“No more holding back our feelings because we think we shouldn’t have them this early. This is our relationship, no one else’s, and we do whatever makes us happy.”
“Agreed.” Charlie smiles, wiping his tears away.
“You and me, babe, against the world,” I tell him.
“I’m all in,” he says back.
66
DERRICK
Saying goodbye to Charlie was the hardest thing. I couldn’t hold back my tears as he dropped me off at the airport, but he said that he would see me again soon. That he would be coming out in the next couple of weeks to have a meeting with Jackson, and he was going to talk to Everly once I left about his thoughts on them moving to LA. I offered for them to move in with me, but he declined my offer, which made me feel slightly rejected before he explained that it might be good to have separate living spaces while we dated. Even though both of us know that our future is together, it might be too much pressure on the new relationship, and again, that was a mature way to look at the situation. I can’t fault him for that. It’s very weird being in a healthy, adult relationship.
“Derrick, you’re back. How was it?” Sienna asks, walking into my office, giving me a hug.
“He told me he loved me.”
“What!” Sienna squeals. “Oh my gosh, D, this is huge. Huge. I’m so happy for you. You deserve this. You deserve all the love in the world.” Her eyes get watery.
“Why are you crying. Are you getting your period?”
“Because I love you and I want you to be happy.” She sniffles, then stills, her eyes widening.
“You think you’re pregnant, don’t you?”
“No,” She answers quickly. “I can’t be.”
“You can be. You and Evan fuck like rabbits. I don’t blame you because of his pierced dick and all out gorgeousness.”
“Fuck that man and his magical dick.” She moans, shaking her head. Guess someone is going to be doing a pregnancy test when she gets home. “Anyway, enough about me. I want to hear about your weekend.”
“I loved it. I love him. I’ve never been happier. It’s beautiful out there. You should see how small the town is. It’s filled with hot cowboys, but none of you bitches are single so it would be wasted on you. He’s so hot. You should have seen him riding a horse, fuck, I almost came in my pants.”
“Sounds like you had fun then.”
“I did, and I miss him.” I pout.
“Aw, I’m sorry. I’m sure it won’t be long till you see him again.”
“He’s coming out in a couple of weeks to have a meeting with Jackson. He’s considering moving to LA,” I confess to her.
Sienna gasps. “No, way. Really?”
I nod. “He overheard Everly talking about becoming an accountability coach out here, and he wanted to give that to her for everything she’s done for him.”
“That is so sweet.”
“He’s such a good guy. Total cinnamon roll vibes under a man of steel outer layer. I’m in love, Si.”
“I can see that. He seems like such a good guy. I can’t wait to get to know him better.”
“I’ve invited him to Stacey’s wedding as my date, and he said yes.”
“That’s awesome, I guess we will get to know him on the way to Australia then.” She smirks.
I nod. “He’s not what I ever expected for me, but now that I’ve found him, there isn’t anyone else I can see myself with. We’re complete opposites but also so similar. Thanks to all his therapy, he has emotionally evolved, and his communication skills are on point. I don’t have to second-guess what he is thinking because he tells me, he reassures me when he notices me lost in my thoughts.”
“I never expected Evan, and now I couldn’t imagine my life any other way.” Sienna smiles. The woman glows while talking about her family.
