Stolen Course(19)

She barks out a laugh. “Did Brett tell you I tried to shoot him the other day? I’m probably going to jail.”

“Maybe,” I answer nonchalantly even though the very idea scares the shit out of me.

“Maybe? That’s all you have to say about me trying to kill my husband then rotting in jail?”

“What do you want me to say? You want me to yell and scream? Tell you what a horrible person you are? Tell you you’re a crazy-ass bitch?”

“Yes!” she screams into the phone so loud it hurts my ear.

“Well screw you, sis. It’s not happening. I think you have serious issues that you have never taken care of, and while I’m not going to fix you, I sure as hell am going to make sure you fix yourself.”

“I’ve done some really fucked-up shit, Emma. I think I’m damaged beyond repair,” she whispers between choking sobs.

“When the hell did you become a quitter?” I ask in all seriousness.

“The night I killed my best friend.” And with that, I hear the call end.

“Damn it!” I scream, throwing my phone onto my bed.

I flop down next to it, getting more and more pissed off at this entire situation. Damn it, when did I become a quitter? I snatch up my phone and call back the number.

A man’s voice answers. “Tanner.”

“Take her back the phone,” I demand.

“Look, she’s pretty upset. I shouldn’t even have given her the phone to begin with. As soon as she gets—”

“Eli! Take her the God damn phone!” I shriek into his ear.

“Christ, you really are related.”

“Yep, now take her back the phone.” I return to my casually sweet tone.

He doesn’t say another word, but I can tell he’s walking.

“Sarah, it’s for you.”

“I’m done talking,” she says, once again sounding defeated.

Eli picks the phone back up. “She doesn’t want to talk.”

“Put me on speaker.”

“Jesus fucking 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 fucking 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 fucking 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.