He sharply parked outside Sam's dark house. Not even the outside light had been turned on. The house seemed empty except for Sam's car in the driveway.

"Where are we?" Lauren asked not recognizing the home and took a sip of her beer can.

"I'll be back," Derek said exiting the car.

So it wasn't the best idea to bring her along, but his priority was getting Casey. Once Casey was in the passenger seat, he'd drop Lauren off at the party and they'd be able to talk.

Walking to the front door, he caught a glimpse of Casey through the window. He curiously looked closer, in between the curtains through the open blinds. He froze at what he saw. It was hard to see at first, but his eyes adjusted. He leaned his heavy body against the house watching her make-out with a shirtless Sam.

His first thought was to tear the door down. He'd beat the shit out of the bastard like he should have done out at the school parking lot. He'd grab Casey, take her home, and accomplish what he had set out to do. If only he could move…

Derek may not have been able to get past her, but she sure as hell could. Her eyes were wild. Her hands moved all over Sam's chest. He couldn't see through her this time. She was distant, more so than ever before.

A sparkling necklace she wore caught Derek's eye. He didn't remember her having it before and he paid attention to every detail of her. It shimmered and mocked him. Sam's hands were moving inside her shirt. Casey broke the kiss and took it off. His blood screamed.

She was beauty defined, like he had imagined. He had dreamt of her articles of clothing falling to the floor so many times, but not for Sam.

Did she like that, Sam licking the space between her breasts, like that? He'd like to think she didn't, but he'd be selling himself another lie. He never thought it possible, but he prayed Casey's bra wouldn't be removed for Sam's pleasure.

They were moving so quickly. Sam was murmuring something as he tongued her neck again. Casey pulled his face to hers. She stared intently in Sam's eyes and said something back. He smiled and moved down sucking her waist. Derek thought he saw a look of wretchedness in Casey's face, but it was gone too quickly to be sure.

What he would have done to have her to himself. If he could trade his life with pathetic Sam, he would.

Sam pulled down her skirt, as Casey undid his pants. Derek couldn't bear to look anymore. He had his share of self-punishment. He turned away from the window upholding his weight against the house.

The shock settled. They were going to have sex. Anguish crowded him as a rasping sound escaped his throat. His vision blurred behind tears. His mouth twitched in constrained anger.

If he stopped them tonight, it would only happen another. It was what Casey wanted. She wanted to fuck him. She wanted to feel Sam inside her. Sam was going to have her in ways Derek never would. He would never be with her.

He wouldn't be haunted by kisses and caresses him and Casey would never share. No what would wake Derek in the night would be the sight of her and Sam going to bed.

Goddamn her! "Have it your way!" he viciously growled. He really didn't give a shit anymore.

As he staggered back to his car, bile rose and filled his mouth and fell to the grass. When he climbed back in the car, Lauren had been holding a mirror, fixing her hair just right.

She asked in her cute tone, "Did you even go in?"

Derek didn't hear her. He started the car and sped off. His thoughts were reeling. He shouldn't have asked for what he couldn't have. Why had he done that to himself? Why had he filled himself up with that fucking hope?

He had held on way too long to some silly dream that ended tonight. He finally woke up. She quit and so now I'm gonna quit. I'm fed up with chasing her shadow. He no longer would fall on his knees.

Sam led Casey down to the floor. He kissed her flesh around her panties. Casey heard faintly what seemed like from an animal, "Have it your way!"

Impossible. "Derek?" she questioned in disbelief.

Sam's head shot up. "Derek?" he questioned in surprise.

"I-I thought I heard him. Did you?" she stammered.

Sam took hold of his pants and stood. "That's a lousy lie if I ever heard one."

Casey jumped up with him speaking in disgust, "You don't think that I--. That's sick. He's my stepbrother. You know I can't stand him."

"All I know is what just happened." He maintained pulling on his pants.

She threw on her shirt arguing with discern, "I can't believe you don't believe me. Are you blind to think that I--"

"That's not it Casey. I just--. " He sighed, rubbing his nose.

They both had their clothes on now.

"Come on. I'll take you home." he mumbled.

She felt shame on her cheeks. "Don't bother." she walked to the door.

"Don't be crazy. You can't walk home at this time of night." he said trying to stop her.

She didn't want to be with him another minute. "I don't need a ride from my boyfriend who doesn't trust me, who thinks that I was thinking of Derek. Derek? That makes no sense what so ever."

"I know, but you said--" Sam was interrupted.

"And I told you I thought I heard him." Casey raised her voice.

"Where would he be? In here? In the kitchen? No one is in the house, but us." his hands were pointing dramatically.

"I'm sorry my ears heard him." she spoke firmly.

"That's crazy," he shook his head.

"Stop saying that word! And don't call me unless your apologizing because I deserve one." she proclaimed walking to the door.

"Casey, let me take you home." he called out.

She ignored him and slammed the door. As the dark, cold night setting enclosed her, she walked home holding on to the pride she still possessed.