A/N: I wasn't really satified with the last chapter. But thanks reviewers I needed the confidence.
His words chilled her because maybe he was right. If he was, it wouldn't matter though. He was still her stepbrother; end of discussion. Her eyes fell on his right hand. She wanted to take away his hurt. Derek noticed where she had her vision set and hid his knuckles.
"I won't stay away. I'll keep coming back." his voice was low.
"Then you'll be asking for pain because each time you come I won't go with you." Casey couldn't control herself and released a tearless sob. He slowly pulled her into an embrace. She held tightly him tightly as she broke down once more. She quieted and he could hear her breathing. He foolishly wished she wouldn't let go, but she did.
"Are you going to be okay?" she asked ending the hug.
"Me? Im not crying," Derek tried to joke. Then more seriously added "I'll bounce back fast."
Casey almost laughed. "Hopefully not too fast."
"That was cruel of me denying you your last request," she said remorsefully. She leaned her face to his. He stopped her kiss.
"No you were right...I don't want to kiss you goodbye."
They heard movement in the halls. The assembly was over and school was out for the weekend.
"You want a ride home?" he asked.
Casey had only ridden with Derek a handful of times in his car. She avoided it at all cost. He expertly drove like his vehicle was a racecar, turning sharply, hitting the brakes almost too late, and speeding when he could. His driving nearly made her into a nervous wreck. She let him know it and he enjoyed every minute.
"Oh no. I dont care how awful I feel. I'd rather walk Derek, than get in that car with you behind the wheel."
He smiled. "Oh come on seeing you freak out would cheer me up."
"Oh I see. Well in that case that's a definite no." His smile slid down.
Casey bit the inside of her lip. With her hand on the door handle, she took one last look at Derek. Then feeling like she was leaving something behind, she looked around the closet floor, then back at Derek, and left.
The door shutting echoed the silence of the art closet. Don't do this, his mind repeated to Casey too late. Why had he let her leave? He closed his eyes hearing the words they had spoken fade.
The wise thing to do would be letting it end. He had to. It was his only option. But he had tried that before. Since the day he realized he loved her, he tried to cleanse himself of the feeling, but he had failed.
He knew days away this agony wouldn't let him rest. He laid his head against the door. How could he live with her choice? He cursed himself as he wiped his tearfilled eyes.
He opened the door and walked back into the world. His life had crashed around him, and the world had no idea.
"Hey Derek. I'll see you at Amber's." a girl called out.
He gave her a sexy smile. That left her craving for him.
He walked out to his car unlocking it Sam hurried to him.
"Have you seen Casey?" Sam asked.
"Why would I want to?" Derek asked annoyed.
"I didn't see her at the assembly. Could you tell her I'll pick her up at 7?"
Impulsively Derek punched him, just one forceful good one. When Derek would dream of beating up Sam, he'd leave him bloody and unable to walk. Somehow that one punch satisfied all his anger.
Bewildered Sam touched his right jaw. His lip was bleeding. the hit was more than he could bear. "What the hell is your problem, man?"
Derek patted Sam's shoulder blade then answered opening his door and getting in,
"I hate your pansy ass."
He started the car and backed out. Sam wiped the blood still confused and hurt.
P.S. I know Derek having a car isn't true to the show, but he looks 16 he should have a car. Flame all you want about Derek hitting Sam, but when writing the last chapter. I wanted to mess Sam up so there it is.