A/N: Another short, drabbly one shot based off of a song. It seems to be where I get my inspiration these days.
Disclaimer: I own neither Life with Derek (Though Michael Seeter does occasionally visit me in my dreams) or the song referenced, which is "Do You Believe Me Now?" by Jimmy Wayne.
Sam turned to look at his girlfriend after the last of their guests had left. She was picking up used paper plates and glasses, stuffing them into a garbage bag. He sat and watched her, noting her sparkling blue eyes and flushed cheeks, and the cheerful little tune she was humming.
"Man, did you see the way he was looking at you?" He said angrily. "He wants you."
Casey looked up, shaken from her thoughts. "Who? What?"
"Derek," he said shortly. "He couldn't take his eyes off of you, and just look at the way he made you laugh. No one else makes you laugh like that, that special little 'Oh Derek' laugh."
She shook her head, smiling and walking closer to him. "You're imagining things, Sam. If I have a special laugh, it's only for you." She looped her arms around his neck and pulled him down for a kiss, effectively silencing his protests—but not his doubts.
XXX
Three years passed before Sam ran into Derek again, passing him in the mall. Angrily, Sam rounded on him. "You!"
Derek just raised a brow, pointing to himself and nodding. "Yes. Me."
"You stole her from me! I loved her…" Sam's eyes welled with angry tears.
"You are the one, Sam, who was foolish enough to give her up and to give me a chance," Derek said, shaking his head and turning to walk away.
"It wouldn't have mattered if I stepped away or not. You were just biding your time, waiting for us to have a moment of weakness so you could get between us," he accused Derek, fists tightening.
"You keep thinking that, Sam. One day you're going to have to face up to the truth. She's always loved me." Throwing that over his shoulder, Derek stalked off.
Sam sunk onto a nearby bench, head hanging. "He's right," he murmured, kicking himself mentally. "I could have had her, forever."
XXX
A few days later, he saw bouncing chestnut hair ahead of him, leaving a jewelry store. He hurried to catch up with her, helpless to resist. "Casey!"
She stopped and looked over her shoulder, sighing when she saw him. "What do you want, Sam? Derek told me what you said to him."
He angrily narrowed his eyes at her. "And do you believe me now, huh? I guess I really wasn't that crazy."
She looked at him, regret in her eyes. "No you weren't. But I could have been happy with you for the rest of my life."
Sam shrugged, mumbling, "But you wouldn't have had love like his." His voice raised with every word. "And now… now, every time the sun goes down, he's the one holding you while I'm still missing you across town, three years later. So, do you believe me now?"
She stared at him a few minutes longer. "Yes, Sam." She turned and walked away, and for the last time, he watched her go.