Josh rushes to Faith’s side. “Is he alive?”
My eyes close in fear of seeing something I will never get over. I inhale Dereck instead, trusting that he will always do right by me. I smell his sweat, old from practice, new from the beating.
Faith’s voice is shaky. “I have a pulse.”
Tires screech, so Josh faces the road. “Police.” He runs toward them. “We need an ambulance.”
“Dereck,” Faith says, “prepare her.”
His chest still heaving, Dereck leans his head to mine. “I need you to stay as calm as you are now.”
I nod because I’ve never felt more connected to him than at this very moment. I’m practically unaffected, considering all that is transpiring around me.
He rocks me. “But I’m going to have to put you down soon, okay?”
My heart jolts slightly. I raise my head. Dereck nods toward my dad. With a hoarse voice, I say, “No. I don’t want to see.”
Dereck inhales as he allows my body to slowly slide down his. “Okay. Then just keep looking into my eyes. Just see me—only me, Baby Doll.”
I get lost in the magnificent storm he calls eyes. And I stay there as handcuffs are placed on my boyfriend, confining his wrists. I stay enraptured, side by side with Dereck, all the way to the police cruiser. And our eyes stay locked as the one I love is guided into the backseat. The door shuts, but our link is not severed. No piece of glass—or any barrier—can truly separate us.
“Whoa, whoa,” Officer Hawkins says as he runs up to the officer who has just taken Dereck into custody. “Taylor, I know these kids.”
Waving a piece of paper, Josh runs across Dereck’s front yard. “Officer Hawkins, here’s the restraining order!”
Faith pleads with another officer while my dad has paramedics around him. I focus on Dereck. Officer Hawkins, the other officer, and Josh walk away, talking.
“No, look at me, Serenity.” Dereck’s voice is muffled, but I hear him clearly. I shut out the officer’s words and press my palms to the window, focusing only on Dereck again. His breath fogs the glass between us. “I love you,” he says with such determination that I feel it through my whole body. “I love you so goddamn much. Do you understand?”
“Yes,” I softly answer.
“Do you understand me, Serenity?” he almost yells.
“Yes.” Frustration pulses through me because Dereck doesn’t deserve this treatment. I slam my hands to the glass. “Yes, I understand you.”
“Serenity!” Josh yells. “Knock it off.”
Faith is telling the officers everything she witnessed.
My shoulders slump. I lean my forehead to Dereck’s. “I love you, too.”
Soon, I feel Josh’s hands on my shoulders, gently pulling me backward. I reach out for Dereck. “Wait.”
“He’s coming. Hold on.” Josh gestures at the officer opening the car door.
As soon as Dereck emerges, I rush to him, wrapping my arms around his waist. He kisses my head as the officer removes the handcuffs.
Once Dereck is freed, his warm arms circle me.
Except for a sore scalp and a few bruises, I’m fine. My dad isn’t so fortunate and is taken to the hospital. I’m told he’s awake and already being rude to the paramedics. As soon as he’s released, Dad will be back in court for violating the restraining order. He’ll have to face charges of attempted kidnapping. My wish for my dad to want me has come true… and has become a living nightmare.
Dereck and I head across the lawn toward the front door, and it’s the longest walk after what we just went through.
That is, until Josh says, “Whooee! I’m sure glad you didn’t have to go to jail.”
Dereck is exhausted but plays along. “Why’s that? You’d miss me, brother?”
“Nah, but can you imagine what they would do to a pretty boy like you behind bars?”
“Joshua!” Faith and I yell, laughing—which of course was Josh’s goal.
“What?” He innocently shrugs. “I’m just saying what we’re all thinking.”
God, I love him.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Mr. Hamilton
Dereck observes me staring at my phone. “What’s wrong?”
I’m sitting on my bed, wondering if I’m insane to be dumbfounded by my mom’s actions. “My service has been canceled.” I look at him, wanting my life to be different. “My dad has been in jail for three days, so that means… my mom did it. She can only contact me by email now. Why is she so mad at me, Dereck?”
