Page 43 of The Neighbor's Son

“Maybe we could fix it,” he says, voice tight.

But we can’t.

I realize now Derek never truly made my heart flutter wildly whenever he was near, not even in the beginning.

Brayden does, though.

Every single time.

“Listen,” I say gently, “I know you miss the idea of us, but we weren’t going to last. I know this now. Even if we’d have had the baby, I don’t know if it would have been enough to keep us together. Something was always missing. Don’t you see that?”

His jaw works like he might cry which would be a sight since I’ve never seen him do it, not even after the miscarriage. “I wanted to feel that with you. I just…”

“You can’t force chemistry and true love, Derek. But we had a solid friendship. I still think of you as someone I can count on. You thought something was wrong when my door was left ajar, and you immediately came to check on me. That matters to me.”

“But…”

“But we’ll never have what we had. It’s not good enough for either one of us. Your person is out there. When you find them, you’ll realize that is worth fighting for, not this.”

“I’m sorry I barged in and insulted you and Brayden. That was out of line.”

“Apology accepted.”

“I should go.”

“You should. I need to go find where my boyfriend ran off to and assure him we’re still good.”

Derek nods, defeated. “For what it’s worth, tell him I’m sorry for being a dick.” He pauses and gives me a sad smile. “And tell him thank you for making you coffee. I should have done stufflike that for you. You really do deserve the world, Casey, and I hope he’s the one who can give it to you.”

After Derek left, I took a shower and spent time dolling myself up. I need to have a conversation with Brayden. Looking hot for him will help win him back.

Do I think he’s angry with me for sending him away?

No.

Did I hurt his feelings again?

Absolutely.

But, apparently, the conversation with Derek was long overdue. It gave me closure I didn’t know I needed. I’m ready to put my past with him behind me once and for all.

The wind blows as I walk toward Gordon’s old unit, lifting my short white skirt. I have to hold the material down with both hands, so I don’t flash any creepers like Joel or Troy. This outfit is specifically for my man.

Rock music blasts from the townhouse Reid and Brayden have been working on freshening up. I find Brayden aggressively sanding a patched wall. White dust dances around him, clinging to his brown hair. He’s wearing only a sleeveless undershirt and basketball shorts. Though he’s lean and not a “beefcake,” I think he’s entirely too good looking. My mouth waters just watching him sand a freaking wall.

I walk over to the Bluetooth speaker and turn it off.

He whirls around, face pinched angrily but softens when he sweeps his gaze over my outfit.

Smart choice, girl.

Now that you’ve distracted him with something pretty, get on with your speech.

“You never cease to amaze me,” I say as I saunter over to him. “Most men don’t learn so quickly from their mistakes. You practically become perfect.”

His eyebrow arches in faint amusement. I’m grateful when I step close to him, he doesn’t back away. Instead, he leans closer, head angling down at me.

“That was a messy situation, and it needed diffusing,” I say, running my palm up his chest over his shirt. “You handled it well.”

---