Changing Course (Wrecked and Ruined #1)(78)

It was Wednesday afternoon and I was doing Brett's grocery shopping. He gave up on me making the list a few weeks ago, and just started giving me his credit card so I could do the shopping myself. At first I was a little uncomfortable spending his money, but the third time he brought home cottage cheese instead of cream cheese I snatched his card and walked out.

Today was a very adventurous trip to the store. I'm focused on the row of spices, trying to figure out the lowest price on garlic powder when someone plows into me.

"Shit! I'm so sorry. I wasn't paying attention. Jesse?" I see a woman with black hair who I vaguely recognize.

"Ummm...yes," I respond questioningly. I should know this woman, but I can't seem to place her face.

"Sarah Sharp, remember?" she says, filling in the blank and making my skin curl.

"Oh, um...hey," I say, turning back to the shelf, hoping she'll walk away.

"Do you live around here?"

"Yeah, just down the street," I clip in her direction.

"Hey, while you're here let me ask you a question. I'm making Brett a big anniversary dinner tomorrow, and I was wondering if you know a good side dish to go with the steaks I'm making?" Seriously, I must be confused, there is no way Sarah is standing here asking me for recipes.

"Um...what?"

"Brett loves my cooking, but tomorrow is our anniversary so I want to do something special. You know, spice things up a little." She laughs a hollow sound that sends chills down my spine.

"Um, baked potatoes?" I mumble then push my cart forward trying unsuccessfully to get away from her.

"Jesse, I think we got off on the wrong foot. Let's start over." She sounds sincere making me pause only long enough to see the sarcastic smile on her face.

Last time I came face to face with her, she ran the show. She pushed my buttons and tortured me with information about her and Brett. I've tried to forget about her, but you can't pretend someone doesn't exist when they are coldly mocking you in the middle of a grocery store. I'm not going to let her pull this crap again.

"Sarah, I have no recipes to share with you, nor do I have any desire to kiss and make up. You can make whatever the heck you want to tomorrow, but just know that at the end of the night he will be in my bed."

Was it dirty to say that to her? Heck yes! Did it feel better than winning the lottery? Heck yes! Did it hurt like crazy when she slapped me across the face? Hell yes!

"You f*cking whore! You think Brett cares about you? Well guess what bitch...he loves me. He always has and always will. The difference between me and you is I have him and you never will."

"Right." I try to walk away, my face still stinging, but apparently Sarah wasn't finished yet. She yanks my arm digging her fingernails into my flesh and snatches me around to once again face her.

"Stay the f*ck away from my husband," she says, finding the chink in my armor. My husband.

As bad as her words hurt, I know this is a worthless conversation. Sarah isn't just damaged, she's destroyed. I'm not arguing with a sane woman. She's delusional and manipulative. No verbal sparring is going to win this argument. This time I don't cower though. I'm done with that. We both know Brett is mine. Heck, everyone but Brett knows that. This conversation is about her.

"Sarah Erickson," I purposely use her maiden name. Yeah, that fancy new laptop Brett got me may have googled her. "I am going to pretend you didn't just put your hands me. I am going to pretend you didn't just call me a bitch. Hell, I'm even willing to forget you followed me here today." This little chance meeting is too much of a coincidence for her not to have followed me. I don't have time to really let that sink in though. "I'm not, however, willing to let go of the fact that you think this is somehow a competition between the two of us. Sarah, you need help. You need to talk to a counselor, and you need to visit Manda and once and for all let go of your guilt."

This time I see it coming. She slings a closed fist at my face but I duck, causing her to knock down a spice display. I keep talking because she needs to hear this. I'm probably not the right person to tell her, but she definitely needs to hear it.

"You need to take care of yourself Sarah. You may not know it, but people love you. I know bad things have happened to you, but for Christ sake... just let someone in. You are not alone in this. There may have only been one funeral, but four people died in that car. You're not alone." I repeat the last sentence for good measure.

As I walk away I fully expect to be pegged in the back of the head with canned vegetables. Surprisingly, it never happens. I leave the cart filled with groceries and walk directly to my car. As the adrenalin rush wears out, I begin to shake. I want to call to Brett, but I know this whole situation will only cause him more heartache. I remember words from months earlier.

If you see her again, you call me immediately. Not Brett. You call me.

I pick up the phone and dial Caleb instead. "Where are you?" I say as soon as he picks up the phone.

"Where are you, baby girl?" he responds flirtatiously.

"I just ran into Sarah at the grocery store."

"Fuck! Where are you, seriously?" he says, scarily concerned.

"Harps on St. Charles."

"Drive across the street and wait for me. Do not go home under any circumstances, got it?"