Stolen Course(34)

Brett never drags his eyes away from mine as he addresses Emma behind him. “Em, you might want to ask Caleb when the last time he was in a relationship was. You might also want ask him when the last time he fucked Lisa was. I know it wasn’t very long ago that she came to me, concerned about his nightmares.” Brett offers me a wink of his own. “Lastly, make sure you find out who he really thinks should have died in the wreck.”

“Well, shit, Brett. Your lack of faith in me is almost insulting. Emma already knows the answer to every one of those questions and then some. You see, you clearly were not listening. I have spent the last month talking to her. Not fucking her. Should I have told you this? Probably. Is it really any of your fucking business? Absolutely not. Now you and I can talk about this later, once you calm down and without an audience. But for now—get out.”

Brett stares at me for a minute before turning on a heel to walk away. I glance over at Eli as he begins to release Emma and raise a hand for him to wait. I never expected a fight with Brett, but I did expect his next move. Not two seconds later, Brett snatches up the lamp off my end table and throws it against the wall. He walks right past Emma, who stands stunned, and out the front door.

Eli just shakes his head before asking Emma, “You going to be all right here, babe?” She nods, and he follows Brett out the door.

I head over to comfort her. I know that couldn’t have been the easiest thing to watch. I know she loves Brett, but he was being a total—

“You dick!” she screams, surprising me.

“Me?” I ask, stunned by her accusation.

“Yes, you! Couldn’t you let me talk to him? Maybe explain it so he would understand? He didn’t do anything wrong, and he sure as shit didn’t deserve to be treated like an ass because he was trying to protect me. I don’t have much family left, but I consider him to be a part of it.” She turns, snatching her purse and coat off the rack.

“Emmy, wait.”

“Emma!” she corrects me, slamming the door behind her.

I watch from the window as she marches out and stands on the curb. I have no idea where she thinks she’s going. We took a cab back here last night. I can only assume that she’s doing the same now when she digs her phone out of her oversized purse. I’ve never in my life claimed to be the easiest person to get along with. I’m a hot-tempered dick sometimes. I know it, but apparently Emma didn’t.

I walk to the coffee maker and pour two travel mugs of coffee. I leave mine black, but I have no idea how she takes hers. She is a chick though, so I add a bunch of cream and sugar to it. I pull on a jacket and head to the curb.

“Here.” I offer her the mug. “It’s a peace offering.”

She tries to ignore me but finally gives in to the temptation. Without a word, she snatches the cup from my hand and takes a sip. She makes a horribly disgusted face as she barely chokes it down.

“Shit, are you trying to kill me now?” She hands it back to me and snatches mine out of my other hand. She takes a sip and her shoulders instantly relax. “Ah. Much better.”

I can’t help but laugh. Of course she takes her coffee black. It wouldn’t be Emma if I’d expected it.

“Look, I’m sorry. I’ll talk to Brett. You and I have a lot going on right now, and I just felt like he was one more problem for us to overcome.”

She doesn’t reply, and we stand in silence, sipping coffee on the sidewalk. Less than two minutes later, a cab pulls up. She hands me back the mug and reaches for the door.

“Maybe you are the only problem we are going to have to overcome. Ever think of that?” She opens the door and slides into the cab.

“Sweetheart, come on,” I plead, trying to get her to stay—or at least talk to me for a minute longer.

“I’ll call you when I’m ready to talk.”





I HAD to do something to get my mind off Caleb. Sure, I’m pissed. He was a dick this morning, but I’ll get over it. That doesn’t mean I’m not going to make him sweat it out a little bit first though. I also need to make amends with Brett. He didn’t answer my calls this morning. I know he’s upset, but I’m not sure what exactly to say. Sorry I was talking to your best friend? One thing is for certain—I need to get out of the house.



Me: Hey, it’s Emma. Any chance you want to grab a drink tonight?

Jesse: Sure! Brett came home in a crappy mood today. I heard you might know something about that.

Me: Ugh! Yeah. I do. Sorry.

Jesse: No worries. It happens. Do you care if I bring my friend Kara?

Me: Of course not! I could use a girls’ night.