Disclaimer: I don't own Life with Derek.

Chapter 2: Before the Game at McGill

Remember how I had been planning, way before school started, to forget about Casey during university? To finally move on?

The universe either really wants me to do that, or it's giving me the finger right now, because I got hit on again.

This unbelievably sexy girl in my biology class has been flirting with me. It's no surprise, of course, but do the hot college girls have to all come out of the woodwork when I'm taken?

It's so bad that when she told me her name was Cathy, I heard "Casey." She pulled her hair up and all I could picture was when Casey did that the night before. She had the hair clip thing in her mouth and she twirled her hair around, and when she finally got it to stay up, little pieces fell around her face, and I wanted to grab her by the neck and kiss her senseless.

These fantasies have got to stop. Back to Casey. I mean, Cathy.

See? I'm like Edwin pining over Molly Moscovitz. It's pathetic.

()()()

The morning of the first away game, I had breakfast with the guys. It was a relief to be away from Casey for a while. This sick game we're playing is really bringing me down.

I'm not giving up, of course. There is no way I'm caving and telling her the truth.

But I can't seem to keep the upper hand, and it's unnerving. Casey's throwing herself into being the perfect girlfriend, and I have to say, it freaks me out.

What is it doing to our relationship? We made so much progress as friends, and this mess is kind of ruining that.

Why do I even care what it's doing to our relationship?

I don't think about feelings, remember?

Eh, who am I kidding?

Certainly not Sam. After breakfast, he insisted we go somewhere and talk. That's never a good sign.

We sat on a bench outside the Memorial Centre, where we were waiting for the bus that would take us to the game.

"How are you, D?"

I rolled my eyes. "Fine, how are you?"

"Derek." Sam doesn't split my name in half like Casey does. And yet he can still get me to listen to him.

"You mean, how is it being Casey's boyfriend?"

Sam nodded.

I wasn't sure what to tell him. So I went for the truth. He'd see right through me if I lied, anyway. "It's been nice, at times. Like at Pizza Hut. That was an incredible day. But it's really tough sometimes."

"Not how you thought you'd be spending your time in university, huh?"

"Not at all. I was going to party, and meet girls, not be tied down to my roommate."

Sam raised an eyebrow. "Roommate?"

Ugh. He's right. I'm such a damn wuss. "That's what she is, Sam. My roommate, my stepsister, the bane of my existence."

"Whatever, Derek. I know how you really feel."

"Good. Then you're not gonna make me say it."

Sam shook his head. "No, I won't." He put his hands behind his head. "So, really, what's it like being Casey's boyfriend?" he asked with a smirk.

I glared at him. But again, the best thing to do was tell the truth. He's too infuriating. He sees through me almost as well as Casey does. (Except, you know, when it comes to this ridiculous mess we're in. She can't seem to read my mind these days. Cruel irony, eh?)

"It's horrible, Sam. That girl from my bio class has been flirting with me all week, and I can't do anything back in case someone finds out. I don't want the team to think I'd cheat. I can't believe I'm worried about what they think."

"It must be tough," Sam agreed. He actually did sound sympathetic.

"There are so many girls here, but I've backed myself into a corner with Casey. We can never move forward because we're both too stubborn."

We really can't now. Our friendship is ruined, there is no hope she'll go for me after finding out what I let the team think about us. And neither of us will talk about the fact that everyone thinks we're together. But I'm not about to put myself out there and tell her the truth.

"You should just tell her—" Sam began.

"No," I said pointedly. See? I can't help it. I'm stubborn. And a coward. So sue me.

"Your choice," he said evenly.

Sam must be so frustrated with me. But he did want to see what would happen if I continued the charade with Casey, so he's actually the one to blame. (If I keep thinking it, I'll eventually believe it. Right?)

"I can't even think about other girls," I said sadly. It actually felt good to get it off my chest. That was the closest I could ever come to telling Sam outright how I feel about Casey.

"I know, D."

"I don't get her. Why is she going along with it?" He might have a better idea than I do, because I'm at a loss.

Sam shrugged. "Not sure."

Well, that was helpful.

Suddenly, I realized I had an easy out. I can't believe I hadn't thought of it before. "Maybe I should 'dump' her, so this can all just end." That would make so much sense! Maybe that way, things could go back to normal between Casey and me. You know, as normal as they ever were.

Sam stared at me in horror. But before he could say anything, I heard a voice call "Derek! Sam!"

"Casey?" Sam hissed. I nodded.

We both turned to wave at her, so she came towards us.

"Hey Case," Sam greeted her with a smile.

"Hey. You guys pumped for today?"

She's so into hockey now. It's not as sweet as it sounds. It's actually pretty annoying. (And adorable.)

"You know it." Sam nudged me, and I realized I was frowning. I pulled my lips into a straight line. Casey ignored me.

"Me, too," she replied, pointing to her sweatshirt.

I couldn't help but smile. She's trying so hard to be the perfect girlfriend. It shouldn't make me happy, but in a way, it does. "Cool," was all I had a chance to say, before the rest of the team was waving us over to the street, where the bus had just pulled up.