“God, Derek! Interrogation much?” I chuckled, trying to lighten the situation.
“Nah. Just worried about a mate who looks like he’s working himself to death. I’m just kinda wondering why.”
Well, fuck me sideways. Now I was really screwed.
“I just had to deal with some shit back home.”
“Home?”
“Sydney.”
“Oh. Okay. All sorted now?”
“As much as it’ll ever be.”
I knew it would never be sorted. That I’d never be okay. There was no way I ever could be. All I could hope for was each day it would get a little easier. A little lighter. And I’d never again have to set foot back in that god forsaken town.
“Another?” Derek offered, rising from the chair and heading towards the kitchen. I nodded my agreement.
When he returned, I found myself staring at the brown bottle, mindlessly picking at the label. “So…what’s new with you, anyway?”
He groaned loudly before rocking back on his chair and dragging his hands through his hair. For the first time, I looked beyond my own issues and saw Derek clearly. He looked as crappy as I felt. And if anything, that made me feel even worse. I’d been so immersed in my own pity party, I hadn’t even bothered to check in on any of my friends. Even when he’d shown up, I’d been annoyed because he intruded on my solitude. It never once occurred to me perhaps Derek needed a friend just as much as I did.
“Not a lot. Mia’s gone crazy with wedding plans.”
“Oh yeah. It’s coming around quickly, isn’t it?”
“Yep.”
“Still keen on it.”
“Absolutely.”
“Sounds like the scripted response. Cold feet?”
I watched and waited while Derek took a long swig of his beer, before setting the bottle back on the table. A sly smirk tugged at his lips. “I could use a pair of socks.”
That did it.
It was all we needed to break the ice. The booming laughter echoed off the blank walls.
“Mia gone all bridezilla yet?”
“Hell no!”
“What’s wrong, then? I mean, I’ve met Mia, and you definitely got the right girl, so you can’t be having second thoughts about her. ’Cause if you are, I’ll take her off your hands…” That earnt me a punch to the arm. Hard.
“Don’t even think about it!”
“She is kinda hot…”
“And wearing my ring,” Derek growled. I knew I’d hit a sore spot.
The truth was I’d never go there with Mia. Don’t get me wrong, she was an awesome chick. And hot as hell, if you’re into that sexy pixie thing, but I’d seen the way she lit up whenever Derek entered the room. I’d never seen a couple more perfectly suited to each other. Watching Derek go all caveman at the mere mention of me playing house with his sexy as sin fiancée was the most amusement I’d had in a long time.
“Damn! I hate it when I’m too late. So if it’s not her…”
“It’s Zoe. That damn woman is driving me insane.”
