Dreaming
Chapter 10
Previously…
She automatically stiffened then relaxed as his body's warmth permeated to her very soul and soon she fell into a comfortable sleep.
They slept in and around noon Derek couldn't ignore the rumbling in his stomach any longer. He called room service and jumped in the shower. About ten minutes later he heard Casey enter the bathroom, turn on music, and start performing her morning ablutions. Twenty minutes passed and Derek turned off the water. He pulled his towel into the shower before wrapping it around himself and stepped out. He was surprised she had stayed in the bathroom. Casey caught his reflection in the mirror and jumped. He was a lot bigger than the last time she had seen him in a towel and couldn't help but stare at the water trailing down his chest. He smelled like Dark Temptation body wash and she felt a blush creep up her body. Derek noticed the stare and called over his shoulder as he swaggered out, "If you send my agent a request, he'll mail you an autographed poster." Derek heard Casey huff and he chuckled.
He was changed by the time she came out and the food had been delivered. He sat at the small breakfast table that allowed him to take in the view from the balcony. Rome was breath-taking. Casey was dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, an old orangutan shirt that looked oddly familiar. She looked younger with her hair pulled back and no make-up on.
"You came more than once." Derek said popping a bite of chocolate chip pancake into his mouth.
"Not before coffee Derek."
"The longer you avoid this conversation, the longer I stay."
Casey sipped at her coffee for several minutes before answering. "Well, someone had to visit your sorry ass."
Derek grinned and relaxed unaware that he was even tense. "You're just jealous you weren't the nurse doing the sponge baths."
Casey gave him a disgusted look. "Please. I wouldn't want to touch you with a ten foot pole."
"That's not what your body said last night when I was holding you." Derek's eyebrows wiggled.
"I thought you wanted to have a serious discussion, Derek. I guess it was wishful thinking to assume that bump on the head would have knocked some maturity into you."
Derek's face turned serious because even though he enjoyed the bantering, he knew they needed to talk about their relationship. "Sorry, Case."
Casey rolled her eyes, but Derek noticed the tears glistening there. "Seeing you like that was not fun Derek. You were really bad off." Casey's voice raised an octave. "The doctor didn't even know if you were going to wake up or be permanently brain damaged."
Derek didn't want Casey to cry so he joked again, "It wouldn't have taken much to permanently damage my brain, huh, Case."
Casey mouth twitched but she didn't smile. "I was scared Derek. Everyone was scared. How can you joke about it?"
Tears avoided at the moment, Derek turned serious again. "I know it was bad, but I'm fine now Princess. Most likely I'll be able to play next season. Life will return to normal."
"What's normal?" Casey wondered aloud. "We go back to our separate lives? You go back to all those gold digging tramps?" The bitterness in her voice unmistakable.
Derek interrupted, "Casey.."
Casey stood and held up her hand. "You have a reputation Derek. I read the papers."
Derek stood too and sneered, "You always believe those scandal sheets? I thought your taste in reading was better than that."
"You're a heartbreaker Derek. You always have been." Casey shot back.
Derek paused and realized this conversation wasn't going as planned. He didn't want to fight anymore. "Casey, I only want to spend my time with one woman. I'm not a player anymore, and if I'm honest with myself it's only been about this one woman for quite some time."
Casey was taken back by Derek's pause and redirection to stop the fight. She felt the tears threatening again making her look away from Derek. She swallowed hard before speaking, her voice breaking, "That's great Derek. You should go be with her."
How can she be so oblivious? Derek marveled. "I want to tell you about her."
Still turned away, Casey shakily leaned against the balcony door. "Okay" she said in a quiet voice.
Derek started pacing. "When I look into her eyes, it feels like…coming home. When she's not with me it feels like half of me is missing. Her touch burns me to the core and my stomach does that weird…somersault thing when she looks at me. Her voice makes my heart beat faster even after all these years. Her scent drives me wild with passion. No one has ever made me feel the way she does. With her by my side, I feel…invincible. Loving her has made me do crazy things, like moving across the country to chase her. Do you understand, Casey?"
"Ummm," was the only sound Casey could get out. She rested her head against the glass door and let the tears run down her face not even attempting to wipe them away. She had her arms clenched around her trying to hold together her breaking heart.
"Have you ever been in love like that Case?" Derek pressed.
Casey silently shook her head no and Derek's heart shattered. He only had one more card to play.
"I love you," He said without pretext. He seemed to be out of breath as his voice came out ragged and hoarse. She could barely comprehend his words.
"What?" She whispered, unbelieving and turned to look at him.
"I love you," He repeated gaining confidence. "I love you…so much."
After a hesitant moment, she spoke. "I l-love you, too."
"You do?" He asked, surprised.
"Yes, of course. Wasn't it obvious?" She laughed nervously and wiped at her face. He sighed with relief and pulled her close as he pressed his forehead against hers.
