Page 32 of Drive Me Crazy

An hour later, I'm finally on my way to the house. Mack not only ordered the food, but she had them deliver it, I'm hoping to get there before they do.

I pull into the drive to find the delivery guy sitting at the gates. Life is funny, I can't explain why I put the gates and fence up but right now, I'm so happy I did.

I punch in the code and jump out of the truck. "Hey, man! Hope you haven't been here long."

"Naw, just a few minutes. Order said to wait if the gates were closed." He carries bags over to the truck. "Where you want these?"

"Oh, here ya go." I spin around, jerking my back door open. "How many are there?"

His eyes grow round. "A lot."

"You know she didn't order that much? We don't even know if this is right?" I scratch my head as I follow him back to his car. "Dear Sweet Baby Jesus, she's bought one of everything in the store."

"Basically." He chuckles, grabbing several bags of food and heads toward my truck with me close behind.

By the time I get the groceries in my truck into the house, I'm running later than I was when I left the hospital. The house is messy, but that's mainly construction, so I busy myself with putting the supplies away.

"Now, to tackle freshening the living area and put some sheets on the bed." I hurry over to the laundry room to get the cleaning supplies.

"Hey! Anybody home?" Aksel calls through the house. I round the corner with everything I need to get to work.

"Good deal! You're in time to help."

"I'm assuming your happy to see me." Aksel takes his jacket off and tosses it on the couch. "Emerson's on her way to the hospital, Landon, and his parents are going out for lunch. Em mentioned you might need some help."

"Man, I appreciate it. Yeah, if you don't care I need to get the car and bike moved over that way Em can pull into the garage without being seen." I set the bucket down and toss him the keys.

"Alright." He catches them with a nod.

Thirty minutes later, I stand in the living room looking over the place. There's a few more things for the remodel sitting around, but overall, the place is livable.

Aksel walks through the hall, joining me. "You're doing a good thing here."

"I owe it to her."

He pulls his cell from his pocket, scanning it. "They're at the corner stoplight."

"Alright, I gotta get out of here." I hold my hand up, waiting for him to slap mine.

"I'm gonna wait here to help Emerson get her settled." He hits my hand, yanking me into a hug. A swift smack on the back and I head toward the door.

I hurry out to my ride, sliding behind the seat and getting out of sight as fast as I can. By the time I'm at the end of the street, I see Emerson's SUV in my rear-view mirror.

I slow to a mere crawl, watching as they turn in toward the gates. Her taillights shine in the dusk, and then they're gone. My heart thunders in my chest knowing she's safe, and it's because of me.

Still, it does nothing to absolve me from my past transgressions and she has no idea they include her. I've waited for years, wallowing in my self-loathing for what I didn't do for her. Now, I'll do everything I should've done and pray she forgives me.