Chapter 61 Derrick
DERRICK
My phone is ringing, and when I look down at the time, it’s early in the morning. Who the hell is calling me at this time? I see it’s Sienna, and my stomach drops.
“What is it? Is it the babies? Evan? What’s happened?”
She is crying as she answers, “It’s Stacey. Her family has died.”
My stomach drops. What the hell? “No. No. I don’t understand. We were just with them the other day. How can they be dead?”
“They were driving home and a truck hit them. They’re gone, D. Poor Stacey. Oh my god, those kids.” She bursts out crying.
“Fuck,” I curse, bursting into tears. Stacey’s family was so happy for her. We all just had the best time of our lives together at Finn and Isla’s wedding. Her sister and brother-in-law were there, enjoying their first holiday away from the kids and farm ever. “Her parents were killed, too?”
“They were picking them up.”
“The kids. Oh my god, the kids. Those poor babies.” I cry.
“I know. The Dirty Texas jet is on standby. I’m going, did you want to come?” Sienna asks.
“Yes. Stacey needs us. Let me pack.”
“What about work?”
I shake my head. “Nothing is more important than Stacey and her family right now. The team will look after it all.”
“Okay. I’ll pick you up on the way.”
“Thanks, babe. Love you.”
“Love you, too, D,” she says, hanging up.
I run around grabbing my bag that I haven’t yet unpacked from Hawaii, and tip its contents onto the bed.
Then I just start grabbing things, not really noticing what I am putting in.
I’m on autopilot. I quickly send texts to my team and let them know about the emergency, and then I look down at Charlie’s last message to me.
Fuck. I wish he were here now with me, his calm demeanor would really help, and before I know what I am doing, I’m calling him.
“Derrick?” He answers the phone groggily, his voice all deep and scratchy, and it sounds so good. I burst into tears, unable to say anything as grief overwhelms me. “Derrick. D. What’s happened? What’s going on? Are you hurt? Are you safe?” he asks.
“Stacey’s family …” I hiccup on my tears, “They just died.”
“Oh fuck, D,” Charlie says.
“I’m about to get on a plane to Australia. They are gone. Those poor babies lost their family. Poor Stacey.” I gasp.
“Deep breaths, D, in through the nose, out through the mouth,” Charlie says calmly.
“Wish you were here.”
“Wish I was there, too. But I’ve got you, okay. Whatever you need, whatever time of day or night, call me, text me, anything,” he tells me.
“Thank you.”
“I miss the fucking hell out of you, Derrick, and I wish I was there for you right now. It’s killing me that I’m a million miles away. Wish I could wrap my arms around you and tell you everything is going to be okay. Let you know that you can lean on me, because I’ve got you.”
“Just saying that makes me feel better.” I feel the anxiety attack start to subside.
“I’m here for you. Lean on me. It’s going to be a tough time, and you are going to want to be there for your friend, but helping her is going to take its toll on you. Use me as your outlet, I can handle it, I promise.”
“Sienna is coming too.”
“And she has Evan. Derrick, you have me. Let me be your strength during this time.”
“Okay,” I mumble, trying not to burst into tears again. “I don’t know what I packed, I sort of threw everything together. My head is foggy, and I can’t think.”
“Put me on FaceTime and show me what you have packed.”
Which I do. He then gets me to unpack everything, and piece by piece, he helps me repack my suitcase, luckily, because I forgot underwear and my toiletries.
“Thank you,” I say, looking at him through the screen.
“You’ve got this. I’ll be here whenever you need me.” Staring at his handsome face makes my heart ache.
We see the three of them getting out of the car. Poor Hunter had to get a mild sedative upon hearing the horrible news, thanks to Christian’s mum. Sienna and I rush over to Stacey and pull her into our arms as we burst into tears.
“I’m so sorry. So, so sorry.” Sienna cries.
“I have no words,” I tell her as we hug her tightly.
“I don’t believe it. We only saw them a day ago. They were here, living and breathing, and now … now …” Stacey gasps as a wave of grief hits her. “Thank you, guys, for coming down to the airport to see me. I appreciate it so much, I’d better go.”
“We’re coming,” I tell her. Stacey stills.
“Did you seriously think I’d let you go through this alone?” Sienna asks her.
“We know you have your Viking, love, but now you have the two of us, too,” I add.
“What about the babies?” Stacey asks her.
“Evan has it covered, plus his parents are down the road.”
“What about work?” Stacey looks at me. She knows I’m in prime award season, but nothing is more important than her right now and luckily all those late nights these past couple of days have paid off because everything is done.
“Sweetheart, it’s called delegating,” I reassure her. Stacey bursts into tears, and relief fills her as she hugs us again.
