"He looks at you subconsciously. His eyes track your every move in the mornings. He's been trapped in the past for too long, and it’s like he knows you are the one person who can save him. His problem is, he can't let go of her.
“He doesn't love Sarah anymore, just in case you are wondering. But he can't seem to walk away from her either. By the time he actually does, it's going to be too late. That's what frustrates me the most with him. He has gotten through the hardest part - he's stopped loving her. The walking away should be easy.”
Staring deep into my eyes to make sure I'm really listening he continues, "So Jesse, if you are hoping for me to tell you what to do here, you are asking the wrong person." I'm overcome by emotions at everything he just said, but I don't have any tears left to cry.
"He watches me?" I squeak out.
"Jesus, is that all you heard in that?"
"No, I heard you. I just always thought I was the one staring at him."
"You have no idea the effect you have on Brett." His words only leave me more confused.
"Then why was he holding her." Suddenly, all my bitterness from earlier returns.
"Because he's a good guy. She's broken, and Brett always feels the need to fix things. I don't like it, but he knew I would take care of you. If he left with you, Sarah would have been alone. If you are still crazy enough to want any type of relationship with him after today, you're going to have to accept that he will never let her be completely alone. He's just not that type of guy. It sucks, but he's a package deal."
"Do you think I could maybe talk to Sarah without her going ballistic on me? I'm not very fond of her, but if what everyone says is true, it's really sad that she doesn't have anyone to lean on. She needs a friend or something. I think I could have handled her a little better if she hadn't surprised me the way she did. Maybe I could try to talk to her one on one, you know, when Brett isn't around."
"She's not like you Jess, so don't try to figure her out. She isn't a stray puppy you can rescue. Trust me, Brett has tried for years. Please hear me when I say this, stay away from Sarah. If you see her again, you call me immediately. Not Brett. You call me. I'll have some words with her tonight. She shouldn't bother you anymore. Okay? Promise me you'll stay away from her."
"Fine, I promise."
I realize we are just sitting in his truck parked in front of my apartment. I'm no longer excited about the prospect of spending the day alone. Kara works all day on Fridays, then usually goes out with whatever guy she is sleeping with this week. I need a distraction or I'm going to obsess about Brett and Sarah all day. "So, umm...do you want to come in for a little while? I can cook you some breakfast. You kind of saved me from the beast today. The least I can do is make you some pancakes."
"Eggs, too?"
"Of course!"
"Alright baby girl, I'll hang for a bit," he says, seeing right through my lame excuse.
"Thank you."
"Thank me with breakfast. I'm starving." He exits the truck and guides me inside.
Brett
IT'S TAKEN me four hours to get Sarah settled. For the first hour, she was shaking and crying, randomly talking about Manda. I managed to get her to take a few of the sedatives the doctor prescribed for when she gets overly excited like this. After that, she fell asleep, and I spent the next two hours taking all the pills and knives out of her house. Then it took forever to find a home health nurse to come sit with her. She's cussed out almost everyone I have ever hired, so I end up paying two times the normal wage just to get someone to come over and make sure she doesn't do anything stupid. It's worth it, though. After seeing her in action with Jess today, then her reaction to Caleb, I'm not about to take any chances leaving her alone.
I pull up to Jesse's house just after one. I park next to her car and head straight for her door. I have a lot of explaining, apologizing, and probably groveling to do. I looked like a dick earlier, no denying that. I saw it in her eyes when she left with Caleb. I knock on her door not giving myself anytime to prepare what I'm going to say. I'll wing it, even though that hasn't been working out so well for me recently. I have to talk to her, explain everything. Jess is very level-headed, she'll understand. God, please let her understand.
No one immediately comes to the door and it makes me wonder if Jess is trying to avoid me. I can't blame her if she is, but I sure as hell can make sure she isn't successful. I turn looking back at the parking lot, just to be positive it was her car I parked beside. In my scan, my eyes run across an all-too-familiar truck. What the hell is he still doing here? They aren't close. I can only think of one reason why he would still be here.
Women love Caleb. He's 6’2”, blonde, and has that bad boy thing going on that women swoon over. I know exactly how much Caleb loves the ladies. He doesn't have a type. He appreciates them all. I swear if he is appreciating Jess right now, I'll kill him.