Three chapters in one week! BOOM! I know things are slightly angsty at the moment (I didn't plan that I promise) but they'll get resolved soon! Thank you for all of your interest and kind words in/ and about this story! Happy reading!

Derek and Penelope both looked up in the direction of the voice. Charging towards them was Ashley, a very angry looking Ashley. "WHAT THE HELL?!" She yelled above the music as she stopped right in front of them. At this point most of the people around them had stopped and were staring.

"Ashley, calm down." Derek said still holding Penelope, he felt her stiffen slightly.

"So what was your plan Derek? Have me wait upstairs for you while you made out with your new screw buddy?" she yelled and glanced over at Penelope.

"What?" Penelope said quietly as she stepped away from Derek. She immediately felt like an idiot. Of course he would tell her that they were over, maybe he wasn't as sweet and truthful as she had originally thought.

"Pen, it's not like that." He said quickly as he stepped a little closer to her. "Let me explain."

"Did you tell her to go wait for you upstairs?" she asked quietly as she stepped away from him.

"Yes!" Ashley said loudly. "I think his exact words were why don't you go wait for me upstairs? I'll be up in a sec, I just have to go find my friend real quick."

"Oh." Penelope said softly as she looked from Ashley to Derek. As soon as her eyes met Derek's she averted them and then turned and walked away into the crowd of people. She was disappointed and slightly embarrassed for being so naive.

He went to go after her but Ashley stood in his way.

"Ashley, move!" He said "We're done, we've been done. I don't want you. I don't know why you're being like this but just cut the shit okay?!" He didn't mean to yell as loudly as he did or be as blunt as he was but he was pissed and the girl he did want was walking away. Ashley's entire demeanor changed and she stepped to the side. He knew that people would probably think he was a jerk but he needed to find Penelope. Derek walked towards the direction that he saw her go moments before. He looked in all directions and couldn't find her. She had disappeared.

"Chad!" He yelled over to his friend. Chad was standing by the door talking to his girlfriend. "Have you seen Penelope?" Derek walked over to where his friend was standing.

"Yeah, she just walked outside looking upset. Dude, didn't I tell you not to mess around with her? What the hell happened?" Chad was one of the older guys on the team and always acted like a dad.

"I didn't! Ashley screwed everything up. I think she's loaded. She came onto me hardcore and then Pen saw her kiss me."

"I think I also remember telling you not to mess her around either, she's known for going a bit crazy."

"Thanks for the warning." Derek said sarcastically as he walked out the door. When he got outside he saw Penelope sitting on the front steps. "Penelope?" he said softly not wanting to scare her. She remained where she was so he went and sat next to her. "Can I explain?" he asked.

"No, you don't have to. You don't owe me an explanation. I get it. You wanted to hook up with your ex and I obviously mistook some stuff. We're just friends, that's okay."

"That's not even close." He said quickly.

"Did you tell her to go wait upstairs for you?" she asked finally looking at him.

"Yes."

"And did you tell her you were gonna go look for your friend?"

"It's-"

"Yes or no?" she said seriously.

"Yes."

"Okay then, friends it is." She said with a smile that was obviously trying to pass as happy but it just barely covered the disappointment. Anyone else probably wouldn't have seen past it but he was very observant.

"Is there anything I can say right now that will make you believe that she is not the person I want to be with?" he asked after a minute.

"Not really." She said "I think I'm gonna head home."

"Let me just go say bye to Chad." He said as he stood up.

"I called an uber. You stay and have fun!" just as she said it a car pulled up front and she stood up. "See you Wednesday, Derek." She didn't know why but she kissed him on the cheek before she made her way down the stairs and into the car. Derek just stood there until the car was well out of view. Not only was he upset that things between him and Penelope were over before they started but he was pissed that it was some drunken girl that had caused all the mess. He walked inside but decided to head back to home instead of staying. He would just be a black cloud if he stuck around. He said bye to his friends and went to leave. He was almost at the door when he saw Bruno and Lucas coming towards him. He did his best to duck out of the way but they had already spotted him.

"Hey buddy!" Lucas said with a somewhat threatening smile as they approached him. "Let's chat." They all went in the kitchen for a little more privacy. Chad had seen the three and decided to join them incase Derek needed someone to intervene. As soon as they got through the kitchen door The Garcia boys turned around and looked pissed as hell.

"Luke suggested we just beat the shit out of you right away but as your friend and teammate I suggested we hear you out real quick." Bruno said. Lucas and Bruno had just arrived at the party when they heard everyone talking about some guy that had one girl waiting upstairs while he had another one downstairs, ready to screw them both. When they found out the guy was Derek and the girl was Penelope they both lost it and made it top priority to find Derek immediately.

Derek did his best to explain, hoping that maybe they would believe him. However the more he spoke the more he realized just how ridiculous it sounded. After he was done telling his side of the story the boys just stared at him for a minute.

"You're one lucky SOB, Derek. I dated Ashley in high school and I know that she can't hold her liquor, if I hadn't though I would never have believed you." Lucas said softening a bit.

"I'd punch you anyway, but I know if Pen found out she would be pissed. Just figure out a way to fix this okay?" Bruno said "We don't like to see her upset and for some reason she likes you."

Derek nodded and let out a sigh of relief. He was very thankful to leave the party in one piece. Now he just needed to find a way to get Penelope believe that he didn't want Ashley and want to be more than "just friends".