Page 21 of Derick

“You used my daughter to pick up women.” I wanted to smack him upside the head, but I wouldn’t hurt him while Hope was in my embrace.

“Nah, man, they all approached me. They thought I was her dada and a single one.” He held his hand out in the universal sign of stop. “Don’t worry, I set them all straight and told them I’m just the awesome uncle and am very single.”

I raised my brow. “Uncle?”

“Well, yeah. It’s way too confusing for someone so little to explain that I’m your cousin and she is my… Shit, I can’t evenfigure out what she is. So, uncle sounds way better, and just admit it, you wish I was your real brother.” He wiggled his brows.

Hope wiggled to be put down, and I sat her feet on the floor. “I wanna show Daddy my princess pillow and the pressie we gots for Mummy.” She pulled out a crown-shaped, fluffy pillow with the letteringPrincess. Hope then tipped the bag and a bunch of kids’ books fell out. “Mummy loves reading to me, sos I gots her alls these books so she could read me them all.” She smiled at me. I chuckled but didn’t have the heart to tell her that these weren’t really presents for her mother, but her. I had a feeling though that Ruby would love Hope’s presents.

“Come on then, princess, let’s go home and give your mum her presents.” I reached down to put the books back in the bag, but she grabbed my hand and then tugged me toward the exit.

“Let’s go.” She stopped at the door though, turned, and smiled at Andrew, who I’m surprised is putting the last of the books back in the bag. “Yous coming?”

I watched as Hope weaved her magic over my cousin Andrew.

“Damn cous’, if the daughter is this cute, the mother must be beyond gorgeous. Fuu…er,” he stopped himself from swearing. “I’m sorry. That sucks for you.”

I shook my head. “You have no idea. I’m in H.E.L.L.” I spelt out the last word so Hope didn’t hear it.

But she was clever. “Daddy, what is H.E.L.L?”

“It’s what I’m in with your mother now.” I picked her up, eager to get back to my woman.

As I made my way down the stairs, I heard the squeal of joy from my daughter before I saw her. She was on Derick’s back, and he was galloping down the hall. I followed them, Hope having too much fun to even notice me. I paused at the entryway of the family room as Derick galloped ahead. Hope’s arms were wrapped around his neck, her head was thrown back, and even from the entryway you couldn’t miss the shine in her gaze, and the giggling was the sound of pure joy.

Derick and I had now been on a few dates. Hope and I had been living with the Silvermans for almost two months. Hope was flourishing. The evidence of that was before me. I noticed that my stutter had reduced to almost nonexistent. My therapist was proud of my progress, and I was too.

One thing bothered me though. Even though we’d been on dates, and I had been living in close proximity with him, Derick hadn’t made any move on me besides kissing, holding hands, and hugging me, and even then, he held himself back and went no further. I didn’t know if that meant he wasn’t really into me, or maybe he didn’t find me attractive.

“Are you going back to university anytime soon, bro?” a male voice asked.

Surprised that someone else was in the room, and I hadn’t even noticed, I looked around and spotted Stephan on the recliner.

“Nah,” Derick said. “I’m good doing it over the internet and phone correspondence. I want to stay close to my family.” He stopped and reached for Hope, pulled her around to face him, and blew raspberries on her stomach and then tickled her. Her peals of laughter echoed around the room.

Entering, I went straight toward my daughter, who still hadn’t noticed me. Hope was too focused on Derick. Clearing my throat as I got closer, I smiled at the scene before me. “Morning, baby girl.” I attempted to grab her for a hug, but she held tight to Derick, not willing to give him up. I understood. If my arms were around him, I wouldn’t want to let him go either.

“You don’t have to stay with us all the time.” I knew he spent all his time with us when he had other things he could be doing. I should have said something before now, but truthfully, I was being selfish, wanting him all to myself. “Go to university. Education is important.”

“I am doing my work, just online.” Derick winked at me, and my stomach flip-flopped. I opened my mouth to argue but snapped it shut when my daughter turned the focus on her again.

“Muummmy,” Hope shouted. “Drrk my horsy.”

Leaning over, I kissed both her cheeks. “I saw.”

“Iza gots swimming todays.” She beamed and lifted her shirt, showing a bright pink one-piece with silver stars that were covered in sparkles.

“That’s good, baby girl.” I catch Derick’s gaze and hold it. This was a new thing to me as usually I avoided people noticing me, but this was important. “I can be with her for that. You should go back to uni.”

He shook his head. “I want to take her. She loves being with all the other kids. When they do together time, I like doing the activities.”

“Mes too.” Hope patted his cheek as she giggled and nodded so fast her head looked like it would fall off.

I barely resisted the urge to roll my eyes, I knew the women who went with their kids loved watching Derick. There was no missing their lingering looks, and I’d even caught a couple licking their lips. I knew the effect he had, so I didn’t blame them. His body was perfection. It was one of the reasons why I loved going to watch.

I had to get Derick to go to uni though. I didn’t want him to risk his future because of me. Getting a university degree was something I could only dream about. I’d never been to school. I knew if I couldn’t convince him, he’d stay with Hope and I all day, every day, for the rest of his life. Alone time had become nonexistent for me. I could really use some time to myself. Well, with just Hope and I. Maybe I’d even like to meet and make friends; ones that weren’t a part of Derick’s family.

My brother was coming home soon too. He’d called last week and asked if I’d be okay with him extending his away mission for a couple more weeks. I’d told him Hope and I were really happy and safe and to take his time. I had yet to tell him about everything that had happened with Derick and his family. I wanted something like schooling for Hope and myself in place before I told him. I didn’t want to worry him or make him come back before he was ready, but when he was back, I wanted to tell him all the positive things that were happening. First, I needed to convince Derick to go back to university.

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