Page 59 of Always Right

“You don't have to leave, you know? I won't bother you.”

Derek stilled, his hand on the doorknob. I preferred an argument than to be alone, but I knew no matter what I said, he wasn’t going to stay.

Not anymore.

“Get some rest, Hannah.”

***

I didn’t sleep. Not enough, anyway. I tossed and turned all night, not getting a continuous hour of sleep until sunrise and by then, it was too late. I stood up, not bothering to try to get any rest and walked to the living room, a quiet sigh leaving my lips at the sight of the piano.

It was the last day of the year and my goal...my wish, was to play the piano again. I wasn't sure when...and I wasn't sure if I'd be able to, but I wanted to try.

Finally, my feet continued to move toward the window, admiring the view. It was beautiful at night, but gorgeous when the sun brightened up the sky and every single detail was visible. Surrounded by trees and mountains, there was nothing that could compare to its beauty...to its peace. And I was starting to feel it.

"Good morning." Startled, I turned around, only to find Derek standing by the kitchen with a cup of coffee in his hands. "Are the girls still sleeping?"

I nodded. "They should be up in a few minutes." He took another sip of coffee, watching me intently as I stepped away from the window. I felt exposed, my arms crossing over my chest as I remembered I wasn't even wearing a bra. He looked away for a few seconds, until I continued talking. "At what time is Dylan getting here?"

Derek tensed again. "He's on his way so...an hour and a half."

"Does Evie know?"

Derek set his coffee to the side and shoved his hands into the pockets of his sweatpants. He wanted to hide it, but the meeting had him anxious. Perhaps no one else could see it, but I did.

"It's going to be okay, you know? He's going to love Evie. And Dylan is great. She'll love him, too."

God, I wanted to hold him. I wanted to wrap my arms around him and make him forget.

But distance was what I wanted, right?

"It's funny, right? The mess we leave behind." I furrowed my brows, not understanding what he meant until he continued. "My mom never thought about the mess she was making: a son who ran away, one that watched her quite literally kill herself with drugs, and a daughter who she dumped somewhere because she needed to get high. She's gone and doesn't even realize that we were left to deal with the consequences of her choices."

I swallowed thickly, realizing how much the situation hurt Derek. He didn't show it often, but the heartache and trauma that his mom left behind was palpable in that moment and I wasn't sure how to help him.

I wasn't sure if I could.

Derek cleared his throat, running a hand over his face before finally looking at me again. "You should go get ready."

He walked away then, his arm brushing my arm and leaving me behind without giving me a chance to say a word.

Chapter 21

Derek

It was an hour and twenty minutes.

Ten minutes less for me to get my shit together.

Ten minutes less to mentally prepare for two parts of my life to collide.

I squared my shoulders, ready for a fight though deep down I knew there wouldn’t be one. Thankful that Hannah was there, I glanced at her, her reassuring smile letting me know that it was going to be okay.

Funny, how I tried to keep my distance from her yet she was the only person who could offer what I needed.

What a way to end the year.

There was a quiet knock on the door and I cleared my throat, glancing at Evie who’s hand was held firmly by Nathan, ready to protect her at all costs.