Chapter 45 Derrick
DERRICK
Unfortunately, the holidays didn’t end happily for Olivia.
Early the next morning after Thanksgiving, she got a call that her father had a heart attack and had sadly passed away.
We all headed to England for the funeral.
Poor thing, she was a mess. Axel and Olivia decided that they would stay on in England to have the holidays with her family, as her mother wasn’t coping, they would try to be back for New Year’s if possible.
Charlie: What’s your plans for the holidays?
Derrick: We’re all heading up to Big Bear. Christian and Vanessa have a home up there. What about you?
Charlie: My parents want to spend it in Europe skiing so probably go there.
Derrick: That sounds fantastic.
Charlie: My sister’s will be going.
Derrick: I thought you got on with them?
Charlie: I do but they gang up on me when they are together. *Eye Roll*
Charlie told me about his oldest sister, Faith, who owns a ranch in Midnight Falls where they live, that she’s as mean as a cut snake.
Then he has Everly, who he is super close with, but they are always together and he kind of wishes she would get a boyfriend to distract her from hanging out with him.
Derrick: Come on, you will have fun. Think of all the pastries you can eat, the fondue, all the cute European men.
Charlie: Yeah. I’m not ready for that.
Charlie confessed that I was the first guy he’s kissed since getting out of the military.
Of course, I am flattered. But also, I worry about his dick, no wonder his hands are calloused, it’s all that jerking off he’s been doing.
He also told me that because he lives in a small town, it’s full of his exes from high school, and he does not want to go back.
Derrick: Let some European hottie pop your cherry.
Charlie: You sound like Everly.
Derrick: She’s a smart girl.
Charlie: What about you? Anymore disastrous dates.
I let Charlie talk me into joining an online dating app and going on dates. Let’s just say the dating pool in LA sucks. Have I hooked up with some of them? Yes, because they were hot, but none that had any substance. And especially none that I can talk to like Charlie.
Derrick: I’m taking a break. Maybe I’ll try again in the new year.
Charlie: That’s a lie.
Derrick: At least I’m trying.
Charlie: Point taken.
Derrick: One date. Go on one date while in Europe. That can be my Christmas present. I want to see you try just once, and I will never ask you again. They cannot be as bad as the guy who brought his mom on the date with him.
Charlie: Yes. Nothing could beat that. Fine. One date.
Derrick: Yes. You need to get laid.
Charlie: Who said anything about getting laid?
Derrick: Fine, at least get your dick sucked.
Charlie: Derrick!
Derrick: What? If I’d known on my birthday that no one had sucked your dick in a couple of years, I would have dropped to my knees and done it for you.
Charlie: Are you saying I’m a charity case?
Derrick: Yes.
Charlie: And I thought we were friends.
Derrick: We are. If friends can’t tell you the truth, who can?
Charlie: Urgh. Fine.
Derrick: Look, you don’t have to sleep with anyone or even get your dick sucked. First step, go out on a date. Like you pushed me to.
Charlie: Fine.
Derrick: I love it when you get pissy. I can just imagine the look you are giving me right now.
Charlie: You have no idea.
Christmas Day
The Dirty Texas crew is in Big Bear this Christmas at Christian and Vanessa’s home.
It’s been magical celebrating the holiday with all the babies and family, I’ve never felt so much love.
Oscar surprised Stacey last night with her family from Australia, now if that isn’t love, I don’t know what is.
That Viking is head over heels in love with my friend, and it’s beautiful to see.
Charlie: Merry Christmas, D.
Derrick: Merry Xmas. How’s Switzerland?
Charlie: Cold. Full of pompous rich people. Not my vibe.
Derrick: Any hot pompous rich people?
Charlie: Everly seems to think so, she’s been having fun.
Derrick: But not you?
Charlie: I feel awkward getting back out on the scene. I’m not as buff as I used to be, thanks to getting out of the military.
Derrick: You look pretty good to me.
Charlie: Really? Am I being a charity again?
Derrick: Would you stop that negativity. Where I was sitting that night I met you, you looked pretty good. I also wouldn’t have kissed you back if I didn’t like what I saw.
Charlie: More like I surprised you and it was muscle memory.
Derrick: Would you stop. I will not hear you talk about yourself like this.
Charlie: I’ve been locked away on a mountain for the past couple of years. Putting yourself out there is terrifying. Everyone is so beautiful here.
Derrick: Okay. I get that. But you can do it. How about NYE? That is your moment.
Charlie: Fine.
Derrick: Good. Now did you open my present?
Charlie: Yes. Thank you. How did you know my size?
