Moments later, Vanessa, Stacey, Isla, and Charlotte walk in. Christian stills as does V when she sees him inside the house.
“We’ve brought chairs for everyone, they are in the back of the truck outside, I’m gonna go get them,” Christian says.
“I’ll help you, bro,” Axel adds. He nods at the girls as he passes them in the empty living room, while Christian ignores them.
“I can’t believe it’s yours.” Stacey squeals, breaking the awkward tension as she launches herself at me. “This is so you. As soon as we walked in here, we knew it was your home.”
“Right? The vibes were clicking with me. I can’t wait to decorate.”
“I’m going to miss you, though.” Stacey pouts.
“I’m going to miss you, too, boo, but we can have snuggle parties on my couch anytime you want,” I tell her.
“Deal.” Stacey grins.
Isla and Vanessa come over and congratulate me as the boys walk back in with fold-up chairs.
“Just set them up out the back,” I tell them. “Are you okay?” I ask Ness.
“Yes. I’m fine. Everything’s fine,” she answers. Yeah. Everything is not fine.
“I’m going to order the pizzas. Derrick, what’s the address again?” Evan says, pulling out his phone as I give him the address.
“Drinks are here,” Jackson calls out from the front door as he enters with bags full of drinks. “Congrats, D, this place is nice,” he says, when I go and greet him, taking a couple of bags from his hands. “Can’t wait to see what you do with the place, it seems very bland for you, not enough sparkle,” he says, giving me a wink.
“What, am I not sparkly enough for you?” I flirtatiously tease him. Man is hot.
“Of course you are. No one shines as bright as you.” He smirks. I thought because he was ex-military that he would be standoffish with me, not because he ever made me feel like that, just my own preconceived ideas of military guys I had in my head. Jackson is a doll, and he accepts my flirtations with ease, and I love him for that. Chance won’t be popping over tonight because the guys are all here and none of his bandmates wereinvited. I’m slightly disappointed, but I understood. Walking out to the back where the boys have already set up the chairs and have taken seats, while Jackson is handing out drinks to everyone, an overwhelming sense of happiness and contentment hits me.
15
DERRICK
I’ve been in my new home for a week now, and Chance is coming over tonight for the first time. I don’t have a lot of furniture because the apartment I was in was so much smaller, but I have the basics, a sofa and a bed. There’s a knock at the door, and butterflies take flight in my stomach as I rush toward it. Opening the door, my heart stops seeing Chance standing there with a bag of takeout.
“Hey,” he says shyly.
“Come here.” I haul the rock star inside, slamming the door as I kiss the hell out of him.
“What a welcome.” He chuckles as his cheeks bloom pink.
“I’ve been wanting to do that all week. It’s been too long,” I confess to him.
“You miss me, eh?” He chuckles.
“Miss your dick.” My hand slides over the front of his pants, giving it a squeeze and making him groan.
“He’s missed you, too, but first I’m starved,” he says, holding up the plastic bag.
“I’m starved too.” I lick my lips.
“Derrick, behave.” He smirks at me.
“Never.” I grin, reluctantly moving away from him and showing him through the dining room to the living room. He puts the takeout on the coffee table while I rush back into the kitchen and grab cutlery for us. Chance has taken out the containers and set them out for me. Handing him the silverware, I take a seat beside him. It’s weird this is the first time we’ve been able to do something like this without the worry of Stacey coming home. Chance hands me my Chinese and beer, and we dig in.
“You ready for your up-and-coming tour?” I ask him.
“Not really. We just had one and now we’re off again.” He moans.
