He decided to actually go to the restroom while he was out there, to splash some water on his face and allow the anger from the short encounter to fade.
***
Izzy and Roni stood at the bar chit chatting about the more mundane parts of the night. The bartender returned with two shots and a glass of Merlot. Izzy downed both shots in record time and ordered a cape cod before the bartender could move on to the next customer.
The bartender returned with Izzy’s drink and she dropped a few dollars in his tip jar. They decided to return to the table to finish their drinks. As Roni turned she only took two steps before she tripped over nothing but air and splashed her bright red drink all down the white shirt of the man walking near them and continued her journey down to the floor. The man caught her before she hit the floor thankfully. She looked up to thank the man and instead pushed him away upon seeing his face.
“Roni, I know I had to fire you for sexual harassment and assault, but throwing yourself at me is not going to change things.” Michael Conner sneered at her as he brought her back in his arms. “Then again a blow job with that mouth might work.”
He was holding her close, too close, and his grip was tightening around her back. The bastard reeked of expensive scotch. He had obviously had a few too many. Adrenaline and anger rushed through her system. She tried, and failed, to push away from him. To any onlookers, it appeared like they were a couple in a meaningful embrace. The thought made her want to throw up all over his expensive tuxedo. Which made her smile since that would guarantee he would let her go.
She smiled big at him and opened her mouth to tell Michael Conner to go fuck himself, before she could get the f sound out, his lips were crushing into hers and his tongue was pushing into her mouth. She fought to get out of his arms again. Now he had one arm trapping her arms behind her back and the other holding her face in place. Yep, she was going to puke.
She lifted her foot to stomp on his, before she could, she was thankfully ripped out of his arms. “What the fuck is going on here? I was gone for 5 minutes!” Derek was mad, very mad. Unfortunately, he seemed mad at her and not the asshole who had assaulted her with his disgusting lips. “I come back to find you in the arms of this fucker, kissing him!” His eyes were practically glowing with anger. His hand wrapped painfully around her bicep.
More anger coursed through her veins. She pulled her arm out of his grip. His scowl deepens. “Nothing is going on here, Derek! I fell. As I often do and spilled my wine all over this dip shit.” She waved her hands wildly toward a smiling Michael. “Then, he decided to pull me into his arms and shove his nasty tongue down my throat. That’s when you stepped up and so elegantly jumped to my rescue!”
***
Derek fought to control his anger. He spun his phone in his hand in an attempt to distract himself from the situation. Did he believe her? He paused and looked into her eyes.
Michael held up his hands in surrender. “Sorry man, I had no idea she was here with someone. She came on to me so strong, I figured she was alone.” Michael interjected. “Seriously, your girl here has been after me a long time. I had to fire her to free myself of her. Roni, coming here with Derek is not going to make me jealous enough to date you.” With that he walked off.
Derek turned his full attention to Roni. Praying for control. “Tell me he is lying?”
Her eyes widened. “Derek, how… how can you even ask me that? I told you what happened when I worked there. How can you even think for a second that what he said is true? I came here with you. To be with you. After all this time of me doing nothing but caring for you, how can you not see the game he is playing?”
He pondered her speech. Suddenly the nasty comments that Jennifer had prattled at him moment ago came rushing back to him. Maybe he had misjudged Roni. She was beautiful and smart and funny. She had people constantly enamored with her. While he was a nerdy workaholic, who often lived in his own little world. His world came crashing down at the realization that she meant so much more to him than he did to her. “Because Roni, girls like you don’t date guys like me unless they have an ulterior motive. And I see your motive walked away.”
She gasped at his harsh words. Tears starting to form in her eyes. He resisted the overwhelming urge to comfort her and tell her he didn’t care why she was with him as long as she was his. Instead, he pulled on his asshole CEO façade. “Your lack of statement defending yourself proves my declaration.”
