Rachel raises her eyebrows. “Really?”
I find myself blushing. “Hardly.”
Derek grins at me then looks at Rachel. “She’s also modest.”
Rachel smiles. “Has Hannah met her?” She asks, meaning Derek’s sister.
“No,” Derek says as his arm slips down to my waist.
“She’s going to love you,” Rachel says looking at me.
“Hannah would love anyone that’s not Sadie.” Nick points out as he takes a sip from his wine.
Derek clenches his jaw. “Here we fucking go.” He murmurs then looks at me and smiles as if nothing is happening. “Let’s go get a drink.”
Before I can say anything, he grabs my hand and pulls me away from his brother and Rachel.
“So, what was that about?” I ask him after we get a drink.
We’re standing off to the side, just me and him but I can feel people looking our way. They’re probably looking at him. I’m sure it’s not easy to look away from a famous celebrity when you’re in the same room as them. I wonder if Derek feels their stares or is he so used to them that he doesn’t even feel them anymore?
He smiles at me innocently. “What was what about?”
I narrow my eyes at him. “You seemed pretty tense when your brother mentioned your ex.”
He shrugs. “They’re always nagging me about my personal life.”
“That’s what family does.” I smile.
“Well, it’s fucking annoying. I hate it.”
I reach out and touch the frown on his forehead with my thumb. His eyes soften and he grabs my hand and kisses it.
“You don’t mind the whole world getting in your business but all hell breaks loose when your family does?” I ask quietly.
His blue eyes study mine. “You always say exactly what you’re thinking,” He says touching my cheek with his finger. “I really like that about you, Gin.”
I raise my eyebrows with a teasing smile. “Are you sure?”
He shrugs. “Most of the time.”
I shake my head with a smile. “You haven’t answered my question.”
“What do you want me to say?” He asks amusedly. I can’t tell if he’s taking this serious or not. Either way, I know this is not a conversation to have at a charity event with people all around us.
“Nothing,” I finally say bringing the glass up to my lips.
“Excuse me.”
We both turn to look at a group of women smiling brightly at Derek. “Can we have a picture?” One of them asks.
Derek grins. “Of course, ladies.”
I watch him as he takes a picture with each of them individually. He keeps his arm firm on their shoulders and smiles at the camera. Pretty soon, a crowd builds around him. Once it starts, it doesn’t stop, I guess. I’m sure he was one of the main attractions of this charity event. You had to pay to come in so the people here are more sophisticated and respectful. The older ones pick up a conversation with him after he takes pictures with their daughters.
“He’s so good with pictures, isn't he?”
I turn my head and smile at Rachel. She stands next to me and next to her is a woman. She has wavy, brown hair and chocolate brown eyes. She’s wearing a black cocktail dress that hugs a baby bump on her stomach. I wouldn’t be assuming she’s pregnant if the baby bump wasn’t so nicely formed on her. It’s obvious she’s pregnant.
“Yes,” I say smiling at them. “He is.”
“Savannah, this is Emily,” Rachel says placing her arm around Emily’s shoulders. “She’s Colton’s fiancée. Colton is Derek and Nick’s oldest brother. He’s over there with Nick,” She says nodding towards them.
Emily extends her arm towards me. “It’s so nice to meet you, Savannah.”
I smile at her. Her smile is kind and feels genuine. I like her instantly. “It’s nice to meet you, too.”
“So rude of him to ditch you.” Rachel jokes.
“Oh, I don’t mind,” I say. “I’d rather be on the sidelines than in front of a camera."
“I feel the exact same way,” Emily says. “This girl here, though,” She says glancing at Rachel. “—is a natural, just like Derek.”
Rachel rolls her eyes at her with a smile. “I don’t really mind pictures.”
“I wouldn’t either if I looked like you,” Emily says to her.
Rachel laughs. “Stop. You’re the one who’s glowing.”
Emily places her hand on her bump and smiles. She really is glowing. She’s so radiant in her own way. “I really like being pregnant.”
“I would too if I looked like you.” Rachel teases and we all laugh.
They seem to get along really well for being in-laws. I can tell they’re very close. I can see them having brunch together a couple times a week to catch up and gossip about their husbands. I find myself wanting to be a part of their club. I’m not as cool as they are, but I can cook?
Before any of us say anything, Nick and Colton join us. They stand next to their women, sandwiching them in the middle. Nick says something to Rachel in her ear and she smiles. Colton is just as attractive as his younger brothers. He has short, black hair and the same blue eyes. Strong jaw. Broad shoulders. Tall. Charming smile. These men are way too good looking.
