Stolen Course (Wrecked and Ruined #2)

I race down the stairs, plotting how I can get in and out of the house without running into Caleb. I bought a cute long grey skirt and form-fitting pink shirt that fits over my big pregnant belly just for tonight. I don’t look great but I feel better than I have in a long time. I want to surprise him, not run into him half dressed in our hallway.

Thankfully, when I pull up to the house, his truck isn’t there. I’m digging through the bathroom cabinet, tying to be as sneaky as possible in case Caleb comes home, when my phone rings. I swear I must jump about ten feet in the air, because it scares me to death. I don’t even have a second to glance at the caller ID before I’m pulling it to my ear.

“Hello.”

“I want to see her,” I hear Casey’s broken voice say on the other end of the line.

“Who? Are you okay?”

“Sarah,” she answers shortly.

“Well she’s home this weekend. Maybe I can talk to her and get back to you to set up a time—”

She interrupts. “No, I mean today.”

“Shit, Casey. I don’t know. I need to talk it over with her first. She’s doing really well, but I don’t want to set her off—”

“Call her. Tell her I miss her and I want to see her.”

“Casey—” I start, only to be interrupted yet again.

“Please, Emma. I’m begging you.” Her voice breaks.

“Yeah, okay. Let me talk it over with Sarah. I’ll call you back.”

“Make sure you tell her I miss her. And call her Danika. Promise you’ll do that,” she says urgently.

“Yeah, of course. I promise.” I quickly say goodbye and hang up.

I make my way to the den and flop down on the couch, wondering if this is a smart move at all. Sarah is doing so well, and Casey sounds desperate to rekindle something. This could definitely send Sarah into an ‘I’m not the same person’ tailspin. This has emotional breakdown written all over it.

But on the other hand, it would do Sarah some good to have some friends. She needs to be surrounded by people who love her, and that isn’t just limited to me. I sigh to myself and pick up my phone. This should be her decision, not mine. I said from the beginning that I wasn’t going to try to fix her. She is a grown woman who can make her own choices.

“Are you having another curling iron emergency?” she says jokingly when she answers the phone.

“No, Casey Black just called and she wants to see you…today,” I blurt out. I mean, really. What’s the point in sugarcoating it?

“Why?” she asks with an icy chill to her voice.

“Because, Danika, she says she misses you.”

After I relay Casey’s message, I fully expect Sarah to burst into tears from hearing whatever inside joke I just reminded her of. Instead, she starts quietly laughing.

“What do you think?”

I have to admit that this is the most shocking moment of the last five minutes. She asked for my advice.

“Are you asking what I think? Seriously?” I say in shock and disbelief.

“Ha. Ha. Seriously. You knew me before, and you know me now. Do you think Casey would be receptive to the changes?”

“Sarah, I love you. But I have to say it. Your tastes have changed, you don’t drink anymore, and you have different hobbies. I’m not trying to minimize your changes, but deep down, you are the same Sarah Kate Erickson you have always been. Only now, you aren’t stricken with grief and self-loathing. So dare I say this is the best Sarah Kate you have been in years?” I pause to allow her time to yell at me or argue with me, but it never comes.

“Bring her over.”

“Are you sure?” I ask, once again stunned.

“Yeah. I could use a little Anastasia Beaverhausen in my life again,” she answers.

I’m clueless about what the hell that means, but the lift in her voice lets me know she’s excited.

“We’ll be there soon.”

Thirty minutes later, I’m sitting inside my car in front of Sarah’s apartment. I decided to wait outside for Casey so I could have a little chat with her about Sarah before their reunion. Her Mercedes SUV finally rolls into the parking lot.

I walk over to where she parked. “Hey, lady.”

“Hey, Emma,” she says softly, climbing out of the car.

“So listen, I wanted to tell you a few things before we go in.” I go straight to the point. It’s freaking freezing outside, and snow is steady falling from the sky.

“Okay.” She motions me to the breezeway to escape the weather.

“I’m sure you heard that Sarah suffered a head injury after the accident, but she’s dealing with it. It’s changed her a good bit. So if she acts a little different than you’re used to, just don’t mention it, okay? She’s pretty sensitive about it.” I try to rush out the abridged version of Sarah’s medical issues before the wind and chill freeze us both into icicles.

“Yeah, of course,” she answers, and we head upstairs.

I briefly remember my date with Caleb and know that I need to push him off a little while. He isn’t going to be happy about it, but this is a really big deal for both Sarah and Casey.

Me: Something came up. Long story. Can we push dinner off an hour? I’ll call in a few and fill you in. Love you.

I press send and walk into the apartment with Casey in tow.