Derrick: Jackson. I thought you could use some new clothes, not that I hate your cowboy get up, it works, but you need something to wear that isn’t cowboy attire.
Charlie: Thank you. I appreciate the gift. You didn’t have to though. My sisters thought the clothes were great.
Derrick: Glad I got their approval.
Charlie: Did you get my present?
Derrick: You sent me a present? No. Not yet.
Charlie: Fucking Jackson. Hold on.
Charlie: Expect a visit from Jackson any moment.
Derrick: Ha Ha, I bet he’s cursing me right now.
Charlie: It was his own damn fault for forgetting to give it to you.
There’s a knock at my door.
Derrick: He’s here.
I scramble out of my bed and answer the door.
“Merry Christmas, D,” Jackson grumbles, shoving the present in my hand.
“Thanks.” I smile as my insides flutter, wondering what Charlie bought me.
“How’s Charlie?” Jackson asks.
“He’s good. Moaning about the skiing and beautiful people.”
“That sounds like him.” Jackson chuckles. “I know I told you to um …”
“Leave him alone,” I answer for him.
“Yeah. But I didn’t mean it like that. I wasn’t trying to be a dick.” Jackson winces.
“You were protecting him.”
He nods. “I promised I would always protect him, and I didn’t …”
“I don’t know what happened while you guys were serving, but whatever happened it’s not your fault,” I reassure him.
“Has Charlie not spoken to you about what happened?” Jackson asks. I shake my head. Jackson seems surprised, and now I’m wondering what’s going on. “It doesn’t matter because whatever you are doing is working. I’ve never seen him happier.”
Oh. Wow. I don’t deserve that praise from Jackson. “I don’t deserve any credit for anything. All we are doing is messaging. I haven’t even spoken to him on the phone or even FaceTime,” I confess to Jackson.
“Wait, I thought …”
“We’re online friends. Pen Pals. Someone you can talk to without judgment, because they live so far away that there’s this safety wall between you that allows you to be so open with each other. I don’t think we would have this friendship if we were in the same place. Do you know what I mean?”
“Kind of.” Jackson smiles. “Whatever the relationship. Thank you. I can see the light come back in him.”
“That’s not from me.”
“I think it is,” he says seriously. “That man is my brother, and I would do anything for him.”
Oh. Wow. Jackson is really heaping praise on me. I don’t deserve it because I haven’t done anything.
“Charlie seems like a good guy.”
“He’s the best. You’d never find anyone better.” Jackson smiles.
“Well, I’m glad we’re friends then.”
“Merry Christmas, D,” he says and walks away.
I shut the door behind me and open the gorgeously wrapped present. It’s a gorgeous photo frame, inside is an image of all my babies, and engraved on the frame it says Uncle Derrick. How did he get them all to take a photo like that? Tears well in my eyes. I love it.
I grab my phone to write out a message, but instead I press the call button. It rings and rings and rings.
“Hello …” the deep voice answers cautiously.
“Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I love it. I’m in tears. It’s so beautiful. How did you do it? All my babies together,” I gush.
“I’m glad you like it. Jackson arranged it with Charlotte, I think he said her name was.”
Of course, Charlotte would be the one taking the photo.
“This means so much to me. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” he says softly as if he isn’t used to receiving thanks from people. “You called me.” There’s an angry lilt to his tone.
“Yeah. I didn’t think a text message would suffice. I needed you to know how much I loved the gift.”
“You weren’t supposed to call,” he says angrily.
“It’s not a big deal, is it? I mean, you answered.”
“Not a big deal.” He scoffs. I don’t understand what I’ve done wrong. “You were supposed to stay there.”
“Where?”
“In the messages. This isn’t supposed to happen. It can’t happen.” Charlie’s anger seems to have turned to panic. I still don’t get what I’ve done wrong.
“I’m sorry. I just wanted you to hear how much joy your present gave me.” I’m so confused. It’s like I’ve accidentally flipped a switch in him.
“I can’t do this.” The phone goes dead.
What the hell just happened?
Derrick: I’m sorry for calling.
The message doesn’t go through.
I’m blocked.
I walk downstairs in a daze, playing the conversation over in my mind. What did I do wrong? Yes, it has always been a text-only friendship, but I thought with the exchanging of Christmas presents, a phone call wouldn’t be any worse.
“Derrick?” Jackson is the first person to see me. Tears form in my eyes, and he rushes over to me. “What happened?”
“I don’t know. He blocked me.”
Jackson stills. “Charlie?”
“I called him to thank him for the present, and he got mad. Told me he couldn’t do this and then blocked me. What did I do wrong?”
