DEREK'S MATCH

by Jami Gallardo

I look down at his extended hand as he keeps his left hand on the wheel. “What for?” I ask suspiciously.

  “I want to hold it, silly,” He says smoothly.

  Okay, it’s time to admit it.

  Derek Collins is officially the smoothest guy I’ve ever met.

  I place my left hand on his reluctantly and he intertwines his fingers with mine confidently, as if we were boyfriend and girlfriend and this is the millionth time we’ve held hands. He rests them on his lap and the tingles in my stomach go wild.

  “Can I play music?” I ask as he gets on the highway.

  “You can do anything you want, Gin.”

  I smile then reach out for my phone and connect it via Bluetooth. Derek holds my hand as he drives and I turn up the music. I’ve been so focused on him, I forgot that I’m in California. I look out the window as the car speeds down the highway.

  There’s so much open sky here compared to New York. I think it’s because I’m used to the tall buildings always hovering over us in the city. I forgot how big the sky is. It’s like an intake of fresh air.

  It reminds me of Newport and it makes me feel homesick. I miss my family so much. I miss my parents’ inn and the beach.

  My parents own an inn that is right in front of the ocean. Before I came to New York, I was helping them run it so I spent a lot of time there. I really wish I could visit them. I want to see them and meet my nephew.

  I try to push those sad thoughts to the side and continue to take the sights around me.

  It’s around two in the afternoon when we reach the amusement park.

  “I can’t believe you’re making me walk all that,” I say as we get out of the car. I eye the long way to the entrance and bite back a groan. I’m used to walking but why walk when you have a shiny red Tesla?

  “Come on, it’s not that bad,” He says, putting on his Ray Ban sunglasses.

  I look at him in awe. He’s too handsome to be real yet he is. Even with his cap and sunglasses on, he still looks like himself and I really hope he’s right and he doesn’t get recognized because he’s right: I don’t want to share him with anyone.

  At least not today.

  Today, I want him to make up the date we went to the other night. I want to pretend he’s a normal guy and we’re another ordinary couple at an amusement park.

  I’m glad I decided to dress casual. I’m wearing worn-out jeans with a blue blouse and my checkered Vans. My hair is loose around my shoulders. It’s a good hair day today.

  Derek puts his right arm around my shoulders as we walk and I smile. There is no doubt in my mind: I’m going to be the girl with the hottest guy in this park. No one can fight me on this.

  “Did you have breakfast?” He asks as we walk.

  I nod. “I did.”

  “Good. We’ll eat after we ride everything.”

  “All the rides?” I ask, knowing there’s probably a lot. I’ve heard of the rides in Six Flags. I was being honest when I said I’m not into rollercoasters. I’m not the best with heights but I don’t want to spoil this. I’m sure it’ll be fun with Derek, as much as I hate to admit it.

  “Yes,” He says looking at me with a smile.

  I shake my head at him. “Don’t smile at me like that.”

  He chuckles. “Like what?”

  I laugh. “Whatever. You know what you’re doing.”

  “Are you trying to compliment me?”

  I roll my eyes with a smile. “I’m sure you know you have a nice smile.”

  He stops walking and looks at me, shocked. He’s so dramatic, I swear. “You like my smile, Gin?”

  I laugh nervously. “You’re going to make me admit it?”

  “Yes,” He says smirking at me, pulling his sunglasses off.

  “I think you have a nice smile.”

  “You have to look at me when you say it, though, or it doesn’t count.”

  “You’re so annoying.” I laugh.

  “Go on.” He grins.

  I look up and meet his blue eyes. “You have a nice smile.”

  A boyish grin spreads on his lips, showing his straight teeth. “I think it’s more than nice but I’ll take it.”

  “Unbelievable.” I shake my head but I’m smiling.

  He reaches for my hand. “Before we go on with the day, I wanted to apologize.”

  I frown. “You want to apologize.” I echo because Derek Collins doesn’t apologize. At least not voluntarily.

  “For abandoning you all week.” He explains as he reaches out to touch a strand of my hair. “I know it didn’t exactly prove my intentions with you.”

  “You were busy,” I say with a shrug.

  Yeah, right, Savannah, as if you didn’t spend all week waiting for a call or just a text even. I realize that he should be apologizing.

  “It won’t happen again,” He says. “This casting was just very important to me and I wanted to do the best I could.”

  I look at him and wonder how this is the same obnoxious guy I met more two weeks ago. He looks genuine when he says this and it makes me feel like there’s hope. Maybe he’s a good guy, very, very, very, deep down.

  “Thank you for apologizing,” I say then decide I should be honest as well. “I did wait for your call all week,” I say more quietly.

  He grins. “Wow, really?”

