He looks at me and then his phone vibrates. “Ted is waiting for me,” He says then he turns around and makes his way to his gym without saying anything else.
I take a deep breath and fight back tears. I feel angry at both Jeremy and Derek. Jeremy because this wouldn’t be happening if he wouldn’t have shown up last night at the bar. I repeat Derek’s words in my head. He hates my guts. Jeremy hates Derek? Why did Jeremy make it seem like they were friends? Did he actually do this intentionally? There’s no way he would’ve known I was going to trip though.
And why is Derek so quick to believe that I would do something like that intentionally? Doesn't he know that I would never do anything to hurt him? He should know better than to believe a picture. Though I know I’m at fault too for putting myself in that position. I shouldn’t have laughed. I was just embarrassed and it came naturally.
I know I shouldn’t but I grab my phone and go on social media. Derek was right. There are a lot of pictures of Jeremy and me at the bar and they all make it seem like we were flirting. There’s one of us sitting close together at the bar and many other different versions from the one Derek showed me. There are already a ton of articles about it. Apparently, I’m cheating on Derek with Sadie’s cousin.
God. What a mess.
I should’ve seen this coming. I wish I would’ve told Derek about Jeremy this morning but there really wasn’t time.
Is he going to break up with me now? Should I start packing?
The thought of Derek breaking up with me is too painful to even think about.
I walk to the living room and look out the window. Derek had a big room built in his backyard to create a gym. The walls are made out of thick glass so I can look through them. Ted is his personal trainer. The first time Derek worked out when I was here, which about a week ago, he invited me to join him. I declined, of course, because that’s not my thing but I went with him and sat on one of the couches. I watched as he worked out for my own pleasure.
Now, I can see him punching the boxing bag over and over while Ted instructs him. At least he’s taking out his anger on something. I hope we’ll be able to talk after he’s done with his workout.
Unfortunately for me, I have to get ready for work.
It doesn’t even feel right to take Derek’s car right now. He’s angry at me. I don’t want to take his car. I hate this. I wish we could talk before I go to work but I don’t want to speak to him if he’s still angry. He obviously doesn’t want to talk right now.
I don’t want to wait anymore so I head upstairs to his room and begin to change for work. I grab my purse and then walk out of the house, locking it before walking down the street. I take out my phone and decide to get a taxi once I’m about a mile away from Derek’s house.
What I love about his neighborhood is the silence. My job and apartment are close to the city so it’s always so noisy. I realize that I’ve gotten way too comfortable living with Derek very quickly. As much as I’d hate to admit it, I’d be devastated if he breaks up with me.
I get to work early and Jim asks me if I can start my shift right away when he sees me. I say yes because working is what I need right now.
Kim doesn’t work today so I don’t even have anyone to talk to. Thankfully, it’s Saturday which means that it’s a busy day at work and I don’t mind at all. Days like these are what I need whenever I’m feeling sad.
It’s not until midnight when we’re finally done cleaning. That’s when I realize that I don’t know how I’m going to get home. Do I even go to Derek’s house? I can just go to my apartment.
Most of these questions are answered when I grab my phone and see that I have a couple missed calls from Derek. He sent me a couple of texts and I read them as I make my way outside through the back door.
Where are you?
Why didn’t you take your car?
Gin, please call me back
I’m guessing you’re working. I’ll be waiting for you outside
When I read the last text, I look up and look around me but don’t see him anywhere. Instead, my stomach drops when I see Jeremy walking towards me.
Oh no. What is he doing here?
My first instinct is to turn around and walk back into the restaurant or walk away from him, but then I remember what happened last night and how it’s caused all of this gossip and I can feel the anger begin to build up.
“What are you doing here?” I ask as soon as he’s near.
He grins. “Whoa. I don’t get a ‘hi’?”
I roll my eyes at him. “What do you want, Jeremy? Why are you here? Why do you keep following me?”
He frowns. “Why are you so angry at me?”
He’s wearing black slacks with a red shirt and a jacket. It’s so crazy to think that he’s a stranger and yet he’s caused me problems with Derek. Then again, I guess he’s not really a stranger anymore, is he?
“Why am I angry at you?” I ask in disbelief. “I’m sure you’ve seen the gossip people are making about us.”
People are convinced that Jeremy and I are hooking up. I’m a cheater now, great.
“Oh, that,” He says with a casual smile. He shrugs. “Why do you let it bother you?”
“Because none of that is true.”
“Welcome to the world of celebrities.”
“You think this is funny?” I ask, glaring at him.
“I’m used to this, Savannah,” He says. “People make stories up all the time.”
“I’ll never be used to this.”
He raises an eyebrow. “Well, maybe you should rethink your relationship with Derek.”
I look at him. “Why didn’t you tell me that you and Derek don’t get along?”
“Ah, he told you that didn’t he?”
