Page 24 of Derek
I walk down the hall and knock on the door. After a moment, I try to open it, but it’s locked. Reaching into my pocket, I pull out my phone and hit her number. It rings twice because she answers.
“Hello?” she whispers, and I can hear she’s been crying. My blood runs cold. Is she hurt?
“Open your door,” I order, and I hear her sniffle.
“Derek? Go away, please.” She whines and a loud roll of thunder booms outside. I hear her scream out a cry. Fuck, is she afraid of thunderstorms?
“Darlin’,” I say calmly, listening to her hyperventilate. “Shhh, hey baby girl, listen to me. I need you to take a breath and come and let me in. Now, can you do that for me?” There is silence before I hear her inhale a shaky breath before letting it out.
“That’s my girl. Now stand up and let me in.” With every passing second, I pray that another boom of thunder doesn’t sound and scare her off. The door unlocks and opens just as a flash of lightning fills the room. I watch her hands go to her ears as she waits. I shut the door, dropping the bag of food down, and before I can stop myself, I pull her small body into my chest and cover her ear with my own hand as the thunder sounds again.
Her body shakes, and she grips my shirt tightly in her hand. I hold her for a second longer, trying like hell not to think about how she feels against me. Pulling her from my chest, I turn on the light and look at her face. Holy shit. I can’t let her ever be afraid again. I don’t know how I will accomplish this, but, seeing the fear on her tear-stained face, I’ve never felt a pain so sharp in my heart.
“Indy,” I breathe softly, brushing a stray tear with the pad of my thumb. I hear her sharp intake of air, and I watch her crystal blue eyes go from my eyes to my mouth.Fuck.I feel her grip my shirt and lean toward me, and an icy panic washes over me.
“I got your food,” I state abruptly, startling her in the process.Fucking hell, why in the fuck was she trying to kiss me? Has she lost it?Her wide, round eyes look at me in shock, pink staining her cheeks. Is she just as shocked by her actions as I am?
“Thanks.” She croaks out before grabbing the bag and walking to her bed. “You hungry? I got extra. Or did you go to dinner with everyone else?” I shake my head as I walk over to the chair by the desk and sit down.
“No, I didn’t feel like going out. I’m around them enough.” I watch her wince slightly as a low rumble rolls around us. “Never got over the fear of thunderstorms, huh?” I watch her give me a sharp look.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I hold up my hands.
“Relax, I’m just saying most people outgrow that fear.”
“Astraphobia is a real thing that adults can and do have.” She huffs out, her cheeks hot with embarrassment or irritation, maybe both. “I’m sorry you had to be bothered with it, but you are more than welcome to see yourself out.”
“Hey now, let’s relax. No need to throw a tantrum.” She lets out an irritated laugh.
“Right, because I’m a child. Sorry, I forgot. Thanks,Dad.” I frown and feel my right eye twitch in annoyance.
“Look, I’ve been nothing but nice to your little ass all day, so I don’t know why you are copping an attitude with me.”
“Maybe because I don’t know why!” she growls in frustration. “Why are you being so nice to me? You didn’t want your birthday gift, you didn’t want me at your house, you don’t want me around you, and then you spent an hour rubbing my legs! And now you’re bringing me food and hugging me!”
“I don’t know, okay!” I groan loudly as I stand up, needing to move around. “I don’t know why I’m here, Indy. I don’t know why I feel the need to help you because, trust me, it bothers the fuck out of me and irritates me to my very fucking core that I can’t ignore you like I do everyone else.”
I wait for her to flinch, cry, and call me a dick. But she doesn’t. No, what she is doing is far worse. I watch as she looks up at me, both her dimples on full display as she beams.
“I think someone likes me.” She winks as she bites into an egg roll.
“Oh?” I laugh dryly, even though I suddenly feel sweaty. “And what would give you that absolutely asinine idea?”
She shrugs, “Derek is a mean old grouch to everyone but me.” She pops the rest of the egg roll in her mouth while attempting to smile. I snort to cover the nervousness trying to come up my throat.
“You’re delusional.”
“Funny way to say adorable.” The surprised laugh I let out shocks us both, and I watch as she starts laughing.
“Your laugh is so cute!” She grins, and I groan.
“I got to go,” I start heading towards the door, not wanting to deal with this embarrassment anymore. “I have to fight your brother and Brooks for the bed.”
“Why?” she asks as she snaps her wooden chopsticks apart.
“The hotel fucked up and gave us one bed, and I’m not sharing.” She laughs lightly as she pulls out the containers of food.
“Stay with me.” She shrugs while gesturing to her king-size bed.
