Stolen Course (Wrecked and Ruined #2)(52)

“Exactly. See if there’s anything on ESPN.”

Brett and I stare at the TV in silence, but I’ve known him long enough to know that he’s not watching it either. Finally, I say the most honest thing I’ve said since Emma ran into my life.

“She scares the motherf*cking shit out of me.”

“Good,” he says, never dragging his eyes off the TV.

“Good? Thanks, dickhead.”

“Jesse scared the shit out of me too,” he admits, still not looking at me.

“Oh, I remember that. I witnessed that train wreck firsthand.”

His eyes finally swing to mine. “I’m going ask her to marry me.”

“No shit?” I ask, surprised. I always knew Brett would do it, but it still surprises me.

“Few months from now, when she graduates. I rented out the bowling alley we went to on our first date. I never thanked you for that, by the way.”

“Yeah, you’re welcome,” I say dismissively.

“Caleb, get off your ass and do something. Don’t sit there drowning. She’s in Savannah, not another planet.”

“And do what? Nothing has changed.”

“Now that part is up to you. You can continue to hate Sarah or you can let it go and choose Emma. That’s a choice you have to make.”

“Don’t you think if it were that easy I would have done it a long time ago?” I say, rubbing a hand over my tired eyes.

“Then make it that easy.” He leans forward like he just unlocked the secrets of the universe when in actuality he just said the equivalent of Nike’s “Just Do It” campaign. I can’t help but start laughing at him. He rolls his eyes and heads for the door. “I’ll let Jesse know I’ll be covering for you in a few weeks.”

“We’ll see,” I respond, but I know he’s right.





“WHAT DID he say!?” I scream at Hunter while trying to snatch my phone out of his hand.

“Nothing you need to worry about,” he answers, dodging me.

“Tell me!”

Caleb got the ring today. I got the UPS alert on my phone the minute it was delivered to his house, and I’ve spent the entire day freaking out about it. Finally at five, I started drinking. I have no idea how Caleb is going to react to getting Manda’s ring back, but I know I’m not strong enough to deal with it right now. So two glasses of wine in, I gave Hunter my phone. And now, a whole bottle later, I’m pretty sloshed and begging for it back.

“Who said he even text?”

“He text, I know he did. Delete it. Please just delete it,” I say, sobering for only a moment.

“Already did, sugar.”

“Stop calling me sugar!” I scream at him yet again. “Did he sound happy? Sad? Pissed off?” I ask, nervously pulling my hair into a ponytail.

“He sounded like an *,” Hunter says, sitting down beside me.

“Yeah, he always sounds like that.” I sigh, defeated. “I really love him.” I lean my head down on Hunter’s shoulder.

“I know you do. If it’s any consolation, I think he loves you too.”

“What?” My head springs up off his shoulder. “Oh my God, what did he say?”

“Nothing. I’m just saying, when I saw y’all together—when he wasn’t glaring at me—he was always staring at you.”

“Don’t tell me shit like that.” I smack him across the chest. “You are the worst best friend in history.” I lean my head back down.

Hunter throws an arm around my shoulders and takes a deep breath. “He said he was sorry y’all tried.”

My whole body stills as the pain of those words slice through me. I nod against his chest and try to fight back the tears but fail miserably.

“That definitely sounds like Caleb.”

“I know this shit hurts. I still remember it like yesterday when Lacey and I fell apart. I’m so sorry, Em.”

“Yeah, me too.”





“NO. NO. No. No. No. This is not happening.”

“Emma, calm down.”

“No, you calm down.”

“I am calm!” Hunter laughs beside me.

“I swear to God, if you laugh again, I will castrate you while you sleep.”

“Jesus! That is not even funny,” he says, appalled.

“Neither is this,” I hiss through clinched teeth.

“Emma, we’re having a baby.” He gives me a huge smile.

“Um, no. I am having a baby with a man who freaking hates us both. He hasn’t spoken to me in two months, and I can guarantee if he ever hears you call this your baby he will kill you on the spot. Oh my God, how is this even possible?” I settle my head back against the table and stare up at the butterflies painted on the doctor’s office ceiling.

“When a man and woman love each other—”

“Get out!” I yell just as the ultrasound tech comes walking in.

“I can come back.” She turns to walk back out.

“No, wait. I was talking to my friend. I’m sorry. Please come in.”

“I didn’t mean to interrupt,” she says, walking in with a warm smile.

“No, I’m sorry. I’m just a little nervous and he was cracking jokes.”