"Jesse!"
"I'm in here," I cautiously yell from the couch.
"What's going on?"
I've been planning the way I was going to gently and reassuringly tell Brett about today's drama. I wanted him to know that everything was fine. We just needed to sit down and talk about the next step in trying to help Sarah. I wasn't quick enough though because Caleb rushes out the not so gentle facts.
"Sarah stalked Jesse down at the grocery store today. Yelling at her to stay away from you, then hit her before riding off on the crazy train again. Now, are you going to man the fuck up and finally do something about this?" Well, okay then. I guess that's one way to break it to him.
"Jesus, are you okay?" Brett's eyes glide over me.
"I'm fine. It really wasn't as bad as it sounds."
"Why didn't you call me?"
"Umm, I didn't want to upset you." It's a statement, but my voice rises at the end, making it sound more like a question.
"You didn't want to upset me? What the fuck, Jesse. You called Caleb instead of me?"
"I just thought..."
"You just thought what? That maybe I wouldn't want to know that my ex-wife hit you?" I expected Brett to be mad, I just never expected him to be mad at me. It's shocking and confusing, but mainly it's infuriating.
"Yes, because me calling Caleb is the big issue here, not the fact that your wife," I purposely leave off the ex-part. It makes my blood boil that they are still married. I'm not letting him brush it under the rug either, "followed me to the grocery store, telling me that you were hers, and asking for recipes to cook for your anniversary dinner tomorrow. Obviously, I'm focusing on completely the wrong part." I push up my sleeve revealing the hidden bruises where Sarah grabbed my arm. "I'm sorry, I thought these were somehow the important part."
"What the fuck? You didn't tell me about those!" Caleb yells and Brett sucks in a deep breath. They must look pretty bad because the rage on both men’s faces is unmistakable.
Whatever. I don't care anymore.
"Brett, I want to go home. Then you two can handle this whole Sarah thing on your own. It's obvious I don't need to be involved." I grab my purse and head to the door, not waiting to see if Brett follows.
We ride to my house in silence. Brett walks me to my door and kisses me on the head. He leaves without a single word spoken. We may not be speaking, but I didn't want him to leave. I'm not willing to put my pride aside and stop him though. He ticked me off with his reaction. This was not at all the way that conversation was supposed to go, but they seldom go as planned for us.
I DECIDE to call it a night. Grabbing a beer and a book, I head to the bath tub. I'll feel better after a long soak, and some smutty romance. Two hours and an empty hot water heater later, I crawl into bed. I'd be lying if I said my mind didn't drift to the day as I stared at the ceiling. Sarah doesn't scare me. She just needs help. I'm in no position to give that to her. Maybe I'll break my personal denial rule, and talk to Brett about getting her the help she so desperately needs.
I think the best part of the day is the way I felt when Brett left. Or maybe it's the way I didn't feel. I wasn't paralyzed with fear that I'd never see him again. Or that this fight would make him realize he doesn't need any extra drama in his life. Silly as it sounds, those thoughts are always going through my head. Today, when they should have been running rampant, I felt content. Brett and I had a fight. It wasn't earth shattering. It wasn't the end. It was just a fight. It actually makes me smile as I fade off into sleep, feeling like we are finally a real couple.
Minutes later I'm startled awake when a man crawls into my bed. I dart out of the bed terrified, but he grabs me before I make it far.
"Shhh, it's just me, gorgeous." Even with the adrenalin coursing thought my body, I melt into his arms.
"Hey," I say rolling to face him.
He doesn't waste any time before apologizing. "I'm sorry. I was an ass...again. It scared the shit out of me that once again Sarah hurt you, and this time physically. I took it out on you, I'll try harder next time placing my anger where it really belongs."
"I know," I sigh.
"Fuck Jesse, don't let me off the hook so easily. I feel like a jerk, this would be a lot easier if you yelled at me."
I reach out running my hands through his thick hair, placing a soft kiss on his lips. "You really were a jerk, but I don't want to yell at you."
I kiss him again. He takes charge and glides his warm tongue into my mouth. He grabs my butt and pulls it tighter against his growing erection. His hand snakes up under my shirt, and we both groan when his hand finds my bare breast. I want this to go further, but I promised myself I'd finally talk to him about Sarah.
"Brett, wait. We need to talk."
"Do we have to?" He rakes his teeth across my ear, just the way he knows I like it.
"Yes," I say firmly, but immediately regretting it when he rolls away.