64
DERRICK
I’m nervous as I pack my bags for Midnight Falls. I am so excited but also apprehensive. Charlie and I have been talking non-stop since coming home. We’ve even had some FaceTime fun, but now I just need to be in his arms for real. He said this weekend he has the house to himself, that Everly is going to stay at his sister’s, Faith’s, ranch on the other side of town, and his parents are away. I have no idea what I’m in for because Charlie hasn’t really told me anything. Of course, like any good person, I got a new wardrobe, my western chic, which was hard to find in LA, but I did it. I just hope I don’t look like a Stagecoach reject.
Derrick: I’m so nervous. I’m freaking out.
Sienna: You’ve got this.
Vanessa: Go get your man.
Isla: Have fun, don’t put any pressure on it.
Derrick: You’re right, no pressure, just a weekend away in the mountains.
Sienna: Drinks when you get back.
Derrick: Deal.
It was an epic journey getting there. We had to fly into Bozeman, which is near Yellowstone National Park, and then drive out to Midnight Falls. What I wasn’t expecting was Charlie to be waiting for me with a huge bouquet of flowers. Tears well in my eyes, no one has ever met me at the airport before, and especially not with flowers. As soon as I see him, I run into his arms and hug him, fuck, it’s so good to be near him again.
“Fuck, D.” He smirks and then grabs my face and kisses me. Oh. PDA. Me likey as I kiss him back. “I’ve missed you.”
“Me too.” My insides flip-flop. “Thank you for the flowers, they are gorgeous.”
“Least I can do,” he says, sliding his large hand in mind as we wait for my bags. He’s wearing those jeans that drive me wild, a gray tee, and a flannel shirt with a cowboy hat, and man, does he look delicious. Women have been checking him out as they walk past and then clock our hands together, they look envious, and I don’t blame them. If the roles were reversed, I would be too.
“There are my bags.”
“Bags?” Charlie raises his brows at me.
“Yeah, a girl needs options.” I wink. He shakes his head and collects my two suitcases, which now, seeing them seems like a lot when I don’t think we are getting out of bed this entire weekend. Then we walk out of the airport and over to the parking lot, and he stops at this huge truck. “What is this? It looks like a monster truck.” I take in the black beast in front of me.
“It’s my truck.” Charlie shrugs.
“You drive those things on the road?”
Charlie bursts out laughing. “Yes.” He opens the door for me. I have to haul myself into the beast, it’s like ten steps up into it. How the hell do people drive this? It’s as big as a semi. He gets in with ease on the other side, and the truck rumbles as he starts it up. Once we are out of the parking lot, he grabs my hand and links our fingers together. He brings my hand to his lips and kisses it as he drives as if it’s the most natural thing in the world.
“How’s Stacey?” he asks.
“Getting there, she has good and bad days. But the kids are excited over the prospect of moving to America. They have been looking at homes online, and the kids have an extensive list of demands.” I chuckle.
“Gives them something to look forward to, which right now they probably don’t have. It’s hard to look ahead when you’ve lost so much.”
“Is that how you feel?”
Charlie squeezes my hand as he looks over at me. “Used to feel like that.” Before kissing my hand. My internal organs squeal as I swoon at his words. “My days are starting to look better.”
“Would you stop that, you’re going to make me fall in love with you.” I blush.
“That’s the plan,” he says, looking at me seriously. I swallow hard because the intense glare is doing things to me.
“It is?”
“Was hoping my intentions have been pretty clear, but in case I haven’t made myself clear … you are my future, D. A future I never thought I’d ever get. I want it all, with you, but …” Oh shit, there’s a but. “I also want to be the best version of myself for you. I’m not there yet.”
“You seem pretty spectacular to me.” My eyes roam over his taut body.