This time she did respond. With a slap to his face. His hand went to his face, as he stared at her in utter surprise. “No Derek, my lack of statement was out of shock, not guilt.” She sniffled. The tears rolling uncontrollably down her cheeks. She looked down, swiping at the tears. “I was with you because… because I love you.” She whispered.
Before he could come to his senses and register the three wonderful words she had spoken, she took off. He realized what he had done as she escaped into the crowd. Derek had taken out his insecurities on her. He should have pummeled Michael for laying a hand on her. Instead, he allowed Jennifer’s vindictive speech dictate his actions. Fuck!
Chapter Twenty-Six
Roni ran out of the ballroom as fast as her legs could carry her. To her great delight a line of prepaid cabs was waiting out front. The event didn’t want anyone leaving after having a few drinks so the organizers had provided cabs. Roni was going to write a thank you letter to the person who thought of the cabs. After all, she was fleeing a party without her handbag and therefore without any money.
Roni now lay on herbed, still in her gown, staring at the ceiling above her. She hiccupped as she began to stop crying. How could he even think that? She wondered as she lay swiping the last of her tears away. Part of her thought that, this had nothing to do with her and everything to do with Derek and the way he saw himself.
Of course she also thought it was just the universe using her clumsiness against her again. Of course she would spill wine on Michael. Of course he would take advantage of the situation and put his hands on her. Of course Derek would come back from the bathroom at that moment.
She huffed at the thought that he had gone to the bathroom. No, she had seen his phone in his hand as he hissed insults at her. He had left her to take a work call. One night, that is all she had asked for. He couldn’t even give her that. The fact that he couldn’t give her one night said a great deal about how he felt about her.
Not that it mattered anymore. He obviously didn’t feel the same intense feelings she did. The tears started rolling again at that thought. She rolled onto her side. Tucking herself into a fetal position.
A small knock came from her door before Izzy walked in. “Oh honey, are you ok?”
Izzy sat behind her rubbing her back in comfort.
“No, not even close to ok. I don’t understand how I mistook the past few months for more than they were. If he knew me at all he would have known I would never ever be with someone just to gain something. Nor would I attend a wonderful gala with one man to make another jealous.” She sniffled and rolled over to face her friend.
“I don’t know what came over him. The way he looks at you. The way he needs to be with you. I thought he was in love with you. We all did. Maybe he just got scared and used this as an opportunity to run back to the safety of his computer screens?” Izzy spoke softly.
Roni shook her head. “No, he was just done with me. It was easy for him to dump me when he saw Michael kiss me because it made it an easy, clean split for him.”
“Maybe you two can talk it out. You didn’t see him after you left. He was shaking. He was about to take off after you. His face was pale and he was clearly in pain. Alex and I talked him into giving you time before he came crashing into your room.”
That got Roni’s attention. Crap was he on his way over to break her heart even more? She needed to leave and she needed to leave now. She jumped off the bed. Clearly startling Izzy. She threw off her gown, pulling on a pair of yoga pants and an old T-shirt. She grabbed a bag from h
er closet and began shoving clothes into the bag. She ran to the bathroom gathering up her toiletries. Finally, she grabbed her iPad, zipping up the bag.
“Roni. What are you doing?” Izzy asked in a slow concerned tone. Roni knew she looked like a lunatic. She couldn’t find it in her to care.
“Packing, leaving before he gets here. I can’t see him Izzy. I have to think. The things he said hurt. I can’t deal with him right now.” Roni spoke frantically.
Izzy jumped up. “Ok sweetie, I get it. Let’s get you out of here. Go grab your shoes and jacket I will pack your car. I assume you are going to see your sister’s?”
Roni hadn’t actually thought about where she was going, only that she had to go. Going to see her sister sounded like a good plan so she nodded.
Within five minutes, Roni was on her way to Breckenridge.
***
Alex had forced Derek to give Roni time to calm down before he would allow him to chase after her. Derek didn’t see it like that. He believed he needed to get to her quickly, explain what was going on in his head. Apologize. Beg. Plead. Whatever it took to get her back. He seemed to be apologizing and begging a lot.