“What game are you playing?” I ask impatiently. I hate that I can’t tell if he’s being honest with me. I don’t know him that well.
He takes a step forward and I take a step back. He smiles at me. “I’m not playing any game, Savannah.”
I sigh. “Just, please, stay away from me.”
I turn around but he reaches out for my arm.
“Don’t touch me, please,” I say looking around, feeling paranoid.
Is someone out there taking pictures? Am I going to wake up to another scandal tomorrow? I meant what I said to Jeremy. I’ll never get used to this. I can feel the anxiety begin to build up inside of me. It’s a little ball right now but I know that it will only grow with time.
Have I been delusional all this time?
I’ve began to fall for a man that has a lifestyle that is the complete opposite from mine.
Maybe it’ll be good if we break up now. Though I know that it doesn’t matter if it happens tonight or tomorrow or a week or month from today, the heartbreak will still hurt the same.
30. the two of us
Jeremy keeps his hold on my arm. “Did Derek get mad at you or something?”
I tug on my arm. “Jeremy, please let me go.”
He lets me go. “I’m sorry,” He says, looking embarrassed. He runs a hand through his hair. “The last thing I want is to make you uncomfortable.”
I look up at him. “I—I really don’t understand what’s going on, Jeremy. I just don’t need any of this drama.”
His look softens. “So we can’t even be friends?”
Before I can say anything, I see Derek walking towards us. He doesn’t look at me. He’s looking at Jeremy and looks more annoyed than angry when he reaches us. Jeremy’s expression changes instantly when Derek stands next to me. He’s obviously not happy about Derek joining us, but I am. I’m glad he’s here. Maybe we can all talk like adults and clear this up once and for all?
“Derek,” Jeremy says in bad taste.
“Jeremy,” Derek says in the same tone. “You didn’t answer any of my calls, but you have time to visit my girlfriend?”
My body both tenses and feels relief. He called me his girlfriend. That means he’s not breaking up with me, right? I tense a bit because
I don’t want them to get in a fight. That would only make things worse. Without thinking, I reach out and grab Derek’s hand. He doesn’t look at me but he intertwines his fingers with mine.
“Isn’t your girlfriend allowed to have friends?” Jeremy asks then he looks at me. “Did he prohibit you from speaking to me?”
“We’re not really friends, Jeremy,” I say quietly.
I don’t want to be rude, but he needs to understand that we’re not friends and I don’t want to be. I don’t know why he wants this to happen so bad. He’s so stubborn. Now that I’ve seen them together, it’s pretty obvious that they don’t like each other. I can feel the tension between them. It’s undeniable, like the wind.
Jeremy looks at Derek. “I see you haven’t changed a bit. Sadie really dodged a bullet."
“Just leave, Jeremy,” Derek says then he takes a step forward and I keep my hand firm, ready to pull him back. “And stay the fuck away from my girlfriend.”
Jeremy chuckles but he nods as he takes a few steps backwards. He looks at me. “See you around, Savannah.” He grins then turns around and walks away.
Derek turns to look at me. “He was bothering you, right?” He asks slowly.
I nod with a small smile. “Thank you.”
“Come on,” He says squeezing my hand. “Let’s go home.”
I follow him to his car parked by the curb. He opens the door for me, and I get in the passenger seat. Neither of us say anything during the ride home. I want to say something, but I don’t even know where to start. I think about what to say but I still don’t know how to start the conversation when we get to the house.
Derek’s phone rings as we’re walking inside, so I make my way upstairs and get in the shower. I change into my pajama shorts and spaghetti strap blouse then comb my hair and get in bed. I feel exhausted both physically and emotionally. It’s been a long day. Part of me just wants to go to sleep but the other part of me wants to wait for Derek.
It’s only been a few minutes when he walks into the room. I hear him shuffling as he gets ready for bed and then he gets under the covers. He puts his arm around my waist and then he whispers in my ear, “Are you awake?”
I stare into the darkness. “I am.”
“I’m sorry about the way I reacted today, Gin,” He says softly. “I just got angry and jealous and acted without thinking. It wasn’t fair to you.”
His words make me feel warm and I half smile then I turn on my back so I can look at him. The room is dark, except for the streetlight and moonlight coming in through the windows. I reach out for his hand.
“He just showed up at the bar,” I say. “I didn’t invite him.”
He pulls my hand up to his lips and kisses it. His blue eyes look into mine. “I know. I’m sorry.”
I nod slowly. “Have you guys always disliked each other?”
“Sort of, yes,” He says. “I tried to get along with him at first because of Sadie. They’re very close. But he just took it upon himself to hate me.” He shrugs. “He’s always been very protective over her and always took it upon himself to cause problems between us. Almost all of our fights were because Jeremy told her something.” He looks away.
