Looking around, my eyes landed on him sitting with Aaron, Oliver, and Maddox on the opposite end of the café with their drinks. I didn't even notice them coming in; that's how immersed we were in conversation.
He looked great in his blue Titan’s crewneck, which made his eyes pop, and simple jeans. He played with a baseball hat in his hands, and when his eyes met mine, he flipped it on his head and took his phone again.
Derek
I had to hold Aaron back from going over.
And myself.
A small smile tugged on my face.
Yeah, Daisy was in a mood to tell me I suck as a friend. But I think she is just stressed because she's about to have sex with Jeremy, and she is probably triggered. So she was being her meaner version.
I saw his eyes darken from afar and his fingers typed faster.
Derek
She sucks. You're a great friend.
I mean, she made some valid points that I'll take under advisement, but still... it sucked to be called out like that.
Derek
I'm sorry, Thorn.
I looked up at him across the café and flashed him a sad smile. His eyes were still on me, waiting for my attention as he returned a small smile.
The need to go over to him and curl into his arms, where everything was safe, was strong, but I remained seated on my chair and forced my eyes back onto my project.
My mind kept wandering about Dex staring at me, while Daisy's voice echoed in my mind. And the words in front of me blurred.
"Hey," a voice startled me, and I snapped up, staring at my brother. Annoyance washed over me, and I frowned.
"What's up?" I asked, flipping my book closed. "I was just leaving."
"You seemed upset," he stated the obvious.
I nodded. "Just got into a little fight with Daisy. Nothing major."
"Anything I can do?" he asked. Usually,I wasn't bothered by my brother's protectiveness. But at that moment, I wanted Derek to be the one comforting me, not my brother.
"Nope," I shook my head, and forced a smile. "Just girly things. It will blow over."
Aaron bobbed his head, his hands sinking into the pockets of his joggers. "All right, if you need anything."
"I'll let you know, big bro," I forced a laugh. "Really, when something big is happening, I always let you know. Don't worry."
"I know, Rosie, but it's my job to worry."
"And I love you for it," I said, giving him a kiss on his cheek. My eyes caught Derek staring at us, and I offered him a smile as well before facing my brother. "Don't worry, you'll get grey hairs earlier than necessary."
Aaron let out a short belly laugh. "You convinced me."
"Good," I grabbed my bag. "I'll see you later, big bro."
I ran out of the café and made my way to the only place I knew was going to help me calm my mind. The studio.
Hours later, when not even the blasting music during my improv could numb the guilt that was eating me alive, I shot a text to Ivy asking if she wanted to hang. It turned out she was with Nova, and they were both more than happy for my company, so I went over to Nova’s place for a girls’ night.