“Thank you, guys. Thank you so much.”
“What are friends for?” I tell her.
“Come on, babe, we better go,” Oscar says, his arm wrapped around Hunter. We walk up the stairs to the jet and take our seats while Oscar sets Hunter up in an area by himself. Stacey looks at her brother nervously as she bites her nail.
“He’s going to be okay, Stace, he’ll sleep the entire way.”
Her brows pull together. “I’m worried about what is going to happen when we arrive home.”
“One moment at a time, babe, that is all you’re going to be able to do.”
She nods as Oscar joins us. He pulls her into his side and wraps his strong arms around her. I know he hopes to shield her from the outside world. He gives us both a sad smile as he gently kisses Stacey’s hair. Sienna and I hold hands as the jet gets ready to take off.
It’s the middle of summer, and the heat really hits you. Oh, how I’ve missed these Australian summer days. We landed in Sydney, but the jet is too big for the country airport, so we swap plans to a small jet and head out west to Mudgee.
Charlie has been texting me the entire flight, and his thoughtful and calming words during the flight have been great.
Once we arrive in Mudgee, it’s a dusty thirty-minute drive out to Stacey’s family’s farm from the airport.
There’s red dirt blowing around us, a far cry from the grey cement of LA.
The once green grass is now a horrible brown color, and in most places, nonexistent.
The dirt road leads us to a white homestead, with verandas that wrap around the entire house and a rusty tin roof.
There’s a gorgeous house garden at the front, and I realize how pathetic my garden looks at home.
I attempted to grow vegetables, but they sadly died. I may have forgotten to water them.
The front screen door swings open as the car pulls to a stop.
Stacey’s three nieces run out—Amelia, Jennifer, and Rebecca.
Hunter perks up in the car and is the first one out as soon as it stops, heavy sobs falling from his lips and the same from his sisters as they all hug each other.
Fuck. Tears fall down my cheeks. I reach out and squeeze Sienna’s hand. This is utterly heartbreaking.
“Aunt Stacey,” Jennifer screams as she rushes into Stacey’s arms. The others follow, and the look of relief on the kids’ faces when they embrace her nearly breaks me.
The creaking of the screen door catches our attention, and little Lockie is there, and my heart breaks all over again because this little guy is going to grow up and not know his parents or grandparents because he is only three.
“Hunnie,” Lockie calls for his brother. He kicks and whines in an older woman’s arms until she puts him down, and they run to each other. Obviously, she was a close friend of the family because her eyes are red raw from crying. Stacey rushes over to her and they embrace.
“It’s not fair, Stace. It’s not fair.” The woman cries.
“Thank you for being here. Thank you for looking after them for me,” Stacey tells the woman.
“You’re family, girl. It’s what we do.”
“Shacey …” Lockie realizes his aunt is there and launches himself out of Hunter’s arms into hers, which makes him giggle, and it’s the sweetest sound in the world.
“Hey, little man. You have grown so big.” Stacey’s words hitch in her throat.
“No sad. Happy,” he tells her, not understanding what is happening.
And this breaks me as I try to hold my shit together.
“Come inside, I’ve popped the kettle on,” the older lady says, opening the door for us. “You’re probably exhausted after your long journey.”
“Wasn’t too bad … the joys of a private jet,” Stacey cracks a joke.
“Ah, yes. That does make traveling very comfortable. Your mum didn’t stop talking about her trip on it over Christmas. She showed me the photos,” the woman says.
Oh, that’s right, I’ve met this woman before. I think she’s Stacey’s mum’s best friend, but I can’t remember her name. Is it Hailey? Or Harriette?
“You’re probably hungry then. Let me make you all a sandwich or something.” We move through the home, and Stacey wanders off to her parents’ bedroom with Oscar following.
“I’m sorry, I’ve forgotten your name,” I ask the woman.
“It’s Hilda. I’m not so good with names either.”
“I’m Derrick, and this is Sienna.” Reintroducing ourselves to her.
“That’s right. You’re Stacey’s friends from Sydney, and now you live in America,” she states.
“That’s us. Sienna is married to Oscar’s bandmate.”
Hilda nods. “The one who got married up in Byron Bay. I remember Stacey showing me the photos when she was here. It looked beautiful. And you have kids, too?”
“Two boys, Ryder and Levi.” Sienna smiles.
“What a blessing.” She smiles, her words hitching as you see another wave of grief hit her.
“They truly are,” Sienna adds.
Hilda nods and busies herself in the kitchen. “I have corned beef sandwiches, is that okay?”
“Yes. Sounds lovely. Do you need us to do anything?” I ask her.