  I roll my eyes at him. “We should go. The day isn’t getting any longer.”

  “You’re right,” He says as he intertwines his fingers with mine. He puts his sunglasses go back on.

  I know it’s real but I can’t believe I’m holding hands with Derek Collins as we make our way to the amusement park.

  God. I hope this doesn’t end in a disaster like it did the last time.

  No disasters, I pray in my head as we walk, please no disasters because I know I’ll cry for sure this time.

  14. pushing your luck

  I get used to Derek’s arm around my shoulders very quickly.

  He has it there as we walk from ride to ride and he has it there during the rides. If his arm is not around my shoulders, he’s holding my hand. It feels like—well, it feels like we’re a real couple even though I’m not his girlfriend.

  The tickets he got for us let us skip the long lines so we actually get on most of the rides. We begin with the Batman ride which scares the crap out of me but it feels good to scream at the top of my lungs along everyone else.

  We move from ride to ride until the sky turns dark. We joke around and laugh. He tickles my stomach and I push him away playfully, secretly liking his hands on me.

  “You having fun?” He asks me later on as we wait in line for the drop tower. It’s very high and I’m getting more nervous as we get closer to the front of the line. There are people talking and laughing around us and we fit right in.

  "Yes," I say smiling up at him. I can see my reflection on his sunglasses and wow—my hair is a mess. I reach out and run my fingers through the tangles then I braid it. I can feel his eyes on me the whole time. I don’t know why I get so nervous when he looks at me. It makes me feel self-conscious but I like it at the same time. I like having his attention. It’s flattering.

  He reaches out and touches my braid. “I like your hair in a braid, Gin.”

  “Thank you for letting me know. I’ll stop doing it that way.” I tease with a smile.

  He chuckles then looks to our sides before leaning in closer. “I want to be able to compliment you without you changing anything,” He says and I can feel his eyes burning through the sunglasses.

  I blink, a little dazzled by his low voice. “Okay,” I say slowly, looking away.

  He reaches out and his arm goes around my waist, taking me by surprise. His touch is gentle and I can feel his eyes on me, probably looking for any indication that he should stop. As if I could possibly not like the way his arm feels around me. I look up at him and he smiles at me, making me smile sheepishly. I turn my head to the side and he embraces me closer to him. My cheek rests on his shoulder and I feel his
chin on the top of my head.

  Neither of us say anything and I allow myself to enjoy this little moment. It feels so intimate in a place full of people around us.

  “What are the chances of this day ending with a kiss?” He asks quietly without moving.

  I pull away as the line moves up. “You’re pushing your luck.”

  He holds my hand as we step forward. “I think I’m willing to take a shot.”

  I smile, shaking my head. He makes me feel like a teenager when he flirts with me. A lot of emotions are beginning to build up inside my chest and it’s starting to get a little overwhelming. I didn’t feel this many emotions when Kevin and I went on our second date. I make the comparison because Kevin is the only other man I’ve ever dated. Derek and I barely know each other. All we’ve been doing is flirting and playing around. I should most definitely not be feeling this way. It’s too soon. It feels like I like him more and more by the minute. If one day with him is making a feel this way, what would a week do? Or a month?

  It’s so scary to think about this and I force those thoughts out of my head. I want to have a good date today. I can worry tomorrow or Monday. There’s always time to worry.

  The drop tower makes my stomach drop and feel things I can’t explain but nothing compares to the rollercoaster we get on after that. I can feel the anticipation of it as we begin to move. We sit and the seats move so we’re facing the sky as we move backwards. It’s dark by now and I’m glad because I’m pretty sure I have a terrified look on my face.

  “Oh my god,” I say.

  Derek laughs next to me. “You alright?”

  We have the restraint over our heads so we can’t see each other.

  “No,” I say as it continues to move. “I can’t believe I let you convince me to do thissss!" I scream as we drop. I hold on to the restraints on my chest as we spin around. We are making 360 turns and I can feel the adrenaline all over my body as it moves. It’s both the best and worst ride out of all the ones we’ve been to. I love how alive it’s making me feel but I know there is no way in hell I would ever ride it again.

  I’m able to catch my breath when we finally slow down and then it stops completely.

  The restraints are unlocked and we pull them up then stand up.

  “Whoa,” Derek says putting an arm around me. “You alright?” He asks.

  “Yeah, just a little dizzy,” I say.

  We begin to follow everyone towards the exit. “Wasn’t it awesome? I love that ride,” He says as he puts his cap back on. The shades are off since it’s nighttime but surprisingly enough, he hasn’t been recognized yet. Somehow, I know it’s going to happen before the day ends.

  “I don’t ever want to get on that ride again.”

