"I'm so sorry, baby girl. No one deserves to be on the opposite end of Sarah Sharp's wrath, least of all you."
"So, they really are married?" I know the answer, but after meeting her today I can't imagine Brett ever falling for a woman like that. She's beautiful, I can definitely see why he was attracted to her initially, but her personality couldn't have been more different than the sweet and funny guy that Brett is.
"Yeah, they are." He glances over at me while driving. I find myself wanting to know more about this mystery woman. It's plain to see from her reaction tonight that she and Caleb don't get along. I think it would help to hear their story from someone who isn't in love with her. Apparently, that shows in my face because he shakes his head and says, "Listen, I'm really the wrong person to talk to about Sarah. Kara should be getting off work soon. You two can talk and do whatever the hell girls do in this type of situation. Shit, you want me to stop and buy you some wine?"
"It's 9:15 in the morning."
"And?"
"Tell me about Sarah." I finally say the words.
"No," he says simply. The pain in his voice leads me to believe that he doesn't just want to avoid talking about Sarah, he doesn't want it to lead into a conversation about Manda.
"I won't ask about...her," I plead. Putting emphasis on her, so he knows exactly who I'm talking about.
"Damn it, you just did!" He slams the heel of his hand against the steering wheel. Apparently, anger issues are not isolated to Brett. "Jesse, you're a good girl," he says exasperated.
"And?” I throw his earlier words back at him, determined to get some answers.
"I'm not doing this with you. Not here, not now, not ever."
"Please, I don't know who or what to believe. She tells me one thing, but Brett tells me another. I deserve to know! Can someone just tell me the darn truth?" My words cause Caleb to crack a smile, and it infuriates me!
"Darn? Really?" he asks, still smiling.
"Shut up. As much as I hate him right now, I wish Brett was here to make good on his threat to punch you in the face."
"I'm not making fun of you. I think it's cute that you don't cuss."
"Great, someone else who thinks I'm cute."
"I think you're sexy as hell too, if that helps," he says, winking at me. I bite my lip and look out the window to keep him from seeing the color that fills my cheeks. I don't respond to his flirty comment. When we pull into my apartment complex, it's Caleb who finally breaks the silence.
"Everyone is so sympathetic towards her. She’s always been wild, but at least before it was entertaining. Now her craziness is disgusting. She doesn't give a damn about anyone but herself. She is a selfish bitch and I make sure she knows I'm not falling for her bullshit.”
"Does she care about Brett?" I find myself once again inquiring about how she feels about him. Why is this question so important to me? Shouldn't I be worried about how he feels? Heck, after today, I shouldn't care about that either.
"Yes." Shifting the truck into park he sighs. "She hates him. That counts for caring, right?" I feel guilty for the relief his answer causes me. "Why are you still asking about Brett and Sarah after that little spectacle back there?" He raises his eyebrows knowingly. "You should still be crying and freaking out, but here you sit interrogating me. What's your end game, Jess?" I don't immediately respond. It's not that I don't understand his question, I just don't know the answer. Why the hell am I still asking about them?
"Something just isn't right about all of this. I'm confused, and if I've learned anything by spending the last eight years in college, it's that if you ask enough people, someone will eventually know the answer."
"You want me to give it to you straight? Okay, fine. Here it is: Sarah is bat shit crazy. She was nutty before the accident, but she is off her fucking rocker now. It scares me that she even knows you exist. Brett's an idiot for telling her your name. She hates him, but she takes great pleasure in knowing he still loves her. She has done her damnedest to drive those who loved her away, and that includes me. Everyone has given up on her. Everyone but Brett.
"If your next question is how you fit into that equation, let me tell you now, I have no fucking idea. As someone who has come to call you a friend, I want to tell you to run as far away from them as you can get. After today, I would suggest you pick up and move to Canada. However, as Brett's best friend, I can honestly say I have never seen him even notice a woman in four years. If I didn't know better, I would assume his dick has rotted off from lack of use by now. But judging by the blush in your cheeks last Tuesday morning, it's apparently still in working condition." My face heats to red, but he doesn't even slow down to take a breath. The man is on a roll.