He sits on my bed and grabs my hand. “She just needs someone to blame until she is willing to assume responsibility for her mistakes and the choices she’s made.”
He’s right. I know darkness is living in my old home, but my parents made bad decisions, inviting it. I take a deep breath. They must take responsibility for their actions and stop blaming me.
A week later, my birthday present and I are standing on the lot of a huge car dealership. My insides feel as if they’re liquefying. Dereck broadly gestures. “Pick any truck you want.”
The salesman practically does a skip and a hop as he leads us. “In that case, over here we have brand-new…”
I shut him out. I don’t want this. I walk around aimlessly, looking at these huge crew cabs. “Dereck—”
“It has to be, Serenity. Your dad knows your red Jeep. If you want to stay at your school, you trade vehicles.”
The salesman gestures. “Over here we have…”
I should be the good girlfriend and be excited my boyfriend has no issues with fronting me money for such a purchase—which I’m sure is going to melt my IOU list with this price tag—but even with a new vehicle, I’m no longer allowed to pick up Skyler. Josh put his foot down. No argument would convince him otherwise. Oh, how I tried. Rocco is now to pick up Sky for me, and we are to meet at Margie’s for the swap.
I drag my heavy feet around the car lot, following Mr. Chipper Salesman while I tug at the pain in my chest. Dereck wants me in a tougher vehicle in case my dad loses his mind—and tries to ram me or something. I’m overwhelmed by the situation when a beautiful pearly-blue truck catches my eye. She seems lonely. Somehow that makes me feel she understands my pain. I point. “Her.”
The salesman gets excited. I guess I picked out an expensive one. “She’s a beaut. Four-wheel drive…” His voice fades in and out of my burning ears. “Would you like to see the inside? All black leather interior… Fully loaded…” His eagerness is grating on my nerves. I’m too miserable to be as enthusiastic as he.
Dereck’s knuckles graze my face. “Is she talkin’ to ya?”
I nod. Then I cry.
Dereck embraces me. “I’m so sorry to be putting you through this, but he’s already out of jail. I will buy you another red Jeep. I promise.”
Somehow, Father had managed to befriend a judge, making it possible for his fancy lawyers to weasel him through the system, awaiting another court date. Who gets out on bail with kidnapping charges?
Choking on sadness, I shake my head while pulling away. “Not for one minute am I not grateful for what you’re doing for me, Dereck. It’s just that I have to trade my gift from you because my daddy wants to hurt me. Can you imagine what that feels like?”
“Oh, shit,” gasps Mr. Chipper, who then takes three steps back. “I’ll give you a moment.”
Dereck tucks my hair behind my ear. “Every day. Ev-e-ry-day I imagine how you must hurt, and then I realize I’m not even close to comprehending your pain.” I lean on him again. His arm wraps around me as his other points at the truck, and he tells the salesman, “We’ll take that one.”
After entering the lobby, Faith stands from the couch but says nothing. At least her mouth doesn’t, but her eyes tell plenty. They are sad. I’m not one for pity, bu
t it does feel good to know she understands. Dereck sits me on the couch. “Wait for me here?” He doesn’t want me to hear a price tag and probably needs an adult to sign papers.
As he and his mama walk away, a secretary—watching him intently—brings me a bottle of water. “You are such a lucky girl, getting a boyfriend like that to buy you a brand-new truck.”
I think of my locker that occasionally reads “Hamilton’s whore,” of Father trying to abduct me, and of my mother abandoning me, and I take the water offered. “Yes, I am lucky.”
Dereck opens the passenger door to my new truck then gets behind the wheel. He didn’t even offer for me to drive. I’m too drained. Staring out the passenger window, I sit motionless with my forehead to the glass. My Jeep stands alone in the car lot as I silently say goodbye, so sorry for abandoning her.
From her Lexus behind us, Faith waves a sad little goodbye to my Jeep. Again, this woman understands.