  He chuckles. “You ready to eat? I’m hungry.”

  “I’m going to need a couple of minutes, but let’s go.”

  “You like cheeseburgers?”

  “Yes, but I’d rather have pizza,” I say, starting to feel better. The world is not spinning anymore. Turns out, Derek Collins is not the only person that can make my world spin. Now I can add that rollercoaster to the list.

  He holds my hand as we walk. “Anything you want, Gin,” He says as he begins to lead us through the crowd.

  My feet hurt which is expected, considering we’ve been walking all day. We walk for a couple of minutes before we reach the pizza restaurant. I hold a table for us while Derek gets our food. I text with Kim while I wait. She sent me a text a few hours ago asking how everything was going. I completely forgot that I was supposed to let her know when I landed so she knew I was okay.

  I’m texting her when Derek comes back with a tray. He sits next to me and the smell of pizza awakens my appetite. I send the text then put my phone down and reach for a slice.

  “You cheating on me?” Derek asks with a teasing smile, glancing at my phone.

  I roll my eyes at him as I reach for a napkin. “Yes, with someone that actually texts me.”

  “Ouch.” He winces dramatically making me laugh.

  “Looks like you’ve been spotted,” I say glancing at a group of people looking right at us, or more like looking at Derek. They take out their phones and begin taking pictures.

  “Lucky for them, I always look good,” Derek says winking at me.

  “Have you always been this confident?” I ask him with a smile as I chew on my pizza.

  “Yes,” He says without hesitation as we eat. “What can I say? I’ve always looked this good.”

  “I don’t doubt that.”

  He grins at me. “I could get used to your compliments, Gin.”

  “Like you need them.”

  He looks at me. “I do.”

  We look at each other for a moment. I purse my lips as I finish chewing on the bite of pizza and I watch as his blue eyes lower down to my lips.

  “Excuse me.”

  We both turn to look at a group of teenagers that have crowded around our table. They’re all looking at Derek.

  “Omg. You are Derek Collins,” One of them says in shock and the others giggle.

  “Why, yes,” Derek says with a grin. “Yes, I am.”

  “Oh my god.”

  “I can’t believe it’s him.”

  “He’s even hotter in person.”

  “Can I take a picture with you?” The same girl asks and the rest nod excitedly.

  Derek surprises me by turning to look at me. “Will it be alright with you?”

  I smile at him then nod. “Yes, of course.”

  “Is she your girlfriend?”

  Derek and I look up at her. I blush and Derek smiles. “She will be soon,” He says and it sounds like a promise.

  “OMG.”

  “He’s so cute.”

  “She’s so lucky.”

  He winks at me then turns to look at the girls. “Alright, who’s first?”

  I reach for my drink and take a sip as I watch him take selfies with everyone. The commotion draws attention, of course, and the crowd begins to get bigger. He’s still taking pictures and signing random things, like paper plates, when I finish eating. An employee comes over and cleans up the table. Good thing he was able to eat before we got interrupted.

  “Thank you,” I say to him as I stand up.

  I intend to go stand on the side and wait for him to finish but when I try to walk away, Derek reaches for my hand and pulls me back to him.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” He asks looking at me.

  I look at everyone as they take pictures of us. “Derek, I can wait outside.”

  He shakes his head. “No way,” He says then he turns to look at the crowd. “Sorry, guys, I have to go. I’m on a date with this hottie.” He puts his arm around my waist and presses me closer to him.

  I’m embarrassed but I like that he’s giving me my place. For once, he’s not being a douche. This is a big step up from the other night when he ditched me.

  “She’s the girl you got matched with, isn’t she?” someone asks.

  “Oh, yeah! With the MATCH ME app,” Someone else says.

  There are murmurs and nods in agreement.

  Derek just smiles. “Goodnight, everyone.” He waves as he walks away, pulling me with him.

  “Wow,” I say as we hurry away from the crowd. “People really do love you, huh?”

  He shoots me an amused look. “Your surprise is a little insulting.”

  I laugh. “It’s nice of you to always take the time to take pictures with everyone.”

  He shrugs. “I owe my success to them. Plus, I’m very good with pictures, so why not?” He jokes as he puts his arm around my shoulders.

  I smile as I look straight ahead. “What now?”

  “You down to go to the beach?”

  “Right now?” I ask. It was past ten when I checked back at the restaurant. I’m tired but the thought of spending more time with Derek is too good to pass.

  “Yes,” He says then he grins amusedly. “Is it past your bedtime?”


  “Yeah, it is.” I joke making him laugh.

  “I’m still going to give it my shot and kiss you, Gin,” He says as we walk. “The night is not over yet.”

  15. too much

  Derek drives us to Santa Monica Beach.