Alex and he were currently in Alex’s Porsche heading over to the girls’ house. He tapped his foot nervously as Alex slowed for a red light. Had Alex allowed him to drive, like he wanted to originally, he would have run the damn thing.
“Want to tell me what the fuck that was all about? You know Roni would never, and I mean never, touch Michael. So why didn’t you defend her? Michael should have two black eyes and a broken jaw.” Alex’s tone was casual but his face was tight with anger. Anger toward Derek. Anger Derek knew he deserved.
Derek sighed and ran his hand through his hair. “I ran into Jennifer right before. She pulled her regular ‘no one will ever really love you for you’ crap. When I walked back in and saw them kissing, her words seemed to ring true. I saw red and reacted instead of thinking.” He looked out the window at the passing buildings not really seeing them.
“Wow, she fucked you up more than I thought. Are there women out there like Jennifer, who only use guys for money or status? Of course. Is Roni anywhere close to being one of them? Not at all. You need to get over yourself. Who cares if you were a nerd? You now own and operate, with great help from your perfect friend, the most powerful cyber security firm in the country. You being a nerd has given us the means to create our company and our future. So man the fuck up and let the past go.” Alex growled at him.
He knew he should be mad at his best friend. But sometimes a man just needs to hear the truth about himself. “I will only say this once, so don’t expect to hear it again. You’re right.” Derek laughed as he said the words. “Man that hurt to say.”
Alex laughed in response. “I bet it did hurt. You hate to admit I am right.”
Alex pulled into the girls’ driveway and before he had even stopped the car Derek was out of it and running to the door. Knocking loudly. “Roni, please honey. Let me in. I need to talk to you. I am so sorry.” He yelled to the closed door.
He heard the click of the lock being unlocked and lit up with hope. If she was letting him in maybe he had a shot of making this right. As the door opened, his excitement dropped. Instead of his beautiful Roni, Izzy stood in front of him. Her arms crossed over her chest. Her facial features tight in a scowl that could make a Navy SEAL run scared.
“Go away.” Izzy spoke harshly before attempting to slam the door in his face. He quickly put his foot in the door to stop her.
“Please Izzy. I have to see her. I need to apologize.” He pushed the door back open.
“You’re too late, she packed up and left. Oh, and by the way she quits.” Again she tried to slam the door and again, he used his foot to prevent that from happening.
“Wait, what do you mean she packed up and left? Where did she go?” Desperation to see Roni consumed Derek.
“I don’t know where she went. And no I don’t know when she will be back.” Izzy looked at him, her scowl faded a little before she continued. “Derek, give her time. What you did tonight was embarrassing, made you a complete asshole and sent her spiraling. I know you care for her so I don’t get why you did what you did.”
When he started to explain, Izzy held up her hand to stop him. She shook her head. “I don’t want to hear it. I am not the one who you need to explain things to. I will let her know you stopped by.” With that he she shut the door. Derek stood there. Unable to move.
“Come on man. Let’s go get a drink.” Alex came up from behind him.
He followed Alex back to the car, in a daze. He had screwed up the best thing in his life. He had pushed her away at the very point he was ready to declare his love for her. “What the fuck is wrong with me? I totally fucked up. I don’t know how to fix this. For once in my life I don’t know how to fix a problem.” He mumbled more to himself then to Alex.
“I am sure groveling and begging will be involved in fixing this problem. Lots and lots of groveling.” Alex laughed.
“First, I have to find her. Where would she have gone?” Derek wracked his brain for the answer. His brain could not manage to conjure up any clue.
“First you need to get fucking hammered and let your friends tell, you just what a stupid fucker you are. The guys are meeting us at LoDos.” Alex said with great enthusiasm. “I myself intend to remind you of every stupid act you have pulled since meeting this girl. I will of course buy you a shot for every incident I bring up.” Alex smiled brightly at him at that point.