Dereck seems tired and on edge ever since Josh and Roc went to my old home to collect the rest of my belongings. According to an email from my mom, Father threatened to throw them out. He’s not even supposed to be there. She never asked for my new cell phone number. I’m not sure how many times my heart can break before I go completely over the edge. I wonder what was said between the boys and my dad but am too tired to ask. If Dereck isn’t telling, he has good reasons.
Lately, as soon as Dereck’s head hits the pillow, he’s out. My nightmares have slowed a little. I’m thankful. They are taking a heavy toll on him. “Dereck, you don’t need my nightmares waking you up. Let me sleep in my own bed tonight.”
Of course his eyes are already closed—he’s in a horizontal position. “Not happening.”
“Dereck—”
“Serenity! No! I would just lie here and worry. If I can touch you, I can rest. I’m tired. Stop pushing me.”
“I’m sorry… Just trying to help.”
“Damn, I’m sorry, too. I’m just so tired, but I shouldn’t bitch at you like that. We good?”
“We’re good.” I grin in the dark. “I was just confused about what no meant. It’s a first.”
“Don’t worry, won’t be a repeat performance. Too tired to remember how I did it.”
Before I can retort, his breathing becomes heavy. On a night like this, I think of my cloaked friend. I miss her. My dream partner has been replaced by night terrors. My heart needs her purple flowers. I watch Dereck rest and tell myself not to fear falling asleep. Faith said it’s normal to be afraid when nightmares are so prevalent. I used to be the first to fall asleep, but that has changed, so I nuzzle up to his sleeping form. Dereck rolls to his side, wrapping his arm around me. I find a cave in his chest, and a miracle happens. My nerves settle as my face buries itself into this crevice. I relax, feeling safe, and finally fall to sleep…
“Shhh, my Baby Doll, shhh. Can you hear me?”
I don’t remember my terror as I wake to Dereck’s warmth. I’m still hiding in his chest, being gently rocked.
“Shhh, you’re okay. I’m here. You’re not alone.” Dereck has a firm hold and hasn’t even opened his eyes.
I’m crying, but not trying to run or leap off a bed is a major improvement. In his comfort, I know I will fall right back to sleep.
The chest cave. We just found a new way to get some rest.
Faith insisted on a girls’ day of shopping, and I’m so glad she did. Sitting in this fancy restaurant, I quickly understand my holey jeans and worn boots were never gonna cut it. Not to mention, I’m sitting across from Alexander Hamilton—Dereck’s father—who insists I call him Alex. I try not to think of Alexandria’s nickname.
I expected a richer-than-God vibe from this Alex, but so far, that is not what I’m finding. Alexander Hamilton is down to earth. I instantly understand why Faith fell for him. He’s much better looking in person. I had only seen him on TV till now. Alexander looks like Dereck may in forty years or so. Dereck has his mama’s soul—to a T—but he inherited his charm and looks from his daddy, who is clearly a master of his gifts.
So is Dereck’s older brother, David Hamilton, who says, “Serenity, do you know what you need?”
David has been harassing me all evening. “No, but I’m sure you’re about to tell me.”
“An older man.”
Dereck rolls his eyes. “And, here we go.”
“Don’t you mean man, period?” Mr. Hamilton says.
David dips his chin. “This is so true, Dad. Sorry, Dereck.”
David reaches to hold my hand that’s resting on the table, but Dereck smacks it away. I wonder where David got his looks, because he reminds me of a soulful yet playful Indian, with strong, striking features and dark eyes that surely put a hurtin’ on some unfortunate girls.
Mr. Hamilton asks, “Serenity, are you going to UT with Dereck?”
I open my mouth, but Dereck answers, “Yes, she’s just in denial at the moment.”
More than ready to give Dereck a piece of my mind, I’m stumped when Mr. Hamilton lifts his drink to Dereck. “Good, so we see eye to eye. Let me know if you need help with her tuition.”
My mouth opens again, with my finger in the air to protest, but the Hamiltons at this table are ignoring my opinion. Alexander adds, “And I insist we all have dinner together once a month from now on.”
