Stolen Course (Wrecked and Ruined #2)(29)

“Oh, f*ck!” Eli joins the conversation.

“Well, she was fully naked at two a.m. if that helps at all,” I say just to be a prick.

Truth be told, I’m pissed. I’m pissed because Brett and Eli showed up, ruining my morning with Emma. I’m pissed that her last name is Erickson. And most of all, I’m pissed off that I don’t have a single explanation for him. A week ago, I would have had a whole story to give Brett, but now, things are so up in the air with me and Emma. What do I even tell him?

Brett’s eyes go wide as he steps up into my face. Eli quickly moves to get between us, but it’s Emma who stops it from escalating.

“Caleb, shut the f*ck up!” I hear from behind me. “And, you!” She directs her attention to Brett. “Chill!” She is once again dragging her hair up into another ponytail even though the one she had moments ago was perfect.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Brett snaps at her, causing me to go on alert.

“Brett, watch your f*cking mouth. That’s your only warning, so I really suggest you heed it.”

Brett and I have had our fair share of blowouts since we lost the girls five years ago. Almost every single one of them revolved around Sarah. They are almost always resolved quickly and usually my fault. He’s still my best friend. I love the guy—I really do—but I don’t need any other obstacles when it comes to Emma.

I reach over and pull Emma into my side, making it very clear that this isn’t one of our usual fights. This is real—or at least I f*cking hope it is.

His eyes immediately flash down to my arm around her waist. “Are you f*cking kidding me? Jesus Christ, this is a joke. Right?”

I don’t say anything, and Emma just shrugs before shaking her head.

“All right, big man. Let’s get out of here. You two can talk this over, maybe over the phone…on a long-distance call…with at least twelve hundred miles between you.” Eli tries to move Brett toward to the door.

“Fuck you, Eli,” he snaps.

“Eli?” Emma squeals, causing us all to look at her. “You’re the one who snuck Sarah a phone, right?”

“And you’re the crazy-ass woman who screamed at me,” Eli says with a devilish smirk.

“Eli,” I growl in warning.

“Yep, that’s me,” Emma says proudly before releasing me and throwing her arms around his neck.

“For Christ’s sake! Can someone f*cking tell me what the hell is going on? You have been in town not even a week, yet somehow you and Jones have already hooked up?” Brett booms.

Emma immediately releases Eli and resumes a protective stance at my side. It’s almost cute to think that she’s protecting me. I bite my lips to keep my smile hidden. I have a sneaking suspicion that it would be highly underappreciated right now.

“We’ve been talking every day for over a month now,” Emma quickly explains, and I can’t help but close my eyes and look up at the ceiling, hoping for divine intervention. I know exactly how well that little bit of information is going to go over with Brett.

“A month?” he whispers. “A. Fucking. Month.”

Like I said, I’ve known Brett for a while now. These fights are nothing new, so I know exactly how this is going to go down. While he stands there stunned, I walk to my den and grab my prized coffee table, pulling it into the corner. I grab one wooden picture frame with a picture of my niece off the wall and the clay pot from the corner, tucking them safely out of the way next to the table. Just as I turn around, Brett is already storming toward me.

“Start talking,” he says, stopping directly in front of me.

Emma starts to head toward me, and I know Emma too—she’s about to get all up in this shit, and it won’t have a positive ending.

“Don’t let her go,” I say to Eli.

He rolls his eyes and lets out a frustrated groan but grabs her arms.

“Get your f*cking hands off me!” she screams, becoming suddenly aware where this is going.

“Caleb?” Brett says again, oblivious to all the activity going on around him.

“Well, jeez, sir, I’ve been dating your daughter for…oh wait. You’re not her daddy at all!” I smart off. It’s habit. Really, I can’t even control it.

I shouldn’t have kept this from him, but I knew he was going to overreact. I figured as soon as Emma got back in town, we could sit down and tell him together. Maybe go out for drinks with him and Jesse. She can usually keep him from freaking out completely. I guess it’s out there now though.

“Don’t give me that shit. Don’t act like I’m the f*cked-up one in this situation.”

“Am I the f*cked-up one? I met a girl, talked to her on the phone, built a relationship, and then brought her home. I’m pretty sure that’s how dating works these days.”

He barks out a laugh but never backs away. “A relationship? You’re f*cking delusional! She’s no more than a passing obsession for you, and the fact that you kept this from me for over a month proves it.” He takes in a deep breath before roaring, “That’s my family!”

“No, she’s your ex’s family. Is Sarah still your family?” I say as Brett leans in even closer.

“God damn it, let me go!” Emma screams, but thankfully Eli does his job and keeps her back.