Hello my lovely readers :) I have been feeling a bit down lately due to the pandemic, so this may not be my best chapter. Where I live has been hit with a spike in cases and as an essential worker dealing with covid directly, I've been a bit under the weather. I'd like to thank every single one of you for reading this story of mine. I use it as an outlet and I am by no means a professional writer. Your reviews give me motivation to keep on going. I am hoping you're all staying safe and healthy. With love, K.
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Chapter 10 - Two Step
Derek's watch vibrated, indicating that he had successfully run five kilometers. His brain was so incredibly full, that he failed to notice his aching feet and the sharpness of the wind chill until his watch snapped him back to reality. Before his usual winter runs, Derek would make sure to wear his most comfortable shoes and an insulated running shirt before going out. Today, he didn't care. He just needed to get out of that house as soon as he could.
A part of him was embarrassed for what he felt at the dinner table and he cringed at the fact that it was so apparent. Derek wished he had the ability to control his emotions or at least stop them from being evident in his body language. It was just a coffee date and he understood that Casey needed to act a certain way in front of their parents. If she didn't, it was very likely that someone would catch on and that would be a nightmare.
Thinking about it, he decided that he had overreacted - Casey had done exactly what she had to do. In hindsight, would he have expected Casey to say she was dating him? No. Then why was he so... upset? He didn't know, but he definitely couldn't stop himself from feeling that way. After the conversation Nora had with Casey at the table, Derek couldn't hold himself together.
He had spent the latter part of dinner clenching his fist around his fork so tightly that he could still feel the tension in his arm and neck. Every time Casey had looked up at him and smiled, he had avoided eye contact and diverted his gaze onto his plate instead. By the end of their meal, Casey's expression made it obvious that she had a hundred questions brewing inside of her. He could already hear her voice in his head.
"Derek, what's wrong? How do you feel about this? Do you want to talk about it? "
It's not that Derek didn't want to talk about how he felt, he just didn't know exactly what that was yet. Perhaps if Casey had a gentler communication style, he would have stayed at home and faced the conversation that was waiting for him. However, Casey's way of talking about things resembled more of an interrogation and Derek knew if the situation went in that direction tonight, he would likely get defensive. That's why when Nora asked him to take out the garbage, he never came back inside, taking off in the direction of his old running route.
In Derek's defence, there was logic to his sudden disappearance. He hoped a quick run would help him clear the emotional fog from his head so he could deal with his feelings rationally. However, five and a half kilometers later, he couldn't stop that one sentence from repeating in his head.
"It's about time you went out with a doctor! Somebody smart like you."
Derek's anger propelled him forward, faster, his eyes focussed at the end of the block. Each time the sentence replayed, it stung him even more. It was no secret that Casey was academically smarter than Derek - and in all honesty, she was smarter than everyone else she had dated. So was being in a relationship with Casey depriving her of finding someone more at her level? Would someone smarter be more compatible with Casey than he was?
The thought triggered Derek's anxiety, allowing it to skyrocket at high speed. An image passed in front of the dark screen of his mind – it was of Casey being swept off her feet by some handsome med student. What if she realized that intelligence was the thing missing in her previous relationships? What if this coffee date was a catalyst to that realization? The idea threw Derek's breathing off.
Come on, Derek. You're over thinking. In through your nose and out through your mouth.
Derek tried to calm himself down but it was too late. Absurd thoughts diffused into every corner of his brain like smoke until he felt like he couldn't breathe anymore. He stopped abruptly, putting his hands on both knees and panting in the darkness. He watched his breath become visible in the cold air as he exhaled. Finally catching his breath, he walked in the direction of his old home, keeping his steps as small as he could to delay his arrival.
Climbing up the porch stairs, he decided that he would enter through the back door and sneak around the living room to get to his bedroom. If his dad and Nora were watching TV as loud as they usually did, he could get away with passing by unseen. He just needed a few moments alone before interacting with anybody – especially Casey.
Entering through the back door and tossing off his shoes, he noticed it was quiet downstairs. Derek let out a sigh of relief, knowing there was a good possibility that the kids had gone to their rooms for the night. Passing through the kitchen, he snatched the bulk-sized bag of Cheetos off the counter, a bottle of Gatorade from the fridge and moved into the living room where Nora and George were watching a movie. His dad was asleep and Nora had her attention focused on what was on the screen.
Perfect. Derek thought, up the stairs and I'm home free.
Entering his room quietly, he plopped himself on his bed, opening the bag of Cheetos and shoving a few into his mouth. He placed the bottle of Gatorade on his nightstand and flipped open the comic book he was reading on the flight. That's when his door slammed shut and Casey appeared from behind it.
"Thought you could avoid me, huh?" She asked, causing Derek to jump and drop the handful of Cheetos onto his bed.
