Author's Note: Alright guys, so sorry! I didn't realize that this chapter was never uploaded. :( My definite bad! Sorry!

I DO NOT OWN LIFE WITH DEREK OR THE CHARACTERS.

Chapter Fourteen:

I woke up with my stomach in knots. I can't believe we were that sloppy last night. I mentally kicked myself. How's Clay gonna take it. I'm so nervous. He's supposed to come over after he gets off work, tonight.

"Hey Z, you up?" Derek asked, peeking his head into my room. I looked over at him and nodded.

"I'm up." I sat up and ran a hand through my hair.

"Great, get ready. We're going on a walk. I'm taking you to the woods. I think you could use some peace of mind." He left me to get ready. Well, if he really wants me to go, he can wait for me to shower. I grabbed some clothes and headed to the bathroom. The shower was over way too quickly. I'm kind of dreading the walk with Derek, as much as I'm looking forward to it. I just hate that I have to hurt Clay. He's a good guy, and I should have broken things off with him a long time ago.

"Lizzie, what's on your mind?" Derek asked as we walked. I shrugged. "You still worried about Clay?" He asked. I nodded. "I know you're worried about hurting him, but stringing him along longer would just hurt him more. You don't want that." He reasoned. He's right. I know he's right, but that doesn't mean that I have to like it. "If it makes you feel any better, I won't see anyone else, either. It's not fair to you or to anyone else. I don't want anyone else Z. I just want you."

"Why couldn't you just admit that in the first place? It would have made things so much easier, Derek." I sighed.

"I'm saying it now, and that's got to count for something, right?" He pulled me to him and his hands settled on my waist. I nodded.

"It's better late than never." I agreed. He smirked and kissed me. I pulled him closer to me. We stayed that way for what seemed like forever.

Clay's POV

It's been a crazy couple of days. I don't know how things are going with Elle. We haven't really talked that much. She wants me to come over and talk later, but I have a sinking feeling in my gut. I know she's been distracted. It's like she has feelings for someone else, but… I'm just being paranoid. She's never even mentioned another guy. As far as I know, I'm the only one that she's ever really dated.

I tried to concentrate on my surroundings and enjoy being away from everything. Just walking is helping clear my head. I haven't been out here since I was younger. I used to come out here with my mom. Whenever she'd have a bad day, we'd take a stroll through the woods. It was our ritual.

I can't even remember the last time that we were out here. Things have been pretty good lately. The past couple of days have been kind of stressful, but apart from that, things have been good. Even so, it's nice to be out here.

I started humming to myself. Wait, are those voices? I've never seen anyone else out here. It's not really a private spot, but normally people steer clear of the woods. I'm not really sure why.

That sounds like Derek. What's he doing out here? I kept walking, trying to hear better.

"Lizzie, what's on your mind? You still worried about Clay? I know you're worried about hurting him, but stringing him along longer would just hurt him more. You don't want that. If it makes you feel any better, I won't see anyone else, either. It's not fair to you or anyone else. I don't want anyone else Z. I just want you." Derek said, softly.

What?! So, that's why he's overprotective. I can't believe it. Why didn't she tell me? I feel so stupid. I've been chasing after a girl who's hooked on her stepbrother.

"Why couldn't you just admit that in the first place? It would have made things so much easier, Derek." Lizzie said. I can see them, now. They're in a clearing. They can't see me, there's too much in the way. They look so… happy together. I just want her to be happy. That's all I really wanted, really.

"I'm saying it now, and that's got to count for something, right?" Derek moved closer to her. I hate watching this, but I can't tear my eyes away.

"It's better late than never." Lizzie told him. They started kissing. Elle and I haven't been together for that long; maybe we can still be friends without it being too awkward. I guess I can understand why didn't want me to know. Maybe she was in denial, herself…. Is that what she wanted me to come over for? So she could break it off?

I guess I'll see when I go see her, later. I have a lot to think about.

Author's Note: Sorry, again guys.

Xo Xo
Anneryn