boots and faintly tanned thighs, there is no way anyone could describe her as anything but sexy. So, before I have a chance to do something stupid like bending her over the seat and f*cking her through the second quarter, I spit out the words that are sure to drive her away.

"I'm married."



Jesse

DAMN! I know I said that I don't curse, but if the moment your date tells you he’s actually married isn't the perfect moment to start, I'm not sure when is.

I stare at him for a second before gathering the courage to respond. "Can you excuse me for a minute? I need to use the ladies room." So I can burst into tears in private. Thankfully, I don't say the last part out loud.

"No, wait please."

"I'll be right back. I just drank that beer too fast." I lie as I quickly rise to my feet, ready to all but run out of the box.

"Jess, wait!" Brett shouts as he follows me. I don't slow down. I have to get away for a few minutes to collect my thoughts, and more importantly, my emotions.

How did I not see this coming? Caleb said something the other day about Brett's wife, but I just assumed he was talking about an ex-wife. He specifically told me Brett was not in a relationship. Last I checked, a marriage definitely counts as a relationship.

"Wait!" I hear as Brett grabs my arm and turns me to face him. I know I'm on the verge of tears, so I avoid his eyes by digging through my purse.

"That's really sweet, but I'll be right back. You don't have walk me to the bathroom." I laugh, unconvincingly even to my own ears.

"Just give me a chance to explain."

"You don't have to explain anything to me," I say quietly, dropping my hands to my side, abandoning the imaginary mission in my purse. Not sure I can look him in the eyes without opening the flood gates, I just stare down at my shoes.

"Yes, I do. I feel like I did something that accidentally led you on. That wasn't my intention at all. I think you're a great girl, it's just that my life is such a mess."

"Don't apologize. You didn't do anything wrong." I take a deep breath, finally raising my gaze to meet his. I have no reason to be hurt right now, but that doesn't change the fact that I am. I need to remind myself that he didn't ask me out on this so called date. There is no one to blame for this fiasco except myself, and maybe Kara for forcing me out of the house in this ridiculous dress. Fantastic, I'm dressed like a slut and out on a date with a married man. This just keeps getting better and better. I can't even aim my frustration at Brett. He got sucked into this the same way I did. I asked him to the game, and his best friend made him come. His stupid, lying best friend.

"I'm going to kill Caleb Jones," I mumble under my breath.

"Huh?" He looks confused as I start to get mad.

"Nothing, I just hope you aren't overly attached to Caleb, because I plan to strangle him next time I see him."

"I know that feeling all too well. What did good 'ole Detective Jones do to you?" he laughs.

"He told me you weren't in a relationship," I sigh. "Look, I'm really sorry about all this. This was supposed to be fun, and now it's weird. Can we just forget all this happened? Maybe go back in time to last week before I made a total fool of myself? I had no idea you were married. You don't wear a ring, so I just assumed. Anyway... you can go if you want. I'm sure your wife isn't happy about you being out with another woman right now."

"What else did Caleb tell you?" Brett says in a tone so harsh it could wound, causing me to take a step backwards.

"Nothing. Nothing at all!" I backtrack, trying to figure out the reason behind his sudden mood swing.

Replaying the conversation in my head, I come up empty handed. I have no idea what has set him off this time. It's probably best if I just cut my losses and leave now. He is already going to think I'm a fool, but the least I can do is not confirm it.