“Hear, hear,” David says before taking a sip of his cocktail.
Dereck asks me, “Why do you seem so shocked my pops likes you so much?”
Mr. Hamilton’s brows gather. “Why did you ask her that, Dereck?”
“Because I know her better than anyone.”
I’m embarrassed. “I, well, it’s just that—Alex—Alexandria said that her parents are friends with you, Mr. Ham—”
He points at me in warning.
I smile. “Alex.”
Alex says, “They’re business acquaintances. Not friends. And because of my money, they want to be tied to me, permanently. When they became pregnant, they claimed their son would be named after me. Imagine their surprise when he was a she. That didn’t stop them, though, and Alexander became Alexandria. I wanted none of it, especially after they learned of Dereck being born and began staking claim to him like we still lived in the Dark Ages. Our children, betrothed? Alexandria was born one month later. I explained there would be no prearranged marriage and that they were way off the insanity charts. Faith and I kept Dereck from them. Of course, poor little Alex was enrolled at the private school that Dereck was to attend, as if they were offering her up on a silver platter. Can you imagine? When Dereck chose to go into the public school system, I wasn’t pleased, but I knew that the family would never allow Alexandria to follow.”
Mr. Hamilton stops when he observes Dereck’s jaw resting on the table.
“What? Your mother and I were not going to tell you and feed into their madness.” Mr. Hamilton shrugs. “Well, I was stunned, but follow she did to that public school.” He gestures at Dereck. “And when you started dating Alex on your own, I figured that nutty family might get a wish granted after all. But your mama said you refused to bring Alex home. Faith rambled on about ‘green eyes will capture Dereck’s heart.’” Mr. Hamilton smiles, looking into my eyes. “Faith. That magical woman.” He seems to drift into a thought but quickly snaps out of it. “Anyway, never listen to those snobs, Serenity. How could I have fallen in love with Faith if I was anything like those social delights?”
The media can really portray a famous person in the wrong manner. They really can.
“Blue Bonnet!” shouts an excited Skyler. Driving, well, Blue Bonnet, I give her a quizzical stare. She laughs. “For real! I love her. You look ridiculous driving this beast, but hey, we’re Texans. Why not?”
Other than my meeting Dereck’s dad, we’ve had a quiet week. And to make it even better, Skyle
r and I, shockingly, had an uneventful day at school. Unexpected, but a much-appreciated reprieve. And if that wasn’t the sugar in our sweet tea, knowing we’re about to see Josh and Jolene is. Practices are usually closed, but I guess those rules don’t apply to Josh Dukes and his guests. Dereck says the coach loves Josh and his rare visits, claiming they’re inspiring to the young players. Josh and Jolene have been swamped with their schedules but seem to be thriving in their new lives.
Sky links her phone to Blue Bonnet’s fancy-ass radio. “It’s time we bless this tank. Serenity, roll down your window.”
It’s, like, one hundred eighty degrees outside, but I squeal with delight, pressing a button and having the hot air blowing through my loose hair. Our blond and brown hair starts dancing in the wind as Destiny’s song “I’m Calling to You” starts blaring over the speakers. Not only did Dereck replace the cell service my mom terminated, but he also bought me a fancy iPhone and set me up on iTunes. I made him swear to add the phone and new songs to my IOU list as I downloaded all of Destiny’s music. He asked if I wanted another artist on my phone. I asked why.
Sky and I are jamming out, singing like dying cats until we both violently bounce in our seats. Pulling into a gas station’s parking lot, I casually announce, “Yeah, I’m still working on the whole curb thing.”
Sky peeks out the passenger window. “Workin’ on it? I think you just destroyed it, and your high-dollar tires.” She sits back in her seat, examining my huge truck as I pull into a parking spot. “Really, Serenity, what exactly does Dereck think you’re going up against? A Transformer on meth?”
I have to park farther away because everyone and their uncle seem to need a snack today. This lot is practically full. We leave everything in Blue Bonnet except a twenty-dollar bill.
Serenity (Forever Book 1) Page 32