“I get it. You’re not ready to come out to the world. But I am happily out of the closet, and I don’t like being shoved back in there. We aren’t doing anything wrong. I’m not doing anything wrong. You don’t deserve me.”
“I know I don’t. Honestly, I don’t know how I got so lucky that you would want anything to do with me. You make my world better, Derrick,” Chance confesses.
Shit. Damn him. I feel my resolve start to crumble.
“I’m asking a lot, I know this. I’ve never felt this way about a guy before.”
Not those puppy dog eyes, they are a killer. “I like you, too, Chance,” Relief falls across his face, “but … watching you be with girls when I wish it was me hurts. I think maybe we need a break from whatever this is we are doing.”
“Derrick,” Chance says sadly.
I shake my head.Be strong. You’ve got this.“I need time to think about whether I can handle being your secret.”
“Wish things were different,” Chance states.
“I do too.” I sigh heavily. “Look after yourself, okay, and um, I’ll be in touch.” I walk away from him, feeling like my heart has been ripped out.
10
DERRICK
It’s Thanksgiving and I am so excited. I’ve never celebrated this before, but I’ve seen it in all the movies, and of course, all over social media. With all the food and decorations, it looks like a mini-Christmas, and I can’t wait. Evan’s gone all out, hiring a catering team to create it all for Sienna. As much as he grumbles about everyone invading his space, deep down, he loves it. He’s showing off a pregnant Sienna and hosting everyone in their home, this guy is loving the domestic life. Who would have thought this womanizing rock star would thrive being tied down, not like being with Sienna is a hardship. If I didn’t swing the way that I do, I would have swept that girl off her feet. Evan’s lucky because, look at me, I’m hot, I’d be such competition for him. I’ve left Sienna to get to know her soon-to-be mother-in-law and head out to the man cave in the backyard.
I can hear guys talking and walk into Evan’s man cave and stop. There’s Evan wrestling some tanned, hot guy on the floor, while who I assume is his dad, judging by the family resemblance, munches down on a bowl of popcorn as if this is an everyday occurrence.
“I think all my wet dreams have come true,” I yell from the door. Evan and the hot guy stop wrestling and look up at me. “Please don’t stop.” I walk over and take a seat next to Evan’s dad. “I was enjoying the show.” I chuckle, grabbing a handful of popcorn from the bowl. Evan’s dad nods at me.
The boys stand up and dust themselves off. “Jake, Dad, this is Derrick, Sienna’s best friend.” Evan introduces me to them.
Jake raises his eyebrows at his brother. Like I said, I’m hot and could take your girl if I wanted to.
“Don’t worry, Jakey, I would rather bone your brother than Sienna if that is what you’re thinking?”
Jake looks at me, stunned, and Evan’s dad chokes on his beer.
“So, this is your den of debauchery?” I ask, looking around the man cave with its big screen TV, arcade games, and pool table. The last time I was in here it was empty.
“Sure is, and no, you can’t watch porn on the big screen,” Evan adds.
Dammit, imagine it on the big screen with surround sound. I bet he tries it though. “Don’t tell me you haven’t thought about it, though?”
“Anyway, you want a beer?” Evan asks. I nod as he goes and grabs me one.
“Derrick, judging by the accent, it seems you’re from Australia, too,” Evan’s dad asks.
“Yes, sir, I am,” I answer, taking a sip of my beer. “But my life is here in LA with all these guys.”
“Derrick is Sienna’s business partner as well. They have the boutique together. He’s also an up-and-coming stylist,” Evan explains. The way he says it, it almost sounds like he’s proud of me, and that feels nice.
“It’s a tough industry to crack into. It was always a dream to come to Hollywood, and now I’m here, I count my blessings every day,” I tell them.
“Well, you look very stylish,” Evan’s dad adds, which is so cute.
“Anytime you need a makeover, Mr. Wyld, let me know and I’ll hook you up.”
“Dad has never worn anything other than a polo and chinos his entire life,” Jake teases.
“And he pulls it off well,” I add.
