Changing Course (Wrecked and Ruined #1)(80)

"Yes, because me calling Caleb is the big issue here, not the fact that your wife," I purposely leave off the ex-part. It makes my blood boil that they are still married. I'm not letting him brush it under the rug either, "followed me to the grocery store, telling me that you were hers, and asking for recipes to cook for your anniversary dinner tomorrow. Obviously, I'm focusing on completely the wrong part." I push up my sleeve revealing the hidden bruises where Sarah grabbed my arm. "I'm sorry, I thought these were somehow the important part."

"What the f*ck? You didn't tell me about those!" Caleb yells and Brett sucks in a deep breath. They must look pretty bad because the rage on both men’s faces is unmistakable.

Whatever. I don't care anymore.

"Brett, I want to go home. Then you two can handle this whole Sarah thing on your own. It's obvious I don't need to be involved." I grab my purse and head to the door, not waiting to see if Brett follows.

We ride to my house in silence. Brett walks me to my door and kisses me on the head. He leaves without a single word spoken. We may not be speaking, but I didn't want him to leave. I'm not willing to put my pride aside and stop him though. He ticked me off with his reaction. This was not at all the way that conversation was supposed to go, but they seldom go as planned for us.



I DECIDE to call it a night. Grabbing a beer and a book, I head to the bath tub. I'll feel better after a long soak, and some smutty romance. Two hours and an empty hot water heater later, I crawl into bed. I'd be lying if I said my mind didn't drift to the day as I stared at the ceiling. Sarah doesn't scare me. She just needs help. I'm in no position to give that to her. Maybe I'll break my personal denial rule, and talk to Brett about getting her the help she so desperately needs.

I think the best part of the day is the way I felt when Brett left. Or maybe it's the way I didn't feel. I wasn't paralyzed with fear that I'd never see him again. Or that this fight would make him realize he doesn't need any extra drama in his life. Silly as it sounds, those thoughts are always going through my head. Today, when they should have been running rampant, I felt content. Brett and I had a fight. It wasn't earth shattering. It wasn't the end. It was just a fight. It actually makes me smile as I fade off into sleep, feeling like we are finally a real couple.

Minutes later I'm startled awake when a man crawls into my bed. I dart out of the bed terrified, but he grabs me before I make it far.

"Shhh, it's just me, gorgeous." Even with the adrenalin coursing thought my body, I melt into his arms.

"Hey," I say rolling to face him.

He doesn't waste any time before apologizing. "I'm sorry. I was an ass...again. It scared the shit out of me that once again Sarah hurt you, and this time physically. I took it out on you, I'll try harder next time placing my anger where it really belongs."

"I know," I sigh.

"Fuck Jesse, don't let me off the hook so easily. I feel like a jerk, this would be a lot easier if you yelled at me."

I reach out running my hands through his thick hair, placing a soft kiss on his lips. "You really were a jerk, but I don't want to yell at you."

I kiss him again. He takes charge and glides his warm tongue into my mouth. He grabs my butt and pulls it tighter against his growing erection. His hand snakes up under my shirt, and we both groan when his hand finds my bare breast. I want this to go further, but I promised myself I'd finally talk to him about Sarah.

"Brett, wait. We need to talk."

"Do we have to?" He rakes his teeth across my ear, just the way he knows I like it.

"Yes," I say firmly, but immediately regretting it when he rolls away.

"Okay, gorgeous, let's talk."

Crap, I really have to follow through and have this discussion now.

"I know you don't see Sarah on Thursdays anymore. Why do you still disappear?" This was the one question I was dying to know the answer.

"I made a promise that I would always be there for her on Thursdays. Even though she won't see me these days, I intend to keep that promise. I don't want to treat you like my back-up because you aren't. You're important to me, babe. If I kept you on standby every Thursday just in case she didn't want to see me, what does that say about how I treat you? I would rather just stay gone than know that you might be waiting for me."

Wow, that was a good answer. I close the distance between us and curl into his side.

"Why won't she see you?"

"I have no idea, she's gone off hinges recently. It worries me, and today's little episode only makes it worse."

"What did you say to her today?"

"Nothing, I used my key to her apartment, but she was locked in her room. She did tell me to go f*ck myself though, so I think she's okay. I hired someone to stay with her for a few more days. She's actually been nice to the ladies sitting with her. Last week, one of them reported they baked a f*cking pie together."

"Maybe not having you hovering around has helped," I say, immediately regretting my choice in words.

"You think I hover? I see her once a week. If she was handicapped physically, I'd be an ass for not visiting her more often." He has a point.

"I didn't mean to upset you, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything."