"We're almost home."
Derek linked his long fingers through Casey's soft delicate ones, reveling in the smooth feel of her flushed skin. The large blue sign indicating their return to London passed by in a haze and Casey's emotion filled voice washed over him.
Five days had passed since their first night together at the dingy motel. Five days that had been filled with passion, trust, and unrequited love making. Five days that he wished could last forever, but reality was about to hit hard.
"Looks like it," Derek replied with a heavy sigh. He could feel Casey's gaze burning his skin, but he kept his eyes vigilant on the empty road ahead.
"What are we going to tell Mom and George?"
"Tell them? Why would we tell them anything?" Derek glanced at her quickly before once again turning away. His brow creased at her question. Was she insane? How could they possibly tell their parents what just happened between their two oldest children for nearly a week straight. Those days spent together were four years bursting forth at one time, making it more intense than it would have been otherwise. But it was something that could never be spoken of. Not yet at least.
"Because we still live in their house and they have a right to know."
"Keeping them in the dark about this, Case, won't kill them. It just might save them from a heart attack. And you know how much greasy shit my dad eats. He may have just turned 40, but the guys asking for a massive cardiac arrest." Derek forced a grin for Casey's sake, but she wasn't amused. He cleared his throat, immediately dropping his smirk.
"So you just plan to sneak around and never say a word?"
"That's the plan," Derek said, placing his dark sunglasses over his eyes.
Casey whipped her hand away from Derek, crossing her arms over the round high breast that he could now draw from memory.
"Seriously, Case? You want to just walk into our house and tell them that their kids have been fucking for the past week? Do you have any idea how stupid that idea is?"
"Stupid?!" Casey unbuckled her seat belt, turning her entire body towards him. If looks could kill… "No, I wasn't going to go inside and blurt out how you took my virginity. Or how we had sex close to 10 times without using a condom once. But I was going to tell them that you and I decided to finally acknowledge our feelings for one another."
Derek couldn't hide the groan that came deep within his throat.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Leave it to Casey to ask a question about something that didn't even contain words.
"It means that this whole issue does not need to be addressed the second we walk through those doors." Derek was trying to keep his anger in check. It was like London had some sort of argumentative shroud around it that cause him and Casey to revert back to their 15 year old selves.
"Then when."
"I was thinking never," Derek blurted out. He immediately regretted his answer. Her furious gaze turned to a look of hurt as if her heart had just begun to bleed. "I never meant never, Case. What I meant was not now. Let's start our lives and see where it takes us. One month, and we're both leaving home. Whether you go to New York or move to Queen's with me, this whole issue will be a lot easier when we don't have to live with them."
"What just happened with us, Derek?"
Why did she have to constantly ask him questions like that?
"We made love…a lot."
"So you just expect me to act like nothing ever happened?"
"What?" he rolled his eyes and gave her slender arm a light shove. "Of course I don't expect that."
"Then what do you want from me…from us?"
"You and I just started, Casey. Labeling whatever this is doesn't have to be some huge priority right now. No matter what, we're stuck together forever. Let's just live in the now and deal with it later."
"You don't want to be with me." It was more a statement of fact rather than a question.
"You have to know how I feel about you. I may be the best liar and manipulator around, but even I can't keep up such a great acting job day and in and day out around the clock."
"You don't want to be with me," she stated again in a more definite tone.
Derek's chest rose from the deep intake of breath he took, releasing it slowly.
"I want you, Casey. Always have – always will."
Casey gradually leaned back against her seat without another word. Derek knew that he was deliberately avoiding her implied question. The truth was, he did want Casey. He wanted to be with her. He had wanted Sally to be his girlfriend more than anything, and Casey meant a billion times more to him than Sally ever could.
But the reality of life was still a hard nail to swallow. Not a pill: a nail. The edges were sharp and liable to cause some serious side effects. Nora loved him. That much was apparent. She probably loved him more than his own mother. Abby was never half the mother Nora had been to him. But there was no way in hell she would ever forgive him for putting a blemish on Casey's perfect self, both inside and out.
Not to mention his father's words that came rushing back to him…
July 2005 (four years ago)
"Derek! Edwin! Marti! Come down stairs. Nora and the girls will be here any minute!"
Derek logged off the internet. He had been dreading this day since his dad claimed to be 'in love' with some chick from Toronto.
He had met Nora, and she seemed alright. She even gave Marti a stuffed monkey that stayed by her side day and night.
But the fact was, Nora was a packaged deal. Two daughters. Two girls moving into his house; his man cave. Except for Marti, who had picked up all of their male habits aside from standing while pissing, this entire house was a man cave.