"I've loved you for so long. All these years we've known each other."
"You have?" Again, she whispered, fearing if she spoke louder, she would wake out of the dream she seemed to be having.
"Yes."
"Then why didn't you tell me?" She tried not to sound accusing.
He looked at her, ashamed. "You never seemed to notice me. You dated all those guys and never seemed to see that I was right in front of you."
The look on her face showed her astonishment. "Never noticed you? How can you say that when I must have hollered 'Der-ek' everyday for eight years."
Derek grinned sheepishly, "You know I did it on purpose, right? Winding you up, the snarky comments, the pranks. I just wanted you to acknowledge me."
Casey's mouth hung open in amazement. "Why didn't you say something before?"
Derek scratched his neck. "I didn't realize it until the end of college. By that time I was already drafted and I was afraid you'd think I was a freak for falling in love with you. I was worried about the reaction of our friends and the reaction of our family. I kept trying to tell you, but every time I chickened out. Then you entered that singing contest and I knew you were going to win. I had no idea it would lead to all this, but I always knew you were going places, Case. I didn't want to be the one that held you back."
Casey leaned her head into Derek's chest. "I can't believe it took you almost being killed for us to talk like this. I'm sorry."
"It doesn't matter now, Princess. All that's important is that we're together now." Derek rubbed his hands over Casey's back and she relaxed into him.
"Just like that?"
Derek chuckled. "I think we've already made it hard enough."
"Yeah, I guess you're right," Casey said with a smile in her voice.
Casey pulled back and said, "How do you think our parents and friends are going to react?"
"We're successful, independent adults. They'll react the way we tell them to react." Derek's voice was fearless.
"Just that easy." Casey's voice was dubious.
"That easy, Casey. Don't over think this. Keep your eye on the prize and we'll be fine." Derek's voice was firm.
Casey's eyebrows raised and her eyes and smile were wicked. "Just what's this prize, Venturi?"
Derek's eyebrows wiggled and he said seductively, "I believe you'll find that prize in the bed, McDonald."
Casey giggled. "Then let's go get it." She turned and sashayed away. Derek's hands caught her waist, but she wiggled away and ran. Derek tackled her onto the bed, pining her down. He smiled into Casey's flushed face reveling in his happiness before crashing his lips to hers. Casey lost her self in Derek's embrace and relished the thought of finally being with the love of her life.
THE END...EXCEPT
Ralph walked into the hallway and noticed Tom, Casey's assistance, was once again pacing outside her room. He was wringing his hands and muttering to himself with a worried look on his face. "Freak," Ralph said to himself. He walked over and clapped Tom on the back making him jump.
"What do you want?" Tom sneered as he shook Ralph's hand from his back like it was diseased.
Ralph took a deep breath, something he had learned from Casey, and reigned in his frustration. "Are you worried about Casey?"
"Does it look like I'm worried?" Tom replied sarcastically. "I can hear a man in there." Tom whispered making Ralph laugh.
"Dude, don't worry about it. She's fine." Ralph turned to walk away but Tom kept talking.
"But she's never had a man in her room before. What could they be doing?"
Ralph gave him dubious look. Seriously how could this guy be of any assistance to Casey? "They're relieving tension. I'm sure they can handle it on their own, man."
"But-but I heard banging." Tom's voice was a bit desperate and Ralph couldn't believe he was even having this conversation. Nevertheless, Ralph walked over to the door and cupped his hand around his ear leaning in. He heard deep laughter, then BANG!, "Der-ek!, more deep laughter, then girly giggling. Ralph chuckled to himself, content to know all was as it should be for the first time in a long time.
Ralph turned to Tom. Everyone deserved happiness, right? "Come on, buddy. Leave them alone for awhile. Casey will call if she needs you." Ralph had his hand on Tom's back propelling him down the hall to the elevators. "Let's see if we can find you a lady."
Tom turned to Ralph with disgust. Ralph's eyes widened and he backtracked. "Let's see if we can find you a nice guy?" Tom blushed a little but didn't look as hostile. "Okay, then." Ralph said relieved he hadn't offended Tom too much. "I saw some nice waiters in the restaurant. Let's have lunch."
THE END
AN: Thanks so much for reading. I hope you enjoyed it. If you are reading this after it's complete, please still review. I'd like to know your suggestions for the future.
Thanks to those who have been reviewing and following the whole time: rumoredreader, kmr04, Dimples08, Dark Supernatural Angel, not complaining, leanaplumz, Danicadea, dbwce, countryfan4life, Dark-Angel11121, Stormy Stormcloud, wiswinagirl, smanderson, mac-reye, celestialspark, enx2103, michelly1122, kaitlynnnx3, Veronica willis, thinfoot, Zeyro, dbgothicprincess, Kedern