Page 23 of Derek
Derek shrugs. “I didn’t hear a threat in there. I’m just telling you what’s going to happen.” They share a long stare, and I watch the attendant’s gaze flicker behind Derek. I can only assume that Ash, Atlas, Fox, and Brooks are all now very much awake and paying attention.
“Just,” the attendant releases a defeated breath. “Make sure you go to your seat when we are landing.” And with that, he walks away, and Derek turns back to me and kneels back down.
“You didn’t have to do that,” I say after a silent moment. Derek lets out a small scoff as he moves to my other leg.
“Darlin’, I shouldn’t have had to. That fucker just wanted to assert some kind of nonexistent power over the situation.”
“No,” I stifle a moan, god his hands feel so good. “I meant you didn’t have to defend me, I’m used to it. People see me as a young, healthy adult because my disease isn’t always visible.”
He looks up at me. His brown eyes are so intense and trained on me. “You are too sweet for this world, Indy. You need to stop it.”
“Yeah,” I chuckle lightly. “Ash tells me that all the time. I just don’t like making others…” I trail off and wince as I feel darker emotions trying to emerge.
“Making others what?” He urges, and I put my mask back up, though this time with some difficulty.
“I don’t like making others feel the way they make me feel,” I force a smile, even though I am sure it doesn’t reach my eyes. “Like I’m a burden, an irritation or obligation.”
* * *
I groanas I lay down on my bed in my room. I have my own private room because I requested the accessible one, which I’m a little bummed out about. Atlas and Ren are in a room with Howie, or were supposed to be, but Stevie took the baby to give Atlas and Ren some “alone time,” at least for tonight. Janie and Fox are in a room, probably having sex since they can’t go anywhere without doing it. And then Ash, Brooks, and Derek are bunking together. I have to admit, having my own room makes me feel extra alone. I could’ve bunked with Stevie, but I didn’t want her to have to stay on the opposite side of the hotel as the rest of the group and the convention since I need the accessible room.
My mind goes to Derek on the plane ride, as it has been doing all evening. He didn’t take his hands off my legs until we were landing. I recall looking back at our group, all staring at me with the same stunned expressions. Derek didn’t speak to me or anyone after the flight attendant thing. He was so sweet and gentle and…
I feel my face heating at the thought of his hands gripping me the way they did, like I belonged to him. And then when he stood up to the flight attendant. He stood up for me, again. I remember his wide powerful stance and how his arm was outstretched, as if to block me.
A knock at the door grabs my attention, and I groan. “Who is it?” I call out, hurting too much to stand up.
“Your brother,” Ash states.
“It’s unlocked!” Ash walks in and gives me a disapproving stare.
“Unlocked? You are alone in a hotel room.”
“Ash, I’m an adult. Stop it, please.” I say under my breath, making sure he hears the annoyance in my tone. I just want to find my pills and go to sleep. Why did I think I could do this?
No. I’ll be fine. I’m just stiff. I’ll rest tonight and be fine tomorrow.
“We’re heading to dinner. Are you coming?” I shake my head.
“I need to rest. I’ll order something from room service.” I watch Ash’s jaw tense.
“Indy, I don’t want to leave you alone. How about I order us both food, and we can hang out.” That sounds so nice because I don’t want to be alone despite not wanting to go out. But I also don’t want to trap him.
“Gross,” I say playfully. “I don’t want to hang out with you. Go on, get out of here. I’ll be fine.” I give him my best fake smile, and he nods.
“I’ll send you a picture of the dessert menu when we get there.” He kisses the top of my head. “Love you, Indy.”
“Love you, Ash.”
Chapter11
Derek
Igrumble to myself as I start to walk away from reception.Booked up.That is what the front desk told me when I asked for my own room. Brooks, Ash, and I were supposed to be roommates during the convention, but somehow, our suite, which was supposed to have two beds and a sleeper sofa, got changed to a room with one bed. There is zero chance the three of us could or would sleep on a queen bed together, and I will sooner die than sleep on the floor here. So now, I will have to fight Brooks and Ash for the bed or go out in this bullshit thunderstorm. Though everyone is at dinner, I guess I could just claim the bed before they return. But again, they are going to want to fight, and even though I’m confident in my fighting abilities, taking on both Ash and the giant that is Brooks isn’t going to end well for me.
A young male voice catches my ear as I head around the corner. “I tried to deliver this to room 101 - it’s for an I. Johnson. I knocked, but no answer, and I’m on a time limit.” I turn to see the man holding a bag of what appears to be Chinese food. The receptionist groans in annoyance, and I feel instantly heated. She’s going to go and bitch to Indy about not answering her door, and Indy is going to apologize and feel terrible for “inconveniencing” them. Fuck, I wonder if she even can get to the door. She was in so much pain once we got off the plane, hell, even before then. Memories of massaging her legs on the plane surface. I don’t know what came over me, what compelled me to do something so… personal. Her face was so flush and twisted in pain, and she looked ready to cry. I couldn’t stand not trying to help.
“I’ll take it to her,” I state before the receptionist walks away. “She’s in the Hel’s Ink group for the convention.” The receptionist shrugs and all but tosses me the bag.
