Page 61 of Finally Home

“Can we get two of your biscuit plates and an… actually, your pastries aren’t made with artificial cinnamon are they? My friend here has a severe allergy.”

Pa scoffs. “There’s nothing artificial in this restaurant, sunny. Ma would wreck the gaff.”

I grin and turn to see my friend with a touched look on her face. “Apple pie or gingerbread?” I ask Lyla.

Her eyes widen, and she nearly drools. “Yes.”

Giggling, I turn back to Pa. “And one each of your apple pie and gingerbread pop tarts, please.”

Pa salutes us with a tap of his pen on my nose. “Yer wish is my command, sunny girl.”

“Wren,” Lyla sniffs, a glassy sheen covering her green eyes. “Thank you for considering my allergy.”

I give her a confused look. “That’s what friends do, Ly.”

“So,” she leans in again. “What do you think Derrick wants?”

Sighing, I watch him amble down the sidewalk through the large windows and notice him shoot a sidelong glance at the restaurant as he leaves. “Honestly, Lyla? I think he just wants to clear his name. But either way, I’ll find out today and then say goodbye once and for all.”

I take out my phone and send two texts, hoping at least one of them answers so I can feel safe and get this meeting with Derrick over and done.

She squeezes my hand softly, offering a reassuring smile. “Everything will work out how it’s supposed to, Wren.”

I only hope it works out in my favor, and without any drama.

“You sure you wanna do this, Starshine? You don’t owe that bastard another minute of your time,” my dad murmurs as we sit in my parked car. I’m psyching myself up to meet Derrick at a small coffee shop next to his hotel and thanking my lucky stars Dad could come with me. I know I told Rhodes I would wait for him, but I feel like bringing Dad along is the next best thing.

“I’m sure, Dad. I have questions that only Derrick can answer, and I think I deserve some closure.”

He nods as we exit the car, and I’m immensely grateful that he trusts me to make my own decisions. A small bell above the door chimes when we walk in, and even though I’m anxious to meet with my ex, I’m happy he chose this place. It’s not too busy, and the colorful, cozy armchairs and picture windows make for a relaxed atmosphere.

Derrick is already perched in a corner chair on his phone, so I grab my iced chocolate chai and a black coffee for my dad before cautiously lowering myself into the seat opposite him. Dad takes a seat close enough to make me feel safe, but far enough away that we have the illusion of privacy. Derrick noticed my arrival at some point because his phone is face down on the table in front of him, and he’s nervously playing with the corner of a manila folder I didn’t notice he had.

As soon as I’m settled, Derrick clears his throat softly. “Wren, before I say anything else, I owe you an apology,” he pauses, grimacing. “Truthfully, I owe you a hell of a lot more than an apology, but for now it’s about all I have to give that’s worth your time.”

I barely manage to hold back my snort of derision. “Sorry ain’t worth nothin’ when you stooped so low you’d have to look up to see Hell, Derrick. I gave you six years of my life, and what you did was downright cruel.”

His eyes fill with tears, shocking me enough that I pause my tirade.

“I checked myself into rehab the day we had our court hearing,” he murmurs quietly as he wipes away a tear that slipped free. “I passed out in the holding cell, and when I woke up, I was in the hospital. They found…a lot of drugs in my system.”

My eyes fly open and my mind freezes. “Derrick, you were using?”

He sighs wearily, back hunched like he’s got the weight of the world on his shoulders. It looks like he’s gained a bit of weight since I saw him last, but again, I wonder how I didn’t notice something so serious.

“You remember a few years ago when I stumbled home drunk with those scratches on my back?”

I nod, the memory coming back with sharp clarity. “You lied to me, but you left to sleep in the guest room before I could ask any more questions.”

Shame tightens his features as he nods. “I did lie. That night was the first time I got high, and I was so out of it I don’t even remember sleeping with someone.” He pauses, lowering his voice. “It wasn’t the first time I’d cheated, just the first time I forgot to try and hide it.”

Three months ago that confession would have sent a hot poker straight through my heart, but now, it just makes me sad. I take my hand off of the arm of the chair and tentatively reach out to put it on Derrick’s forearm.

His eyes lock on my hand and stay there as he continues speaking. “I was at a party and someone brought coke, and I was so amped up from our win that I didn’t even hesitate before trying it.”

I sputter. “I’m sorry,” I cough out. “Just to clarify, you cheated on me with God knows how many women before you were using, correct? I hate to break it to you, Derrick, but you can’t use being on drugs as an excuse for something you did before you were even on them.”

He nods, cheeks flushing brighter by the minute. “I know, and I’m not trying to excuse any of it. I was fucking terrible to you. But compared to the rest of the team, I’m a shit player, and you were so damn successful and happy, not to mention made more than me. I was jealous and insecure, and before I knew it, I had spiraled. I drank, partied, smoked, and slept my way through as many girls as possible until that didn’t work anymore,” he trails off, lost in thought.

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