Changing Course (Wrecked and Ruined #1)(71)

The corner of the picture is slightly worn where someone frequently handles it. It may have been hidden, but it's obvious he looks at it often. I get an idea and quickly slide it into my purse.

"You okay, Jess?" Caleb draws my attention away from grand-theft-photo.

"Yeah, I'm great. Why do you ask?" I try to be smooth.

"Because I just watched you steal Brett's prize possession."

"I...I just..." I stumble over my words.

"It's okay, baby girl. I don't blame you. It's a really good picture. We'll get some copies made while we're out. He'll lose his shit if that thing's missing for more than thirty seconds. I'll put it back for you later."

"Thank you," I rush out a breath.

"Let's go, we have some ugly non-scuffing shoes to buy!" he mocks excitement, and I punch him in the shoulder.



CALEB AND I must have gone to every store in town that offered bowling accessories. They either didn't have size fifteen shoes or the selection was beyond hideous. It got to the point where Caleb would walk into a store and say, "Show me what you have in a size fifteen." They would bring us two or three pairs and we would sneak a peek, then move on. Two hours later, we finally hit the last athletic store in a fifty mile radius.

"That's them!" I scream as the sales girl holds out a kick-butt pair of black and blue checkered shoes. "Please say you like them?" I turn to Caleb waiting for the final verdict.

"Sold!" He slams his hand down on the counter.

Exhausted by the day, I jump around thrilled we finally found something. I only have five days left until Christmas, so ordering online was out of the question. I should have planned this better, but I was waiting for my most recent paycheck to spend on Brett's big Christmas gift. Fortunately for me, these are way better than any shoes I would have picked out from just a picture online.

I launch myself into Caleb's arms, ecstatic and grateful for his help, "Thank you. Thank you. Thank you."

"Jesse, I didn't make them."

"I know, but I probably would have given up four stores ago if you hadn't been here to help."

"Alright, alright. You’re welcome. Now let’s get out of here, I need to get back to work."

"Wait, we still have to stop and get the pictures."

"I couldn't forget that," he winks.

"Caleb, earlier...you said that picture was Brett's prize possession."

"Yeah, it is," he answers quickly. "He thinks he's being sly and no one can see him sliding it from under his keyboard two hundred times a day, but we're all just so f*cking happy for him that we don't call him out on it."

"I told him I love him," I confess. Caleb may be Brett's best friend, but he's safe. He won't share my secrets. But hopefully he will share some of Brett's.

"Really! How did he react to that?" Caleb says shocked.

"He doesn't exactly feel the same way," I shrug, pretending it doesn't break my heart every time I think about it.

"Give him some time. He's a good guy."

"So everyone keeps telling me."

"Do you need a Brett pep talk?" he teases, expecting me to punch him in the arm again.

"Maybe," I squeak out honestly.

"Jesus..." He looks around to make sure no one is listening. Whenever someone does that, you know it's always good information they are about to share.

"He hasn't seen Sarah in over three weeks."

"WHAT?!" I shriek. He disappears every Thursday. I just assumed he would be with her.

"For the last few weeks we have been meeting for drinks."

"Why isn't he seeing Sarah?"

"She froze him out. Won't open the door. He's been sending over caretakers who she surprisingly lets in, so he knows she's okay. She just doesn't want to see him."

"Well that's good she is letting someone in," I say relieved. Why should I care about her? Oh that's right, because Brett loves her, or loved her, or... heck, I don't know. I've never bothered to actually ask.

"Baby girl, I don't want to fill your head with false reassurance. Sure, he and I talk, but I'm not in his head. I've seen him through a lot of stuff, but this thing with you two is new territory for us. Did he ever tell you about how we became friends again?”

"Again? I had no idea you two were ever not friends."

"We exchanged a few punches at Manda's funeral." At the very mention of her name Caleb pauses for a second too long. I don't rush him, but I recognize this isn't a conversation we should have in the checkout line of Al's Sporting Goods. I hold up my finger asking for one minute, and hurry to the register to pay.

When we get back to his truck, I turn to him and see sad eyes. I know I'm asking him to relive something tragic, but I need help. Caleb is my only connection to Brett.

"Okay, now keep going."

He lets out a loud breath, then bares it all.

"Blows were thrown at Manda's funeral. It was the hardest day of my life, and I used Brett as my punching bag. Physically and emotionally. The love of my life was gone, while Sarah sat sipping soda in a hospital across town. I lost everything, and f*cking Brett escaped with only a few scratches. Sarah caused that wreck. She was drunk and decided to drive my girl home. She killed her because she was too damn lazy to wait for me and Brett, or even just call a cab. I'll never in a million years forgive her. I know she's all f*cked up now, but part of me thinks she deserves it. Brett doesn't deserve this though, and he's gotten the brunt of her issues.