Page 8 of Derek
“Hey Virginia,”Atlas says almost cautiously as he approaches me. I’ve been slowly gluing all the pieces of the mug back together, which has turned out to be a much more difficult task than I had originally thought. I look over at him with a raised brow. “I’m walking Indy and Stevie out and then going home. You good to lock up?” I nod before going back to the mug. It’ll never be functional, but even so, I have to fix this fucking thing the best that I can.
“Yeah, I got it. Night.” I listen as Atlas and the girls leave out the back, and once the quiet hits me, I exhale and set the glue bottle down. I blew up at them, and while they are all pains in my ass, none of them deserved that. Despite not wanting to, I do like them all–at least, as much as I’m willing to allow. But today has been too much. I’ve hated my birthday ever since I found my bitch of an ex-wife fucking my best friend on my birthday. It’s not a time I like remembering and treating today as anything other than a normal day usually ends in me… well, acting like this.
I’m unsure how long I’ve been staring off. Minutes? Hours? It’s unclear, but as I look at the clock, I let out a long sigh. My schedule has been thrown off for the third time in the last week, and it’s probably another reason for my outburst. I cringe at the loud vibration of my phone on the top of my metal station. Who in the hell is calling me? Especially this late?
I see the contact, and my stomach drops as I hit accept.
“Stevie? What’s wrong?” I hear heavy breathing and Stevie sighing loudly.
“Hey Derek, are you still at Hel’s?” she asks between labored breaths.
“Yeah? What’s wrong?” I ask again, with more force this time.
“Listen, Indy–will you stop!” She growls before coming back to the phone. “Derek, I can’t get Indy up the stairs, I’m in too much pain, and she doesn’t have it in her to do it. She’s stuck–”
“I’ll be there in five.” I interrupt her before hanging up the phone and heading out of the shop.
Chapter4
Indy
“Indy, I’m sorry babe.” Stevie sighs as she sits next to me on the steps. “If I called At or Fox, it would’ve taken them nearly an hour to get here.” I nod slowly and try not to cry. I can officially say that my first day back on the day shift has sucked. Between the fact that I’m having a blue day and terrified I’m about to go pink, I’m exhausted, and then Derek hurt my feelings. I tried so hard not to be affected.
After all, Derek is known for being moody and a bit anti-social. But when he yelled at everyone and then the mug I got him broke, I felt like it was my fault. That I pushed him too hard, which I never meant to do. And now, not only is he being forced to come here to help me get up the stairs, but he has no idea why he has to help me. Ugh, I never feel embarrassed about asking for help, but this is beyond asking. This is going into that “burden” territory that I loathe. I don’t want to be someone’s burden.
The exterior door opens, and I look up from my seat on the steps to see Derek’s massive frame taking up the doorway. Seriously, he’s taking up the whole thing. It’s equal parts impressive and intimidating.
His pretty brown eyes find mine, and I notice they soften.
“Are you alright?” He breathes, looking between us both, and ughhhhh, his voice is so swoon-worthy. It’s really a shame that he is so closed-off, he definitely has all the panty-dropping potential going on in that sexy voice, and he’s just letting it go to waste.
Stevie nods while standing. “I can’t carry her up today. I’m just in too much pain,” her head lowers. “I’m sorry.” I pat Stevie’s leg as she heads up the steps to unlock her door.
“It’s okay, Stevie,” I force a grin up at her. “You are still my Hercules!” I give her two thumbs up before looking back at Derek. “So, you may be wondering why we’ve called you here today.” I say in a mock serious tone, hoping to lighten the mood while twisting my lips to the side. Derek looks from the steps back to me with his thick brow raised.
“Well, since y’all have given me so few clues,” He states dryly. “I guess I would have to say you can’t walk up the stairs.”
“Well, yeah, but you’re not going to ask why?” He shakes his head.
“None of my business. Just tell me how to lift you so I don’t hurt you.” I flinch at the icy chill in his tone but nod, figuring he probably just wants to go home.
“Right, so on your back is usually the easiest for the guys.” He waves his hand, dismissing my statement.
“I didn’t ask what would be easiest for me. Just tell me how to lift you.” He states firmly, and I give him a weak smile.
“Bridal?” He nods, leaning over to help me stand before lifting me to his chest effortlessly. The motion is so fast it catches me off guard, and I grip around his neck tightly. I hear the faintest rumble. Was that a chuckle? From Derek Rowe? Noooo, it couldn’t be.
“I ain’t going to drop you, Darlin’. Trust me.” I’m learning a few things as he climbs the stairs with me in his arms. Derek smells like the single hottest, most manliest man smell I’ve ever encountered. It’s woodsy and spicy and leathery… it’s intoxicating. I have to force myself not to press my face against him and inhale. And when he calls me Darlin’? I feel it in my core, and I must fight the urge to throw my panties at him. But it’s our proximity that forces me out of my panty-throwing haze to notice that Derek is rock solid, like there is nothing on this man I could pinch. I run my hand over his chest and hear his breath stutter.
“Sorry,” I mutter sheepishly. “I just needed to know if you were soft.” Derek sets me down at the top of the stairs and raises a brow.
“I am not soft in any sense of the word.” He mutters before turning around and walking back down the steps.
“You don’t wanna come in for tea or something?” I call down the stairs.
“Absolutely not.” He calls back before walking out the door.
“Don’t invite him in here!” Stevie hisses. “What if he had said yes?” I shrug as I make my way to the couch that Stevie has already turned into a bed.