Colton has darker features than Nick and Derek. I can tell he’s the sort of man that doesn’t smile at everyone. People are probably scared of him. I realize that he’s the one that owns the club and bar Derek has taken me to. I begin to feel intimidated and turn to look at Derek nervously. He catches my eye and begins to make his way out of the crowd.
“This is Colton,” Emily says and I turn to look at her. “She’s Derek’s girlfriend,” She says looking up at him.
Colton nods at me politely. “So, you’re my little brother's new victim.”
“Colton.” Emily shakes her head then she looks at me with a smile. “He’s joking. Tell her you’re joking,” She says to him.
Colton chuckles at her and I feel my shoulders relax. “Yes, I’m joking.”
“Hardly,” Nick says teasingly.
“You guys are going to scare her,” Rachel says smiling at me.
“Don’t believe anything they say,” Derek says as he stands next to me. “Especially from him.” He points at Colton and then grins at him. They hug with one arm. “Good to see you, Emily,” Derek says. “Baby looks good on you.”
Emily smiles. “Thank you.”
A man approaches Nick and says something to him. Nick nods then looks at all of us. “They want to take some pictures of us.” He reaches for Rachel’s hand.
Colton and Emily follow them to the backdrop where a photographer waits.
“Everything okay?” Derek asks me quietly as we follow them.
I nod with a smile. “Yes.”
He nudges my shoulder with his. “So? Am I the best looking or what?”
I laugh. “Yes,” I say looking up at him. “By far.”
He grins at me then leans in and presses his lips against mine and I feel a flash on us but I don’t care. He grabs my hand. “Come on, let’s go take these pictures.”
I feel so out of place as we takes pictures with his family. The six of us take a couple of pictures and then I take a picture with Rachel and Emily. Emily stands in the middle. I try to keep my best smile on my face. I can’t believe I’m taking pictures with Derek Collins' family. This is unreal.
Emily, Rachel, and I then stand behind the camera man as he takes pictures of Derek with his brothers. They take a couple serious ones and then a few goofy ones where Nick and Colton pick Derek up and hold him horizontally, making all of us laugh.
As I watch Derek interact with his bothers, I wonder why he seems so estranged from his family. He seems to get along with them. Then I think back to when Nick brought up Sadie. I don’t realize until now why that bothered me so much.
It was Derek’s reaction. It was almost defensive, like he hated when people talked bad about her. Am I imagining this? Am I making a big dea
l out of nothing?
God, I hope so but the odds don’t seem to be in my favor.
The thought makes me want to walk out of the building and crawl into my bed and hide under the covers. Away from the world, away from Derek Collins.
21. you say no
The next day, Derek and I are all over the internet. My notifications are overwhelming. I have to log off of all my social accounts to have some peace. It’s crazy.
This time, there are pictures of us and his family.
DEREK’S MATCH MEETS DEREK’S FAMILY, one of the headlines reads. My life is starting to get consumed by Derek Collins and I’m not sure I like it. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. He is a celebrity, after all. People want to know all about his life and right now, that includes me.
On Thursday, I am actually followed on my way to work from school by people from the press. I look down at my feet as I walk and shield my face with a book. There are only about five of them but they’re all asking questions at the same time and it’s too overwhelming.
“You’ve met Derek’s family just weeks after you guys met, would you say things are moving too fast?”
“What did you think of Derek’s family?”
“Derek and Sadie were seen together earlier this week, are you at all concerned about their history?”
Oh my God.
How does Derek deal with this every day and still be in a good mood? I can feel my frustration and anger getting bigger with each step I take. I’m speed walking but they’re quick to keep up with me. My silence doesn’t discourage them at all. They just keep talking and trying to take pictures and videos as they follow me.
I’m just an ordinary girl from Newport.
What do they want from me?
I almost sigh in relief when I finally reach the restaurant. I make my way through the backdoor, leaving all the noise behind me. I take a deep breath once I’m inside then continue to make my way into the kitchen. These people have made me late. I can’t afford to lose my job right now. I’m late on rent. I need this paycheck.
“Are you alright?” Jim asks when he sees me.
I nod as I put my hair up in a ponytail. “Yes, sorry I’m late.”
“Don’t let it happen again.”
I shake my head then turn to the sink and wash my hands. I’m still trying to catch my breath. I really hope this doesn’t become an everyday thing. I don’t think I could deal with it.
I force myself to focus on my job and work through the evening. I’m so glad I don’t have class tomorrow. The interview that I’m doing with Derek and Ian isn’t until the afternoon so I’m looking forward to sleeping in.
It’s so crazy that in the midst of all this chaos, my life still keeps going.