"Jeez, Case! You're going to give me a heart attack!" He exclaimed, putting both hands over his heart. "...and I wasn't avoiding you."
Casey rolled her eyes in disbelief. She could read him like a book. Didn't he know this by now?
"So the fact that you went for a spontaneous run after dinner, on a full stomach, was just a coincidence?" She asked, rhetorically.
Casey was onto him and Derek couldn't keep eye contact knowing he was guilty. He fiddled with the circular metal piece of his necklace. "That's correct."
Casey put her hands on her hips, her lips pursed with dissatisfaction. "I'm glad you at least texted Edwin so we knew where you were. Derek, what's wrong? Talk to me."
"Nothing." He answered, plainly.
"Are you upset that I'm going on this coffee date?" Casey asked.
"No." He took a bite of a Cheeto, making a crunching sound.
Casey realized that her direct approach wasn't getting anything out of Derek. So, she decided on a different tactic.
"Because if you have a problem with me meeting Nickolas, I can always pretend to be sick and cancel." Casey stated nonchalantly. "I just texted him and he seems like a really nice guy. I don't think he'd be too upset."
Derek's dark eyes darted from his necklace to Casey. He used the mattress to bounce himself up so he was now standing. He threw the bag of Cheetos on his bed and crossed his arms. He clenched his teeth, grimaced and then composed himself before answering.
"Nickolas, huh? So you're on a first name basis now?"
"I thought it didn't bother you?" Casey smirked.
"I've only been gone for half an hour and you're already texting him? I can't believe it!" Derek let out, impulsively.
Casey pointed at Derek's chest with her index finger in satisfaction. "Ha! I knew it! You do have a problem with this."
Derek tilted his head back and let out a frustrated sigh. "Of course I have a problem with it! What if I was going on a coffee date with someone who was more my type?"
Casey's eyes widened. What kind of a sentence was that?! "Excuse me? So I'm suddenly not your type?"
If Derek wasn't careful, this conversation could dig himself into a hole that was impossible to get out of.
"You're more than my type. You're perfect, Case. I, on the other hand, am not." He admitted.
Casey was even more confused now. "That's sweet, but nobody is perfect, Derek. What does this have to do with anything?"
Here we go. Derek thought - this was exactly what he was trying to avoid. But it was too late. It was in the midst of happening and there was no getting out of it now.
"What if Nickolas is perfect? What if he's so smart that you realize that I'm not smart enough for you?"
There was a pause as Casey allowed herself to take in what he was saying.
"What?! You are smart! And what does being smart have to do with anything? Derek, where is this coming from?" Casey asked, putting her hands up in the air to express her frustration.
"Case, it's not just about being with someone smart. It's about being with me. What if you could date a doctor and have a perfect, simple life." Derek confessed.
"I don't want a perfect simple life!" Casey cried.
"Don't you realize that dating your step brother is anything but simple?" Derek exclaimed, trying to make her understand. "This isn't going to be easy."
Casey let out an astonished laugh and put one of her hands on her forehead, exasperated. She finally looked up again, "Sorry, but is dating me less complicated? It goes both ways!"
"You deserve someone who understands what you're talking about when your face lights up about your work. What if you realize down the line that you made the wrong choice by being with me?" Derek asked sincerely.
"I've been in love with you since the moment you played your first prank on me. That hasn't changed all these years!"
"Yet. It hasn't changed yet." Derek corrected.
"Ugh! Derek, you're being ridiculous!"
"I'm not! If you love me as much as I love you, if the tables were turned, you'd feel the exact same."
"I would not!" Casey raised her voice, getting so riled up, her cheeks were starting to blush pink with anger.
"Really, Case?!" Derek challenged, taking one step closer to where she stood, invading her space.
"Yes. Really!" Casey insisted, taking another step closer.
This was a moment straight out of his teenage fantasies. Casey was in front of him, her chest heaving with anger, her porcelain skin flushed, her blue irises filled with rage. He had dreamt of stopping one of their fights by putting his lips onto hers a thousand times before and this time, the opportunity was in front of him.
All it took was the feeling of Derek's strong arms around her waist. In an instant, like two magnets, the force of their attraction pulled their bodies together, allowing them to get lost in each other's arms.
This wasn't gentle like before, instead it was rough, fueled with the rage from their fight only moments ago - just like Derek always imagined - lips crashing on each other desperately over and over again. Opening his eyes briefly, Derek placed his hands over the small buttons on Casey's shirt. He fiddled with them, while she tightened her yearning grip on his neck.