He couldn't expect things to stay the same. Not with a bubbly wife, a girl his age, and some brat Edwin's age, moving in. They were going to change everything.
Derek attempted to rub the crick from his neck.
A knock sounded on his open door. George walked in without an invite, a large smile plastered across his youthful face. He always wore a smile. Derek wished that he, himself, could be that clueless to life.
"Did you hear me call? Edwin and Marti are all ready to meet the girls. Let's go downstairs, Derek. It won't be that bad." His dad laughed with excitement. George turned his back, attempting to walk out.
"And then what? Pretend to be one big happy family." Derek wrinkled his nose in a sarcastic grin with every word that fell from his lips.
The smile from George's face fell. He ran a hand through his thick golden locks before taking a seat on the edge of Derek's bed. He leaned forward on his knees, pondering on his thoughts before speaking.
"They're great girls, Derek. The thought of seven people blending underneath one roof is liable to scare everyone. But just give it a chance."
"Listen, G. I like Nora. A lot. But don't you think you have enough on your plate? I mean, Edwin's hygiene alone requires 24/7 supervision. And Marti," Derek leaned back into his computer chair, swiveling slightly from side to side. "Her imaginary friends are growing by the day. At this rate, she might need a shrink to…"
"She's six and needs a mother, Derek," George cut him off. "Imaginary friends are healthy for a girl her age, but not having a mother isn't."
"So you're just marrying Nora so Marti can have a Mommy?" Derek barked out a fake laugh. "I bet your bride-to-be would love to hear that one."
"Edwin and Marti are the least of my worries."
Derek stilled his side to side motion. His father's voice had lost all of the bubbly, giddy, carefree joy that usually came out.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Derek asked, slightly offended.
George pinched the bridge of his nose, silence filling the air besides a shriek from Marti downstairs. "They're here! They're here!"
George looked to the door, then back at Derek.
"I know how you are, Derek. I may play dumb, but I'm far from it."
"Meaning?" Derek put on a smirk, even though he was shrinking inside at his father's accusing gaze. George never looked at him like that.
"Meaning…I let you get away with murder. I try to take it easy on because your mother walked out. I put up with your antics, your smart mouth, and just last week – I found of girls bra lying underneath your bed. Did I say a word? No. Because the life I have given you could be better."
Derek kept an emotionless expression plastered on his face, refusing to show any sign of being effected.
"If you weren't so good to Marti, I'd be terrified that your heart was full of nothing but ice. Those girls are sweet, and you will try to be civil."
"And if I don't?" Derek dared to ask, challenging his father. The sound of female voices wafted to his ears. His new 'family' was officially downstairs.
George shrugged his shoulders in defeat. There was no place for him to send Derek. He had no one else. Abby sure as hell didn't want her oldest child showing up on her doorstep in Spain while she lived the high life away from every responsibility she should be obligated to take on.
"Casey," George said. His thoughts had taken a completely different turn. "I should have mentioned this sooner, but now is as good as time any I suppose."
"What about her?" Derek asked in annoyed confusion.
"She's a girl around your age, Derek. Just watch it."
Derek rolled his eyes before jumping to his feet. "I think you've lost it, G."
George grabbed his son's arm, jerking his back until they stood face to face, only inches separating them. "She's bright, kindhearted, and beautiful. She's also extremely innocent and naïve. You touch her in any way, and I will find someplace to send you."
Derek swallowed the lump in his throat. His father's eyes were deadpan and serious. This new side of George, Derek wasn't sure he liked. Derek licked his lips, forcing a smile to take over his features. "Isn't she supposed to be my 'sister', Pops? No need to go all incestuous on me."
"She's prettier than any girl I've ever seen you with. A girl that will only be sleeping a few feet away from you and if you start thinking 'easy access,' there will be consequences to every twisted thought that creeps into your mind."
Derek jerked himself from Georges grasp. He'd heard enough.
"Derek!" George hissed quietly, but enough to make Derek brace both hands against the door frame. He turned around reluctantly, staring into his father's eyes that were beginning to soften in pity. The look he gave him was almost worse than the cold gaze that had plastered his face only moments ago.
"What?" Derek gripped the wall for support, waiting for the words to fall from his father's lips.
"You are…beneath her."
Words cut like a knife. And right now, George had sliced his whole body to pieces. His own father thought that he useless and a waste.
Derek turned on his heels, stumbling slightly as tears pricked behind his eyes. He tilted his head back to stop the flow that was threatening to fall. He nearly tripped down the stairs, his knees on the verge of giving out.