Work and school still keep going like nothing is happening. My ordinary world is colliding with Derek’s and the result is messy. It’s causing an imbalance in my life and it’s making me think about what’s going to happen when all of this is over? I can’t be naive enough to believe that things are always going to be great between Derek and me. I would be stupid to think that this thing between us is going to last forever. I know it can but I also know it can’t and the negative always trumps the positive.
All this thinking drains me and I’m both physically and emotionally exhausted by the time service is over.
I get a text from Derek as we’re cleaning. He’s waiting outside for me. It makes me feel a little better. Seeing him will always make my day better and there’s nothing I can do about that.
He’s leaning against his car when I walk out. He has his phone pressed to his ear. He’s wearing a black cap so it covers most of his face as he looks down at the ground. He’s not saying much. He just nods and says “yes” and “alright” a couple of times. He hasn’t seen me, so I stand a few feet away, next to a wall trying to give him some privacy.
I look around us, thankful that there doesn’t seem to be a lot of people around. I reach out and let my hair down and run my hands through it. I’m braiding it when Derek looks up and his eyes meet mine. A small smile appears on his lips and then he begins to end the call.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were here?” He asks as I walk towards him.
I shrug as I stand in front of him. “I didn’t want to interrupt.”
“I was dying for an interruption,” He says amusedly.
I frown. “Everything okay?”
“Yes.” He sighs. “It was just my manager giving me orders per usual.”
I raise an eyebrow. “You actually follow orders from someone?”
“No.” He grins. “That’s why I always get in trouble.”
I shake my head with a smile.
He reaches out for my hand and pulls me to him. He puts his arms around my waist and his eyes roam all over my face for a moment. “Everything alright with you?”
I place my hand on his strong arm and look away. “I was followed by the press today.”
“You were what?” He asks. He sounds a bit angry in my honor and that makes me feel tingles in my stomach. It makes me think that he actually cares about me.
“They followed me to work.” I frown as I look up at him. “I don’t know how you deal with that every day.”
He looks around us, as if suddenly remembering that we’re out in public. He looks at me again. “I don’t like that, Gin.”
I smile up at him. “Me either.”
“I’m serious,” He says, running his thumb across my jawline. “I don’t want them to harass you.”
“They harass you every day.” I point out.
“Yes but I signed up for this.” He says. “You don’t need to deal with that. It’s my fault it’s happening.” He frowns.
I place my hand on his cheek. “It’s not your fault,” I say and he raises his eyebrows. I roll my eyes. “Not entirely.”
He takes a deep breath then looks at me. “Come with me.”
“Where to?”
“My place,” He says, a smile plays on his lips. “We have the interview tomorrow anyway.”
“I also work tomorrow.” I remind him.
“I can bring you.” He grins. “Or you can take one of my cars.” He winks at me.
I bite my lip. “I don’t know, Derek.”
“Please,” He says. “Just until I figure out a way for them to leave you alone. They probably know where you live by now.” He places his hands on either side of my neck, his thumbs rest on my chin. “I’m your boyfriend, Gin,” He says in a low voice. “Let me take care of you.”
“You’re too charming for your own good.”
He grins. “Is that a yes?”
“No,” I say but I smile.
He outlines my smile with his thumb. “You say no but your smile says yes.”
He leans in and presses his lips against mine in a soft kiss.
“Just tonight,” I say against his lips.
“And tomorrow,” He says then smiles. “It’s Ian’s birthday on Saturday and I’m throwing him a party. I want you to come.”
“I work Saturday.”
He kisses me. “Try to take it off?”
I want to say no because I need my job and if I keep changing schedules, it’s going to piss Jim off sooner rather than later. But it’s so hard to resist spending time with Derek, especially when he asks me like this.
“I’ll try,” I finally say.
He grins then grabs my hand. “Come on. I’ll take you to your apartment so you can pack some clothes.”
I smile as I wonder, how is it that Derek Collins gets me to do whatever he wants without me even saying yes to him?
We get in his Tesla and he drives us to my apartment. He waits in the living room while I take a quick shower.
After I’m dressed, I grab a duffel bag and begin to pack some clothes. I keep thinking about how crazy it is to go and spend a night at Derek’s house but, at the same time, I’m a bit relieved. I don’t want to deal with the press if they decide to follow me tomorrow too. I also know that t
his isn’t a permanent solution. What am I going to do if they don’t stop?
“I like your room.”
I turn around and roll my eyes at Derek, who’s leaning against the doorframe of my room. “Whatever,” I say as I turn back to the duffel bag. “We both know it’s nothing compared to the suite that you have.”
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