Chapter 18
DERRICK
Not long after Sienna gave birth, Vanessa got some bad news about her mum and flew back to Australia. Chance is coming over to catch up, it’s been a while since I’ve seen him as he’s been working in the studio with the boys, and Ness has been living with me.
“I’ve missed you,” he says, grabbing my face and kissing me in my office at the boutique.
“Me too. It’s been too long,” I tell him as I kiss him back.
“D, I don’t have long. I stepped out of the studio, saying I would go grab everyone coffee.” He chuckles as he pushes me against the wall. I love that he can just walk over and see me whenever he wants.
“I can do quick,” I tell him as I quickly drop to my knees.
I’m meeting up with Christian today to go for a run because this has gone on for long enough. I thought it would be over by now, but it’s not. Ness texted me that Christian sent her mum flowers, which is a start. Look, I know Christian is a good guy, he’s just dealing with a situation shittily.
“Been a while since we’ve done this,” I say, greeting him.
“I’m sorry, man, I just …”
Don’t give me those damn puppy eyes, I can’t stay mad at him. “Come here and give me a kiss.” I plant a kiss right on his cheek. “I still love ya, even when you’re the biggest dickhead on the planet.”
“Yeah, I know.” Christian nods.
“Well, say you’re sorry and move on.”
Christian shakes his head. “I don’t think Ness is going to accept it.”
We start running and fall silent until we reach the top of the canyon. Christian doesn’t look so well, he’s bent over trying to catch his breath.
“You did good,” I say, trying to be encouraging because the man looks like shit. That’s what happens to you when you indulge in too many sins.
“How … the … hell … are … you … not … dead?”
I slap his ass, which makes him yelp. “I have been looking after myself, plus I have stamina. You have been partying too much lately,” I say, giving him a pointed look.
Christian ignores me and takes a seat as we look out over the hazy LA skyline. “Yeah, I know. Shit, I’m sorry, man.”
“No need to apologize to me, but I think you owe Ness a big one.” I grab my water bottle and take a sip.
“Yeah, I do. I spoke to Vanessa the other day.”
“Really?” She did not mention that when we spoke recently, all she said was that he sent flowers. Interesting.
“Yeah, she thanked me for the flowers I sent,” he explains, taking a large gulp of water.
“Well, that was nice. Ness was so worried about her mum. Thankfully, the operation was a success.” Christian nods. “So … what are you going to do about Ness?” I ask him because I’m not going to be dancing around this subject when I have him here.
“Slowly win her back,” he says.
No shit, but he’s really fucked up the mess he has created, and the things he has done are going to leave scars on Ness’ heart forever. “You’re going to have to get down on your knees at some point. I think she deserves that level of groveling.”
“I know, I fucked up, but I was hurt.”
“You know what? I don’t blame you.” Christian stares at me in surprise.
“And if you tell Ness, I’ll deny it all.
But I get why you’re pissed. From what Ness has told me, you two have been on and off since Sienna and I arrived in LA.
And you two have been living together for years.
You have worked together since day one, you lived together, traveled together, and took holidays together.
” Christian keeps nodding at all my points.
“You probably haven’t been any closer to anyone in your life? ”
“No, maybe Axel, but he’s blood, so it doesn’t count.”
“And when the person you trusted over everyone else tells you you’re not what they want, it’s only natural you’re going to be pissed, hurt even.
Imagine if the person you loved, you relied on, suddenly turned their back on you and purposely did things to break your heart.
” Christian’s face falls because he’s getting what I’m putting down.
“Imagine if the person you loved more than anything in the world, but was too scared to take a chance on, brought random girls home and tainted every surface, every memory you had there with that person. Imagine how that would feel?”
Christian’s shoulders slump over the weight of my words. “D …” he says, but hesitates as he takes another sip of water. “She’s never going to forgive me, is she?” he asks softly as he looks up at me, and I see that my words have hit the target.
“Honestly? I don’t know.” Panic crosses Christian’s face.
“But … I think there’s enough history between you two that maybe you can build back your friendship, anything more, I don’t know.
I don’t know how she’s going to be able to forget the things she has seen.
” I mean, I can’t, and I’m not fucking him.
“I can’t lose her, D. I’m going to make this right.” I can hear it in his voice, he means it, but it might be too little too late for him.
“Ness is stubborn, Chris, so don’t push her. I know you’re in a very different place now, just give her time to be in the same one, okay?”
“Okay, I promise I won’t push,” he agrees.
“Good, now come on. The last one to the bottom gets to be the bottom,” I tease him.
“Hey, how are things back home?” I ask Ness when I call her.
“Mum’s doing good, healing well.”
“That’s good to hear. I caught up with Christian the other day, and we ran up Runyan Canyon like we used to. That man is so unfit.” I chuckle, remembering how I almost killed him.
“Oh, that’s nice.”
Nice? “He mentioned that you two had a conversation about the flowers.”
