The party was in full swing. The house was heaving. Derek's stomach felt like doing the same. He was a complete screw up. He'd just risked everything for a cheap comeback line.
No. Be honest with yourself, Venturi! He'd just told Casey the truth.
Regardless. He felt like shit.
"You okay, bro?" Edwin asked coming to stand beside him. "You look a bit pale."
"I feel like shit." He replied, honest again.
"You look like shit. But hey what's new?" Casey teased as she joined them. How come she was allowed to be so cheerful? Well that was obvious. Derek had just laid himself out ready for the vulture to tuck in.
Something gently brushed the small of his back. A hand rested loosely on his waist. He turned in surprise to his step-sister.
Casey was standing beside him, insulting the hell out of him with her mouth, but her arm was round his waist, her body close to his and when he looked her in the eyes he saw amusement. But the amusement was gentle. She met his gaze for a moment and he felt her thumb trace a pattern on his side. He tentatively slid his own arm around her shoulders. Edwin disappeared to get them some drinks and Derek leant in towards her ear.
"Still talking to me then?"
"Hey. Can't afford to lose you. No one else gives as good arguments as you. I'm even considering the old die early, haunt Derek idea myself." She grinned and leaned towards him. "We need to talk though."
"Great." He muttered in a tone that clearly said the opposite. "Can't wait."
Casey chuckled and squeezed his waist.
He didn't see her for the rest of the evening. He was rather relieved. Instead, they spent a fairly enjoyable evening with their family and friends. – Although Derek was finding the constant "so when are you going to make an honest woman of her" conversations rather tedious. So much so by the time he and his father got round to having a conversation, he blew up.
"So Derek, when are you and Casey…"
"We're not!"
George looked confused.
"I was going to ask when you and Casey were next off on your travels."
Derek looked at him and his shoulders slump. "Sorry. I'm just sick of people assuming that Casey and I are together."
"You are."
"I mean together together."
"Oh." George took a sip of his wine. "You are close."
"She's my best friend. Doesn't mean we're sleeping together though." Well actually, yes it does, but not that way. Unfortunately.
"What does Casey say about it all?"
"She's amused for the most part. I'm waiting for it to start getting to her to the extent that she dumps the whole partnership thing and moves on."
"Is there a risk of that?"
"Come on Dad this is Casey we're talking about."