“Shots are good.” Was all Derek could manage as a reply. All he wanted was the one thing he couldn’t have, Roni.
***
Roni arrived at her sister’s home in Breckenridge well after midnight. At this point she was exhausted. She had cried most of the drive up the mountain. Now she was numb. All she wanted was to sleep. She wondered where the evening had gone so wrong.
Everything had been perfect up until her clumsiness drove her into the arms of another man. A man she hated. She had felt the love Derek had for her wafting off of him like an electrical current most of the evening. Or at least she thought she had. The energy she mistook for love was nothing more than lust or a need to end the relationship.
She had been played. Maybe Izzy and Gracey were right all men were players. Roni had always been the optimist of the group when it came to dating. Boy, was she wrong.
She should have listened to Izzy. Her friend knew this was going to end in heartbreak. Although her friend had believed it would end with Derek discarding her for his work not because he flipped out over Michael putting his hands on her. She shuddered at the thought of Michael’s lips on hers.
Closing her eyes briefly to steal herself against the ferocity of questions her sister was going to bombard her with, Roni took one last deep breath and exited her car. Her sister was waiting on the porch for her. She smiled weakly at her little sister as she climbed the four steps up to the front door. “So who is the asshole and where can I find him to kill him?” That was Bree for you, always going for the jugular and asking questions later. “Come inside and tell me all about the prick.”
Bree’s house was much like her own, small and old. Only two bedrooms and one bath. The outside was a soft lavender with white trim. The inside was painted with brighter blues, and greens. A small fireplace sat along the living room wall in front of the couch. In the corner of the living room, sat a large desk with multiple screens and computers. Which reminded Roni of Derek’s office. Which of course made her burst into tears.
“Sit.” Bree said as she shoved Roni onto the couch taking the seat next to her. “Ok, you have been telling me all about Mr. Geektastic for over a month now. How wonderful he was and all of that. I have two questions for you, what is his real name and what the fuck happened? When I talked to you before the gala you were all hearts and flowers and now you look like someone ran over your puppy.”
Even though Roni was the older sister, Bree was the tougher of the two
of them. She never let any guy get to her. She was usually one of the boys. With her brilliance in computers, a male dominated arena, Bree had to be hard to keep them from looking at her like she didn’t belong. Maybe that was why she opted to open a gallery instead of making millions in computers.
“If I tell you who the guy was, promise me you won’t freak out?” Roni knew for a fact that Bree would know exactly who Derek was. Hence the reason she kept his name from her.
“I promise now tell me so we can plot his murder.”
With a deep sigh, Roni let out the name. “Derek Callaway.”
“As in CEO of CPST, Derek Callaway? Wow.” With that Bree started pacing. She would stop and start to talk, then close her mouth and pace some more. Finally, she spoke. “Ok, well I have to tell you something. I kind of work for him. Well, not him directly, but I do some contract work for them.”
Roni was completely confused. “What do you mean contract work? I thought you had given up on computers?”
Bree took a seat next to Roni. Her head down. “The gallery isn’t doing well. And to be honest, even though I went on and on about how much I wanted to be around people, people suck. I missed the puzzle of breaking a code. About six months ago I was talking to one of my friends from M.I.T. He told me about a company, CPST, which was hiring hackers to test their code. I applied, passed the security clearance and a month later I was playing hacker.”
At this point Roni burst out laughing thinking back to her date with Derek that was interrupted by a hacker. Her sister was now looking at her like she had lost her ever loving mind. Which of course made Roni laugh harder. Roni would bet her life that Bree had been the hacker to break the code putting an end to their naughty activities.
Regaining control of herself she had to know. “You didn’t happen to break a code for drone security about six weeks ago did you?”
Bree sat up straight, obviously very proud of herself. “That code was shit. He left it wide open for a hacker. Well a hacker with my skill set anyway. Why?”
Falling Into You (Geek to Chic) Page 22