Feeling Derek's rough hands graze over her skin as he unbuttoned one button at a time, Casey deepened the intensity of their kiss, pulling him even closer with one hand while pushing her other hand underneath his T-shirt to feel the firmness of his toned stomach. Within a matter of seconds, Casey watched her shirt be thrown across the room and Derek pulled his face away from hers to bring his lips down to her chest. Casey closed her eyes, sensing Derek's hands reaching around her back to her bra strap and feeling the warmth of his mouth slowly stopping at the sensitive skin behind the cup of her bra. Casey tilted her head back in bliss, urging him to continue, pushing her hands up to try and lift Derek's shirt off while she waited for him to unhook the clasp of her bra. However, his hands suddenly stopped instead. He released his grip on her so fast, she almost lost her balance.
Before Casey could comprehend what was happening, Derek was already away from her and at his night stand. He grabbed the bottle of Gatorade and unscrewing the lid in a hurry, he threw it's entire contents in Casey's direction. The red liquid hit her in the face, soaking her bra and dripping down onto her jeans.
"Der-ek!" Casey screamed at the coldness of the liquid hitting her hot skin, not understanding what caused his sudden change in mood. That's when she noticed Marti standing at the door, mouth wide open in shock, holding her Nintendo Switch in her hands.
"Oh my god, oh my god…" was the only thing Casey could mutter in the moment. Her upper body was numb with adrenaline, her extremities covered in goosebumps as she crossed her arms over her chest to cover her bra.
Derek watched Casey shiver and he could tell she was so mortified that she still hadn't processed what was going on. He needed her to act like her usual self now, there was no time lose. Luckily for the both of them, Derek had a specialty in making Casey react. And he knew exactly how.
He licked his index finger which had the sticky orange flavouring of the Cheetos he was eating earlier and shoved it in Casey's ear.
"Der-ek!" Casey screamed again hitting his hand so hard he snatched it back from her ear instantly. She finally caught on, giving Derek a look that told him that she had it under control. "You, jerk! I hate you! Do you hear me?! I regret ever coming in here to reason with you."
She shot Derek a nasty glare in an exaggerated manner before she stomped off in the direction of her room, leaving drops of red Gatorade behind her.
Derek laughed hysterically like he usually would after he pulled a prank on Casey then turned his attention to Marti, who appeared to be as confused as ever.
What was his plan? To act like nothing had happened. "That was Casey's favourite shirt, and I ruined it!" Derek said, extending a high five to his sister. "Good one, huh?"
She was silent for a few seconds before she answered. "Uh, Derek? Casey's shirt is over there." Marti pointed across the room, "and it doesn't look ruined at all."
Fuck. How were they going to get out of this one?
-— -—-— —-— — — — — —-— —
Edwin was the last one to cram himself into the games closet. As he pulled the door forcefully to get it close, he accidentally stepped on Lizzie's foot.
"Ow, Edwin!" Lizzie exclaimed, pushing Edwin into the full shelf behind him.
"It's not my fault okay! We need a new meeting space, it's too cramped in here." He said as he shuffled closer to the door to give Lizzie some space.
Lizzie looked over at Marti, "What's up, Marti? Let's get this over with before I pass out from Edwin's body odour."
Edwin elbowed Lizzie in the ribs, "Marti's text said emergency! I didn't have a chance to take a shower after a long day."
"Enough, you two." Marti interrupted. "I don't really know how to say this but, I'm just going to go for it."
Edwin and Lizzie both looked puzzled, waiting for her to continue in anticipation.
"I think Derek and Casey are together."
This sentence elicited two very different responses from her siblings.
"What! Oh my god, what do you know? Spill!" Lizzie exclaimed, hitting her little sister on the shoulder in excitement.
Edwin said nothing but "Ew! Are you sure?!"
Marti was confused by Edwin's disgusted reaction. "What do you mean 'ew', Edwin? We all knew this was going to happen."
"Yeah, we did! I told you it would finally happen when Casey went to Vancouver. I win!" Lizzie gloated in Edwin's face. She did a small happy chance in the small space they were standing in.
Edwin rolled his eyes, "I owe you ten bucks okay, I know. And I mean 'ew' in the nicest way possible. It's not that I don't want them together, it's that both of them are my siblings so I don't want to imagine…"
"Ew, Edwin okay. Stop!" Marti agreed, cringing. "I get it."
"What did you see, Marti! Tell us already." Lizzie said, her eyes lit up with curiosity.
"Okay, so I went to Smerek's room to ask if he wanted to play a game on the Nintendo with me. And when I opened the door, I saw Casey in her bra, and her shirt on the floor."
Lizzie gasped while Edwin pretended to vomit. "No way."
"And before I could really take a good look at what I walked in on, Derek threw an entire bottle of Gatorade at Casey saying that he wanted to ruin her shirt? But that didn't make any sense because her shirt was already off."
"Oh my god!" Lizzie said, "And then?"
"Let me guess," Edwin said, "knowing my brother, he tried to cover it up by starting a fight with Casey?"
"Yes! Exactly!" Marti said, "But when Casey stormed off, I noticed she had smears of Cheeto dust on her back and chest. And Derek had a bag of Cheetos on his bed-"
"Okay, Marti. Enough." Edwin interrupted. "We get the picture."