He paused for a moment to catch his balance. His hands were gripping the railing so tight that his knuckles were turning white. He slowly descended the stairs, focusing on the façade that would forever be present. Only, at the time, he was unware of just how long he's have to hide.
His dad shoved past him, a spring back into his step as he reached for Nora, giving her a small peck in front of the children. A girl about Edwin's age had her hands clasped tightly together, listening intently to his brother talk about his never ending idea's for an invention that would make him a millionaire by the age of 20. She had to be bored, but kept laughing at everything he said.
Marti clung to Nora's leg in a vice like grip. Traitor, Derek thought.
And behind Nora, a pair of slender bare shoulders peeked out just enough for him to take notice. The curve of her neck was immaculate. The sky blue fabric of her thigh high dress hugged her body in all the right places as Nora began to move to the side, making the view more prominent.
One leg stepped in front of the other, but it felt like he wasn't moving at all.
"Derek!" Nora said with a wide smile, moving away from her spot that concealed the girl behind her.
Casey. Derek's breath hitched in his throat. He screamed inside at the very sight of her. A chestnut braid pulled the hair back from her face; features that were completely flawless. Blue eyes somewhere between the ocean and sky gazed up at him. Her smile was infection, making his already weak knees almost give way. Her slender body was tone with legs that went on for miles.
Beautiful was an understatement. Casey was pure perfection. Heaven sent to tempt him into a hell that was sure to be waiting.
Nora grasped him in a tight embrace. He never hugged back, unable to move this eyes from the majestic sight before him.
And her expression matched his own. One of awe and excitement. Pure adrenaline that would course through anyone's body as instant attraction hit them both hard. Their pull was magnetic. It was like destiny was screaming, and they were both meant to be together. Fate was cruel. They were destined to live a life as siblings and nothing more. That's how they were meant to be in each other's' lives.
His father's arm went around Casey, protective and defensive. It's as if George could read his every thought.
And then Derek let his face fall, back into an easy smirk that would forever cover his every thought.
He sauntered down the steps in an easy gait, one hand in his pocket and a tight grip on his heartstrings. A heart he never knew was beating until now.
"Hi," the angel stepped in front of him, causing Derek to stumble back slightly. Her bright smile sank to his very core.
"You are beneath her," his father's words vibrated through his mind. And George was right. He was beneath Casey and no matter how hard he tried, he would never be good enough to grace her presents. Let alone touch or be with her.
Derek snickered. "Whatever," he said harshly, knocking into her with his shoulder, causing her to stumble backwards, and hammer into his recliner. She braced herself against the old fabric, an angry distained look replaced the sweet desire on her face.
"De-rek!"
Derek walked away from her. And as he walked into the kitchen, and out the back door, he leaned against the house before letting his knees finally buckle beneath him.
He closed his eyes and smiled, loving the way she said his name.
August 2009 (Present day)
"De-rek! You just passed the house."
Derek slammed on his brakes, causing Casey to grip onto the handle above her head.
"Are you wanting to throw me through the windshield or something? That will make our little problem go away."
Derek stared straight ahead, struggling to bring his focus back to the present.
"You're the one that took off your seat belt." He shrugged before putting the car in reverse going backwards at an accelerated rate. He slammed on his brakes again before turning into the drive way, back to reality.
The second he stopped his car, Casey leapt from the passenger seat.
Derek jumped out after her, running to keep up. "Let go of me."
He grabbed her around the waste, lifting her from the ground before ducking around to the side of the house. He threw her up against the side, causing her to groan in discomfort from his rough manhandling.
"Let's get one thing straight, Princess." Derek wiped the sunglasses from his face, making sure she could see into his eyes clearly. "I didn't spend this past week between your legs for nothing. You have always been off limits to me. I would never have slept with you if I didn't feel something. For the past four fucking years, I have felt something," Derek slammed his fist against the house, causing Casey to wince as it happened mere inches from her face. "I am not…will not let you slip through my fingers. But telling the 'rents is pure suicide. No, we aren't together, and right now, we can't be. It's not practical. But to answer your question, yes. Yes, I do want to be with you."
Derek watched a tear roll from her eye. He kissed it before it could fall from her flawless face. Leaning his forehead against hers, he spoke the truth. "I've never wanted anything more. I'll never be satisfied without you, Case. I have no intention of trying to live a life without you in it; without us together."
Casey's lips quivered as their mouths were inches apart.
"I love you, Derek," she whispered in a hushed breath.
Derek closed his eyes against the sweet words that fell from her angelic lips. He lightly brushed his lips against hers, memorizing every taste and curve. "I'm never letting you go, Case. Count on it."