I DO NOT OWN LIFE WITH DEREK OR THE CHARACTERS.

Chapter Fifteen:

I all but floated back to the house. Clay should be over any time, now. Mom and George took Marti and Ed somewhere for the day, so we shouldn't be interrupted. I'm sick to my stomach with nerves. I don't know how to do this. I've never had to break up with anyone, before.

The doorbell rang. I opened the door and saw Clay. He looks awful. My face fell. "What happened?" I asked him. He smirked.

"Can I come inside?" He asked. I nodded and stepped aside. I shut the door behind him. "Are we alone?" He asked.

"We're the only ones home." I told him.

"I know about you and Derek." He told me.

"How?"

"I saw you together in the woods."

"I am so, beyond sorry, Clay. I never wanted to hurt you. I care for you. I really do, but I love Derek. I've tried so hard not to feel anything for him. I know how wrong it is. I know that we'll never be accepted, because he's my step-brother."

"Elle, you don't have to explain this to me. Why didn't you tell me?" He asked.

"Because I didn't want you to look at me like you are now."

"You broke my heart, Elle. I'm falling for you and you're already with someone else." He hissed. My eyes started to sting. I tried to hold my tears back.

"I'm so sorry for that." I trembled. He sighed and pulled me into his chest.

"I don't want you out of my life. Maybe we can start slow, as friends. I'm not going to tell anyone your secret. And I'm not going to pretend that I don't have feelings for you, either. If things don't work out with Derek, I'm here. And if you decide that he's not the one you want, I'm here, too." He vowed. I smiled.

"You want to stay friends?" I asked to clarify.

"I don't want to lose you, not completely." He nodded.

"Alright, friends?" I asked him.

"One last kiss? You owe me that much, Elle." Clay murmured. He cupped my cheek and brought his lips down to mine. I gasped. He moved his tongue into mine and tasted me, one last time. He held me tighter and heated things up. His arms roamed my body. I nipped his bottom lip. He smiled and kissed me again. I pulled away and looked up at him.

"If you ever need anything, let me know." He whispered, kissing me, softly.

"Right back at you." I told him. He smiled, sadly.

"I should go. I need to start getting over you." He kissed my temple and turned towards the door.

"Thank you, Clay. I don't deserve this." I tried to apologize, again.

"Later, Elle." He left, taking one last look at me. After he left, my phone went off.

"Is he gone?" Derek asked.

"Yeah, he's gone."

"Okay, I'll be over in a minute." He hung up. He was hanging out with Emily at her place. It didn't take him long. "It's over?" He asked me. I nodded. "How'd he take it?"

"He already knew, but he said he would keep it to himself. I let him down easy."

"How easy?" He raised his eyebrow.

"Very," I told him.

"He touched you?"

"A little."

"You kissed him?"

"Yes." I told him.

"You know how jealous I get…" He picked me up and carried me upstairs. "Looks like it's my turn with you." He smirked.