Jackson’s face falls. “You did nothing wrong. It’s not you. It’s him,” he says sadly as he reassures me. “Charlie is suffering from PTSD. Maybe the phone call triggered him.”
I look at Jackson with tear-soaked eyes. “PTSD?”
He nods. “We all suffer from it, and we all deal with it in different ways. Please don’t hold this against him.”
“Okay.” Not knowing what else to say.
“Look, I can’t speak for Charlie. It’s his story to tell, and it’s the reason I didn’t want you to date. It’s a lot to deal with dating someone like us.”
“Like you?”
“People who are messed up.”
“You’re not messed up, Jackson.”
He laughs sadly. “I’m a great actor.”
Now my heart hurts for Jackson and Charlie for whatever horrors they have experienced.
Jackson has never talked much about what happened to him while serving, and I’ve never asked.
I know he was medically discharged and was blown up while on patrol, and that sometimes he walks with a limp.
Does Charlie have the same problems? Was he blown up too? Are his scars worse?
“I had no idea, Jackson.”
“I don’t talk about it much, maybe I should.” He sighs.
“Have you been to therapy?”
He nods. “It’s the reason I started up my business.
Cause sometimes therapy doesn’t always help, but being around others who have lived similar experiences can help start the healing process.
” Jackson then shakes his head. “It’s Christmas, we shouldn’t be speaking about all this dark stuff.
I’ll check in with Charlie, see how he is doing for you.
Just know it’s not you. Charlie has been through a lot.
For years I’ve been trying to get him to rejoin the land of the living, but he’s not ready yet.
Please, don’t give up on him. You might not realize it, but you have been able to coax him out of his shell more than anyone else has been able to get him.
” My heart breaks for Charlie and Jackson, it makes me look at him differently, not in a pitting way, because he doesn’t deserve that, just in a different light.
That under all that taut muscle and seriousness is a normal guy lurking beneath, and just like Charlie, he’s not one hundred percent back to who he was before he left, but you can see Jackson is trying to get back what he lost. Does Charlie have that same strength? Not yet, it seems.
“If you ever need to talk, I’m here, you know. I’m not always a silly sausage.”
“A silly sausage?” He quirks a confused brow at me.
“My sausage is not silly, I can assure you of that, but it’s just an Aussie saying, you know, not being serious,” I tease, changing the subject with a joke.
Jackson just chuckles. “I’ll take your word for it. Come on, let’s head down and enjoy the chaos that is Christmas morning with all those little beasts.”
“Can I get everyone into the lounge room, please?” Oscar asks, clearing his throat.
“I have an announcement,” he says. “Hunter,” he looks to Stacey’s nephew who is here for the holidays with her family, “it’s been brought to my attention that you don’t know what you want to do now that you’ve finished school.
” Hunter stares at Oscar, wondering where his speech is going.
“Well, then, would you like to have a gap year with your aunt and me?”
A gap year? And he wants Hunter to live with him and Stacey? The Viking has it bad, it might be a good trial for them to play happy families.
“Are you serious?” Hunter asks, staring at Oscar and Stacey in disbelief.
What teen wouldn’t want to move in with a rock star and live in LA?
“Mum, Dad?” He looks over to his parents, not quite believing what he is hearing.
His mum is crying happy tears as she nods.
“You mean I stay with Aunt Stacey in LA?”
“This is so not fair. Why can’t I stay too?” Amelia, his fifteen-year-old sister asks.
“When you’ve finished high school, you can come and stay with us as well,” Stacey reassures her, which makes her smile again.
“Cool.”
“So, what do you say?” Oscar asks Hunter.
“Yes. Yes, thank you. Thank you so much.” He rushes over and hugs Oscar, which surprises the big oaf, and then he hugs his Aunty.
“There’s one more thing.” Oscar smirks once the excitement of Hunter’s gap year has died down.
The next thing we know, Oscar drops to one knee.
OMG! Stacey gasps, as does her family. It’s happening.
It’s really happening. I can’t believe it.
He pulls out a black velvet box from his pocket.
“The moment I met you, Stacey, I knew you were different. I fought my feelings for you until I couldn’t anymore.
I was scared to take the leap, but I’d be more scared of living my life without you.
” Dammit, Ragnar, that was beautiful as everyone tears up.
“Will you marry me, Stacey?” he asks, taking out the huge yellow diamond and slipping it onto her shaking ring finger.
“Yes. Yes. Yes.” Stacey squeals as Oscar, looking rather relieved, picks her up and kisses her.
“The last Dirty Texas man has fallen,” I yell out.
What a Christmas!