“Maybe he just didn’t think you were good enough for her?” I suggest.
I don’t believe this, of course, but I’m trying to understand the reason behind Jeremy hating Derek so much. There has to be one. You don’t start hating someone just because. Maybe Jeremy envies Derek?
Derek shrugs. “I don’t know. It doesn’t matter anymore, I guess.” He puts his arm around my waist. “I should’ve told you, I’m sorry.”
“You can stop apologizing.” I smile. “I did think it was weird that he showed up at the bar the other night.”
“He’s hitting on you,” Derek says annoyedly. He’s actually jealous. I feel guilty because I like it.
“You have no reason to be jealous,” I say with a smile.
He looks at me. “I can’t help it, Gin. I’ve always struggled with jealousy. It used to be worse.”
My smile fades at the thought of him getting jealous of Sadie being with someone else. “Is that why…” I hesitate then gulp. “Is that why you and Sadie broke up?”
“We did break up for that one time, yes,” He says. He continues before I can keep asking questions now that he has decided to open up. “But I’ve come to the conclusion that I’ll always be a jealous guy. I just need to work on my anger.” He leans in and presses his lips against mine. “Do you absolutely hate jealous men?” He asks against my lips.
A smile plays on my lips. “I’m not going to lie. It’s kind of hot.”
He grins. “And that’s why I like you so much.”
I close my eyes as he kisses me again. The kiss is longer this time. He uses his tongue. His big hand is pressed on my stomach, making the butterflies go wild.
“Now you know how I feel when I see you with Sadie, though,” I say quietly after he pulls away.
He reaches out and pulls my hair away from my face. His fingers brush against my forehead. “I’m sorry, Gin,” He says softly. “I should tell you that we’re going to start doing promo for our new movie this week.”
I purse my lips nervously. “Okay.”
He grins. “You’re right. Jealousy is hot.”
I slap his arm playfully, making him laugh.
We kiss some more. Derek places his hands on my waist and he pulls me on top of him. He lays on his back and I straddle his hips. I lean in and press my chest against his. His lips find mine again.
He’s already shirtless and I reach out and place my hands on his strong chest. I love how muscular he is. My standards are off the roof since I met him. I’m not sure if that’s a good or bad thing. I pull away then press my lips against his neck. I kiss my way down to his pecks, my hands trace his six-pack.
Derek reaches down to the hem of my blouse. “Off, now,” He says in a low voice.
I smile then straighten up and pull my blouse off over my head, slowly, feeling his eyes on me. I don’t know why I feel so confident. Maybe it’s because he’s already seen my bare chest? Or maybe it’s the way he’s looking at me, with complete and utter desire. He’s not being subtle at all and I love it.
His hands are on either side of my waist and he pulls me down to him, so my chest is in front of his face. His mouth covers my nipple and I stop breathing. I place my hands on the headboard as he kisses my chest, I feel his tongue everywhere. I can feel the ache in between my legs begin to grow. After a moment, he wraps his arm around my waist and rolls us on the bed so I’m on the bottom now.
He’s still kissing my breasts as his hand goes down my stomach, lower and lower…I gasp and pull my head back when his fingers finally touch me where I want him to touch me.
I wrap my hand around his muscular arm and squeeze it as he continues. He keeps kissing my chest as his fingers move against me. The rhythm is slow and it’s making me impatient. I need more, faster…
I open my eyes then place my hands on his cheeks. He raises his head and his eyes meet mine.
“Do you have a condom?” I ask him, my voice is a whisper. I’m hot and bothered and breathless already.
He kisses me then his hand leaves my underwear and I bite back a protest. “I thought you’d never ask, Gin,” He says against my lips.
“Hurry,” I say.
He grins then he reaches to his nightstand and pulls out the drawer. He shuffles through it until he finds one. He’s kneeling on the bed, his knees on either side of my legs. I prop up on my elbows and watch as he pulls down his boxers. The room is dark so it’s a shadow but it’s an impressive shadow.
I raise my eyebrows and I feel him watch me as I sit up. I look up at him, pursing my lips. I can see the desire in his eyes and I half smile then I reach out and stroke him with my hands. He’s already hard and he lets out a moan. I feel pleasure knowing that I’m pleasuring him. I never felt like this with Kevin.
I press a kiss on his abs as my hand m
oves against him. And then he reaches out and places his fingers under my chin. He raises my head and I look up at him. He crashes his lips against mine so hard, I fall back against the bed.
He kisses me until my lips are swollen and I’m breathless and then he’s kissing his way down my chin, down my neck, down my chest…kissing and sucking on my skin. I pull my head back, feeling so many things on the inside. I want to feel him inside of me already but I don’t want this night to end at the same time.
I let out a moan when I feel his lips on my stomach and then his mouth is in between my legs and I stop breathing.
DEREK'S MATCH Page 21