Ness lets out a sigh. “Yeah. I called him and thanked him for the flowers, it was the right thing to do.”
“And?” I prompt, waiting for the gossip.
“And nothing. He’s still an ass,” she says.
“Well, that ass seems to have seen the error of his ways when we had a chat and wants to make amends,” I warn her.
“So?”
Yeah, I knew this was going to be hard. Christian has his work cut out for him. “Just listen to him. You don’t have to accept any of his apologies.”
“Listen to him like he ever listened to me,” she asks, raising her voice. She has a point there. “Now that he’s ready, you think I should be too?”
“No. You have every right to feel the way you feel, Ness. But it would be nice to have less tension in group situations.”
“And that’s my fault, how?” she argues.
“It’s not your fault. It’s all his. I’m not on his side, please don’t think that. I’m just saying, listen to what he has to say, it might help you move on either way.”
“I don’t think I’m ready,” she whispers.
“He hurt you. I told him he needs to be on his knees and grovel his butt off for all the shit he has done to you. I told him that he treated you poorly, and honestly, most of what he’s done is unforgivable. He knows this, Ness. He’s also miserable.”
“You don’t think I miss my best friend?”
“I know you do. We’ve cried on my sofa many nights about him. Please, don’t let your stubborn pride stop you from the love of your life.”
Ness gasps. “You think Christian is the love of my life?” I let the silence fall between us because yeah, I do. “Derrick?”
“I want the two of you to be together because before this hiccup, I was waiting for the day both of you woke up and realized the person you’ve both been searching for has always been right in front of you, and that is the reason why no one else compares,” I say, dropping a truth bomb on her.
“Derrick …”
“I’m not arguing with you about this, I’m just giving you my opinion, do with it what you want.”
She lets out another heavy sigh. “I’ll take on board your thoughts on the matter.”
“Good. Now, I’m going to love you and leave you. I have a dick appointment with my man.”
Things went well at Ryder’s christening. Vanessa and Christian talked, she said that she felt it would be better if she stayed living with me, which if I’m honest, has been fun, but the ice has thawed between the two of them much to the relief of everyone else around them.
But who cares about that because I just got handed something so amazing.
I know it must have been Christian who put in a good word for me, trying to buy my love with sex club membership, but I don’t care, I’m a floozy for gifts.
I can’t believe this, I’ve just been accepted into The Paradise Club, this ultra elite sex club, that is run by a good friend of Dirty Texas, Nate Lewis.
Vanessa walks through the front door and has no idea what is about to hit her.
She’s just come home from work, and I’m waving my sex club membership card in her face as she swats my hands away.
“Oh my god, you need to come with me. I’ve been accepted as the newest member of The Paradise Club. I can’t go alone.”
Vanessa stiffens as she computes what I’m saying. “No way. No way in hell am I going there, D,” she says, pushing past me.
Oh, shit. In my excitement, I forgot all about her abusive ex who used to frequent the club when he cheated on her.
Now I feel bad for being excited. “Ness, I know the history it has with you regarding Kane. But maybe it might give you some sort of closure going there.” Vanessa glares at me.
Okay, I played that argument wrong. “Look, Stacey and Isla are coming as well. You won’t be alone.
Girls’ night!” I quickly texted them when I couldn’t get through to Ness earlier.
I couldn’t talk to Sienna about it because she is in her mummy era and wouldn’t be excited about a sex club.
I know I’m not supposed to talk about it with people, you know, the first rule of sex club life, but …
I’m just so damn excited because Christian told me about the club and thought that it might be a place Chance and I could go to hang out together because no one bats an eye at what happens there.
But I give her my best puppy dog eyes because I honestly think she needs to get laid.
“Stop it, stop being so fucking cute,” she says angrily at me.
I pull her into my arms and give her a big cuddle. “Look, if you want me to play with you tonight, I will if it makes you feel better.”
“D, you don’t like vaginas.”
I step back and make a face. Ew. Vaginas. “No, they are gross, but I’m willing to take one for the team if it means you come with me.”
She bursts out laughing at me. Is that a good sign? “Wow, you must be really desperate to check this place out if you’re willing to play with my vagina.”
“Yeah, I really am. I want to try all those naughty things Christian has told me about that go on there. It would be like my Fifty Shades of Fantasy coming to life.”
Vanessa rolls her eyes and lets out a groan at hearing Christian’s name. “Please tell me he isn’t going to be there?”
I shrug because I have no idea. “And so what if he is? You guys have made up.”
“Yeah, but don’t you think it will be awkward if he’s there? Don’t you think I have seen him having sex with enough people to last a lifetime?” she argues.
That is true. “Um … maybe awkward for him having to watch all the hot guys drooling over you or watching you suck some hot guy’s cock.”
Vanessa’s eyes widen, and then I see them turn to petty.
“Fine, I’m in.” She smirks. I knew revenge would get her going.
“Shit, yeah! Now come on, let’s get you dressed. Tonight we’re finding Vanessa’s inner sex goddess.”