Stolen Course (Wrecked and Ruined #2)(17)

“Put me on speaker.”

“Jesus f*cking Christ,” he growls, but I hear the abstract sounds of the room fill the silence. So I start talking.

“Sarah, you need to listen up. I’m done with this. I let you push me away years ago, but it’s not happening again. You can hang up, run away, cuss me out—whatever. But I’m not going anywhere. You don’t want a savior, and I get that. But you f*cking need some family right now. I’m sorry to say it, but I’m all that’s left. So while you are wrapped up in your head, trying to figure out your next move, you need to remember one thing. No matter how dark you get, I will trudge through the quicksand of your guilt and drag you out—every single time. Get f*cking used to it. I may not have been there before, but I’m here now.

“No matter what you might believe, you didn’t kill Manda. There’s a reason they called it an accident. You need to let it go and lean on me to deal with your bigger issues. Get ready, because you’re about to get your life back. I refuse to accept it any other way. I love you and I’ll see you soon.” Before she can even utter a word, I hang up the phone.

Tears stream down my face and over my wide smile. I’m heartbroken and elated all at the same time. I’ve messed up over a million different ways with Sarah. And every single one of them was because I was terrified of losing her. Well guess what? In my childish attempts to protect myself, I almost lost her forever. Tomorrow, we start over. And unlike Manda, Sarah has a second chance, and I fully intend to help her take it.





ME: HEY, you know anyone with a truck up there?



Caleb: Sure do! What’s up?



Me: I found a two bedroom apartment, and I need to move all Sarah’s stuff over there.



Caleb: Oh.



Me: Oh. What?



Caleb: Oh, I just thought you were getting your own place. That’s all.



Me: Nah, I’ll need to be close to her, but her place is a one bedroom.



Caleb: Gotcha. My buddy Eli has a truck. I’m sure he’ll help.



Me: Great! Oh, and I also booked my flight to Chicago!!!! :)



Caleb: Now this I’m interested in. When?



Me: Thursday!!!!!! :)



Caleb: Wait, this Thursday or next Thursday?



Me: As in, you should probably call and make dinner reservations for two days from now, Thursday.



My phone immediately lights up with an incoming call.

I pick up immediately. “Hey, you!”

“You’ll be here in two days?” he asks, and I can hear the smile in his voice.

Caleb and I have been playing this long-distance game for a few weeks now. It’s taken me a lot longer than I expected to get my life tied up in Georgia. Moving across the country is not exactly an easy feat. It’s worked out though, because they did eventually move Sarah to a court-mandated rehabilitation center. Her trial was rushed due to the questions around her mental stability. I didn’t even have time to get up there before it was over. Jesse actually spoke on Sarah’s behalf. I love that tiny woman.

Sarah was sentenced to ten months in a rehabilitation center. It specializes in traumatic brain injuries, but they will also be working with her through her grief over Manda’s death. Honestly, this is the best thing that could have ever happened to her. I freaked out when Caleb sent the text to tell me.

Hunter tried to convince me to stay in Savannah while Sarah is away in rehab, but I refused. I need to get up to Chicago and start a new photography business. I have a few leads on companies that are looking for photographers, but I’m determined to start my own business again. Plus, I’ll be close enough to visit Sarah on the weekends. This decision has nothing to do with Caleb.

Okay, I’m totally lying. It has a lot to do with Caleb. I love every minute of our nightly conversations. I can’t wait to get to know him in person.

“Yep. Two days and you get to take me to dinner. Seriously, you are a freaking lucky man.”

“I am.” He laughs at my sarcasm.

“I’m so excited to see you,” I breathe.

“You should be. I am pretty amazing. Seriously, you are a freaking lucky lady.” He throws my sarcasm right back at me.

I love the banter I have with Caleb. He’s sharp and can keep up with even the most sarcastic of conversations. Don’t get me wrong. He is sexy as f*ck, and I’ve had many of dreams about him without his clothes on. But there is nothing sexier than a man with a sense of humor and a quick wit.

“I get in at noon. You think you could pick me up?”

“Of course! I’ll take the day off. I’ll make Brett cover for me or something.”

“Speaking of Brett… Have you told him that we…talk?”

“No. Have you?” he asks with a shocked curiosity.

“No, but I’ve only talked to him a few times since I got back. Mainly just stuff about neighborhoods and stuff in Chicago. I was thinking about calling Jesse and seeing if she wanted to go out for drinks when I got back though.”

“Jesse? Really? Won’t that be weird?”

“Why? Oh God, do you think she will think it’s weird?” I ask, embarrassed. I just assumed, but now that he mentions it, I can definitely see how Jesse might feel weird about hanging out with Brett’s ex-sister-in-law.