Derek spent the rest of the day in front of the television. He flipped through the channels nothing was on. That was fine though because he really wasn't watching. He looked at the clock in the kitchen. 6:14. Two more hours until he would leave for the party.
He was curious about what Casey was doing, but he could guess: doing her homework. He went upstairs, wanting to secretly peer into her room, but she had it closed. That had never stopped him from peeking before, but Edwin had his door open and might catch him.
He turned on his radio and began gathering his clothes to do laundry when George called everyone down for dinner. Derek tossed his clothes. As he entered the hall, he watched as Casey emerged from her room all dressed up.
She was stunning. Her hair had been half way up today, but now their were a few curls in the back. She wore a pink silky top which wasn't skanky but still sexy. Casey flaunted her legs under a pink and black skirt. Derek stopped and watched her descend the stairs. She wasn't making this easy. Only she could stir these desires in him. Out of all the females in the world, why did it have to be her? If only he could…but he couldn't.
"Casey you look so pretty." Nora said impressed as Casey sat at the dinner table.
"Thanks mom," she smiled.
Derek took his seat. "I like your shirt." Marti yelled.
"Is this dinner a special occasion?" George asked.
"Yeah she has a date with Sam at his house." Lizzie answered.
Derek clenched his teeth. She was going to Sam's, he remembered. She looked beautiful and she was going to Sam's.
"So you're not going to eat?" Edwin asked noticing she hadn't served herself.
"No I'm eating with him. I'm gonna sit with you all until he arrives. " Casey said happily. Only Derek was able to see through her façade.
"Well it is so nice of you to grace us with your presence." he said sarcastically.
Casey sent him a bullet with her eyes.
"When will he be here?" Nora asked.
Casey hesitated feeling like an idiot. "I-I don't remember actually."
Derek laughed obnoxiously. It was even more funny because he knew what time, but he wasn't going to tell her.
Casey again glared hatefully towards him.
"Derek your knuckles," Edwin pointed out. Derek was surprised it had been noticed. They were only a shade of pink and a cut on the middle one.
"What happened?" Nora asked concerned.
"Its nothing," he shrugged.
"Did you get mad or something?" Edwin asked.
"I was just messing around with Sam," Derek semi-lied, not mentioning the locker he assaulted.
Casey took a sip of her ice tea hiding her guilt, unaware Derek had been somewhat honest.
"Are you going anywhere tonight?" George asked Derek.
"It's a Friday night. Always." he answered pompously.
"You better behave yourself." George warned.
"I'll make my best attempt." Derek replied.
"Which is slim to none," Casey retorted.
"So Case which lucky girl should entertain me tonight. I can't make up my mind between Lauren, Julia, or Robin. What do you think?"
"Ew…Where is Sam?" she whined.
"If you two don't straighten up no one will be leaving tonight." Nora handed out an ultimatum.
The door bell rang. Casey squealed. "I'll get it."
She was so full of shit, Derek thought. Whatever gets her through the night. Derek got up from his seat and leaned against a kitchen counter to watch.
She opened the door. "You rescued me just in time."
Derek bit the inside of his mouth.
Casey asked startled. " What happened to your lip?"
Yeah Derek had left a cut.
"Oh just an accident. You look amazing. You ready?" Sam asked.
Derek laughed. Sam must have been too ashamed to admit it. LAME. And yet Derek was glad Sam kept his trap shut. He didn't want to hear Casey gripe at him and defend Sam. She left with him. Derek thought about running after her, stopping her, but instead he respected what Casey wanted and sat back at the table.
Warning: I'm sorry for the torment I am about to put you through. I'm sitting here gagging thinking/typing about it. Just don't tar and feather me.
After dinner Sam and Casey went to the den to sit.
"Are we going to watch a movie?" Casey asked.
"First wait here I got something for you." Sam told her. He left the room and came back with a small box.
He handed her the box. "Happy three month anniversary."
"Sam that's so sweet. I feel horrible. I had forgotten to tell you the truth." Casey said.
"It's all right. I didn't expect you to remember. I just wanted to do something special for you."
She opened the box to see a silver star necklace. "Wow," she thanked him.
"Here," he said taking it and putting it around her neck.
She smiled. He moved his lips to hers and she kissed him.
P.S. You can look now. Its all over.
Derek and Lauren decided to leave Amber's. It was a great party, but the liquor had ran low, there was no room to dance, and all the bedrooms were over filled with couples.
"So where are you taking me?" she giggled.
"I just feel like cruising. I'll let you know when we get there," he said with his charm. She smiled seductively.
He decided they would go to the corner store buy a few bottles then go back to Amber's have a few dances then take Brad and his girl home. He had had two beers. He never let himself get too tipsy.
He looked over at Lauren. The sight of her cleavage was nice, but Casey had had more sex appeal. When would she quit being his weakness? Why couldn't he switch on and off his emotions? Casey had, Derek thought bitterly.
Mankind should be born with a sense not to fall in love with their stepsisters. Why didn't God think about that? Was he too busy deciding how many legs a centipede should have?
He was tired of wasting his time with girls like Lauren when there was Casey. He was weary of seeing her with Sam. Derek was worn out of controlling and hiding his heart. He didn't want to pretend anymore.
He was drained of longing for his illusions to become real. Derek was tired of failing to block her out from his head. It was enough to drive the strongest man insane. He couldn't take it anymore.
He knew Casey's decision, but he also made up his mind. He wasn't going to let her do this. He wouldn't accept an ending between them. So what if it was selfish? He had tried to be selfless.
Derek had tried to do the right thing and it wasn't working for him. He couldn't tame his heart. He had his own little 'conflict' that he was tired of fighting. He had already been there, done that, and it got him nowhere.
His need for Casey wouldn't die, too much love to bury. He was going to tell Casey she had to come home: family emergency. Then once he had her alone he'd make her see they could play role after role and never escape.
"…each time you come I won't go with you."
He still couldn't get the words she had said out of his mind. They stabbed him like it was the first time hearing it. He'd ignore her refusals. Her excuses would not be accepted. He wouldn't let her leave until she finally saw that they both deserved to be happy, to be together.
A/N: You guys have been awesome so I hate to do this to you.
Things are gonna happen and your not going to want to finish this story.
I won't ruin the ending for everyone so if you really have to know if this is gonna end happily feel free to ask and I'll spoil it for you.
I won't think any less of you if you back out now. And I don't mind if you flame just don't threaten or take it out on me personally ok?