Chapter 25 Derrick
DERRICK
It’s my birthday, bitches!
And this weekend is all about me, me, me!
The Dirty Texas gang has graciously provided the use of their private plane for the weekend, flying us to the Caribbean for my birthday.
Honestly, I have no idea what Camryn has planned, but I do know that she has invited hot, single guys to my birthday and that is all that matters because I am going to party hard this weekend and indulge in anything and everything.
I’m going to start my thirties with a dirty bang.
“It’s party time, bitches,” I call out as we step onto the Dirty Texas jet.
The flight attendant is there with a tray filled with tequila shots, and we all take one as we step onto the plane.
The sound of champagne bottles popping and excited squeals from the girls fill the cabin as we get the party started right.
Once we are in the air, things heat up. “You should see my moves on the pole. I honestly don’t understand why I am still single.
I’m hot,” I mumble as I make my way toward the stripper pole on the plane.
Thankfully, Sienna dragged me to stripper classes because I’ve got moves.
I do my best twirl around the pole, and the guys give me a clap.
I can see they are impressed by my skills.
Only have to ask, boys, and I’d be happy to give you a lap dance.
“Take it off, take it off,” I hear the girls chanting for me as I continue my awesome moves. Yeah, baby, as I start to strip.
“You like what you see, ladies.” I wink at the girls as I twirl around. “What about you, Chris? Want to see more?”
He just laughs as he joins the girls, chanting, “Take it off, take it off.”
So, I do, throwing my shirt at him, making him burst out laughing, and he waves my shirt above his head like it’s a prize.
Hell yeah. I’ve still got the moves. I start to unbuckle my jeans. Is the plane flying sideways? I trip over my feet. Did we hit turbulence? Because I’m finding it hard to get these jeans off. Got ’em, as I hold them in my hand.
“Ragnar, cheer up,” I tell him, throwing my jeans in his face as I continue doing my sexy moves.
“What? No,” Christian shouts. I stop my incredible moves and look at him. “Sorry, carry on,” he says as he goes back to whispering to his wife.
Urgh, newlyweds. I do another spin around the pole and watch as Christian picks up a screaming Vanessa, throws her over his shoulder, and heads to the toilets. The rest of the crew starts hollering at them. We all know what they are going to do, it won’t be long till Evan does the same with Sienna.
“My turn,” Isla says.
“Sit the fuck down,” Oscar says, grabbing his sister.
“Hey, chill the fuck out, Ragnar. If she wants to have a spin around the pole, she can.” I glare at him. “It’s my fucking birthday.”
“Oh, fuck yeah.” Vanessa’s moans echo through the plane, and we all burst out laughing.
“Hey, Oscar, let me show you something.” Stacey giggles, grabbing his attention as he blindly follows her to the bedroom.
“I don’t want to know.” Isla groans.
“Yes, yes, yes.” Vanessa’s screams cut through our conversations.
“Show us what you’ve got, Issy, shake that booty,” I call out to her, and watch as she gets on that pole and does a dance.
“I’m not watching, Oscar will rip my balls off,” Axel grumbles.
“What do you think, Finn? She’s got some moves.” I chuckle, elbowing him.
“Fuck off, D,” he grumbles.
“But it’s my birthday.” I pout. He flips me off.
“Yay, girl, go,” I call out, encouraging Issy until she lands on her ass with a thud.
“Harder, Chris.” Vanessa’s moans fill up the silence, breaking the mood again.
Finn tries to help Isla up, but she refuses his help.
“My turn,” Sienna says.
“None of you fuckers better watch.” Evan points to Axel and Finn, who both hold up their hands and quickly turn their backs on her.
Sienna, of course, does an epic dance, so fucking sexy. Evan probably got hard as steel watching her. She looks good. She always does.
Hours later, Vanessa and Christian rejoin the group.
“Harder, harder,” Finn mocks them.
Christian flips him off. “Fuck you, asshole.”
“Oh my god.” Vanessa gasps.
“Yeah, I think you said that as well,” Axel teases. Christian hits him.
“It was hot. You obviously know how to please a woman,” I add.
“Hell, yeah, I do,” Christian says proudly, while Vanessa wants to die from embarrassment.
“Shut up, all of you,” Vanessa scolds all of our friends.
“It’s all good, Ness, ?cause Evan and Sienna were singing the same tune not that long ago as well. You’re not the only one worshiping God today,” Camryn adds.
“To be fair, we all knew that was going to happen when Sienna got on the pole.”
“Derrick!” Sienna scolds me.
“I’m only human.” Evan smirks.
I run into Finn near the bathrooms, everyone else has passed out.
“We need to talk,” I tell him.
“I know what you’re going to say, D, and I get it, okay?” Finn tells me.
“It’s going to be so much worse if she finds out herself,” I warn him.
He runs his hand through his hair. “I can’t lose her, D. This will crush her, I know it will.”
“Stringing her along isn’t any better. Will you ever stand up to Oscar and tell him you’re in love with Isla?”
“Derrick!” Finn hushes me.
“You’re as bad a Chance. I won’t let you hurt her like he hurt me.”
“Derrick!”
I shake my head. “No, Finn. That girl deserves honesty, and maybe then she can move on with her life and find someone who can love her fully.”
“Don’t you think I know that?” Finn argues.
“You’re a fucking coward, Finn Connolly.”
“Jesus, D, tell me what you really think.”
“You don’t want to hear that,” I bite back.
“I’m not going to fight with you over this. And I will not have you trying to blackmail me over it either. Don’t fucking cross me, D,” Finn says through clenched teeth, his warning heard loud and clear.
