A/N: Okay, here's chapter three of Cadillac Hotel. It's kind of short but it's more setting up for the next chapter than anything else. I have a couple chapters for Careful What You Wish For ready to type so those will probably be the next things up, if not some of the 30 Oneshot Challenge entries. Anyway, here's the next chapter. Enjoy! R&R! –Mac

Disclaimer: Do you think if I owned Life With Derek, I would be sitting at my computer right now typing this up? No, my assistant would be doing my typing for me. And I wouldn't be on would I? Lol. Oh but I can dream.

Chapter Three

"Just Don't Embarrass Me"

The next morning began with a family breakfast at a small bagel shop a short way down the road from our hotel. After everyone was finished we headed back to the hotel and were able to go our won ways from there. I followed Lizzie and Edwin into the suite with Derek on my tail.

"We're going to the beach." Derek announced, "Be ready in ten."

I fumed, "You can't tell me what to do!"

"But Nora and my Dad can,, don't make me bring them into this." Derek responded.

"Fine." I groaned heading for the bedroom to change.

"And put a smile on." Derek called after me. My response: slamming the door behind me. Hopefully that gave him an idea of how I felt about the whole situation.

I emerged from the bedroom a few minutes later wearing the swimsuit I had purchased specifically for this vacation and a long zip-up sweat jacket that went down to below my waist. Lizzie and Edwin were hanging out on the couch, the small television set sounding softly in the background. Derek was no where to be found out there, but the closed bathroom door said he was probably primping—I don't think I need to say the thing about his hair again. I settled into a chair, pulling my small beach bag into my lap. I just loved how Derek had dictated to me to be ready in ten minutes and here I was ready in nine and he was still locked into the bathroom.

After five minutes and still no Derek, I was considerably annoyed and took things into my own hands. I stood up, left my bag in the chair, and walked over to the bathroom door. I lifted my hand and knocked on the door swiftly.

"Derek, hurry up." I called through the door. "I'm not very happy with you taking so long when I was given a time limit." When no answer came, I banged on the door as hard as I could, "Der-ek!"

I slammed my fist one more time on the door and growled slightly. To my surprised the door flew open and Derek stepped out. He wore that same smirk on his face that he always does. I was not going to have fun today, I just knew it.

"Calm down, Casey." Derek replied. Then in a lower voice, "Don't need to get your panties in a bunch."

"Humph." I scowled, "Are we going or what?"

"Going." Derek responded, moving past me.

"Oh and Derek," I called after him.

"What Casey?" Derek stopped and turned back to me.

"If you want me to cover for you, you will never refer to my 'panties' in any way, shape or form again." I said then walked past him. I picked up my bag and headed for the door. "I'll see you later Lizzie, Edwin."

Derek followed me out a moment later. "Okay, we're heading down that way," he pointed toward a pier a distance down the beach. "Nora and my Dad and Marti are setting up by the swing set, so I figure that'll be far enough away that we won't be seen."

"You mean you won't be seen. I will not be doing anything against the rules." I corrected him. "I don't know why you have to drag me into this anyway. I thought you could care less about following any rules."

"Logic, my dear Casey." Derek responded as we started down the beach, "Tsk, tsk, I thought you were smart enough to understand. You have to have strategy when it comes to breaking the rules. If I were to just date freely, I would get caught—especially if I was doing it not in the company of another member of the family—and then I would be stuck following my Dad and Nora around everywhere."

"And we can't have that now can we." I stated sarcastically.

I followed Derek until he found a place he deemed suitable. We were surrounded on all sides by girls partaking in various beach time activities—sunbathing, tentatively testing the water, playing Frisbee (who does that anymore?) As Derek took an appreciative glance around him, I set up my towel in the sand. I figured as long as Derek was forcing me to spend time on the beach I might as well get some color in the process. I stripped off my jacket and spread out my towel, pulling my sunglasses down over my eyes.

"This is going to be fun." Derek spoke suddenly. I opened one eye to observe him. He had that smirk on again and I couldn't stop myself from rolling my eyes. "You should pay attention Casey, you might just learn something."

"Well go on Oh-Great-One." I scoffed sarcastically. "Show me how its done."

"I will." Derek replied, "Just don't embarrass me."