Stolen Course (Wrecked and Ruined #2)(44)

“So far, I have been warned off of you because they either think you are using me or that we are going to destroy each other or some screwed up combination of the two—that you are only using me to destroy Sarah. At this junction in time, I happen to believe neither one of us will be left standing when this ends.”

“Well, I’ve been on my knees for a long time, Emmy. I’m ready to f*cking stand again, even if it means I have to fall when this ends.”

“Caleb,” I whisper as the anger ebbs from my body.

He runs a defeated hand through his hair and begins to once again head to his truck.

“Please wait.” My feet become unstuck from the ground and I quickly close the distance between us. I slam into his back just as he pulls open the door to his truck. I wrap my arms around his waist and bury my face between his shoulder blades. “I’m sorry.”

“Emmy, what the f*ck are we doing here?”

“Currently? I’m physically restraining you while begging you not to leave.”

“I’m serious,” he says, turning in my arms but keeping me pulled tight against his chest.

“Well, you were overreacting as usual, and I was acting kind of bitchy—again, as usual. Sounds like par for the course for us.”

“Please. Just be serious for a minute.”

I let out a frustrated growl. “Look, I didn’t want to tell Sarah and set her back in treatment. I knew she wouldn’t approve. I just thought maybe it would be easier to tell her when we were a little more established and I knew where our relationship was headed. Like maybe…now.”

“I get it. That’s the same reason I didn’t say anything to Brett at first. This is just really hard, sweetheart…I mean, Emmy.”

“No, I like sweetheart.” I look up and catch his mouth in a soft kiss. “So you love me, huh?” I smile.

He holds up his fingers about an inch apart and says, “Little bit.”

“Oh, come on! I love you at least this much.” I spread my fingers about three inches.

He gives me a smirk that Caleb should be famous for. It’s bad-boy sexy but still warm and tender. “Tell me you’re mine.”

I lean into his chest and take a deep breath of his scent. He’s sweaty and sticky from working hard at moving all of my stuff, but he still smells amazing. Part sweat, part soap, and one hundred percent Caleb.

“I’m yours,” I whisper into his neck, giving him the one sentence he asks for daily. It’s true, and it always has been.

“Fuck!” He quickly lifts me off my feet and pushes me against the side of his truck. I wrap my legs around his waist just as his hand roughly moves over my breast and up the back of my neck. He looks deep into my eyes and demands, “Say it again.”

“I’m—” I begin, but I’m interrupted.

“You all right, Emma?” Hunter yells from the doorway.

“I’m fine. We’ll be there in a minute.”

Caleb lets out a string of curses while staring up at the sky. “Fucking prick!”

“Oh, stop it. He’s a good guy. Give him a chance. Will you please still go out with us tonight?” I beg, being sure to add my pouty lip that never works on him.

“Fine, but here is how it’s going down. Tonight, I will put on my best happy face. But I swear to God, if he touches you, I’m going to lose my shit. I’ll try to keep in under wraps, but you’re going to have to help me out a little too. Don’t encourage him, and for the love of God, stop bouncing your tits in their faces. Alex is a big dude. That fight would not end well for anyone involved.”

I let out a loud laugh. “Okay, no touching and no shaking. I think I can handle that.”

“Then, you are coming home with me. They can stay here alone. I want to be inside you where I can say I love you properly.” He leans his forehead against mine.

“I like the sound of that.”

“You always do.” He rolls his hips into mine.





“HEY, ANGEL,” I say as I walk up to Manda’s grave.

The familiar weight settles in my stomach the way it does every time I come here. I miss her—there is no denying that—but it’s just different these days. Emma has filled the darkness surrounding my heart. She has rejuvenated me and pieced me back together. It’s been just over three months since we met at the hospital, but Emma Erickson has changed me, and as rough as it is going to be, it’s time I told Manda.

“Sorry. It’s been a few days since I was here, but I wasn’t exactly sure what to say. I’m treading in new waters right now.” I settle down on the ground next to her name. “I finally met someone who makes me feel again. It’s been a long time coming, and to be honest, I wasn’t sure I’d ever be able to move on from the holes you left in my soul.”

I glance around the cemetery, very aware that I’m talking to the wind. Fucking hell, Manda is the wind. No matter how long it’s been, it still cuts me deep.

“I’ve been seeing Emma Jane Erickson for months now, and last weekend, I finally grew a pair of balls and I told her I love her.” I let out a loud sigh. “Jesus Christ, I was scared to death at first, Manda. This whole thing with Emma has been a whirlwind. It’s been fast, but it’s the realest thing I have felt since I met you. I know she’s Sarah’s sister, but no matter how f*cked up it is for me to be with her, I couldn’t stop myself from falling in love with her. I even feel like you may have had a little something to do with that—which is why I’m here today.