"Well this makes a lot of sense," Lizzie started, "Derek looked like he was going to break his fork in half at dinner."
"Oh, yeah!" Marti exclaimed, remembering the events earlier in the evening. "He's definitely pissed that she's going on that coffee date."
"So, what do we do?" Edwin asked.
"Nothing. They don't want us to know, so we have to pretend like we don't."
"That's not fun." Marti said.
All three of them suddenly jumped at the sound of Derek's voice coming from down the hall. "Edwin! Where you at?!"
"Quick, he's calling you." Lizzie nudged Edwin towards the door. "Disperse!"
And with Edwin leading them, they all escaped the games closet into their own rooms, pretending as if nothing happened tonight.
— — — — — — — — — — — —
Casey sat on her bed after her shower, unable to calm down. What if Derek didn't act soon enough and Marti saw too much? Oh my god, who was she kidding? Even if Marti hadn't seen it all, she wasn't stupid. She still caught Casey in her bra.
The memory of what they just lived through made Casey's stomach churn. She had to call Derek to find out what happened after she left the scene. All she wanted to do was walk over to his room but it was too much of a risk right now. Grabbing her wireless headphones and connecting it to her phone, she dialed his number.
"Hey." Derek answered.
"Hey. How did it go?" Casey asked hesitantly.
Derek was putting on a button up shirt as he spoke to Casey on the phone. "Not great. She knows, Case."
There was a pause on the phone. Casey exhaled as she placed her red stained clothing in her laundry basket.
"What are we going to do, Derek?" Casey made a mental note not to say his name anymore since she was leaving her room to do laundry.
"Nothing. There's nothing we can do. I'm not a hundred percent sure if she put two and two together, but if she has - we can't change that."
"So we have to act like nothing happened?!" Casey asked. This was her worst nightmare.
"The Venturi's aren't a confrontational bunch, Case. Even if she knows, she's going to act like she doesn't." Derek replied.
"How's that supposed to make me feel any better?"
"Because that means, she's not going to tell our parents." He stated.
"I'm sorry I had to throw Gatorade at you."
Grabbing her laundry basket and placing it on one hip, Casey went down the stairs. "I forgive you. I miss you and I hate this."
"Who do you miss?"
Casey paused realizing that question didn't come from her headphones. She looked up, spotting her mother at the bottom of the stairs. Casey pointed at the phone and mouthed 'Emily' while she continued to descend down into the living room. "I miss our girl nights so much, Em! We have to plan another one. Haha okay! I have to go now." She said, smiling her fakest smile.
Casey grinned at her mother as she placed her phone in her pocket.
"How's Emily doing?" Nora asked.
"You should know better mom, I've been in Vancouver. You have lunch with Emily's parents every other week."
Before Nora could answer, the doorbell rang, waking George on the couch.
Casey's face scrunched up, "It's nine o'clock. Mom? George? Are you expecting someone?"
Nora glanced at her husband and he shook his head 'no'.
"No, honey. It must be one of Edwin's friends."
Casey walked over to the door and swung it open to find Sally standing on the other side.
"Sally?" She said, surprised.
"Hi, Casey. Nice to see you."
"What are you doing here? I mean," Casey composed herself, "I thought you had moved to Australia after graduating from UBC."
"I did, but I moved back a year ago. Derek posted on instagram that he's home so…"
"We decided to go out for coffee." Derek said, suddenly appearing at the door. "You know, to catch up." He winked at Casey.
"Is that so?" George said from the couch.
"Uh, you can't!" Casey blurted out abruptly.
"And why is that?" Derek asked as a smirk formed on his face.
"Yeah, why is that?" Nora asked, crossing her arms across her chest.
Sally stood in the doorway confused. She shot Derek a questioning look.
"Because, I was doing some cleaning while I was here. I wanted Derek to help me move a shelf." Casey said, as convincingly as she could.
"I can help you move the shelf." George offered.
"No!" Both Casey and Nora said at the same time.
Marti came down the stairs to see what the commotion was and froze in her tracks. "Oh, shit!" She exclaimed from the top of the stairway. "Edwin! Lizzie! Sally is here!"
"Watch your language, missy!" Nora warned her youngest daughter.
Edwin and Lizzie ran to join Marti at the top of the stairs.
"Derek, what's happening?" Sally asked. "If you're busy, we can catch up another time."
Derek stepped out the door onto the porch. "Casey said she isn't bothered by me going out for coffee tonight. Especially if it's with a friend like Sally. Isn't that right, Case?"
"Not bothered at all." Casey replied, through her teeth.
"Just as I thought. See you all later!" He said before he shut the door. Casey ran around to the window in the living room and watched Derek open the car door for Sally. That mother fucker!