“You don’t threaten the birthday boy,” I say, my eyes narrowing on him.
He runs his hand through his hair again as his face softens. “I don’t want to fight with you, D. She wants nothing to do with me now, so it isn’t the right time.”
She is doing a Finn detox, that’s right. “Well, if you start sleeping with her again, then please tell her.”
“I will.”
“Thank God for land.” I throw myself onto the white sandy beach.
I’ve never been so happy to see the ground as I am now.
Drinking and flying is dangerous. There’s a traditional Caribbean steel band greeting us on arrival, which would sound amazing if there wasn’t already one banging in my head.
The manager is there to greet us as well with fresh fruit cocktails.
“Welcome to Azure Bay. I’m sure you’re all tired after the long journey.” We look like shit. “So, we will get you settled into the home, and then we’ll leave you alone,” he says, ushering us to a fleet of golf carts. “The easiest way to get around the island is via these.” He points to the carts.
“Last one’s a rotten egg,” I call out as I race the guys to the golf carts.
We jump in and zoom off through the estate.
It’s probably not the smartest of moves considering the amount of alcohol we have consumed, but I’m not seeing double, so that’s a win.
We shoot off along the tracks as we hurl abuse at each other, giggling away as each of us tries to ram the others off the road.
We pass through the palm trees lining the walkways, the gorgeous beach is on our left, and as far as the eye can see, there is a white sandy beach and turquoise water—sheer paradise.
Up ahead is a gorgeous house made of glass and wood.
It’s breathtaking as we hurtle toward it.
“I win,” Axel yells as he pulls up moments before me.
“No fair. It’s my birthday.” I pout.
“Sorry, dude, I didn’t want to be a rotten egg.” Axel grins.
“Lucky you’re pretty.”
Finn and then Oscar turn up, followed by the rest of the crew.
The manager doesn’t look happy with us, oops.
“The accommodation is made up of three large buildings, all connected by breezeways. We’re currently standing in the main building.
From here, you’ll find your dining and living areas.
There’s a bar, games room, library, cellar, movie theater, also a sauna and spa area.
The pool you can see here runs all the way around the three buildings.
From most bedrooms, you can step out right into the pool.
Of course, all views from your rooms look out to the ocean.
Our chef and butler will be on standby, and when the rest of your guests arrive, we have a couple of extra staff to help with anything you want.
” The manager hands Camryn a folder and says his goodbyes.
“Okay, I have everyone’s keys. Luggage is being taken to your rooms as we speak.
” Camryn starts handing out the keys. “I hope you don’t mind, but I put you married couples on one side of the house and the single guys on the other.
” Good thinking, not that we think the marrieds are boring, but we know they are not going to want to be near us party people.
We agree to meet up for dinner later and say our goodbyes before heading to our rooms.
“Camryn, this place is gorgeous. The pictures don’t do it justice,” I say as she walks me to my room.
“Right, it’s so much more perfect than I realized. Hope you’re having fun so far, that plane trip was wild.” She chuckles.
“Great way to kick off my dirty thirties.”
“It’s only going to get better.” She giggles.
One by one, we have lost each of our friends to their rooms. “Of course, because you are the birthday boy, you get the best room on the island,” she says, opening the door, and I gasp.
There is nothing but floor-to-ceiling glass for as far as I can see, then azure water that stretches from the room to the sky.
“You have your own private pool with a hot tub,” Cam explains.
There is a massive deck that hangs out over the white sand with a table, chairs, and sun lounges.
Then nestled into the palms is an outdoor bathroom with a tub and shower.
Of course, in the middle of the room is a king-size bed, and behind it is the indoor bathroom and walk-in closet.
“This is spectacular.” I stare out at one of the most beautiful views I’ve ever seen.
“I’m glad you like it. I’ve organized for a masseuse to come. I think you might need it after that plane ride. You’ll then have an hour to nap before you need to get ready for dinner.”
“You’ve thought of everything, thank you.” I give her a huge hug of appreciation.
“It’s my job. I want this weekend to be everything you hoped for.” She smiles.
I just had the most relaxing massage, and I think she was able to massage the champagne out of me as I feel brand new. I’m getting ready for dinner when there’s a knock at my door.
“Coming,” I call out. I rush to the door, and my heart stops when I open it and see Chance there. He told me he wasn’t going to come this weekend, but I should have known he would lie to me. Chance has a big bouquet of flowers in his hand.
“Happy Birthday, D,” he says sheepishly.
“Thanks,” I answer, but I don’t make a move to take the flowers. “I didn’t think you were coming.”
“I know, but we have a work thing in New York and the guys insisted I come.”
“And they don’t know about us?” I ask him. He nods slowly. Of course, I was kept secret from his bandmates.
“I promise, D, I don’t want to make this awkward. I wish you the best time, I will stay out of your way as much as I can. I’ll fake food poisoning and stay in my room all weekend.”
I roll my eyes at his dramatics. “Whatever, I’ll be too drunk to care.”
“Derrick, please, I’m sorry.”
“I know you are,” I say, crossing my arms. “Just because I accept it doesn’t erase everything you did to me. You need help, Chance, to figure yourself out.”
“I know,” he says, biting his lip. “When I get back, I’m going to talk to a therapist. I know it won’t make up for how much I hurt you, but I want to be better.”
“You don’t need to be better, you just need to be you, whatever that is.”
Chance nods. “Please take the flowers.” I reluctantly take them. “Happy Birthday, Derrick,” he says, and I watch him walk away as a tear slips down my cheek.